In the "Men's Clothing Collector's Items" post, Lena, Abijah, Blumre, and others were discussing J.Crew suits for men. I thought this topic is a great one that deserves its own post.I personally believe that the Men's suits collection looks quite nice. Although I have not seen them in person- so I can't speak of their quality. :)
What are your impressions as to the quality of J.Crew suits for men? How is the fit/cut of the suits (e.g. do they tend to run narrow)? Is there a particular fabric (e.g. Italian Chino, linen, wool, seersucker) that is better to purchase? Are J.Crew suits for men a good investment (e.g. last for a long time) or are there other places (e.g. Brooks Brothers) that are better "suited"? ;)
My husband has to wear a suit and tie every day for the courtroom. He's pretty particular about the fit and we've tried them all - from Brooks Brothers to Macy's specials. He says nothing beats a suit from JCrew - the cut is a little more narrow fitting/tailored in the jacket and he loves it. He's an athletic guy and he hates it when the jacket fits like a bell - good on the top and big and wide on the bottom. He's got a linen suit, a seersucker suit (khaki), a wool suit and a few sport coats. He'll never buy anything else. For quality of construction we're both sold on JCrew suits too. Can't beat it! The prices tend to be a bit on the high side so we usually grab them when they go on sale. Thanks for a great site - I don't post often but I read everyone else's posts every day!
ReplyDeleteIsn't a suit one of those items that really needs to be tried on and tailored to fit? It appears as if the majority of the J.Crew suits are only available online, which would really make it difficult to get the right fit the first time. The suits do look nice, but I don't like the pants with the tapered leg, and the model would definitely look much nicer without those white shoes.
ReplyDeletePeacegrrl: Thanks for your review! Its good to hear that your husband really likes the quality of J.Crew suits.
ReplyDeleteI would actually like my husband to try one on, but none of my local stores carry them. :( Much like FabulousFloridaMommy wrote, the guy's suit is something that definitely needs to be tried on first. :) Unlike my women's suits, which I feel completely comfortable ordering online. ;)
My fiance has a J.Crew suit and LOVES it... But I actually disagree about the fit of men's suits. They are sized much more consistently (like suit jacket by inches and length, like 40L and pants by waist and inseam inch, like 34*34) than women's that are just random numbers. He ordered his online and it fit him like a glove.
ReplyDeleteOK thats it my boyfriend must post on this one... end of story!
ReplyDeleteBut I know he can't wear jcrew suits because they are too narrow in the leg for him. He also says the cut inst conservative. But he loves their jackets.
My husband has a couple of sport jackets from J. Crew and they look great on him...... I agree with ffm and alexis that the online part is what I would find hard to deal with--- but if you have a J. Crew card you can bring it to a b&m store and have complientary tailoring!
ReplyDeleteBTW,
ReplyDeleteJ crew site is down AGAIN!!! It so sad it's not funny anymore.
Has anyone ever used a jcrew tailor. Personally I don't know if I trust them, do they train their associates. I know they dont have tailors on site. I have had stuff tailored at stores like Saks and Bergdorf's but never at a Jcrew. Has anyone tried it at JCrew?
ReplyDeleteI also think you only get free adjustments if you bought an item full price.
Nicole R- The J>Crew card is only good for sleeve-shortening or hems. They won't take darts in at the body (I've tried before :-) )
ReplyDeleteBlumre- I've gotten a ton of pants hemmed at J.Crew before... I think it's hit or miss with your store. I have been super-pleased with the results. Some associates are definitely more trained than others though. When you pick them up, if you're not happy with them, they'll re-do it.
I have had my pants hemmed as well. It costs just the same as if you went to other tailors, but I always go with the store because I am pretty sure if you're not happy with it, they'll redo it. I never had to redo mine though.
ReplyDeleteYes, free adjustments is only on full priced items.
Blumre: I know that my local J.Crew has the associates pin the pants or jacket sleeves and then has a local tailor do the actual hemming. I once had a problem with a pair of suit pants that I needed taken up just a fraction, so they just let me go to the local tailor directly and have her pin and hem the pants there. Now I just ask to go straight to her, and they usually just have me take my receipt and a note from the store. She does a wonderful job though, and I have her do everything for me (which is usually more lengthening than shortening!)
ReplyDeleteInteresting thanks for the advice! I mean I love my tailor, she is truly fabulous. But if I am ever in a bind or pay for something full price it is a thought I will absolutely consider.
ReplyDeleteits a southern thing, i have had the same experience as you.... i used to live in Philly and the J.Crew at KoP would allow me to go to the tailor directly.... He was AMAZING.... Joseph...http://www.philly.com/inquirer/image/20080504_Young_tailor_cut_from_the_fabric_of_the_old.html I now live in NJ and work in NY and wish I could find someone just as good!
ReplyDeletenicole r.: since you work in nyc try Silhouettes and Profiles , 160 W. 71st [Col/Bway] 212.877.3372. They are soooooo fabulous and not expensive at all. Their hours are a little funky but they are near my house and the school I work for so I dont mind. I completely love them!
ReplyDeletemy husband is lucky enough to work in an office where he can literally wear flip flops and a pair of shorts if he wanted to, so he doesnt ever really need to wear a suit! (he's an architect in a really laid back office)
ReplyDeletethat being said, I bought him a cotton khaki 2 pc suit at a J Crew outlet this past spring. He needed a new suit for a wedding we were going to. The jacket and pants cost less than $125 total, and I got a patchwork madras tie to go with it for 9.99! Not a bad deal. The fit isn't spectacular, but for that deal and how often he wears it, he's not complaining. I think their pants run a little long, he's usually a 35 34, and I got him a 35 32.
BGD
I bought a cotton blazer a two years ago. It was a little boxy and I had to tailor it. I think the ones being shown now are more fitted and not as square.
ReplyDeleteI have two vests from Jcrew, one in heavy chocolate cord and one in washed navy wool pine stripe. The vests are much more fitted and very sharp.
As work for me is more casual no need for a suit or jacket. I just like to wear them. I agree with Florida Mommy; things like this are best tried on as to get the size, and fit right.
Next time I'm in a Jcrew store I'm going to serious check them out and then maybe get a suit. They look great in the catalog.
With the site being so slow and then not even working sometimes I went to the Gap yesterday to get a clothing fix. The Gap's news chino fir was great and with sales on I grabbed a pair and an argyle sweater in navy cotton.
I haven't quit shopping at Jcrew; just waiting for things to improve.
I love JCrew suits. I have never found a suit that fits so well without any modification. I generally wear a suit four times a week for work and I return again and again to JCrew for suits, and inspiration on how to wear them. This summer I bought two of their linen suits (one blue and one khaki) because they are so comfortable and so incredibly easy to wear. Their khaki suit from last year is, in my opinion, better, than this year's in color and in feel. I am hooked on JCrew and it's aesthetic. And I enjoy (mostly) the direction they are goin in. (Oh, and I love this blog. Yesterday I felt "summered-out" so I googled "JCrew fall 2008" and found this and it made my day.
ReplyDeleteI want my husband to wear a J Crew suit!! DOWN WITH SCRUBS!! DOWN WITH SCRUBS!! Hey, there's an idea...
ReplyDeleteDear J Crew,
Could you please make some classy looking scrubs for my husband to wear to his office. Thanks!
Jeannie
Hey, a girl can dream, can't she???
My husband owns two JCrew suits and loves them. They fit him better than other brands (Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, etc) because the cut is more modern and tailored.
ReplyDeleteThe quality is amazing and even my husband's boss who is a suit snob was impressed by the JCrew suit.
This is a great blog. I've been a fan of J. Crew stuff since the late 80s when I started receiving their catalogs, so I was pleasantly surprised to stumble upon this blog. I especially like how the blog author, Alexis, takes time to respond to comments.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, my discovery of this blog has come at a good time as I'm in the market for a new suit and, as a public school teacher, the money to buy a new suit is rarely available. So I'm looking to make an investment that will last me a long time.
One of the things I'm most concerned about it fit. I'm pretty much a 36 in the chest. J. Crew suits start at 38S. The reason why I think a J. Crew suit MAY work for me is the fact that I have one of their more casual blazers from a couple of years ago (corduroy) and the fit is pretty slim, making it perfect for me. However, the sizing of those blazers was S, M, L, XL, not numbered like the suits. So I'm wondering if a 38S would fit me. I like my suits to fit right: I don't want the shoulders hanging over my shoulder or my torso swimming in excess fabric. And there's not a J. Crew store within 150 miles of me so I can't go try it on.
I've been looking at Banana Republic suits as well because they offer size 36 on their website. I used to work for Banana Republic so I know they make some good quality stuff but I don't currently own any of their suits. Any thoughts on their suits while we're at it?
Hi Patagonia Community! Thanks for the nice comment about the blog. I always say this, but the blog is only great because of the members (who are just fantastic!)
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that others more familiar with J.Crew Men's Suits can help you out with your questions. I hope you find a great suit! :)
Patagonia: The answer to your problem is a really good tailor. My boy friend has every suit tailored. Even if its just the slightest change. a good tailor can solve all your problems.
ReplyDeletethanks for the warm welcome alexis. at this point, i'm leaning toward going with the known commodity, the banana republic size 36, just because i don't really want to gamble with that much money.
ReplyDeleteand blumre, I agree about the tailoring, and i do plan to get it tailored (sleeve length, trouser length, etc.), thanks for the advice. but i don't really want to buy an altogether different size and try to have it pieced together to work for me. if i'm going to drop over $400 on something, it needs to work pretty well without major renovations!
thanks again for the responses and i'll keep my eyes open to the comments left here about size and fit.
I love this suit!!
ReplyDeleteParty Wear Shirts for men are one of the most essential items in a man’s wardrobe. They are available in multiple designs, fits and colors that with all the choice out there, it sometimes gets a tad too difficult to choose men shirts. Having said that, the next time you are planning to buy a shirt
ReplyDeleteWhile buying your wedding dress you must remember that you have to spend money on other things like that in your marriage. So you can’t splurge all your money on that very expensive designer suits for men.
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