Linen Suit - where to find a good one...

[Luis]

On the search for a 100% linen suit or even just the jacket that won't break the bank.
Does anyone know where to go store/website.

Searched goodwill, salvation army, and other resale shops.

Don't want any tiny modern lapels. Not opposed to vintage with patch pockets. I actually rather have a vintage one as it looks more casual.

Prepping for summer and I am looking for a half/partially lined. Not sure if anyone has experience with a full bemberg lining on how well it breathes in the warm weather. No polyester for lining. I don't want to have a heat stroke this summer.

Other than makeyourownjeans.com/ are there any other sites?
Or should I just wait a bit longer and I see what comes about on ebay?
any ideas are welcomed.

Thanks

 

[Dirk Wainscotting]

You are in the U.S. so I might not be able to recommend anything with easy access from where I am, but you might try Suit Supply (which I believe has a presence in the U.S.)? Their range is not all narrow lapels and Charlie Chaplin jacket tightness. They als carry a good range of linen colours and their quality is good for the position they occupy.

Too many linen jackets turn up with flapped jetted (besom) pockets rather than patch pockets. I think the latter pocket style is far more suited to linen jackets, which are mostly used informally. The reason is probably because large makers use an automated jetted pocket maker (the assumption being that set-in pockets add value and desirability).

 

[MisterCairo]

The only site I'm aware of is Magnoli Clothiers. I'm not sure what your budget is, these aren't exactly cheap:

http://www.magnoliclothiers.com/nassau-linen-suit-tailor-made-suits-by-magnoli-clothiers-p-137.html

http://www.magnoliclothiers.com/cairo-linen-suit-tailor-made-suits-by-magnoli-clothiers-p-229.html

http://www.magnoliclothiers.com/gittes-linen-suit-tailor-made-suits-by-magnoli-clothiers-p-177.html

http://www.magnoliclothiers.com/hem...or-made-suits-by-magnoli-clothiers-p-658.html


I was fortunate, a local department store men's wear section had a lovely suit (jacket and trousers only) for just under $300 Canadian.

I have a couple of suits from Magnoli (neither of them linen ones though), they are excellent quality and fit well if you have proper measurements taken. Your budget is key though.

I see you're from Houston, is there no good men's wear shop available to help, or are you looking for a deal on something that won't break the bank?

My hometown is quite small, and I think I won the lottery finding mine at our local place!

 

[Benproof]

Barena from Italy specialise in working with the finest Italian fabrics including linen:

http://www.barenavenezia.com/shop/

The textures and finish of their linen clothing is incredible. Not the shiny cheap linen suit stuff you get which lasts a season. Maybe harder to find in the USA although the $=Euro conversion is good so it won't break the bank.

 

[Luis]

MisterCairo,

Wow, you've made this really difficult to chose from. I mean, cairo, Nassau, and the Gittes inspired suit from Chinatown.

Budget may not be roadblock if they look like this. It's even hard to chose from the Cairo and Nassau.

Thank you, they are exactly what I was looking for.

 

[Luis]

Barena from Italy specialise in working with the finest Italian fabrics including linen:

http://www.barenavenezia.com/shop/

The textures and finish of their linen clothing is incredible. Not the shiny cheap linen suit stuff you get which lasts a season. Maybe harder to find in the USA although the $=Euro conversion is good so it won't break the bank.

Thank you Benproof, I will look into these as well.

 

[Luis]

Found this one on the Bay, what do you guys think?
Seller is currently away so im not sure what kind of lining it has.
I do really like the texture as it gives it a more of a casual look, along with the patch pockets.
Going for $120 US The only thing that is keeping me from buying this one is that the shoulders measure at 19.75 and I usually go for 18.5 to 19". Not sure how that would look on me. I guess depending on the padding right?
ITEM SPECIFICS:

• Brand: Marks & Spencer
• Closure: Modern Two-Button
• Vents: Double-vented
• Color: Sand/Khaki
  
• Fabric Content: 55% Linen, 45% Viscose

Pants -

• Pleats: Flat-front
• Lined: No
• Cuffs: No

More Info -

• Condition: Excellent pre-owned
• Additional Notes: Summer weight

 

[Mathematicus]

The half Viscose content leaves me a bit unsure about the breathability. I wouldn't care so much about the lining if you allow Viscose in the outer fabric.

 

[Luis]

The half Viscose content leaves me a bit unsure about the breathability. I wouldn't care so much about the lining if you allow Viscose in the outer fabric.

I thought viscose is pretty breathable?

 

[GHT]

I thought viscose is pretty breathable?

Viscose is more often used as a mix with cotton to give a garment durability. Mixing it with linen will probably give the suit less of a crumpled appearance unlike pure linen suits. Marks and Spencer is a British brand, renowned for their quality. New, that suit wold have been in the region of three, maybe four hundred pounds. Add fifty percent for a rough dollar translation, you are looking at about $600.

 

[Dirk Wainscotting]

I thought viscose is pretty breathable?

It is indeed breathable; more so than e.g. cotton. There's a reason Hawaiian shirts are made from it.

 

[MisterCairo]

Subject to sizing that seems like a really good deal. Perhaps a looser fit is not such a bad thing?

 

[Luis]

Subject to sizing that seems like a really good deal. Perhaps a looser fit is not such a bad thing?

Yea it's looking like a great deal actually. Im at the outlets right now since the wife is out of town and I am seizing the day. There is a Brooks Brothers and Ralph Lauren store here. If I don't find something good I will probably snag this one.

 

[Benproof]

It's true that M&S makes decent quality stuff. Their food department is one of the best in the country.

Clotheswise, English newspapers perenially run articles about how Englishmen are too snobby to buy M&S suits ... and instead are likely to buy something soulless from Germany like Hugo Boss.

If the shoulders of the jacket are 3/4s of an inch too wide, the risk is that it will look excessively triangular when buttoned up. Their quality is fine, but beware - it probably is not made in England either. I find their quality is better than their fit. Their clothes just do not fit me without looking like a baby hippopotamus tried to make out. If it fits, you're one of the fortunate ones. I buy food from them. They're great that way.

 

[Luis]

Yea I doubt it is made in England, looks too new. Well to me it does at least. No luck at Brooks Brothers Factory outlet (only had a blue linen with polyester blend) nor Ralph Lauren either. Neither Tommy Bahama.

 

[Dirk Wainscotting]

I have a linen suit from M&S. It's of a previous generation though; after they stopped using their 'St Michael' name for their clothing (which was made in England). The label looks like this:

Made in Morocco. The linen is of a decent weight and the construction is good. You can tell it's before the #menswear nonsense because the trouser innards (the pockets, waistband lining and curtain) are plain off-white twilled pocketing.

 

[Mr. Pickett]

Marks and Spencers are generally fantastic quality. Quite often they're in the news over here about how unpopular their clothing department is. Which I'd say equates to around 65% of their business. I think to a lot of people, it's seen as old fashioned. Which I guess makes it perfect for the lounge.

Just don't buy socks from them. I've bought some in the past and every single one gained holes at the toes.

 

[Luis]

I have a linen suit from M&S. It's of a previous generation though; after they stopped using their 'St Michael' name for their clothing (which was made in England). The label looks like this:

No wonder benproof was saying my tweed was M&S. Didn't make sense to me but I live in the U.S.

 

[Benproof]

oops sorry ... we take it for granted everyone knows M&S = Marks & Spencers = former 'St Michaels' brand!

The shop was founded by Michael Marks & Somebody Spencer. It's the favourite food shopping place for many of us, just for its quality and consistency of food. They make their own brands, and don't stock other labels. At least, that was true when I grew up in England, then when I was overseas in France, the M&S shops were stocking other brand labels rather than their own!

Here's its history:

https://marksintime.marksandspencer.com/ms-history/timeline

Looks like the St Michael Made in UK linen and fabrics will become a cult hit

Kind of funny...who would have ever thought (in the UK) that M&S would become an iconic staple of fashion design in an internet forum

 

[kwitie]

View attachment 42340

Yea I doubt it is made in England, looks too new. Well to me it does at least. No luck at Brooks Brothers Factory outlet (only had a blue linen with polyester blend) nor Ralph Lauren either. Neither Tommy Bahama.

Thats the budget linen mix jacket they sold about 5 years ago. I had one. It wore ok but it's not very smart.