Christmas is almost upon us, and we can't think of a better gift than a sharp suit. With this in mind, your Editor selflessly decided to check out the online market in cheap bespoke threads. Just because you're earning recession wages, doesn't mean you shouldn't treat yourself or a loved one to some serious tailoring. There are several retailers who offer specially tailored two and three-pieces online – the one that's got the best notices is A Suit That Fits.com – but is it any good?
In a word – yes. It's delightful. Of course, you can't beat the feeling of strolling down Jermyn Street for an appointment with a centuries-old purveyor of fine linens who flatters you silly and bamboozles you into spending a month's salary. But you also can't afford that feeling. A Suit That Fits.com runs this experience a close second. And it costs a fraction of the price.
At this point we should emphasise that the website does in fact offer physical modifications to any customer able to pop into the shop. However, mindful of our worldwide audience, I stuck with a pure online ordering process. I also operated on a modest £300 budget – suits go as low as £150 for a two-piece but even £300 compares favourably with the high street. Would I be able to use my own tape measure and a modest budget to order up a suit of Savile Row sharpness? Hell yeah.
The specification and measurement process is actually a lot of fun as long as you have a friend who doesn't mind getting close to your man boobs and jamming the tape measure right up your inside leg. I chose my wife. At a pinch you could do it yourself – but it's important to get these measurements right because the final product fits pretty close – unless you go for a 'relaxed' fit which is probably a good idea if you're in the grip of middle aged spread.
Picking out the fabric and lining already makes me feel like a Russian oligarch. Velvet? Maybe. Lurid cordouroy? Why ever not? Fortunately my spouse intervenes and suggests a crisp navy pinstripe. A Suit That Fits.com then guides me through the measuring process, temporarily deflating me with exhortations to be honest – who knew that off-the-rack trousers habitually understate your girth by two inches, just to make you feel good? The instructions are clear, and dryly amusing.
A few clicks later and the suit is ordered. I receive aftercare in the form of emails and text messages and my suit is express delivered inside ten days. A word on this – with Christmas so close at the time of writing, suits will have to be ordered with express delivery to arrive in time for the 25th. More expense! However, since choosing the fabric and measuring oneself up is a huge part of the fun, we suggest giving a gift voucher under the tree, and having fun with a tape measure and the internet on Boxing Day. The final date for voucher orders is December 11th.
Receiving a natty cardboard briefcase full of top quality tailoring at my desk is like a birthday and Christmas all rolled into one! Take THAT, the rest of the Spoonfed office, with your invitations, bills and yuppie rabbit-food Graze boxes. I've got a flipping suit!
And what a suit it is. Despite being convulsed with laughter throughout the measuring process, and being, let's face it, something of a fat 30-year-old of late, it fits like a luxuriant second skin. Lovely fabric, deep pockets, cuffs and creases quite literally rocking… I'm made up. It's definitely the best suit on my rack at half the price.
If you or someone close to you needs a retail pick-me-up this winter, get them onto A Suit That Fits.com – it's ten times as much fun as trawling the racks in M&S, considerably cheaper than Savile Row, and just as peachy on the results front. And the excitement upon delivery is palpable. A real win.
Order vouchers or a suit at aSuitThatFits.com
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