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Archive for January, 2010

Lands’ End Tailored Collection Suit

Do you even know how much I owe Paul Bernie who runs Manshion?

No, I am in no kind of gambling debt with him, but rather indebted for providing me inspiration to start Made To Measure and for his consistently amazing and affordable finds at places you would never think of looking.

One of his most recent is from Lands’ End (yes, the brand you find at Kmart) called the Tailored Suit Collection. I was so weary at first but after he posted photos I had to dive in. I dropped $150 + shipping and when it arrived I took it straight out of the box and it fit like a CHARM. Made of lightweight and 100% wrinkle free merino wool, this charcoal pinstripe piece completed my entire wardrobe as I now have every “essential” suit.

Let me get into what $150 can get you by first showing you how EXCELLENT it is cut. Medium lapels, pinched waist, slim cut but not too tight pants. Way better quality than an H&M number:

The only thing I had Matt at Imparali do was move the top button on the blazer over to bring the sides in a bit. Other than that, I see no need for extra tailoring on this. I MAY have the legs tapered a little more but I think they are fine right now. Anymore may prove to be sausage tight. I absolutely love he little details they added as well. First off, the buttons are nice. Not cheap looking like most OTR suits. And a ticket pocket? They got you covered.

When you get to the inside of the jacket they give you 4 pockets in total which is a VERY nice touch considering most OTR suits just offer you two.

There’s a really nice blue and white striped interlining on the inside of the jacket sleeves as well. Lands’ End also offers a hemming service on the pants which I chose and had my pants hemmed at 31.25 giving them the PERFECT break.

What I love most about the suit is that everything falls really well on the body and there’s no pulling or sagging. The merino wool proves to be very comfortable and made from excellent stock (feels like super 120) making this suit a fantastic buy all around.

You can purchase your own here:

Lands’ End Tailored Collection

As for the measurements I chose, here they are:

Jacket: 38R

Pants: 33 waist, 31.25 inseam.

Trust me on this one. You will love it.

Farewell

Working A Classic: The Navy Suit

Suit: Indochino, Shirt: Banana Republic, Tie: YSL

Oh how I love my navy suits. I can own a boat load and never have enough. Just like the classic charcoal, this is another fantastic blank slate to work with.

For this outfit I went with a gingham shirt, orange tie, and (in my hand) brown shoes, and a brown belt.

I would go with this combination for a day at the office, dinner with the lady, or even a night out.

Navy just works…for almost every occasion.

The Suit You Need In 2010

Suit: Indochino, Shirt: Indochino, Tie: H&M

If you are going to buy one suit this year, go for a navy pinstripe in a slim cut. It’s extremely versatile and you can wear it with black or brown shoes, stripe or solid ties, and plain or patterned shirts.

Pictured is a lilac striped shirt with a purple striped tie which I think most might find a bit much but I say…it’s 2010.

Go for it.

Working A Classic: The Charcoal Gray Suit

Suit: Indochino, Shirt: Indochino, Tie: Dunhill, Pocket Square: H&M

What I love most about a charcoal suit is what a great blank slate it is. Where most will go with a white shirt and black or blue tie, I’m choosing to go with bright colors to make the entire outfit blow up in your face.

The colors I chose are red and purple because against the gray they really pop.

This year, try something like this with one of your more subtle suits. I’m sure you will turn some heads.

Welcome To The Working Week

Suit: Imparali, Shirt: H&M, Tie: Indochino

Welcome to Monday, boys. I hope you all enjoyed an amazingly restful (or for you weekend warriors, not so restful) weekend.

For today I put together a somewhat sober piece that goes bold in the patterns. There’s also a complete absence of pocket square. Am I over the square?

Hell no.

I love me some crisp white, pattern or silk solid poking out of my jacket pocket. This suit just look more stream lined and perfectly uniform without it. Just like composing music, it’s not so much the notes you put into a piece but than the ones you choose to leave out that make it work.

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