And that’s free shipping no minimum.  No word on when that code expires.  40% off sale expires 8 a.m. central 1/25.

Looks familiar right?  That’s because we did just do this.  But that previous sale at LastCall was 30 – 50% off, with the vast majority of the items leaning towards 30%.  This one is 40% off with a few new items worth noting.  But the discount will only apply if you purchase just one item.  That’s one more reason not to go hog wild.  Ya dig?
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Hugo Boss Matano Wingtip – $119.40 ($275)

Hakuna Matano. Pumbaa's pick for kicks?

Matano?  Never heard of it.  Looks like a pretty standard, sleek, Hugo Boss wingtip to me.  Unlike their more casual leaning Hankie (gesundheit), this one has regular eyelets and appears to have a bit more of a modern toe.  Chisel perhaps.  The description says it’s an “almond” toe, but who knows.  A reminder:  You’re on the hook for returns through lastcall.

Emporio Armani Tank Chronograph – $129.00 ($275)

Nice hands Slim.

Emporio Armani can make (or more accurately, can have made for them) some gargantuan rectangular or tank style watches.  This doesn’t appear to be one of them.  A tank style watch is supposed to be a little thinner than you’re used to.  At 31mm, this one won’t look right on a larger wrist, but for medium sized to smaller fellas, this might be a nice, awfully dressed up addition to the watch collection.

Neiman Marcus Leather Card Case in brown or black – $15.00 ($50)

So cheap, you'll have plenty left on the card you'll put in it.

For the guys who have been dragging their feet on getting a card case.  Fifteen bucks is as cheap as something that’ll be this simple and look this good will probably get.  Tonal stamped Neiman Marcus logo.  Made in Italy.  Even one of these should ship free with the code FSANN3.

Neiman Marcus French Cuff Pinpoint – $33.00 ($88)

Decent quality french cuff for cheap?

It ain’t easy finding a french cuff trim fit dress shirt.  (Well, this one has a full spread pushing cutaway and this one is about $60)  This find on lastcall doesn’t appear to be trim fit.  What it does appear to be, is cheap enough that investing in some tailoring at the sides won’t break the bank.  Does have a non-iron finish.  Some like that, and some don’t.

Bonus: Hugo Boss Pasolini Navy Suit – $345.00 ($795)

Now even cheaper.

Worth another mention.  Lots of sizes available for now, and while it’s not super fitted, it’s not a box either.  The Hugo Boss Pasolini is certainly a favorite for some.  Usually around $800.  Can be had in the low $500s during a big Nordstrom sale.  Now under $350 through Lastcall.

The Lastcall.com extra 40% off one item sale ends online at 8am c.t. on 1/25/12.

Most of us have three requirements when looking for an afforable suit:  Minimal shoulder padding, a nice off the rack contour at the sides, and higher armholes.  Suitsupply delivers on all three of those requirements, but you’ll pay for it.

Plenty took notice when Suitsupply was featured in the Wall Street Journal almost a year ago.  A $614 Suitsupply suit held it’s own against a $3600 Armani, and they do offer less expensive basic suits starting at $399.  That’s right around the $379 price point of a basic Indochino, the custom suit outfit which has produced both love and hatred amongst customers.

But is Suitsupply better?  That depends.  First, this is what you can expect if you’re willing to spend $469 on a suit from their middle “blue” line:

The Pros

• The Shoulder Pads/Contour/High Armholes:  It nails the trifecta.  The shoulders are lightly padded and move real smooth with the high armholes.  The contour off the rack (or in this case, out of the box) is awfully good.  A 38R on my frame would need maybe some slight alterations at the upper waist.
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• The Wide Variety of Patterns & Fabrics:  Wools, cottons, even velvet if you want it.  And patterns like this loud but not completely obnoxious plaid are available on their middle line.
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• The Shipping:  These are ready to go once your order goes in.  Ordered on a Thursday, and it showed up the following Wednesday well packed in a huge box shaped like a coffin.  Nice.
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• Overall Quality:  The super 120s fabric is lightweight for sure, but there’s nothing flimsy about this suit.  Some ultra cheap department store brands feel like they’re barely held together.  This one feels like it could take a beating and come back for more.  Plus, there’s that oft discussed usage of a canvas instead of fusing to keep the front of the jacket attached to the lining: “Our canvases are made out of cotton enforced with horsehair and camelhair, ensuring strength, durability and flexibility at the same time.”
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• The Details:  Extra details like the interior taping/piping are nice.  The buttons are terrific.  That makes a big deal to some of us.  Also, the functioning buttons on the sleeves are a nice touch, and a 38R fits like a 38R.  No awkwardly long sleeves to leave tailoring headaches.

The Cons

• The Extra Cost: It’ll be worth it to some, but $469 isn’t $300.  And you’re on the hook for extra tailoring.  At the very least you’re going to have to have the pants hemmed, so if you need the jacket brought in you’re looking at spending at least $450 for the cheapest option.  It jumps to over $500 for the suit shown here.
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• The Lack of Lapel Options:  All of their suits in their closest fitting contemporary line come with peak lapels.  It’d be nice to see some notch lapels worked in there too, but their other fits do come with notch lapels and the Napoli fit, which is the fit of the suit reviewed here, seems fit reasonably close.
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• The Confusing Fits:  Their Washington fit appears to be the closest fitting, and as already mentioned, only comes with peak lapels.  The Napoli fit seems to come in second.  Then the London, Lazio, and Copenhagen?  Maybe?
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• The Lack of options in their $399 line:  They currently carry just four suits at their lowest price point.  None of them come in a solid color.  Unless you count the light beige almost white number.
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• This line in their “about our suits” section: “We avoid using fused constructions…” Wait.  Avoid?

The Bottom Line

There’s a hole in the affordable suit market, and as good as they are, Suitsupply doesn’t seem to fill it.  You won’t find a basic navy or grey suit through Suitsupply for under $400.  Meanwhile, Alfani red has low armholes, Hilfiger Trim Fit has strong shoulders, Indochino can be wildly unpredictable when it comes to fit, and J. Crew is too expensive.

If you’ve got $500 to spend, you fit well into normal sizes, and you appreciate the consistency a 38R, 40S, or 42L can bring, then Suitsupply has to be high on your list.  If you don’t have that kind of money, have had bad luck with Indochino, and have struck out with the lower cost department store brands… then unfortunately you’ll still be looking.

*But look no further than here if you need a basic navy.  Now $350 through Thusday with the code NEWYOU

The code is NEWYOU?  Maybe the people at GAP inc. market research ran some numbers, and this happens to be the week where people are feeling their best about those new year’s resolutions they made.  Y’know, the annual peak of “I can do this,” right before it all falls apart.  Better get em’ now before that one month free trial gym membership expires, and their desire for a new wardrobe tanks.

Remember that free shipping kicks in at $50 and you can bounce back and forth between brands to get there.  Most items return for free in-store, the sale is online only, and the code even works on sale items.

Banana Republic Black Wool Top Coat – $125.99 ($250.00)

The extra ticket pocket is awesome.

This thing has gotten KILLED in the BananaRepublic.com reviews for not being all that thick.  And the reviewers are right.  It’s not just slim in silhouette, but it’s slim in the depth of the fabric too.  But look, if you wear a scarf, a nice pair of gloves, and a blazer underneath, you’ll be more than fine unless you’re manning the info tent at the Occupy Nome encampment.  Already on sale.  Real nice looking up close.  One of the most handsome coats available this season.

Banana Republic Tailored Cotton Blazer – $138.60 ($198)

Size shown: 38R. I need a 40R.

Finally.  No superfluous pockets.  No weird details.  Just a real nice, lighter grey, well cut cotton blazer.  It’s not a rumpled chino, so you can dress this up plenty, but it’ll still work just fine with jeans.  The fabric is soft, not stiff.  Remember that this is from their tailored line, so be prepared to size up.

Banana Republic Tailored Fit Italian Wool Suit Separates – $353.50 ($505)

And thank you sale.

The best of both worlds.  The Italian made fabric is a noticeable upgrade.  At the same time, it’s not from their higher end “monogram” collection, so the price stays reasonable.  One of my good friends got married in this suit over the summer, and he loves it (the suit and marriage.)  Shoulder pads aren’t too beefy and the off the rack cut is great.  The bargain alternative to a $500 Suitsupply, and without the risk of an Indochino.

GAP 1969 Garment-Dyed Straight Fit Jean – $48.96 ($69.95)

Four colors available. Size 31x30 shown.

Seventy bucks ain’t a small investment, but with the 30% off you end up with a decent fitting, straight leg non blue jean for about half the price of a pair of Bonobos Bull Denim.  Do know that the tag on these says that they’re untreated, and should shrink and fade with multiple washings.  Shrinking might be a problem for some since they sit pretty close to the calf.  Looks decent with a navy cotton blazer.

Allen Edmonds Kiowa – $186.55 ($249.00)

An extra 20% off through the GAP owned piperlime.

Wait.  What? … Right.  GAP Inc owns a shoe site.  That site is Piperlime.com.  And they’re pushing you there through GAP.com’s shoe section.  Piperlime is also embracing this NEWYOU code with an extra 20% off most of their shoes.  Even Allen Edmonds.  And even Allen Edmonds that are already on sale like the Kiowa.  Which happens to be about as good as a lug soled oxford brogue gets.  Not that they make many of those.

GAP Basic Leather Belt – $20.97 (reg. $29.95)

Black, brown, and you're set.

Got a pair of these years ago.  Both are still going strong and have shown barely any wear.  In-store versions seem to be the same quality leather.  Maybe the guts are different and a new one would fall apart, but the design is flawlessly simple.

Old Navy Brushed Twill Pants – $24.46 ($34.94)

Leg warmers. That aren't, y'know, leg warmers.

If, and that’s a big if, these are the same brushed twill pants that were showing up in Old Navys a few months back, then they’ll be a much heavier than standard chino.  Those pants (which came and went in what seemed like a matter of days) were really thick.  Perfect if you do a lot of walking in awfully cold weather, but don’t want to go full flannel lined.  Still a risk though thanks to the weird Old Navy fits.

Old Navy Slim Fit Shirts – $17.15 ($29.50)

Go with the dark under a light grey sweater for contrast.

Kudos to Old Navy for jumping on the slim fit train.  Here’s to hoping they continue to make clothes that aren’t quite as enormous as they’ve been known to make in the past.  Meanwhile, there’s this 2 out of 5 stars review on these shirts: “The 3XXXL Shirts a very nice, good quality, But do not fit in the belly area, Should probably have not ordered the Slim-Fit ,Will have to send back. Nice looking shirts.”  Question.  Why are they even making 3X “slim fits”?

Old Navy Boxer Briefs – $5.95 ($8.50)

How COULD she resist??

Awwwww yeah.  Valentine’s Day is less than a month away.  Get home from work early, dim the lights, and when she opens that door, hit “Thunderstruck” and greet her in these.

The Banana Republic, GAP, Old Navy 30% off site(s) wide code NEWYOU expires Thursday 1/19/11

Size shown:  38R.  Shirt by Blank Label.  Tie by Personality Milano.  Umbrella by Totes.  Suit ships free.

Between this and their New Traditional Twill suit, L.L. Bean Signature has the market cornered on suits that feel way too comfortable to be, y’know… suits.

Whoever sourced the fabric deserves a raise.  It’s a 79% Wool / 20% Nylon / 1% Lycra nubby blend that has some actual stretch to it.  To the touch it feels somewhat close to the J. Crew Factory Tweed, only not as rough.  And that 1% lyrca L.L.B.S. has mixed in makes a big difference.

Unlike the New Traditional Twill this one ditches patch pockets in favor of  more dressed up flaps.  It’s still a little dressed down at first glance, but nothing incredibly out of place if worn with a bright white dress shirt and conservative tie.

The weight of the fabric is heavier than normal suiting fabric, and it better be since it’s flannel.  It’s warm.  Very warm.  You’ll reach for it plenty between now and March if you live in a cold or damp climate.  If you’re in a border region where your local municipal garage hasn’t had more than one snowplow since your town became incorporated, then best to skip it.

Off the rack fit is very good.  Almost excellent.  The pic above and the back view here are both of the jacket pre-tailoring.  It’ll need to be nipped at the sides if you’re in good shape.  Like most L.L. Bean Signature jackets, the sleeves are a little long.  AND they’ve got the damn functional buttons, so tailoring will be tough.  But with a sweet striped inner lining, flipping those cuffs back might be more pleasure than pain if you work in a relaxed environment.  Shoulder padding is there, but not invasive.  The pants feel slimmed down compared to its twill suit cousin.

$320 isn’t cheap, but relative to other flannel suits, you’ll end up with plenty of bang for the proverbial buck.  Keep your fingers crossed for a sale.

As always, it’s incredibly tough to peg when Macy’s will launch a One Day Sale.  Sometimes a month and a half will go by between them, sometimes only a few weeks will pass.  One thing is certain: These are sales worth paying attention to.  The one-day sale prices are some of the best mark downs in the retail industry.  Here’s some of the best from the One-Day-Sale which runs Friday September 9 – Saturday September 10.  Items marked with a * are “Web Busters.”  In store prices may match up, and may not. Selection on all items (especially shoes) in store can vary greatly.
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Club Room Slim Fit Button Front Shirt – $19.99 ($34.50)

Could be a winner of a basic for cheap.

Your guess is as good as mine as to why it’s hard to find a slim fitting, do-anything, dress it up or down button up white shirt.  Haven’t seen this one in store, but it looks like it has a ton of potential.  Button down collar that doesn’t look tiny or massive, and CR by Clubroom slim fit stuff usually fits pretty decent.

 

Bar III Cotton/Wool Blazer – $129.99 ($350)

Not your gramps' blazer.

Macy’s newest house brand doesn’t seem to have made it to all of their brick and mortar locations.  Reviews so far are good on Bar III items.

 

Steve Madden Ethin Wingtip – $88.99 ($110.00)

Available in brown as well.

Probably one of the best looking shoes Steve Madden has come out with in a long while.  But remember, they are Steve Madden, so quality can be hit and very miss.  True oxford closed lacing and has a chance to become a favorite casual upgrade.  Reviews are good over at Zappos.

 

Ben Sherman East/West Messenger – $74.99 ($99.00)

And no, it's not leather.

You have to be the type that’s more than okay with always slinging your bag over your head, because this one doesn’t have any top grab handles.  Nice contrast between the flap over buckles and the rest of the bag though.

 

Calvin Klein Charcoal Plaid Slim Fit Suit – $269.99 ($650.00)

Monochrome man is monochrome.

Worth considering if you’re one of the fellas who spends all work week in a suit and tie.  Not a bad price for a Calvin Klein Slim Fit, and get a load of the pattern.  Feel free to work some color in there.

 

Hugo Boss Trunk 3-Pack – $29.25* ($39.00)

Nice brand, no cheesiness.

Date night underwear?  Trunks, not boxer briefs.  Three pack comes with a light blue, dark blue, and red waistband.  About as crazy as you probably want to get with your underwear.

 

Timberland City Escape Moc – $98.99 ($110)

Sloppy day upgrades.

Just might be one of the best looking casual weekend stompers out there.  Also available in a more traditional reddish brown with a white contrast sole, but the deep brown with the black sole and blue laces is the winner here.  Plenty of sizes too.  They’ll ding you with an $8.00 shipping charge since it’s one penny short of the free shipping threshold.  Consider another small purchase to tip the balance.

 

Citizen Eco-Drive AT0810-12E Chronograph – $182.97 ($278.50)

Good price a Macy's. Best price through Overstock.

At first I was intrigued with the reduced price of $208 through Macys.  Then saw it for few bucks less on Amazon.  Finally landed on Overstock for the best deal, which ain’t half bad for Citizen’s thick chrono.  (Photo Credit)

This current Macy’s One Day Sale ends Saturday 9/10.

The case for Wearing a Belt:  Why would you not wear a belt?  Empty belt loops look plenty odd if they’re not in use.  It’ll be assumed that you just forgot to put a belt on before you left the house.  Besides, a belt is an accessory.  Last things on, first things to get noticed.  A belt gives you a quiet opportunity to show some more of your style.  Even if it’s minimalist and subtle.

The case for Not Wearing a Belt:  Who’s seeing your unused belt loops?  Your jacket would cover them up.  A belt can just weigh you down.  Especially if it’s ill fitting, you’ve lost or gained weight, and you’re between holes.  Sure you could punch an extra hole in your belt, but when you’ve got a tailor or even options like slick side tabs (seen here) why bother?  Suits are tailored clothing.  Your pants should fit well enough that they don’t need to be held up by a belt.  A belt that’s too tight will only rumple up your waist band.  A belt that’s too loose will droop and look silly.  No time like the present to break free of the hip leather.

Time to pick a side.  Have you ever tried going beltless with a favorite suit?  Or, would you just feel like something is missing?  Leave it all below.  Belt Shown:  Calvin Klein Reversible Gunmetal Dress Belt – $32.99, which can often be found at Macy’s.  (Note:  These side tabs can be found under the “advanced” options  from Indochino.)

Code 1299 works too.  Thanks to Shuang for noticing that the suits were already on sale.  Expires 4/17

Most of you guys know how this works.  Express runs these tiered coded sales, you break a threshold, drop the code in before checkout, and the discount gets applied.  What’s extra nice about this one, is that they’re currently running a 25% off suits sale as well.  Throw the code 1307 on top of the sale prices, and you can get a relatively decent modern fit suit for a song.  These are the couple worth singing about:
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Express Cotton Twill 2-Button Suit Jacket & Matching Pant – $143.42 (reg. $257.90)

As good as $150 seems to get.

Under $150?  If it would stick around on sale longer, this option would take the top spot in the “dirt cheap” category in our Summer Suit search.  Previously reviewed over here.  One reviewer on Express.com said he was seeing fabric breakdown after one dry cleaning.  Try to avoid dry cleaning and get it pressed instead.

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Express Pinstripe Cotton/Silk Blend Suit Jacket & Matching Pant – $184.50 (reg. $346)

One of the few dark summer suit options.

So you want a dark suit that’s not wool (and certainly not polyester) for summer.  This one, which is 80% Cotton and 20% silk could be a great choice.  Doesn’t feel like chino thanks to the silk, but it’s not wool feeling either.  It does feel comfortable to the touch and when you put it on.  Previously reviewed over here, and waiting for a sale was suggested.  Well… here’s a sale.

Express Wool Blend Suit Jacket & Matching Pant – $184.50 (reg. $346)

Almost identical color as the Indochino Ultimate Grey

If you don’t have the cash flow for an Indochino Ultimate Gray or even a Hilfiger Trim fit or Alfani Red, this is a more than reasonable substitute.  Not 100% wool, but 70% with the rest being poly.  It feels pretty good in your hands and looks better than expected off the rack.  Arm holes aren’t super high, but aren’t low like the Alfani Red either.  Most men buy a charcoal grey as their go-to suit.  A medium to light grey like this one is a better choice.

The code 1307 and 1299 for the Express $25 off $75, $50 off $150, and $75 off $250 sale expire 4/17

Wow, well, first let me say that I’m flattered.  Asking for an opinion on sweater fabrics or the best way to spend an Indochino Groupon is one thing, but someone asking for a take on what to wear on his wedding day is another.  Pressure’s on.  Eli… you sure you don’t want me to just send you, say, a creme brulee set?  90% of the wedding registries I’ve ever seen has one of those on there.  Which also makes me wonder why I’ve never had creme brulee outside of a restaurant.  You think the odds would dictate otherwise.

You deserve to be comfortable on your wedding day, and Summer + Outdoors can = major trouble.  Even though you’ll be surrounded by an awesomely rough backdrop, buffalo plaid flannel or just wool in general is taking a huge risk.  And that risk is heatstroke.  You should be at ease that day.  I hate to punt on this one, but I think a well tailored cotton khaki suit like this 2-button version from Banana Republic is the way to go.

Fabric from Italy, sent across the Mediterranean, made in Egypt. One extremely nice suit is the result.

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The fabric is sourced from Italy and it’s nothing short of incredible.  The fit is much more trim than you’d expect from BR (but not so trim it wouldn’t fit a 6’1″ 190lbs frame), and the shoulder pads aren’t obtrusive.  It’s actually a bit darker in person than the fitting room photos show.  And since it’s a GAP inc product, wait for a sale and it could end up 20%, maybe 30% or even 40% off.  Again, the fabric is seriously something.  Once your wife-to-be walks down the aisle and lays a hand on your jacket sleeve, she won’t want to let go for the rest of the day.

Buck the usual blue tie/brown shoes accompaniment and pair it with a bright white shirt and black tie.  Knit even.  Black shoes too.  Most guys don’t think black goes with khaki but it absolutely does, and it’ll make you look like the groom.  If you really want to embrace the entire woodsy lumberjack vibe, maybe (again, maybe) go with a chambray shirt.  That’ll drop it quite a bit on the formal/casual scale, so maybe that’s an option for your groomsmen.  If you really want a vintage look, there’s always this chambray club collar (think rounded corners) shirt from Rugby.

If Khaki just isn’t your thing, there are a few affordable darker cotton suits out there like this silk cotton blend from Express.  Yeah it sounds weird to be wearing Express on your wedding day, but with one of their many online coupons, it’ll end up at around $286.  It also looks remarkably good and you won’t completely melt in it.

A risk since it'll still soak up the sun's rays, but still cooler than wool.

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Finish it all off with a slick but unobtrusive watch, take your time shaving that morning, and go easy on the hair product.  You don’t want your dome to be a melting mess on your wedding day.  Keep your knees flexed during the ceremony (remind your groomsmen too) because if you lock em’ you’ll pass out even if it’s only a little bit warm.  No matter how well tailored the suit, it doesn’t look good on an unconscious dude sprawled out on the ground.

I saw it happen live once.  It was maybe 75 degrees that day.  One of the groomsmen locked his knees, passed out, and bit it just as the officiant was delivering the “you may now kiss the bride” line.  They were on grass, but he hit his head hard enough that he got a concussion and had to be ushered off to the hospital.  Whoops.

Best of luck, and remember that above all else… this is her day, and this is your day.  Everyone in attendance should be beyond thrilled to help make that happen.  All the best to you Eli, let us know how it goes after the nuptials, and we’ll celebrate you and your new bride here at the Dappered home offices with a round of creme brullee.  As long as I can find that set we got for our wedding.

Thoughts?  Other wedding day suggestions or tips for Eli?  Leave it all in the comments section below.

Use code RABBIT at checkout for discount.  Expires 2/7/11

Goodbye tiger, hello rabbit.  The Chinese New Year officially happens on February 3rd, and it’s as big of a deal as it gets for a massive part of the human species.  Not just a one day celebration but one that goes on for a couple weeks, the Chinese New Year is a time for those who celebrate to travel, visit family they haven’t seen in awhile, and celebrate.  The guys at Indochino are getting in on the act with a 20% off everything sale.  Just use the code Rabbit to see the discount.

Shipping won’t be as lickity split as is usually the case with Indochino because most of a hemisphere is on vacation.  So expect your items to show up in 4-6 weeks instead of the usual two.  Here’s three items to consider:
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Black Lightning Tie – $31.20 SHIPPED (reg. $39.00)

A good price on a great looking tie.

Slick.  2.75″ in width so it’s professional but not fat either.  Ready to handle a four in hand or a half windsor knot.  As long as you work some color in somewhere (think, blue shirt) it should go with plenty of suit combinations.  Precisely what a tie should look like.  Now if they’d just make one in navy too.
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Essential Charcoal Suit – $279.20 SHIPPED (reg. $349.00)

Hard to screw up.

Along with a navy, the foundation for any guy’s suit collection.  No stripes, no goofy patterns, no nothing.  Just a well cut, trim, charcoal suit.  Let’s your choice of watch and shoes do the most talking.
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Wool/Cashmere Camel Overcoat – $279.20 SHIPPED (reg. $349.00)

Not your average drab piece of outerwear.

More dressed up than a standard black peacoat or overcoat.  10% cashmere, the rest wool, slim lines.

The 20% off everything code: RABBIT ends 2/7.  Remember that shipping will take 4-6 weeks this time.
Not sure what Indochino Suiting is all about?  Click here for an explanation.
If you’re looking for a full review of one of their suits, you’ll find that over here.
If you do buy something from Indochino, make sure to take advantage of the $75 re-tailoring credit.

A step up in price from the Alfani RED and Hilfiger Trim Fit suit separates, the DKNY (left) and Kenneth Cole (right) slim fit suits aren’t separates at all.  That means you choose your jacket size and you’re stuck with the un-hemmed pants that come with it.  No cherry picking off the rack what size fits you best.  Then it’s up to your tailor.

Both of these are easy to find in store at Macy’s, they’re pretty expensive at full retail price, and they’re available in a few different basic color options.  Here’s how they stacked up against each other during an in person fitting:

Methodology:  Tried on the same jacket size (38R) and accompanying pant of each suit right after the other.  Since these are sold as suits and not suit separates, you’re stuck with the pants which make the set.  Measured arm hole circumference with a tape measure around the armpit/shoulder seam that joins the sleeve to the jacket.
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DKNY Two Button Notch Lapel Slim Fit Navy Suit – $379.14 SHIPPED ($595)

This pic doesn't do it justice.

Arm Hole Circumference: 22″
Made in: China
Pros: Fabric feel, notch lapel, minimal shoulder padding, nicely contoured through sides, looks incredibly professional, good movement through the armholes, construction feels sturdy.  Inbetween sizes like 39R available.
Cons: Price, isn’t on sale all the time, made in China, not 100% wool, button stance a little high?

This is a hell of an off the rack suit.  Especially since it’s not 100% wool.  The fabric feels and moves great. The armholes feel decently high despite my measurements saying they’re a seemingly standard 22″ in circumference, and they don’t seem to tug on the torso.  With some minor tailoring it’ll look terrific.  The shoulder pads are slim for a department store suit, and the notch on the lapel is set nice and high.  Gives it a more trim, masculine look.
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Kenneth Cole New York Two Button Notch Lapel Slim Fit Suit – $259.99 (reg. $550)

This pic, strangely enough, is quite flattering for the suit.

Arm Hole Circumference: 22.5″
Made in: Mexico
Pros: 100% wool, less expensive, similar and cheap versions on Overstock.com, modern but not too modern.
Cons: Shoulder pads are more pronounced, could be more contoured through the sides.

Two tips for buying a Kenneth Cole suit:  Stick with the Kenneth Cole New York brand because those are wool.  REACTION is polyester.  And check on Overstock.com before you buy in-store.  You can usually pickup one up on Overstock for $150 – $200.  Will it be the most current version?  Maybe not.  Another oddity is that these aren’t available on Macys.com  Strange.  The one I tried on in-store was 100% wool but it didn’t feel as good as the DKNY.  In person the shape of the KC looks heavier & longer.  Turns out it actually is.   The suit pants that come with a 38R are a 32 waist, as opposed to a 31 waist for the DKNY.  The length of the jacket on the DKNY is also shorter by half an inch.
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The Winner:  DKNY Trim Fit or… The Indochino Ultimate Gray

This was a weird one.  In the fitting room, it was no contest.  The DKNY was the clear winner.  But in the pics it’s the DKNY appears to be bulky.  Perhaps it’s a bad angle or the fact that I was goofily holding my arms up in an attempt to show the contours of each jacket.  Instead I look like I confused my deodorant with mace that morning (didn’t that happen in a Police Academy?)  Regardless, in person the DKNY looks & feels much, much better.  But if given the choice between it, and the previously reviewed Indochino Ultimate Gray?  I’d keep my Indochino.

The current Macy’s extra 10% off sale promotion expires on 1/18.