In Review: The Spier & Mackay 90% wool / 10% Cashmere Herringbone Sportcoat

Slim or Contem. Fit S&M Grey Herringbone Sportcoat – $220ish* USD

*NOTE: You’ll need to use the code COATSEASON for 20% off and to get this price. Remember that prices on the S&M Website are in CAD, not USD. Sadly, not a ton of sizes for this particular model left at post time, but the code applies to all of their sportcoats. And yes, I did just abbreviate Spier & Mackay to S&M. Sorry. Only so much space in the content pane. 

It’s not cheap. But this sportcoat from Spier & Mackay is a perfect example why more and more guys are turning to this across the border brand, despite the potential fuss of international returns (they’ll pay for your first suit or sportcoat return, but just the first).

Shown is an unaltered 40R Contemporary Fit on 5’10″/185.

With costs on the rise everywhere, Spier & Mackay continues to import, from the eastern hemisphere, bizarrely well constructed and crafted suits and sportcoats for a very, very reasonable price. Now, this thing has gone on sale before. And while $250 (on sale) – $300 (full price) isn’t in everyone’s range, it sure does deliver.

No shoulder padding to really speak of. Soft & smooth 90% merino / 10% cashmere outer shell. Two off the rack fits that should accommodate most frames with little to no tailoring. And a butterfly lined interior that’ll make it comfortable when your workplace, or, favorite watering hole gets stuffy.

The back has a simple, well executed (meaning = not tissue thin) butterfly lined back. All of the seams are nicely taped. No wonkiness. Everything is secure and well pressed when it comes to the coverings on the seams. Front is lined in the same fabric the shell is made from. Easy to tailor, non functioning sleeve buttons at the cuffs. Sleeve buttons do have a little bit of accent stitching around them, but there’s a good 1″ – 1.5″ of dead space between the edge of the sleeve cuff and the first button.

Just a quarter, butterfly lining in the back. Seams are nicely taped.

Design elements will please plenty of people. The herringbone pattern is nice and subtle. A dark grey and light grey combo, instead of the eyeball jolting cream/off-white + black lots of other fabrics use. It should go with a ton of things in the wardrobe. Perhaps a bit darker in person than what the Spier & Mackay site shows, but it’s not a dark charcoal/almost nearing black.

Double vents in the rear. Curved, boat-style welt chest pocket. Lower patch pockets help it look like a sportcoat and less like an orphaned suit jacket. Lapels appear to be measuring in at 3.75″ wide, so that’ll look just fine on plenty of frames. Even the broader dudes, who might shy away from the slimmer lapels that a J. Crew Ludlow can carry.

It’s no secret that this website is a fan of Spier & Mackay suits. They hit all desirable points (half-canvas, nice wool, bemberg lined, soft shoulders, easy to tailor sleeve buttons) that so many suit brands seem to screw up. But sportcoats, especially partially lined sportcoats, can be a bit of a different animal. It’s nice to see them applying the good judgement and solid design choices shown on their suits to their line of sporcoats as well.