I ordered some fabric swatches - at those prices, if they come back as remotely decent, it would be great.
Studio Suits
Studio Suits has been a sponsor here for a while. Do you have any constructive suggestions on their website or garments?
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I haven't read much in the way of reviews or helpful comments on StudioSuits (aka HarrySuits) so I thought I'd get some words down to help anyone who might be interested. I am a first time StudioSuits customer. I ordered a suit about a month ago after thinking about it for a couple years. I was only recently willing to change spending a few hundred dollars on something that might be a total waste of money. I went to my tailor with their form and we went through my best fitting pants and jacket and came up with a game-plan for measurements. After I submitted them, I received an email letting me know that they wanted a second look. I made some edits to the jacket measurements after measuring the jacket flat on a table. The website isn't the easiest to use ever, but its perfectly serviceable if one takes one's time and is diligent about describing what one wants in the special instructions. A follow up email isn't a bad idea either. I wanted some things that weren't offered in their form, like a soft roll jacket, 1/4" edge stitching, etc. They offer working cuffs, lined pants, and a soft shoulder in a little drop down menu that I missed on first glance. I had requested a soft shoulder in the comments, which they charge an extra $20 for. No biggie.
Now, the reason I had been interested in their suits was for the Tweed suits. I really wasn't impressed with the other fabrics in the Wool lines and I don't really wear linen or velvet. When I decided to test the waters, I picked a dark grey tweed fabric and designed a soft, casual, everyday suit. The fabric feels like its halfway between a fine flannel wool and a camel-hair or overcoat material. Its very soft but has a substantial feel to it. I'd say its 11-13 oz fabric. In real life, the DARK charcoal looks a lot more like a mid-charcoal, but its still pleasant. The pants fit as well as any pants I own and are very comfortable. I would take 1/2" off the length on the next pair. Otherwise, they really are perfect. Soft, not bunchy when I sit, they look good, and they feel pretty great. The jacket is very nice too. Although I didn't opt for the special box packaging, which meant my suit was very neatly folded and put in a series of smallish shipping bags. If it were a finer wool, I think I would have minded, but the heft of the tweed responded pretty well to a good shake and once its pressed, I'm sure it will be fine. The suit jacket fits very well for the first round. I'd take 1/2" off the shoulder width, 1/2" off the sleeve length and add about 1/2"+ to the overall length. But its not really something that is noticeable, its more a style thing for me. One complaint I have is that if you don't opt for the working surgeons cuffs (which I didn't see the option tab during the order) the cuffs are sewn shut. They don't have a flap that's sewn shut, its just all one piece and its a round cuff. Makes for a more casual and less bulky sleeve, but its taking some getting used to.
I'm really very well pleased. I would make a couple edits to the next one and although they mad a mistake shipping the swatches I ordered (they forgot the tweed!) I'm happier than I could have expected. I was really expecting to be disappointed. I'm pleasantly surprised. Like I said, I'm unsure I would have gotten a suit in a S120-S140 lightweight cloth, but the tweed is excellent. I think the suit cost me about $250 shipped with all the options. I'd do the working cuffs next time and I'd like for them to sew in a change pocket in the right pocket of the trousers. Otherwise its pretty good. To anyone who was looking at (whatever this is called: MTM, Custom, India-special), take your time and get your measurements right. Talk to a tailor and measure your best fitting garments first (if you have some). Be specific with your instructions to the company and make sure they ask you before they make a decision based on judgement. Also, expectations must be managed. This is NOT a bespoke suit. Its not a very high quality MTM. It also doesn't cost $1000-$5000. But I am happy with how it looks and feels and I haven't spent very much money at all. I'm not there yet. I'm not at the bespoke level OR a high quality MTM level. I'm a New Englander and I like dressing the part. Its a little bit English, a little bit Ivy, and a little bit Country house.
I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has. If you're interested in telling me what a mistake I've made or that I look like an idiot, please, just go read a book. I'll post pictures ASAP.
![Outerwear Sleeve Gesture Grey Collar]()
Now, the reason I had been interested in their suits was for the Tweed suits. I really wasn't impressed with the other fabrics in the Wool lines and I don't really wear linen or velvet. When I decided to test the waters, I picked a dark grey tweed fabric and designed a soft, casual, everyday suit. The fabric feels like its halfway between a fine flannel wool and a camel-hair or overcoat material. Its very soft but has a substantial feel to it. I'd say its 11-13 oz fabric. In real life, the DARK charcoal looks a lot more like a mid-charcoal, but its still pleasant. The pants fit as well as any pants I own and are very comfortable. I would take 1/2" off the length on the next pair. Otherwise, they really are perfect. Soft, not bunchy when I sit, they look good, and they feel pretty great. The jacket is very nice too. Although I didn't opt for the special box packaging, which meant my suit was very neatly folded and put in a series of smallish shipping bags. If it were a finer wool, I think I would have minded, but the heft of the tweed responded pretty well to a good shake and once its pressed, I'm sure it will be fine. The suit jacket fits very well for the first round. I'd take 1/2" off the shoulder width, 1/2" off the sleeve length and add about 1/2"+ to the overall length. But its not really something that is noticeable, its more a style thing for me. One complaint I have is that if you don't opt for the working surgeons cuffs (which I didn't see the option tab during the order) the cuffs are sewn shut. They don't have a flap that's sewn shut, its just all one piece and its a round cuff. Makes for a more casual and less bulky sleeve, but its taking some getting used to.
I'm really very well pleased. I would make a couple edits to the next one and although they mad a mistake shipping the swatches I ordered (they forgot the tweed!) I'm happier than I could have expected. I was really expecting to be disappointed. I'm pleasantly surprised. Like I said, I'm unsure I would have gotten a suit in a S120-S140 lightweight cloth, but the tweed is excellent. I think the suit cost me about $250 shipped with all the options. I'd do the working cuffs next time and I'd like for them to sew in a change pocket in the right pocket of the trousers. Otherwise its pretty good. To anyone who was looking at (whatever this is called: MTM, Custom, India-special), take your time and get your measurements right. Talk to a tailor and measure your best fitting garments first (if you have some). Be specific with your instructions to the company and make sure they ask you before they make a decision based on judgement. Also, expectations must be managed. This is NOT a bespoke suit. Its not a very high quality MTM. It also doesn't cost $1000-$5000. But I am happy with how it looks and feels and I haven't spent very much money at all. I'm not there yet. I'm not at the bespoke level OR a high quality MTM level. I'm a New Englander and I like dressing the part. Its a little bit English, a little bit Ivy, and a little bit Country house.
I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has. If you're interested in telling me what a mistake I've made or that I look like an idiot, please, just go read a book. I'll post pictures ASAP.
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