Bonobos Grey and White Seersucker Jacket
& Matching Pant – $360.00*
Light colored summer suits have a limited use. No matter how well tailored, they just don’t look right in December. But while Medium Gray, Charcoal, and Navy suits are the foundation, light & breathable summer suits look & feel pretty damn good from April – early September. Our search for the best affordable summer suiting options is on, and you can send in your suggestions via styletip.
*$50 off if you sign up an email via their new customer link. Normally $410.
Bonobos does more than pants. Quite a bit more. But just like their pants, their suits come at a premium. And you’d think seersucker in general would be cheap. It’s supposed to be light, airy, and cotton. Which this suit absolutely is. But a lot of cheap seersucker suits feel stiff and restricting. Which this suit, absolutely is not…
The Pros
- The Fabric: Perfect summer weight. It’s impressively light yet neither thin nor flimsy. Not much pucker to it. Just enough.
. - The Movement: Unbelievably comfortable. As previously mentioned, some inexpensive seersucker can feel like they’re 30% cardboard. Not this. Moves as easy as a pair of pajamas, with a much better fit.
. - The Armholes: Good and high, and set under a pair of you don’t even notice them shoulder pads.
. - The Pattern: The standard for seersucker is blue. This lighter but still noticeable grey is a real good way to switch it up.
The Cons
- The Price: Yes shipping is always free with Bonobos… but $410 for all cotton is a lot. In this case you really do get what you pay for, and you’ll end up with a suit that you can wear even when it’s ugly hot. Still though, you really have to be looking for a seersucker to consider investing. Even at the $360 first timer level.
. - The Gap Between Fits: A lot of us who are sometimes a 38 and sometimes a 40 are absolutely going to have to invest in tailoring. Not that we wouldn’t anyway, but it seems like there’s a larger than normal jump between those two common sizes. 38 was too tight in the back. 40 was pretty big at the sides.
The Bottom Line
It feels and moves far better than the (non-seersucker) J. Crew striped Ludlow, which comes in at about the same price. Is it a little more casual thanks to the slight pucker? Yeah. But we’re talking almost white summer suits here. It’s spendy, and for less than half the price you could get the (again, non seersucker), also feels amazing L.L. Bean Signature Twill. But then you won’t get the stripes or quite the breeziness of the Bonobos Fabric.
This should be at the top of the list for guys who absolutely want a seersucker suit, have some cash to spend, and plan on wearing their chosen suit more than a few times a summer. So basically 0.5% of the shopping public. Otherwise, spend a third of the price and go with a light khaki L.L. Bean Signature, which is on sale for $130.
Current Best Summer Suit Standings
Best Dressed Up: Banana Republic Italian Cotton
Best Dressed Down: L.L. Bean Signature New Traditional Twill
Best Ultra Cheap Option: INC Grey Cotton linen blend
For the growing archive of the 2011 Dappered Summer Suit Search, click here.
That suit looks SHARP!
“That seersucker is so *hot* right now.”
The LL Bean suit is actually on sale for 90 right now. Seems worth a try right?
It’s actually $90 for the blazer and $40 for the pants. They sell them as separates. Ships free though. It’s a hell of a summer suit though.
Nice suite. It would be awesome if some of these online vendors would setup fitting shops in major cities, where you could test the clothes then place an order online. Bonobos actually does have something like that in NY, but a couple more scattered around or just floating from city to city would be nice. In the cycling world Rapha, does this and it is a very successful, because local shops don’t carry their gear and finding the right fit can be difficult. Maybe a couple of online vendors could pool their resources and lease large fitting centers where they don’t sell anything, just let you see it in person and try it on.
Nice review. That LL Bean is a bargain. Don’t forget that Bonobos also sells these pieces as separates. Save $50 when you sign up for their mailing list: bonobos.com/invite/abcd3fg15789
Hey Joe, do those ever show up in a short? I’m 5’7″ and usually wear a 36 short, but I’ve never seen any L.L. Bean blazers in 36s.
That’s a great idea Matthew. Warby Parker does this to some extent (eyeglasses), they set up shop within existing stores where you can try on their frames and order them online. Though not traveling, I like the idea of setting up shop where potential customers can try on goods in person, then order online.
Hey Joe-
How do the pants fit? Are they slim?
Really looking to buy this. Free shipping & returns help. Any clothing company that takes themselves seriously should offer free shipping on any orders above $100 (looking at you, J. Crew & GILT Man).
Rado Cell Phones online
hat’s a great idea Matthew. Warby Parker does this to some extent
(eyeglasses), they set up shop within existing stores where you can try
on their frames and order them online.
Non-first timers, $25 off:
TELL25
I ordered this suit 3 days before it went on sale, called Bonobos, they refunded me the difference.
$211 for the suit with both promo codes. Very nice.