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In Person: J. Crew Factory Pique and Corded Cotton Suits

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STYLESCORE = Extra 30% off Everything on JCrewFactory.com

Code just launched this morning (3/13) and runs through Tuesday 3/19.  Brings the suits down to $176.15.

UPDATE:  More than a few have pointed out the strangely small variety of inseams available (just 30 and 32 at post time).  That’s… not a lot.  But for those looking to get a little more length out of the pants, here’s an interior shot of the hem on the 30″ inseam option.  Looks like there’s some fabric to work with there.

Why does the J. Crew Factory Thompson line of suit separates get so much play?  It’s this rare combination:

  • Off the rack jacket contour
  • Minimal shoulder padding
  • Higher Arm Holes
  • Price

Other suits in this $190 – $225 price range are either boxy, have big shoulder pads, or arm holes so low that every time you go to shake someone’s hand your entire suit jacket rides up to your ears.  The Factory Thompson gets it right for most and a price almost everyone can afford.  And with warm weather starting to roll in, they’ve released two three (seersucker?  All right then) cotton suits for 2013.  One is more or less a repeat from last year, one is brand new.  Sizes shown here are 38R for the jackets and 32×30 for the pants.

 

J. Crew Factory Corded Cotton Suit Jacket in Blue – $110.60 ($168) and Pant – $66.15 ($98)

Factory Corded Cotton 2013

The Good: Same trim cut, minimal shoulder pads, and higher arm holes like the other Thompson suits.  Fabric is a nice alternative to Seersucker in style, but not nearly as light in weight.  Jacket could easily be worn three-seasons with jeans.  Unlike last year’s corded cotton jacket, this one is half lined.  The lower back is left unlined and the upper back is line with a lightweight chambray like cotton piece.  Sleeves are poly and the interior front panels are lined with a poly cotton blend.  It won’t be as breezy as a seersucker, but it’ll probably be cooler than last year’s option.  Button stance is a Ludlow like lower slung, with slim lapels.  Buttons are non functioning with zero accent stitching.  Arms seem to run true in length and the circumference seems slimmer this year.  Single vent.

The Not So Good: The fabric is stiff off the rack, but once you put it on and start moving it feels decent.  You’re certainly not fighting it.  As is usually the case with most of the Thompson suit separates, the pants are a little baggy and many will want to have them tapered/slimmed.  It’s cotton, so it’ll wrinkle, and this one seems to wrinkle pretty quick.  Jacket tail leans to the short side and while it might be too short for  the taller guys, it’s not chopped.

 

J. Crew Factory Pique Cotton Suit Jacket in Navy – $110.60 ($168) and Pant – $66.15 ($98)

Factory Pique 2013

The Good: Same silhouette/arm holes/shoulders once again.  The Cotton Pique fabric is a great change of pace.  Not the most luxurious stuff, but not quite as stiff as the corded cotton option.  The pique texture is noticeable up close, but it’s not thick or spongey like a polo.  It’s lightweight, moves well, and would make a terrific option to pair with chinos or jeans.   Button stance is a Ludlow like lower slung, with slim lapels.  Buttons are non functioning with no accent stitching.  Dual vents in the rear.

The Not So Good: It’s fully lined in acetate.  Wish the designers would have stuck to a half lined makeup similar to what’s inside the corded cotton.  Might get a little warm in the heat between the dark color and that lining.  But at this price, it might be a good out-on-the-town suit you can beat up and not worry too much about.  Jacket tail leans to the short side and while it might be too short for the taller guys, it’s not chopped.  Pants are going to need to be slimmed/tapered for many.

The Bottom Line

The mainly cotton half-lining is a nice improvement to the corded cotton from last year, and the Pique in navy is a great addition to the Thompson lineup.  With certain sales and codes (like what happened last Friday) you might be able to snag one of these suits for the mid $100s.  If you’re on a budget yet want to add a cotton suit to your collection, it’d be hard not to give one of these a shot.

And again, there’s the new Thompson in Seersucker seen below.  It’ll almost certain to be the coolest/most breathable of these three, but unlike the corded cotton, the jacket won’t look quite right with jeans come September.  Less versatility with the Seersucker, but less sweat at the same time.

Thompson seersucker

Comments

  1. Much awaited post Joe, thank you. For the taller gents (6’4″ here) the 44L corded cotton was just fine for me and carries the desired trim look without looking like you’re wearing a kids jacket. Everything stated in this post is spot on!

  6. So for those gents that have purchased this combo- if I am a milano fit with BB will this suit need alot of tailoring? The pants at a 30×30 would need to be recut completely and taken in, I am just trying to gather if I am “too” slim for this to really be a steal in price~thanks

  7. I know the Thompson jacket in 38R fits me perfectly but I have to double check on the sizing for the pants before I order online. Thankfully there’s a JCrew Factory store not too terribly far from me. Thanks for the heads up!

  8. Joe how close is this corded cotton suit to the standard J Crew option that comes now only in a “faded black” color, but used to also come in “Newport blue”? Seems like the exact same suit but 1/3 the price?

  11. Eh? Jacket Sleeves are showing 1/4 inch or less white shirt sleeves underneath…spot on. I guess others may preference a longer coat sleeve length.

  12. Hey all, I have a question: Just what exactly should ask for when I take a pair of pants to the cleaners to get tapered/slim? Are there any sort of measurements I should ask for or do I just request: “Hey slim these down for me.” I figure they’ll have to use clothes pins as guidelines but I’m just wondering. Thanks!

  13. It’s not all about the cuff overlap, though that’s spot-on here. I’m talking about the corded, because the navy pique looks fine.

    From Dap: “Look for a shirt cuff that ends right where the meat of your thumb muscle begins when you’ve got your arms are at your sides.”

    From GQ: “The jacket should be finished at the wristbone, and with the arm at rest, the shirtsleeve should extend one-half inch below.”

  15. Joe – from the photos it looks like these jackets don’t have the same odd space between the bottom of the lapel and the top button that the wool Thompson had. Is that the case?

  16. May want to find a tailor in lieu of taking to a dry cleaner. A tailor will taper trousers from the waist down or knee down. I’ve had success with adding a taper to boot cut jeans.

  17. If you wear jeans more, I might go with the chino. If you wear chinos more, I might go with the pique (avoids a chino on chino look which while certainly not bad, looks a bit better if you can break it up with something textured up top)

  18. For what it’s worth, I just returned the chino this morning. Mainly because the fit was bad but also I wasn’t crazy about the material. It turned out to be a lot heavier than I was expecting.

  20. Keep in mind that my thunder thighs have a tendency to make pants go wonky. That and my thunder… nevermind.

  21. I haven’t seen this year’s fine stripe cotton suit from J. Crew but if memory serves, the fabric on the standard J. Crew is better (the factory is pretty stiff at first). Lining and construction should feel better too. But yeah, that’s a big price jump.

  22. Same question. I have like a 33″ or 33.5″ inseam. Any chance that there is enough fabric under the hem?

  25. Joe, i normally wear a 34×32 on the wool Thompson. pants and it fits perfectly for me. I have big legs and from my past experience with cotton suits (T. Hilfiger seersucker) i wish i would of bought a size up. Would you recommend go up a size, perhaps a 36×32. Or do you think i should be fine.

  26. I normally am a 34″ inseam, and the 32″ JCF pants on the 80/20 wool Thompson pants fit me perfectly out of the box, with a good mid break.

  27. Have the navy cotton pique jacket, will be getting the pants today. Pretty happy with the jacket, only need to get it in brought in around the waist slightly, sleeve length seemed spot on for me with the 42L

  28. A great question. Damn, didn’t even notice the complete lack of inseam sizes. Updated the post above with a shot of how much fabric is hiding on the inside.

  29. I’ve been hearing a lot of mixed reviews on the chino. The pique is looking more and more tempting. Did you have a Thompson wool jacket to compare it to in terms of fit?

  30. Yes I do. I typically wear a 40s and the wool 40r while a bit longer than ideal is a great fit through the body on me; the shoulders and chest are pretty much perfect. The chino, however, just felt off all around and looked boxier and longer but not with enough room in the chest that sizing down seemed like an option.

  31. My Seersucker Thompson came in yesterday. The material is very thin. I like it a lot. I’m a little worried about it holding up. You may want to buy two sets of pants, but the fit is dead on. I’m 6’2 (leggy 6’2) and the 32in inseam actually fits pretty well.

  32. Could anyone describe the jacket fits for me? I’ve never bought a “slim” jacket such as this and have always heard to size up. I wear a 44 (short preferably) and wondered if I would need to go up to 46 so the shoulders will fit. For a comparison, the L Merona Kensington everyone likes fits me very nicely and it would be great if these would fit like that.