Kenneth Cole New York Slim Collection Black Stripe Wool Suit – $125.00
You could spend around $350 – $500 on a Kenneth Cole Wool suit at a department store. Or you could keep an eye on Overstock.com.
If you’re athletic, but far from skinny, these Slim Collection suits from Kenneth Cole might give you the extra room you need in the chest, all while coming pre-contoured and ready to be additionally darted in by your tailor.
I own two of these. I paid $350 for one which I bought at a department store and $100 for another that I got off Overstock. They’re both (in my opinion) excellent, and they’ve got a consistent presence on Overstock.com. Sizing availability can be sketchy, so you might have to check in often.
The last time these Overstock.com Kenneth Cole specials were highlighted, it was the lower Kenneth Cole REACTION line and it was all synthetic. This particular model is a Kenneth Cole New York, it’s 100% wool, and comes in black with a very thin stripe to the fabric.
If you’re not a fan of black and instead want a more versatile solid Charcoal, the same suit with the same size availability can be had for $165.
Will these turn heads like a Boss Black or a J. Crew Ludlow? Not really. But if you get it expertly tailored and pay attention to the rest of the details, you’ll look better than everyone else in the room.
Now if they could just do something about those hideous ties the Overstock people keep pairing with these suits.
Can you not choose your pants size? I was thinking about pulling the trigger on the charcoal, but not if I’m going to end up with a pair of baggy pants. (Their size guide says to subtract 5 to get pants size on a 44L, but I need a 36.)
(Sigh). Again, the Kenneth Cole model is wearing a suit that’s too big — even though this is part of a slim line. I swear, the model looks like he’s wearing his father’s suit in a high school photo.
Just how ‘slim’ is this suit, because it’s hard to tell in the photo…?
I don’t want the black, and at $165.00 I think I can pass on the charcoal. But with your seal of approval I think I might pull the trigger on this charcoal stripe KCNY wool: KCNY Charcoal Stripe. Joe, what do you think of this one? BTW, looove your site and read it daily!
@Rich: Thanks for the kind words… and terrific catch on the Charcoal Stripe. That must have just popped up on Overstock because I didn’t see that one, and I did a search by 40R (a pretty common size) to weed out all the almost sold out ones. For $120, I don’t see how you could be disappointed. It’s wool, it’s Charcoal, and if you’re looking for a stripe, then this is perfect. Superior to the Black stripe for sure since it’s charcoal. If I was in the market, I’d get it. Let me know if you do get it, and what you think of it when it arrives. Good luck, and remember, the return is worth the risk for a $120 suit…
@kyle: I’m 5’9/5’10”, 165lbs and exercise regularly. No one has ever called me skinny, ever, but I’m no bodybuilder either. I wear a 40s in this particular suit (like I said, I have two) and with the extra tailoring they fit perfect. The pants are pretty slim in my hamstrings/quads though. But I’ve got some Midwestern bred haunches. Hope that helps…
@TheMeInTeam: I don’t think you can. Which is a down side. But, if it makes you feel any better… they sell them as sets in department stores too. They won’t separate a jacket/pants combo for whatever reason.
I guess they don’t want my business then. I don’t have any sneakers to wear with it anyway.