In Review: The J. Crew Crosby Athletic Fit Suit

The Crosby Suit Jacket & Pant in Italian Worsted Wool – $650

Size shown here in this post is a 40R jacket and the pants are 32×30. J. Crew is currently offering free shipping & free returns on their suits, so, you’re not on the hook for anything. Right now J. Crew offers five styles in the Crosby fit. For more information on the stats of the wearer in these photos, you can head over here to see some measurements.

Launching an “athletic fit” suit is a recipe for criticism. What does athletic fit mean? A lot of different things to a lot of different people. And if someone identifies themselves as having an athletic body type, chances are they pay closer attention to their fitness than most. If they pay closer attention to their fitness than most, is it possible that they might be more likely to project what they believe their athletic fit is onto others?

Two one star reviews. That’s it. One says the shoulders fit better, but the mid section is too big. The other says the shoulders are too small, and the suit was “far less forgiving.” Brilliant! Off to a great start. Glad there’s some agreement there Megan and Jake.

 

The Good about J. Crew’s Crosby Suits

For those that like to exercise, the Crosby really is noticeably more generous in a couple of key areas. Especially the appendages. If you can just barely get into a Ludlow, but wish your arms and your legs weren’t feeling like they were shrink wrapped, then the Crosby could be for you.

For the Jacket: They’ve opened up the arm holes while still keeping them on the high side. The shoulders have been widened by 3/4″, while still using minimal padding. They’ve added half an inch to the arms (not a ton, but appreciated for those inviting those to their gun show). And the chest now has another inch added in.

Lapels have been widened by (just) a quarter of an inch for more visual balance. Button stance is still low, sleeve buttons are still non functioning for easy tailoring. The half canvas construction & nice chest piece still help the Italian wool drape well.

For the Pants: Major improvements here, especially if you’re comparing to the Ludlow “slim” pant. They’re not making many of their suit pants in “standard” ludlow fit anymore, and the “slim” pant can be way too skinny on some frames. There’s noticeably more room in the seat & thigh, but the leg opening was increased only by 1/8″. That keeps em’ looking tailored, yet there’s room for some calves down there. The pants and the sleeves are in a nice, visual balance.

These are also sold as separates, which is key for those with non-standard “drops” (the chest to pant-waist ratio found on more traditional married suits, where you can’t pick and chose between the pant and jacket). If you’ve got a big chest but a small waist? Good for you. Separates might be your only option.

 

The Not So Good about J. Crew’s Crosby Suits

Megan is right. The jacket is pretty generous through the mid section. But y’know what can fix that Megan? A trip to the tailor. It’s actually a real easy fix. Now, is it as easy as lobbing a one star review at an off-the-rack-suit, complete with some passive aggressive fat shaming while bragging about your Adonis of a husband? No, it’s not that easy. But a nip at the waist isn’t major surgery. In fact, most off the rack suit makers EXPECT those who are trim through the middle to have a bit taken in. Y’know why? Because if they only sold suits to your husband Ms. Megan, they wouldn’t sell enough suits.

As far as you go, Jake, can’t speak to the 46R jacket. But from the 40R perspective, there is an unmistakable, noticeable difference between the Crosby and Ludlow. You been hittin’ the protein shakes, hard, since you last got a Ludlow on Mr. Jake? Maybe the manufacturing process isn’t as good at the extreme ends of a specific retailer’s spectrum?

The Price, is also, high. $650 is a lot for most of us. And like the Ludlows, they’re excluded from the vast majority of sales and promos. But if the one-star reviews keep on comin’ in, they might have to do something about moving the inventory. It’s been seen before.

The Lapels could have been widened a bit more. Going from 2.5″ to 2.75″ doesn’t seem like much, because it’s not. If you’re matching lapel width with tie width, then it’s not unheard of for a broad chested fella to go with a 3″ or 3.25″ tie. A minor quibble though, for most.

 

The Bottom Line

If you like the button stance on a Ludlow, like the construction of J. Crew’s suits, and appreciate the non-functioning sleeve buttons… yet just can’t get comfortable in the trimness of a Ludlow, then the Crosby is absolutely worth a shot. Solid quality, nice fabrics, and a modern look. You’re just going to want to wait for a sale. $650 is pricey for those of us on this website. Now, if they include these in the next 25% off $125 promo, then the Crosby will drop to $487.50. That’s Suitsupply territory (who has hard-to-tailor, functioning sleeve buttons). If it fits in the shoulders, arms, seat and legs, but it’s boxy through the middle, take it to a tailor. And you’ll be set.

Or, just send it back since it’s free shipping. Don’t forget to write a one-star review though! Let the world know how unsatisfied you are!

That just might help the rest of us get them for cheaper later on.