Anyone ever have problems getting fitted for a suit?
 

I tried to pick one out at Banana but they refused to sell me one. They decided nothing in the store will fit; the matching pants were too stretched at the thighs. I guess it's because only the tailored-fit (race-cut) tops would fit me, but those come with slim bottoms, and I need pants with a "relaxed".

Anyway, I suggested going up a size and just get the waist taken in, but then I'd have to wear a 34 when I'm really a 30. Looked funny. They recommended going custom.

The best part is the guy kept telling me to stop playing soccer.

My suit no longer fits at all. I just got it last year too.

Yep, have this problem all the time. I wear a 39 or 40 jacket (depending on the brand) and have a 29.5" waist. Typical off the rack suits in "athletic" cut have a 7" drop meaning a 40 will have 33 pants. regular is a 6' drop. Other than custom, your best bet is a high-end shop with excellent tailors. they basically remake the pants to fit My suits are Zegna and that has worked very well, again short of full custom. In other words, Banana probably isn't the right place to be shopping...

consider yourself fortunate. banana republic suits are crap.

Yeah... actually all my pants the last 7 years have been from Banana; they fit me best. Other places like JCrew don't even cary my size (30"x32"). That's why I was surprised their dress pants didn't fit at all. Bummed cause the slim "European" fit blazer fit perfectly. WTH I thought Europeans rode bikes!

I was looking for RTW because I didn't want to go OCP on this. I do that enough on everything else; this is just for wedding wear.

Do you think athletic is designed to be bigger on top? You know, for typical athletic people like The Rock and Matthew McConaughey?

I wouldn't even presume to know.

You need a real European cut suit made in Europe. Plan on dropping some serious dough and kiss that nice set of wheels you thought about for the spring good bye. At least that's what happened when I bought my last suit.

Try Express Men.

Yup!

I wear a 37 jacket...Yes I'm small! Most chain suit shops only go down to a 38. My last suit was purchased at custom tailor. It cost a good chunk of chain, bu the fit is worth it!

Go to a proper tailor and get a classically tailored suit that will last you for many years. If you take the waist in that much the pockets will look absolutely ridiculous right next to each other.

Another tip, look for Super 100 or better wool.

Is that more wicking?

Ha, ha. No, it's a finer weave of wool which is lighter and feels much better than cheap fabric.

+1 on getting nice wool. Super 120 or better I say.

Definitely go to several places, you might find that you have also managed to become a custom shirt person as well. It's worth going to a nice store (not Banana, men's wearhouse, etc.) for the service and their selection of European suits.

Speaking of bananas, I need a longer rise then most.
:p

Typically, I'm a size 42/44 jacket. That suit size comes with 36/38 inch pants. I'm a 30/31 inch waist. Tailors can only take in the pants a max. of 2" so I'm screwed.

My formal / business atire consists of separate jackets and pants except for the one suit that I secretly switched the pants. :D

i just bought a suit from brooks bro's. they have a full cut and an athletic cut, which is the one i got. the waist on the pants is still too big, but there's plenty of room for cycling thighs. i'm getting it tailored today.

i tried banana too, because my best-fitting pants came from there, but it just wasn't working out.

definitely give brooks a shot. problem is, even with a 25% sale, it was $750. goodbye bike upgrades!

-t

Already am. Get them made in Hong Kong for about $100 or so for Egyptian. In fact I even got into collecting cufflinks and fountain pens before cycling took over my spending. But suits always seemed too stuffy for me.

I was shocked to learn that people buy suits at banana republic - I was even more shocked to see the price. For the same amount, you can go to a department store for a "real" suit.

Or do like me and get a custom suit for $200 in Hong Kong when you visit your grandparents.

I've had problems with the flat front, but pleated (single, or double) slacks seem to work nicely.

I was just in Manila for 3 weeks over the holidays—but tsk, tsk—I didn't need a suit then. I got linen pants tailored there for about 14 bucks in 2002. I'm sure it's up to 16 now.

i've blown 2 chances on getting custom suits done when i was in thaliand in december & janauary.

i think i'll have to take the plunge in july.

It's tough to get flat front pants to look right if you've got big thighs and butt from cycling.

Now here's a question, which material is more aero? wool or cotton-linen blend? It's for two events, one early-season and one late-season.

I don't know what it is about Southeast Asia and the needle and thread. Half of my family are master tailors/seamstresses.