iTailor linen Suit:

Hello all,

I was planning on purchasing a linen suit so as to be prepared for the next summer. As always, I prefer an early 1930s look. Some research turned up this suit dated 1937 (according to the source).

The double breasted look is always good.

As I fear I'll be sweating in it, I don't want to ruin a good vintage suit, so I thought I'd go with a modern-make (not to mention, it would be easier to get in my size). The site iTailor features customization to the extant of making something very similar to the suit pictured above. Does it look about right to you, gentlemen? Should the pants have that pleat? I saw a pretty good review for iTailor on here, but that was back in 2014. Has anybody here had any experience with them since? Have you found their items to be of good quality?



One would wear a cotton shirt with this suit. Not linen, right?

Thanks in advance.

Not sure about iTailor, as haven't used them. Personally, I would always recommend a face-to-face tailor, if possible. It looks like black piping around the lapels and pockets of that suit in the picture (the lower one). If you want the early 30s look, I have to say I don't think it really fills the bill. Lapels the wrong shape, shoulders and sleeves different; the trouser rise is almost certainly too low, and the cut of the trousers will likely be too narrow. It also depends on what weight of linen they are using, and the type of weave (loose or tight).

In my experience, and from what I have read on the threads in this forum, "customisation" can mean many things. It may just mean tweaking a MTM standard pattern, and the iTailor tailors may not have the breadth of knowledge or experience to make what you want. Some forum members have recommended Indy Magnoli's suits. They are fairly reasonably priced, and he seems to have a good sense of style.

Regarding the shirt, I don't think the material matters much as far as the suit is concerned, more as a matter of what you would be comfortable wearing. Where I live now, we have summer temperatures up to 130 Fahrenheit, and I find cotton to be the most useful. Strong cotton, and an undershirt that absorbs the sweat.

One point about the colour -- a cream or white linen suit looks great, but it sure picks up dirt. I don't know for certain, but I think you would need to dry clean the suit, which can damage the fibres.

BTW -- I noticed that you are in Olympia. I grew up just across the water from you, in Victoria BC. Good to see the Pacific Northwest well represented on this forum.

That suit may not be the best representation of what you're looking for. The details are well off the mark.

I actually experimented with Itailor (long story - needed a contemporary suit and I was broke). Anyway, some things to bear in mind:
I am ignoring issues based on my failure to measure properly, natch.

Cons:
- Quality is...Primark. Fabric is very cheap, and looks it. I went for a wool blend - as far as I can ascertain it is polyester than has been in the vicinity of a sheep at some point of it's life.
- Lapels are very skinny, even on the DB (I went DB too) peak lapel. There is no option to ask for wider.
- Construction is fused.
- Extorionate posting (about £30). If you multiple order they won't bundle it all together. They sent the jacket and trousers seperately.

Pros:
- Value for money is spot on - I have seen cheap nasty suits that aren't Made to Measure for the same price or more, including postage.
- If you measure for high waisted trousers, you get high waisted trousers...not low crotched trousers! The fly length is based upon the rise, and has an appropriate length zip.
- The translation from you measurements to the suit measurements are spot on.

Honestly, it is a "you get what you pay for". Don't expect an iTailor suit to set the world on fire (it might, however, set your hair legs on fire). But fit is more important than anything else, so it better than going for a similarly priced, ill fitting, off the peg suit that will likely also be polyester and fused, you might as well go iTailor

As this thread started last October I don't know if the original OP is still around, but I've been seriously considering Indy Magnoli's linen suit being offered in the Merchant's forum. It looks very nice and the price is reasonable. I'd be interested in hearing any comments on the suit or from anyone who has dealt with him.