Hello everyone and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll be reviewing the fit and workmanship of the suit I commissioned from The Suited Label.
If you have not yet done so, do read Part 1 of the review here, where I chronicled my experience of tailoring a suit and shirt at The Suited Label.
Without further ado, let’s see how the eventual garments turned out. Do note – all below photos are unedited, and taken with natural lighting. What you see is what it looks like in real life.
The Suited Label – Fit
I would say that the fit of The Suited Label is pretty good – especially considering the affordable price point – although it is very much a modern cut.
From the front, the shoulders are mostly well done and lie relatively neatly. There is still some slight bunching on the right shoulder, but it’s fairly innocuous – I had to zoom in on the photo above to see it. However, it does show the limitation of not having a baste fitting process, as the shoulders are difficult to alter once the suit is made. Secondly, the tightness of the jacket is close-fitting but not overly tight – one doesn’t see the dreaded ‘x’, nor is the shirt underneath exposed. It’s very much in the territory of a slim-fit cut, but not to the point of being uncomfortable. Thirdly, one can see some slight tapering around the waist, giving the wearer a bit of a slimming effect. That being said, I do find the jacket to be a tad too short, though this is admittedly down to personal tastes. Lastly, I don’t see the presence of the dreaded shoulder divots here – one of the cardinal sins of tailoring.
The sleeve pitch is decent too. For the most part, the sleeves drape naturally, and one doesn’t see much wrinkling throughout. In terms of length, the jacket sleeve ends right before my wrist bone, revealing about a quarter-inch of the shirt cuff.
If you have read my previous tailoring reviews, you would know that the back is where most tailors stumble. Here, the fit is actually relatively clean, with not much wrinkling seen. I did regret going for a single-vent though – a double-vent would have resulted in a much cleaner drape. However, the back reinforces my opinion that the jacket is a tad too short as it shows too much of my behind.
I opted for a no-break look for the trousers, and I think the end result turned out quite well. Once again, the drape is relatively clean, with tapering evident. It’s a tad too slim fit for me – it looks like I skipped leg day here – but once again that’s subjective. I personally prefer the trousers fit to be akin to Perfect Attire, but to each their own.
Overall, I’m impressed by the fit of The Suited Label, especially considering the fact that their suit prices start at a mere $299. The garments – for the most part – drape cleanly, and I was pleasantly surprised at the clean back. That being said, their fit does lean more towards a modern, Korean/Italian cut. If you prefer a slimmer fit, The Suited Label will be right up your alley.
The Suited Label – the Suit
Details matter, and I believe the Suited Label did a good job with the suit.
Firstly, I was wowed by how eminently striking the green Reda fabric is. I’m usually not a fan of checks, but the texture is subtle here and gives the suit an added pop. I like the attention to detail present too – notice the pattern matching between the suit and the breast pocket, as well as how the colour of the lapel buttonhole matches those of the jacket. Not many affordable tailors would pay attention to such details.
And as the suit is half-canvassed, there’s a slight lapel roll to the jacket, instead of lapels that look like they have been ironed flat. The horn buttons provide a nice contrast too, giving the jacket an added sense of sophistication.
Not only are the sleeve buttonholes functional, but the colour also matches the rest of the jacket. While functional buttonholes (otherwise known as surgeon cuffs) serve little functional purposes, it is often a sign of a well-made suit, showing an attention to detail and craftsmanship. The buttonholes are cut cleanly too, which is not always the case with more affordable tailors.
As I’ve opted for a Bemberg lining, the jacket – already breathable due to the wool/linen Reda fabric – never felt hot or stuffy, even in Singapore’s humid weather. I like the understated grey lining too, which provides a fitting juxtaposition to the flashier green checkered suit fabric.
For the trousers, I decided to stick to side-adjusters for a cleaner look. I highly recommend side-adjusters for anyone looking to tailor trousers – there’s no point in having belt loops if your pants are tailored to your size.
Overall, I’m pleased with the way the suit turned out. I was initially afraid that it would look too similar to my Meiko Tailor Irish Linen suit, but those worries proved to be unfounded. I like the eyecatching nature of the fabric, and it’s comfortable and breathable too due to its wool/linen composition and the Bemberg lining inside. The suit feels well-made too, and it’s clear attention was paid to details. It feels formal enough for the office, but also flashy enough for an event – I have no doubt that I’ll be wearing the suit relatively often.
Comparison: The Suited Label vs Mohan’s Custom Tailors
If you have a tight budget (<$300), then one of the best alternatives would be Mohan’s Custom Tailors, where suits currently start at $295. And if you’re specifically looking for a Reda suit, Mohan’s is also currently running an offer for a full-canvassed Reda suit (with a free shirt for my readers) at $900.
There are plenty of differences between the two tailors. For one, Mohan’s is located in the heart of Orchard at Far East Plaza, making them much more accessible than The Suited Label. I wrote about my experience at Mohan’s here. They can also do a baste fitting, though that depends on the price point of the suit you purchase. However, it can get busy and rather chaotic at Mohan’s, which means that you can be left waiting for fittings/collections. Personally, I find the service of JJ and Evan to be more personalised, so if service is a factor then The Suited Label may be better. More customisation options are also available at The Suited Label (buttons, side-adjusters, contrast stitching, etc), often at no additional charge.
In terms of workmanship, I find both to be on par with each other. Both suits fit decently too – I reviewed my Mohan’s suit here. The main difference is the cut. Being an “uncle” tailor, the cut of Mohan’s is on the roomier side akin to a British cut, which is perhaps unsurprisingly given that Mohan’s also caters to expats. In contrast, the cut of The Suited Label is more fashion-forward, an Italian cut that’s significantly more slim-fitted. Once again, this boils down to personal style. If you want to look like Vincenzo (Korean-esque fit), then the Suited Label would be more appropriate. If you prefer the style of Don Draper, then Mohan’s may cater to that look better.
Conclusion – so The Suited Label “shiok” or not?
All in all, I like my new suit from The Suited Label. The fit is good – everything drapes well – while the green Reda fabric is stunning. The workmanship is good too, and there’s ample attention to detail. While the cut may not be my personal favourite, it’s executed well, and I’m happy to add an Italian/Korean-esque suit to my wardrobe – it’s certainly something different. At just $999 for the reviewed Reda suit and shirt, I believe it’s good value for money.
Those interested in tailoring with The Suited Label can make an appointment with them via Whatsapp at 8757 8152. Just for my readers, The Suited Label is offering a free shirt with a minimum purchase of $599. Simply quote “WAHSOSHIOK” while making your appointment, or show this article in-store.
View The Suited Label’s website here.
The Suited Label’s Location:
998 Toa Payoh North, #03-09, Singapore 318993
P.S Do check out the new “Discounts!” page for exclusive discounts for Wah so Shiok readers! More brands will be added very soon – stay tuned!
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P.S.S.S Shiok is a common word Singaporeans use to express admiration or approval. As of 2016, you can find the definition of the word in the Oxford English Dictionary.
