[mgio1]

Was pretty set on Black Lapel simply because they offer free returns or remakes. Stumbled upon Lanieri and love their online custom visualization tool... I'm also Italian so may just be a sucker for anything Italian made. Also love some of the prints from Oliver Wicks.

What is your recommendation between those three? Obviously fit is the most important consideration but quality is also important. It'd help if some details were provided on what you liked or didn't like about a company.

 

[SG_67]

Why online? You live in Laguna Beach. Aren’t there any in person options?

 

[Fading Fast]

To echo SG_67, if at all possible, try to do MTM in person. Every step - from the initial ordering, through all the fittings, to the final result will be much better that way.

I'm not familiar with the brands you mentioned, so I don't have a sense of your budget, but, today, in-store MTM exists for almost any budget from JAB/Men's Wearhouse up to Polo Purple label.

 

[FiscalDean]

I would recommend in person over any on-line tailor. My Tailor has a showroom in Costa Mesa. I believe the distance between Costa Mesa and Laguna Beach is less than 20 miles. Forum member OldSarge speaks highly of them.

 

[derum]

A bad showroom tailor is no better than a bad online tailor, but a good showroom tailor will always be better than an online tailor. Emphasis on good. Do your homework, ask questions, know what you want.

 

[JBierly]

Welcome to the forum. I think the overwhelming sentiment here is that online tailors (despite their claims otherwise) struggle to deliver a well fitting product (quality aside). We have just seen too many posters complain about their experiences. I know that doesn't answer your question but I think most here will agree that if you can do things in person you will have a better experience and a higher chance of being satisfied. Ideally get someone to measure you who has been doing it for a long time. Tailors are better but I have had some good experience with seasoned sales people. Even so, the more experience the better. Good luck. You may want to try a search for your specific companies. I think I have seen some threads referencing oliver wick for example.

 

[smmrfld]

This is a no-brainer given your location. Go see Joe Hemrajani at MyTailor in Costa Mesa. Absolutely terrific.

 

[mgio1]

Thanks guys! I'd say my max budget is $1200 for a suit, ideally $1000 and possibly less. Any recommendations for an in-person tailor in that price range?

 

[smmrfld]

Thanks guys! I'd say my max budget is $1200 for a suit, ideally $1000 and possibly less. Any recommendations for an in-person tailor in that price range?

Yes...Joe is close to that range, depending on fabric.

 

[Matt S]

Welcome to the forum. I think the overwhelming sentiment here is that online tailors (despite their claims otherwise) struggle to deliver a well fitting product (quality aside). We have just seen too many posters complain about their experiences. I know that doesn't answer your question but I think most here will agree that if you can do things in person you will have a better experience and a higher chance of being satisfied. Ideally get someone to measure you who has been doing it for a long time. Tailors are better but I have had some good experience with seasoned sales people. Even so, the more experience the better. Good luck. You may want to try a search for your specific companies. I think I have seen some threads referencing oliver wick for example.

Quality matters, and quality affects fit. The fit has just as much to do with a quality cut as it does with accurate measurements. The suits of all online tailors I have seen have poor cuts, and the cut of suits from online tailors is not the same as the cut of a decent ready-to-wear suit. A good ready-to-wear suit or a good MTM suit with imperfect measurements can usually be altered. Online MTM suits I have gotten with very close measurements could not be altered because they were cut poorly. Online MTM shirts can work quite well because shirts are two-dimensional garments. A suit is three-dimensional, and placing fullness in the wrong place makes a suit useless. Most men have similar shapes, and that's why it's easy for most men to put on a well-cut RTW suit like a Brioni and look great. Indochino will never be able to make a flattering suit because they have horrible patterns to start from. The quality of cut is very important, and that differentiates cheap suits from expensive suits in a very noticeable way.

 

[Charles Dana]

I agree with all of the previous replies. Let me add this: In addition to the skill of the tailor and the quality of the fabric, you also need to be concerned about whether or not your tastes have seasoned to the point where you can work with a tailor to come up with a flattering suit.

It ultimately comes down to YOU. Are you psychologically prepared to go MTM?

If you think that trendy is absolutely the only way to go, then you'll end up with a suit that won't look good on you even if you have the world's best tailor and cloth. Tight trousers and a short, tight jacket with a high button stance will make you look like a pear.

If you appreciate timeless classics and have a pretty good sense of what looks the best on your physique, take the plunge (once you find a local tailor)--provided you are assertive and confident enough to explain to the tailor what you want. However, if trendy's your thing, or if you are not assertive, forget it.

 

[JBierly]

Quality matters, and quality affects fit. The fit has just as much to do with a quality cut as it does with accurate measurements. The suits of all online tailors I have seen have poor cuts, and the cut of suits from online tailors is not the same as the cut of a decent ready-to-wear suit. A good ready-to-wear suit or a good MTM suit with imperfect measurements can usually be altered. Online MTM suits I have gotten with very close measurements could not be altered because they were cut poorly. Online MTM shirts can work quite well because shirts are two-dimensional garments. A suit is three-dimensional, and placing fullness in the wrong place makes a suit useless. Most men have similar shapes, and that's why it's easy for most men to put on a well-cut RTW suit like a Brioni and look great. Indochino will never be able to make a flattering suit because they have horrible patterns to start from. The quality of cut is very important, and that differentiates cheap suits from expensive suits in a very noticeable way.

I think that's a fair point. I was considering more the quality of the materials and fabric. You make the relevant point that quality also means cut.

 

[JBierly]

I agree with all of the previous replies. Let me add this: In addition to the skill of the tailor and the quality of the fabric, you also need to be concerned about whether or not your tastes have seasoned to the point where you can work with a tailor to come up with a flattering suit.

It ultimately comes down to YOU. Are you psychologically prepared to go MTM?

If you think that trendy is absolutely the only way to go, then you'll end up with a suit that won't look good on you even if you have the world's best tailor and cloth. Tight trousers and a short, tight jacket with a high button stance will make you look like a pear.

If you appreciate timeless classics and have a pretty good sense of what looks the best on your physique, take the plunge (once you find a local tailor)--provided you are assertive and confident enough to explain to the tailor what you want. However, if trendy's your thing, or if you are not assertive, forget it.

Indeed, don't fall into the trap of getting an overly tight fitting suit. I have some nice recently purchased MTM suits that look very modern (flat fronts and narrower trousers) yet the jackets cover my ass and the pants aren't tight and pulling. It can be done! One can have a well fitting suit that feels good and looks good. Just don't fall into the skinny suit trap!

 

[Charles Dana]

Indeed, don't fall into the trap of getting an overly tight fitting suit. I have some nice recently purchased MTM suits that look very modern (flat fronts and narrower trousers).... It can be done! Just don't fall into the skinny suit trap!

Right. There's nothing wrong with slim, trim suits. I only hope that the OP understands the difference between slim and tight.