Suitsupply Lazio “Blue Plain” Wool Suit $499
The suit sure as hell doesn’t make the man, but it definitely can bolster your chances. Especially, if the suit looks anything close to Suit Supply’s Lazio Blue Plain suit form their Purple Line. In the off chance that you don’t like wearing suits for whatever reason, give this one a solid 5 seconds of your time and you’ll realize what you’ve been missing out on for so long.
A lot of digital ink has been spilled on this website’s pages about the Napoli fit. And for good reason. It’s one of their most popular fits, and populates their cheapest $399 line. But the Lazio’s no slouch either. In fact, depending if you have a slim frame, a Napoli might make you look a little slouchy compared to the trimmer & slimmer Lazio. Yet, if you’ve got a thicker frame, a Lazio might have you looking like 5 pounds of man stuffed into a 3 pound, finely crafted, Italian wool sausage casing.
Lazio left, Napoli right. Both are a size 34R on 5’7″ + 140 lbs.
The Lazio is the most fitted suit out of Suitsupply’s classic range, which might deter some of the larger guys out there. But on a slimmer guy, the fit of the Lazio is likely to be more complimentary. There wasns’t too much of a difference in comparison to the Napoli on my 5’7″, 140 lb frame, but in the side by side you can see that things are more tailored on the Lazio. It’s still plenty comfortable and has more than enough flexibility.
The Napoli still provides a complimentary silhouette and holds a great shape. One of the biggest differences between the two cuts is that the Lazio is noticeably more contoured in the jacket compared to the body than the boxier fit of the Napoli. If you’re a slimmer guy The Lazio will definitely compliment your frame more, but you’re not losing too much should you decide it’s just too trim for you. It would seem it’s more preference than anything. Other differences are the Lazio’s wider notch lapels and softer interlining. For those with smaller body types, this is the most ideal fit.
Now, about the Blue Plain Suit itself…
Right off the rack, you notice that the Blue Plain suit is extremely handsome and far from “plain”. That’s largely due to two things: the colors (yes, plural) and the texture. The base hue of the suit is a nice bold and rich blue. Not as dark as navy, which works greatly in its favor since peppered across the first blue, there is a lighter blue woven in.
This blending of colors adds more visual interest to the suit. Having something like this, along side a solid navy in your collection, wouldn’t feel like you’re doubling up. Though we’ve had discussions in the past about blues and breaking out of them, adding various shades of blue does elevate things considerably. It’s eye catching and makes a statement in the most polite, yet aggressive way.
Texture. Lots of it.
The Italian super 100s wool is soft, but has a more pronounced texture than other suits. Again, “plain” doesn’t seem like the right word for this suit. It’s got a wider notch lapel with lightly padded shoulders and standard flap pockets. Like all Suitsupply suits, there are functional sleeve buttons, so it will be a little more difficult to get tailored should you need it. The suit moves with your body and feels quite light. It breathes well, yet provides welcome insulation during colder points of the season.
The size shown here was based off what Suit Supply’s size adviser suggested***; which ended up being a size 34. I normally wear a size 36, but the 34 surprisingly fit perfectly, even better than the aforementioned size overall. If I went with my normal size the suit would definitely lose some of the contoured look that this slimmer suit model gives. The only minor fit issue is the sleeves. If you like showing a good amount of shirt cuff, and any accessories you wear on your wrists, then the sleeve length is pretty spot on. But for traditionalists it could show too much shirt cuff, causing the sleeves to appear too short. Aside from that (which could be based off preference), the fit is wonderful.
Careful with sleeve lengths. Functioning sleeve buttons can be a pain to tailor.
A 34R on 5’7″ might leave the sleeves a little short for some tastes.
The pants sit comfortably on the waist. Being in an office chair all day in these isn’t going to be a problem. The internal button on the inside of the waistline is a welcome addition, in combination with the zipper and front button it helps maintain the structure of the trouser. The legs are more tapered than their other fits. Great for sleekness. Not so great if you’ve been hittin’ your calf raises hard.
The unfinished inseams on the pants are long, around 36 to 38 inches. So unless you’re the type who always has to duck his head when walking through doorways, you’re definitely going to have to get the pants hemmed… unless 90’s hip-hop baggie is what you’re trying to accomplish. In which case, stop.
Like all Suitsupply suits, the pants come unhemmed. So you’ll have to get that done post-purchase.
Daddy Mac will make you jump jump.
The Lazio fit gets several things right almost effortlessly, even with its more contemporary, slimmer modifications. Slightly wider lapels, those soft shoulders, plus all the quality that you’d expect from Suit Supply makes this suit more than just your latest piece of ho-hum business attire. It’s costly at $499, but if you’re on the slim side and have had trouble with billowing sleeves, jacket waists, and pant legs in the past, you’ll likely find that you’ll rotate a Lazio through your wardrobe an almost embarrassing amount.
And that’s perfectly fine.
***Editor’s Note: Careful with that Suitsupply size Advisor. Plugging my 5’10” / 185 lb frame measurements into their size advisor results in it suggesting a 34R in the Napoli (I wear a 38r or 40r), and a 38R in the Lazio (which would be too small for my shoulders)
