J.C.F. Thompson Worsted Wool Suit Jacket & Pant – mid $200s
Also available in Grey. Size Shown: 38 Regular, 32/30 pant on a 5’10” 165-170 frame. Usually in the mid to low $200s depending on sales and codes.
It was big news when they released a couple new wool versions of the Thompson Suit that debuted last year. And for good reason. With the every so often 30% off codes J. Crew runs, the price on these drop to under $200. Suits under $200 are either going to be boxy, have big shoulder pads, be made of polyester, or be some sad combination of all three. J. Crew Factory’s Thompson suit separates are the rare exception. They made a cotton version that was a success, and now… a navy. Here’s what you can expect from the new, 100% wool models:
The Pros
- The Shoulders/Armholes/Waist: Not a lot of shoulder padding, higher armholes, pre-suppressed jacket waist. You would think department stores would get a clue and replicate this trifecta, but nobody has done it nearly this well for under $250.
. - The Fabric: 100% wool this time. Which is good. But don’t expect some luxurious super smooth stuff. This is a workhorse suit. It’s a bit on the rougher side, but not stiff. The kind of suit you can wear anywhere. Or more specifically, places you wouldn’t normally wear a suit.
. - The Price: Going for the high $200s but during 30% off sales it’ll drop under two hundred bucks. At that price, it’s by far the best bang for your buck suit out there.
. - The Lapels and Buttons: Trim but not skinny lapels. And the non functioning buttons are a warmer brown. Plenty of navy suits out there go with dark brown if not black buttons, which is fine, but you guys love your medium to lighter brown shoes. So the buttons on this suit pop. Also, the button stance is the Ludlow like low, and while it once again looks like the lapels end early before the top button, a light pressing with just a steamer can roll it to look just fine.
. - The Color: The navy isn’t super dark. In fact, in some light it looks closer to a true, but still darker blue.
The Cons
- The Jacket Length: It leans to the modern/shorter trend, but it’s hardly noticeable in person.
. - The Pant Fit: Doesn’t seem to fit as trim as the jackets. Expect some alterations there unless you’ve got really big legs. Even with a belt, the 32/30s were sliding down my hips while taking photos. Lots of bunching, lots of break at the ankles. But that can be fixed.
The Bottom Line
Extremely well done. Again. Get it tailored to your body and your under $200 suit (when there’s a code) will look like it cost twice, maybe three times as much. The color of the navy blue is dead on perfect. A new, lighter grey is also available, and they’ve even increased their size range to include 36R and 36S. Tip of the hat to BenR from the comments who emailed J. Crew requesting those sizes and also encouraged others to do the same. Hard not to think you guys didn’t have an impact on their decision to offer those this time around.
Had to be done for old times’ sake.
awesome looks like we have another winner!
now just to play the waiting game…
Hey Joe, does this new version feel like the same cut/fit as the old wool/poly, darker charcoal one?
is there currently a discount code?
Kayne West: “J Crew hates tall people.” Pan to an uncomfortable looking Mike Meyers. . .
No.
If I’m a 40 chest should i be ordering size 38 suits? I thought i read something somewhere that said all suits basically have 2 extra inches on each side? And when I order 40’s I always end up having them tailor it in the back.
Joe – What is your jacket size for the Thompson suit?
Would you say the jacket works well on its own? I’ve been looking for a navy sportcoat that doesn’t have gold buttons.
I would. J.Crew’s suiting tends to run large in the chest measurement, at least in my experience. While I wear a 38R from other makers, for J.Crew I’m a 36R. Perhaps everyone else runs small. At least for the Ludlow cuts they have all the measurements at customer service, and it’s worth checking them before you pull the trigger.
How does the weight compare to the original Thompson suit? The Navy one would be a great second suit to pick up when it goes on sale.
I got the cotton version of the Thompson, I am a 40 and got the 40, other than some minor waist suppression it was good to go. 38 would have been too small.
I have both and I would say they are exactly the same cut.
This. 42L and 32/36 pants in separates. I’m doomed.
Been awhile since I had my hands on the original, but it memory serves, it’s comparable? Solid, but not heavy. Lightweight but not flimsy.
Usually I’d say no, but I think the texture of the worsted wool here would make it play decently well as a blazer. I think.
38R (italics up at the top of the post)
I got mine in the mail Tuesday and I agree with most of Joe’s comments. The fit is not as form-fitting as, say, Bonobos’ suits, but still plenty slim. Basically the same as the Ludlow sportcoat I have. The trousers are more of a straight fit than a slim fit, but slimming/tapering the legs is a relatively easy alteration to make, if you want it. Inseam runs pretty long – I am normally borderline between 30 and 32, but the 30 was long enough to give me a solid half break in the Thompson trousers.
The only alteration mine really needs is shortening the sleeves… I found the sleeves definitely run long relative to, say, a BR Tailored-fit jacket.
Overall, though, these new Thompsons suits seem like a stupidly good deal. The color is bluer and has more variation than the standard blue-black navy – it’s conservative, but still has some character. I’d been looking for a navy suit for a long time and this one is, in my opinion, exactly what a modern navy suit is supposed to be.
Like Chris said, yeah, feels pretty darn close.
Never a 40L as usual
Those pictures are incredible
Oops. Sorry. I now know for future reference.
Joe, would you recommend this over the Navy BR Italian wool?
Joe–What shoes are you wearing in your photos?
You said the pants seem long…how much longer than usual? I would love to get one of these suits, but I have a 34″ inseam and they don’t make those – if the pants are truly too long, I’m curious about how a 32″ would look…
Being 6’4, JCrew is normally my go-to for clothes that fit (36 inseams, tall size shirts and jackets). Unfortunately, JCrew Factory hates tall people. They do a 42L/44L jacket, but pants top out at 32 inseam? I’d love to see a picture of someone who actually wears that size combination.
I’m very excited about this. I love my Thompson, and though I have a few navy-ish suits, I’ll replace one of them easily with this J.Crew. It’s a perfect mix of price, look, and comfort!
No short sizes except 36??
Does the Thompson suit pants even come in a 30 waist? Ideally I need a 30/34 but given that they don’t have longer than a 32 inseam I could potentially go 30/32 with some tailoring if they run a bit long as said. Upon review of the website though I don’t see a single 30 waist…all sold out or just not made?
Must be sold out (for now). I definitely saw then when I bought my suit last week. I figured these things would fly off the shelf and sizes would disappear, like they did for the charcoal version last year. Check back every week or so – I’m sure they will restock at some point.
My 30 inseam pants fit me almost as long as a 32. There’s about 1.5″ inches of extra length in the bottom hem, about .75-1″ of which could probably be let out by a tailor. I’m guessing you could make a 32 work.
Quick tip: Bean’s Signature is having a massive sale right now. Traditional Twill jacket and trou for $133 shipped, e.g.
This is me as well. I measure 40, and J Crew and Banana Republic fit me in a 40. I need them taken in a little in the waist and upper chest under the arms, but if I try to size down the shoulders and back around the outside are too small; I can’t even pull the jacket up and on all the way
If its not one thing its another, 30/32 would be perfect for me too :[
thats for these new wool pants or the older wool blend?
New ones. I don’t own the old poly blend suit. Only the new navy.
I’m a 44L with a 32 inseam on J Crew chinos (very minimal break), so there are some of us out there!
Chris & Joe: Having seen/owned both versions (older wool/poly & new worsted wool), How would you compare the overall feel of the fabrics in terms of finish and breathability/flexibility? I just received the charcoal wool/poly recently, and while I like the overall fit of the suit, I can’t say I’m too fond of the overall feel of the fabric/weight. Comparing it by trying it on back to back with several of my other suits: Alfani Red, Hugo Red (different ballparks of course), I’d have to say that the fabric of the wool/poly Thompson is my least favorite by a longshot. Overall it doesn’t have the weight/feel/finish of a quailty suit. It feels more flimsy. I’m debating keeping it or returning it, but for the price, I do really like the overall look and fit. Now with the newer wool Thompson, would you guys say that the fabric is much improved now where it feels like a more quality finish? Or would you say it is still pretty close overall to the original Thompson? Your input will definitely help me to decide whether or not to keep the original wool/poly, try the newer wool version, or to hold off on both for now. Thanks in advance!
Style question: If the buttons are a lighter brown could you still wear black shoes/belt with this suit?
I second this. Is it worth it to stretch my budget for the BR when I could buy this suit? I’m very thin, so fit is more important than fabric, if that makes any difference.
Yeah, go for it. I’m usually very pro-navy and brown, but if you only have black shoes or need to wear them for some reason, it won’t be a problem. And if all you wear is black, you could always get the buttons changed for 15 bucks or less.
I need a 30 waist also. They were there a week ago, but I wanted to wait for a discount code. Shouldn’t have waited. I chatted with a J Crew rep and asked if they would get more in stock, but she said no, they weren’t going to have anymore shipments. I hope that’s not true and she just didn’t know what she’s talking about. I’ll check the J Crew site often and hope that they get 30’s back in stock.
such a bummer it only comes in 36S, as if only short people had a small chest
Pair of DSW Mercanti Laceups:
http://dappered.com/2011/08/the-best-looking-dress-shoes-under-125/ I’ve beat the snot out of them. They recently suffered an unintentional olive oil bath when I kicked over a bottle at a bar that was given to the Mrs. as a Birthday Present and we had put on the ground. No worse for the wear though.
That’s hard to say. The Navy BR Italian Wool is more of a smoother, slicker, dressed up suit. Not that this suit isn’t “dressed up.” But the fabric has more texture, is a little lighter in color, etc… If given the option between owning either for free, I’d go BR Italian wool. But that’s no knock on this thing. Under $200 when on sale is incredible for this.
Boy, I don’t know. The price points are just so different. I say don’t stretch your budget and go with the J. Crew Factory? That’s my gut instinct.
No worries. I often forget to mention what size I’m wearing
Honestly, I liked the fabric of the old wool/poly blend suit. I like smoother fabrics like what your Alfani Red has, but I also like a bit of toughness since I tend to… not wear my stuff gently? To me, it was lighterweight but not flimsy. Had some flex to it. If memory serves. Been awhile.
As far as the new suit goes, the fabric is different. More texture, probably a little heavier. Not a smooth/slick fabric like you’re used to.
Joe –
I just went to purchase this suit on the J Crew website, and it was $285 before any tax, $302.69 total.
Is the suit on sale? is there a promo code I am missing?
Thanks,
Matt
Prices move around a bit with J. Crew Factory stuff. No promo code available right now. I think the pants were “on sale” for $88 when the post launched.
Love the jacket, hate the pants. I tried this on at their factory store a few months ago, and they were the trendy kind of pants that fit like low-rise jeans: waist was too big, yet not enough rise to wear them near your actual waist. I actually found them to be fairly slim pant legs though, similar to Hilfiger slim fit suit pants, etc. I guess it would depend where on your waist you wear them, though.
Too bad, because it’s very nice feeling material and color in person, but I would have felt a bit trendy wearing those pants (and my suits are all slim fit or Indochino, so it’s not like I’m that conservative).
i like the way you think sir
Sounds good, thanks for the reply and feedback Joe. I definitely appreciate it!
A good blue suit is always a win; a good blue suit on the cheap is awesome!
42L is too short for me. I had to have my sleeves extended on the last suit I bought. I can’t purchase anything from BB, even their Longs look comical on me. The salesman just shook his head and told me “sir, I’m afraid we have nothing in our store that will fit you.”
34/35 pants. That’s right, 35. I don’t fit into your narrow even numbered fashion world.
Is there really such a dearth of tall people who want to dress properly, or is J.Crew Factory just cruel?
new code but doesnt seem to work on the suit. weird.
So I ordered this suit and am wearing it right now for the first time… just noticed the jacket front pocket is sewn shut. Is that normal? Is it an easy fix (to allow for a pocket square)? Still learnin’ how to be dappered…
Yep! Totally normal. Most if not all suit jackets come with the pockets sewn shut and a couple of threads holding the vent or vents closed. Shows it’s brand new and you’re the one to break it in. Take a small nail scissors and carefully cut those threads open. They should come out somewhat if not real easily. There’s an arugment to be made for leaving the lower pockets closed on inexpensive suit jackets. Helps the jacket keep it’s shape over time. Enjoy the new suit!
Just went to buy the suit for a wedding and the pants are not available in navy at all anymore! Trying to buy from Australia and the hours for live chat are while I’m asleep :/
Help!
Which color for the Thompson suit? Dark grey, light grey or navy. Restarting my wardrobe as I have lost weight.
Am I crazy or are these not available on their website?
Are the Thompson worsted wool suits fused? How do they compare the tailored fit suits and Banana Republic not thinking about the prices? How do these compare to the claiborne suits from jc penny? How are all the fits like arm hole height?
If you could rank them in order I would appreciate it.
And then overall, prices included, which would you go for?
After reading this review and finding out JC/JCF sell 34s I purchased 1 grey worsted wool suit w/ slim pant and 1 navy worsted wool suit w/ slim pant. I am 5’5″ 140 lbs and small shoulders. I haven’t tried or tailored the pants yet but I can testify on the jackets
The worsted wool JCF suits are 100% wool and they have nice deep colorization too them and a soft pliable feel, meaning they will wrinkle easily, but since they are pliable the wool will contour more to your body. The arms holes are nicely placed (high) and the sleeves are trimmed to fit slimmer arms. JCF does a great job not over padding the shoulders and letting the wool naturally drape. The sides are nicely compressed and give great shape. The length of the arms are perfect for me and I have shorter arms. The length of the jacket is a bit longer than I expected but not ill fitting.
I got each suit for $250 after 20% discount. With this said you get what you pay for and the suits material and finish aren’t tailor or custom quality but the fit is excellent for my small body which so many companies fail to cater to.
Again I haven’t tried on the pants and I hope they are as comfortable and fitting as the jacket.