The A Suit That Fits Suit Review

The A Suit That Fits Suit Review

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a suit that fits review

I love hearing about new made to measure/custom suit operations.  It means competition in the markerplace is increasing, which ideally will push each maker to produce a better product and differentiate themselves in some way.  Theoretically, this will benefit the customers.  This review of A Suit That Fits will kick off new round of reviews over the next week or so; suits from Dragon Inside and Matthew A Perry and socks from Mes Chaussettes Rouges will be the subjects of three other reviews over the next few weeks.

But back to point, A Suit That Fits is not a new suit company, only a new entrant to the American market.  ASTF has spent the past few years refining its model over in its home country of England before crossing the Atlantic to bestow is pleasantries upon us Americans.  Clearly this was time well spent, as they make a fine suit and the whole process (just shy of 2 months from first fitting to final delivery with alterations) did go very smoothly.

Like every other online custom shop ASTF gives you the option to input your measurements and choose your fabric online.  However, they are also pushing for people to meet with them in person.  Which as of now is only available in NYC.  As always, I recommend meeting with the company if possible.  I met with Shao and Warren (one of the founders) at their office space in the Metlife building.  We spent a few hours chatting, going through swatch books and taking measurements (don’t worry, your appointment will not take that long).  I decided on a suit made up of a stunning brown and cream Glen Plaid with a rust windowpane from Loro Piana (somewhere in the $1,700 ballpark, the jacket was comped and I paid for the pants).

I would be remiss if I did not mention that A Suit That Fits boasts that it can meet pretty much any request a customer may have (such at buttoning point or gorge height) if the normal options are not sufficient.  But in contrast to its competitors, who do not charge for various options, ASTF charges more for certain options, which I thought was interesting and am not sure how much I like that method.  Anyway, I should also note that their fabric selection is much more extensive on their UK site and they can make suits for American customers from fabrics on the UK site.  So I recommend you browse both sites thoroughly when evaluating whether or not A Suit That Fits is right for you.

The options selected for the jacket were as follows, which is half canvassed: single breasted, 2-button, notch lapel, flapped slanted pockets, ticket pocket, non-functioning sleeve buttons, side vents.  The shoulders of the jacket are lightly padded, they are not built up to the point of what many think of for an English suit, but also not as light as what you would get from Black Lapel or Indochino.  The options for the pants were as follows: no pleats, cuffs, side tabs, suspender buttons, 2 rear pockets.  Additionally, I asked for a high gorge on the jacket and a specific buttoning point on the jacket.  Thankfully, all of my selections and requests were met successfully.

The measurement process was similar to others that I have taken part in.  All of the usual body measurements and then a few measurements from the suit I was wearing.  As was the case with the options, the measurements came out well and the only alteration that needed to be made was to shorten the pants by about an inch.  To my taste, both the jacket and pants fit well.  I don’t feel that there is too much or too little fabric; more importantly, I am comfortable wearing the suit.

The big question is whether or not the suit is a good value and if I recommend A Suit That Fits.  As there are less expensive online operations (based off of ASTFs entry level suits), so is ASTF worth the extra money?  Yes, as long as the suit and options you want are within your budget.  Between the US and UK sites the fabric selection is perhaps the best on web, at least of the companies I have dealt with (not counting MyTailor, which is not really an online operation), which for someone like myself who has sometimes rather particular tastes, this is a good thing.  The same can be said about the various options and requests that they will accommodate (Knot Standard and MyTailor are the only places that are comparable on this).  Additionally, the quality of the build of the suit is also to a good level, to what my amateur judgement can tell (see photos below).  In short, the resulting suit is one that I am very happy with, one that will get a lot of use and good enough to merit patronizing A Suit That Fits again.  If you have any questions or comments of your own, sound off in the comments.

-JLJ

a suit that fits a suit that fits a suit that fits a suit that fits

a suit that fits review
Big fan of extra layers of fabric like this at the hem.
a suit that fits review
Like the buttonholes, clean and discreet at the boutonniere, well done.
a suit that fits review
Very happy with the slide tab closure. It is done smoothly and has enough lining to keep a good shape.
a suit that fits review
I haven’t seen side tabs where the waistband is a little thinner where the tab is, but I like it.
a suit that fits review
Big fan of the breast pocket.
a suit that fits review
Like the pattern matching around the flap pockets and sleeveheads, that on the back is also well done.
a suit that fits review
Although it doesn’t look it, the boutonniere is functioning, I just need to finish opening the seam. Big points for the loop below the hole to help keep flowers in place. However, for a jacket of this price, it would be better if the collar fabric was folded to underneath the collar, that would ensure the collar lining would not show from the side.  They also forgot to take out the basting thread (at least I think that’s what that is) on the collar, but that is easily removed by cutting it and pulling it out.
a suit that fits suits
The lining at the sleevehead looks to be machine stitched on the bottom and hand stitched on the top. It is better to have hand stitching on the top, as it allows for slightly better movement at the shoulder.
a suit that fits suits
Clean around the flap pockets.
a suit that fits suits
The interior of the jacket is clean and the stitching around the pockets is well done.
a suit that fits review
Nice shanking around the buttons.
a suit that fits review
The pattern matching at the sleevehead is done quite well, which I would expect at this price point. Well done.
a suit that fits review
The pattern matching for the flap pockets is done very well. The more complex the pattern the harder this is to match well.
a suit that fits review
Hard to see with the blurry photo, but the buttonholes are clean and pretty discreet, which is what you want.
a suit that fits review
I opted for non functioning buttonholes to make any adjustments to sleeve length easier. However, they add a stitching that imitates buttonholes, something that I am not a fan of. However, I am sure you can request no stitching.

 

 

 

20 COMMENTS

  1. A fine looking suit Justin. Good to see that the brown suit is given a high profile on your site whereas in Australia the old English attitude of never be seen in brown in town seems to prevail. I thought it was interesting that you chose a green tie over a brown when the suit had no green or olive in the fabric. Also were the suede shoes (great choice) Oxford or Brogue? I quite like the Church’s New York line in the chocolate brown suede which I may purchase soon before the Australian dollar drops too much further in value.

  2. My boyfriend had a very bad experience with AStF. The suit was completely the wrong size and, rather than reordering and admitting their mistake, they tried unsuccessfully to alter it. He now won’t have a well fitting suit for our wedding in less than 2 weeks.

    • Dear Jane,

      We’re really sorry that we have left you and your husband-to-be feeling like this. Our aim is to delight all of our customers, so that they walk away with garments that they are really proud of. We will work with customers as many times as necessary in order to get their garments right. Please contact me directly on: claire@asuitthatfits.co.uk, and I will look into this further.

      Kind Regards,
      Claire Webber-Mullan
      Marketing Manager
      A Suit That Fits

  3. Nice suit I like the personal hand made note with your name included how much extra was that. My first ever bespoke suit was made by ASTF at London Glasshouse with Harry and I must admit it would be difficult going back to buying suits off the shelf. I was surprised at the quick turn around, 2 fittings later my suit was ready and I had an excellent graduation.

  4. Hello Charles,

    We’re really chuffed to see your positive feedback and we will ensure that it is passed onto your Style Advisor Harry.

    We hope to see you again soon.

    From the A Suit That Fits Team

  5. beware as they sell you a suit that does not fit. I ordered two suits and paid for them both upfront. I explained that I would let them complete one and then we can choose the fabric for the second suit.

    The first suit they carried out the normal fittings they managed to get the trousers to fit. The suit jacket however was too short as much as I insisted that I was not happy with the length I was pretty much sold the jacket having been told that the length is correct and that is the way it should be. The error they had made was to not measure correctly and were reluctant to lengthen the jacket i assume this is a difficult process and they were not willing to do this. I picked up the jacket and wore it once it looked horrible and I was not comfortable wearing it. To avoid confrontation and having lost faith in their ability I asked to cancel the second suit and instead make two more pairs of trousers exactly like the original ones.

    Another fitting ensued (each fitting costs me half a day due to the location) I returned my jacket asking them to keep it or give it to charity as there is no way I would wear it again. I was then told that they would make me another jacket the correct length if that would make me happy! why could they not do this in the first place and offer to do it a year later….I am close to a year since my first appointment and the two pair of trousers they made to replicate the first ones guess what? they don’t fit either…As much as they have offered to fix them it is another fitting and another half a day!! I give up! £800 for one pair of trousers not to mention the time and money wasted on fittings……..

    Avoid these guys at all cost its not worth the headache.

  6. Hi Iqbal,

    To recapitulate your responses on other review sites we’re are again extremely sorry that we’ve let you down to the extent you are feeling this way. Our intention is nothing but to delight with bespoke tailoring.

    In regards to fittings, having things fitted to perfection does require fittings. This is a normal and standard part of the process. Although, you should have left feeling delighted with the final product. From your message, it looks like a compromise was made – which should not be the case.

    Travelling and time looks like it could be an issue for you. We will make sure that we do everything possible to minimise this – including perhaps sending someone out to you instead.

    A member of the team will be in touch to ensure that we get there with you.

    Once again – please accept my sincere apologies that you feel this way and we will work hard to turn this experience into a positive one for you.

    Kind Regards,

    Liam
    A Suit That Fits team.

  7. A suit that fits? More like a man that doesn’t turn up!

    11th May – confirmation of my ‘initial measuring’ session, booked for 16th June
    13th June – text from Thomas to check if 16th is still ok, immediate reply from me to confirm
    15th June – email from Jacob to check if 16th is still ok, reply from me to confirm
    9:45am – arrival at the business park site
    10:10am – no Thomas, so I called on the mobile he text from – no answer. I text him instead – no reply.
    10:15am – phone call to the company asking if Thomas is delayed – yes they said. ‘Let us call you back right away’ they said
    10:10am – after a phonecall to ASTF, a text I thought i’d email Jacob – no reply
    10:30am – left the site and give up! I called to explain, Reece was very apologetic and said we’ll investigate exactly what happened and call you back today – no call

    So from 10:30 am to 20:35 this evening instead of counting down the weeks to my spanking new suit for my wedding, I’m sat here writing this review!

    Quite frankly, what confidence do I have on progressing further purchasing a suit from ASTF when they can’t seem to execute an measuring up session with a potential customer. Poor, uncourteous, lack of respect in wasting my morning and still no-one knows where Thomas actually got to.

  8. A suit that fits? More like a man that doesn’t turn up!

    11th May – confirmation of my ‘initial measuring’ session, booked for 16th June
    13th June – text from Thomas to check if 16th is still ok, immediate reply from me to confirm
    15th June – email from Jacob to check if 16th is still ok, reply from me to confirm
    9:45am – arrival at the business park site
    10:10am – no Thomas, so I called on the mobile he text from – no answer. I text him instead – no reply.
    10:15am – phone call to the company asking if Thomas is delayed – yes they said. ‘Let us call you back right away’ they said
    10:10am – after a phonecall to ASTF, a text I thought i’d email Jacob – no reply
    10:30am – left the site and give up! I called to explain, Reece was very apologetic and said we’ll investigate exactly what happened and call you back today – no call

    So from 10:30 am to 20:35 this evening instead of counting down the weeks to my spanking new suit for my wedding, I’m sat here writing this review!

    Quite frankly, what confidence do I have on progressing further purchasing a suit from ASTF when they can’t seem to execute an measuring up session with a potential customer. Poor, uncourteous, lack of respect in wasting my morning and still no-one knows where Thomas actually got to.

  9. We ordered 2 suits in October 2014 for a wedding on the 1st of August 2015 plenty of time for a company to get them manufactured you would think but how wrong we were.
    We went for an initial consultation and measuring and were unsure of which fabric to choose so asked for some swatches to be sent in the post so we could make a decision. These did not arrive which should of sounded alarm bells but we rang and reminded Jonathon who measured us and the swatches duly arrived. We chose the fabric and placed an order with Jonathon for 2 suits with one to have the caricature lining that they offered and the main reason we went to them for suits. We sent through some photos of the bride and groom so that the artist they used could create the pictures.
    We were called early November to say that the suits were ready for the initial fitting and we went to their office in Birmingham, only 1 suit was there and it didn;t fit at all with most measurements wrong. Kevin who had apparently taken over from Jonathon apologized and put it down to Jonathon’s poor measuring skills, worrying as Jonathon had moved with the company to Ireland.
    We went back to Birmingham at the beginning of December, both suits were there, the one fitted and the other did not. The shirts didnt fit either and were remeasured again and we were told they would be with us shortly
    There was still no sign of the caricature lining and Kevin didnt seem to know anything about it. So the images were sent to him and a month later when chasing the lining they were sent again.
    Despite numerous calls to A Suit That Fits and promises of the suits coming shortly we heard nothing and by May 2015 we had reached the end of our tether and demanded a full refund, we were lied to by staff at their head office, promised calls and e-mails and finally we spoke to a “director” called David who was appalled at the service we had received and wanted an opportunity to give us the proper service they give, he offered a 50% refund and promised that they would get the suits to us with a tailor delivering them so that the suits could be fitted at our convenience.
    We then had the issue of the caricature lining, the reason we used them in the first place, They had still not produced the artwork and so started a procession of poor images being sent ranging from one done using a app on a mobile phone to others that made the bride look pure evil. Finally we got an image that was acceptable. Finally we could relax as we were now going to get the full VIP treatment, WRONG.
    First we were told that the lining had come through but the pockets had obscured the image so had to be redone.
    We’ve reached July, 4 weeks before the wedding still no suits, shirts etc, so much for the VIP treatment after demanding the garments that were complete, everything except the grooms jacket which was still waiting for the lining, these were sent by courier (not a tailor as promised) and guess what none of the alterations that were identified in November and December had been carried out, the jacket, waistcoat and shirt from one outfit did not fit and the grooms waistcoat and shirt did not fit, bizarrely though both trousers did. We obviously were very unhappy and worried about this but remember we were getting the VIP treatment so did they fly a tailor in?? no they asked us to take photos of the garments being worn and after sending them the photos, they would make the alterations needed, when we said that we had been promised a tailor to come and visit us, we were advised that they were all busy, however we were promised that we would receive all the items by Friday the 24th of July, 8 days before the wedding. Today we have been advised that the shirts won’t be delivered until the following Monday or Tuesday, 4 days before the wedding, and to be honest I doubt whether they will or if we will ever see a complete suit.
    So my advice unless you can give 18 months notice look elsewhere, and if you do use them, save time on going for appointments just send them some photos as thatch all they need apparently and if they offer you the full VIP service…………
    By the way I am sure that a reply from them will appear next to this review saying that they are sorry and that they are trying to resolve the issues and that this is not the normal service etc etc as i have seen next to similar reviews. Save yourself the hassle and go elsewhere we wished we had!

  10. How come this company still has any customers?!?
    My fiancée ordered 2 suits – one was for a wedding which he was attending as a best man and the other for our own wedding.
    As he needed the first suit rather urgently, he paid for the express delivery and the Ilona lady who was serving him at the store promised that the suit would be ready for the wedding. First fail – don’t promise something that isn’t realistic just because you want to make a sale.
    The suits got delayed because of an issue at the factory. Second fail.
    No one notified my fiancée of the delay until he started chasing the suits. Third fail.
    The best is yet to come – Ilona started lying and said that she never promised that the first suit would be ready for the first wedding. Fourth fail – are you really accusing a customer who spent £1500 on 2 suits of making things up? Very bad and rude indeed!
    We asked this to be escalated to a senior manager. Our request was not listened to until my fiancée contacted the head of sales through Linkedin. Fifth fail – how can you ignore a request if a customer asks for a senior manager? Is it really necessary to go to Linkedin to try to find someone who can take over?
    Some Hailey who’s ‘senior training manager’ finally took over. We requested a refund for the first suit which was not ready on time due to their fault. It isn’t a customer’s problem that there is a delay at the factory. This was completely ignored.
    Then Hailey was supposed to contact my fiancée back last Friday. Surprise surprise – no phone call from her. Sixth fail! How can you be a trainer if you keep ignoring complains from customers…
    I wonder what trading standards are going to say about this level of service. I’ve actually contacted them already and they advised us to send a formal letter/email to the company – not sure if this is worth doing as no one is actually communicating with us. I’ll be calling them again tomorrow for further advise but we’ll be also disputing the payment with Amex.
    This feedback is actually written by someone who runs a customer service team of 22 people for an online company so I know exactly what I’m talking about.
    It’s absolutely unacceptable to promise service which can’t be fulfilled, then accusing a customer of lying, not notifying customers of a possible delay and finally not communicating at all!
    Avoid this company!
    

  11. I have also had a terrible experience with this company.
    I ordered one suit with two pairs of trousers, and went through an experience very similar to David’s, with months of poor fitting suits (one attempt had a pair of trousers with different length legs!) , incompetent measuring skills and empty platitudes from Warren Bennett, a director. I have actually just been reading through my email correspondence with them(approx 12 emails backwards and forwards). In the end I gave the suit to a charity shop. This is an example of a company with a nice website, but nothing behind it. I would avoid at all costs.

  12. I had an experience very similar to Davids. Incompetent staff, terrible customer service and finally some snticipated better service from a director (Warren) which was nothing but hot air. This is an example of a company with a nice website and nothing to back it up. I wasted hours of my life, and some money, with these guys and had a suit that I gave away to a charity shop. One pair of trousers had legs that were different lengths

  13. A suit that doesn’t fit.

    This is a warning to anyone that is thinking of using A Suit That Fits. If you want to pay over the odds for an ill fitting suit in the wrong fabric; waste your time constantly phoning them and exchanging emails to resolve problems then carry on and give these people your money. You will be highly disappointed and you will never have “A Suit That Fits”. Go to Suit Supply or M&S instead.

  14. Hmmm i smell a rat with some of these comments – sounds like competitor spam / trolling. For the purposes of balance, I’ve been using them for 7 years and never had a problem – sure, some of the items needed to be altered after fitting but guys, that’s often the case. Compare it to a bride and her dress – she will have multiple fittings. These guys are usually very efficient in turning things around and he quality of the suits are top class – I’m still wearing 7 year old suits from them and they look as good as new.

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