Despite its flaws, I loved it to death and was gutted when after 1.5 years and just 30 wears it ripped at the crotch.
The original full Suitsupply Emerald Green Suit
A recurring theme with my Suitsupply items has been buttons breaking, loose stitching and sketchy reinforcement.
For 2 years I looked for the same fabric to make new trousers since a Green Double Breasted Jacket is virtually useless alone.
Then 1 month ago I stumbled upon Lanieri’s fabrics and voila!
The fabric looked similar, was flannel and the code was almost identical.
I ordered a swatch to test and to my delight it was the same.
And that is how I ordered today’s comparison trousers.
Disclaimer: Lanieri sent me the first suit for free as a review item. However I purchased these trousers and the second suit myself for full price.
Specifications comparison
I am not entirely sure how to lay this out, but I guess I will do the same for both in one line.
Brand: Suitsupply/Lanieri
Color: Dark Green
Material: Pure Wool (Flannel)
Fabric Code: 504.801-541/504.901-541
Mill: Vitale Barberis Canonico
Made In; China/Italy
Price: $240/€160 ($180)
As you can see the specs are exactly the same, barring the modifications on the Lanieri.
You see, the Suitsupply version was part of a RTW Suit which cost about $485 at the time.
If you go into the Suitsupply custom made program and select pure wool flannel, the cost is $240.
The Lanieri is also Made To Measure so I had extra modifications I will talk about in detail later.
For example, it has a high rise, side adjusters, cuffs and custom lining.
fabric comparison
Really, there is not much to say here because the two fabrics are identical.
From the color, to the texture and perceived weight it feels the same.
Comparing Suitsupply vs Lanieri Trousers | Fabric
That is at least good news and shows that if you can figure out the fabric code, it becomes easier to choose.
However, the eagle eyed reader might spotted that there is a tiny difference in the fabric code.
Instead of 801 it is 901. I think the only difference when feeling the fabrics is that the Lanieri is slightly heavier.
Lanieri quotes this as 340 gr/m actually which is pretty nice.
The Suitsupply version feels rather thin at times even if it is flannel.
durability comparison
Flannel is not the most durable fabric but it has this adorable fuzzy, enveloping texture.
Due to how they brush it, it creates a lot of friction in stressed areas.
Actually the most likely area to rip is the crotch, or just between your legs.
When I look at the Suitsupply trousers, the thinner fabric and the tension made it worse.
Despite that, I find it unacceptable that they ripped after what was 30 wears.
The Suitsupply trousers ripped at the crotch in less than 1.5 years
My thoughts are that since this is a low rise trouser based on their Brescia model it affected the durability.
I always had to pull my trousers up and that created extra pressure on the crotch area.
If you keep pulling a fabric and stretching it to its limits it will break sooner than later.
Lesson learned, which is why I went for a high rise on the Lanieri.
We will see how that one will fare, so hopefully I will not update this in 2 years in anger.
construction comparison
The difference of $60 is quite substantial and one would think Suitsupply should be better at.
I spent a lot of time looking at the seams, pockets, stitching and pattern matching.
Or small details like the seam at the back of the after dinner split.
For the most part. everything looks similar especially when one looks at the back pockets.
Lanieri back pockets
You can notice that Lanieri has 2 single seams above each pocket while Suitsupply only 1.
Suitsupply back pockets
Also at the front of the zipper, the seam is more visible in the Lanieri but also has a bigger chain stitch.
The Lanieri inner lining and zipper
On the other hand the Suitsupply version favors a more thin invisible seam.
Some seams inside look more polished in the Lanieri but really it is not something that should make a structural difference.
Comparing Suitsupply Trousers | More plain zipper, stitching and lining
Suitsupply’s seam looks more straight and slightly better only at the bottom of the after dinner split.
Details comparison
In this section I will not directly compare, since one is RTW and another MTM but rather discuss.
For the longest time now I decided not to wear belts. Just like watches, I don’t like wearing them.
So all the trousers that I buy should ideally have side adjusters.
Obviously, the Suitsupply version came with belt loops which were useless for me.
Therefore I used the side adjusters option from Lanieri, just like I did last time.
In all honesty, I think it is their weakest point since they are way too big and flap around a little.
A more elegant, discreet version would be ideal but nothing that will annoy me.
The Lanieri trousers also have a more comfortable, spacious pocket in my opinion.
The higher rise on the Lanieri feels like it gives me more space in the pockets
A small detail is the custom inner lining, which of course you can also change during Suitsupply’s Custom Made program.
However, be extremely careful because certain linings in their jackets are polyester and there was no info about it.
For example, in a light blue double breasted suit I chose an alpaca lining which I didn’t know was polyester.
Then you have the adjustment of the rise of the trousers.
We established the Suitsupply version, but there is a small trick to the Lanieri one.
You cannot choose the rise and the only way is to add a note in your cart with the desired effect.
If I remember right you can choose in 1.5 cm increments up to a 6 cm total.
Fit comparison
The easiest way to display the difference in fit of various rises would be having the same garment with variations.
If I measure the trousers while worn, the Suitsupply one sits a massive 6 cm under the Lanieri.
That shows in multiple areas, where you will see how the Lanieri is a marked improvement.
To begin with, I have no discomfort at the crotch area.
Comparing Suitsupply and Lanieri Trousers | Front
Secondly, since the trousers sit higher up there is no gaping of the pockets, as opposed to the Suitsupply ones that sit on the hips.
Especially if you have wide hips, low rise trousers will make your pockets pop like antenna ears.
Comparing Suitsupply and Lanieri Trousers | Side
Thirdly, the sheer comfort and elongated look that they create in my silhouette.
Differences continue with the shirt fit, since they generally sit better and tucked in instead of flopping with “rippled waves”.
Comparing Suitsupply and Lanieri Trousers | Back
I forgot to mention that due to the actual pocket space (even more if you use pleats) a phone or wallet is much less visible or bulky.
Due to my bow legs (or footballer legs) condition where my legs have the shape of a half moon I will always have issues with the lower leg.
The Lanieri MTM Trousers
The Suitsupply trousers feel a bit flat on the bottom, whereas the Lanieri came back slightly too long.
And the Suitsupply Trousers
Even though I used the same measurements, they are too long possible due to the cuffs.
Specifically, I estimate having to shorten them by 2 cm for the idea fit.
That is not a problem since Lanieri will cover alteration costs up to a point.
Most likely, I will ask for store credit instead of a refund since this is a very cheap alteration.
Final thoughts
Other than the fabric issue and low durability, I don’t have anything bad to say about Suitsupply trousers quality wise.
However they would be too expensive for a similar or lesser result.
Back in the day, I commissioned a MTM Brown Flannel Trouser which I fear will also rip at the crotch soon.
Those cost me almost 300 Euros ($330) which I can now make at Lanieri for $60 less.
Same fabric, good service, good quality and made in Italy instead of China.
Of course, it makes more sense for most people to go into a Suitsupply store worldwide than risk it online.
And a last look at the Lanieri trousers
I should also remind you that these trousers, an upcoming suit and possibly some blue chinos were bought with my own money and no sponsorship or review request.
Overall, I am over the moon with the trousers and the fact that I can finally wear it as a set again.
What should I do with the ruined Suitsupply trousers?
There might be a chance I turn them into a tote bag but we will see!
Conclusions
And that concludes the article comparing the (same) Suitsupply and Lanieri trousers.
It’s nice to have alternatives and I look forward to trying out other brands such as Black Lapel or Oliver Wicks.
This time I tried to keep the Suitsupply bashing at a minimum since I still think they are decent clothes.
They just don’t work for me anymore.
But at the same time, you cannot look at the pictures I posted and not agree that the Lanieri is an improvement fit wise.
In any case, I will see you next week with something special and in the near future a book Review.
It’s this time of the year my friends! All aboard the consumer train that is Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I have made a collection of the best shoe deals you can get on the web right now and will try to update it with new findings. It includes brands that are in the low end as well as the high end. As a bonus I have also added a section about great suit deals!
Enjoy and happy shopping! Be sure to tell me what you bought! Share this article with anyone interested and help them save some $!
A few months a go I wrote about the Suitsupply Made To Measure Program experience that I had while making my first custom suit. I broke it down to two parts and I am thrilled by the results and the service.
Back in the end of September I decided to buy a pair of brown flannel pants to add this wonderful colour to my collection. Seeing the shortage of good brown dress pants on the market it was a good opportunity to revisit the Suitsupply MTM program and compare the quality to the full experience.
Have they kept their standards since the last time? Read on to find out in today’s article!
Welcome to yet another weekly article of sartorial thinking. In fact, this is a question I have been asked a lot, or I have often thought about. How many shirts does a man need? And not just dressy ones! Casual shirts play an important part in our daily lives as well.
Join me as we go through the options and try to find an answer to this question!
Today we will talk about the Green Suit, one of the more unusual but extremely flexible Suits you will own.
It is not for the person without confidence, but if you have it you are guaranteed to turn some heads. In the article I will be wearing Suitsupply’s Emerald Green Double Breasted Suit from the Limited Collection Emerald Capsule.
Many of you remember I worked at Suitsupply Stockholm for 6 months. When you go in their shops, you will receive a “premium” treatment, but there is a lot more going on behind this.
They use an abundance of sales techniques and try to extract the maximum amount of money from you. You are just a number and a big fat wallet. Lucky for you, I decided to write a guide about it so next time you go there, you are ready and aware of what’s going on.
International conference season has just began right after the summer vacations. Attending the World Water Week in Stockholm has been a personal joy for the last 4 years and this year was no exception. In this article you will find out more about my outfit choice and what you should be wearing in such an event. It is time to suit up. Again!
We draw inspiration from celebrities and popular figures every day. Sometimes that is good while other times it is very, very bad. Not all of them are role models (or should they be at all?) but they seem to influence our lives one way or another.
The same applies to style. Instead of following hideous trends (looking at you LeBron James with the short suit pants..) we can look for inspiration from other sources. Tom Hiddleston is not only one of my favourite actors and villains from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but he is also voted one of the most stylish men in the world.
This article goes through some of his stylistic choices and gives you alternatives or suggestions on how to replicate that look.
Welcome to another weekly article. Now that winter is upon us I finally got the chance to wear flannel and thicker fabrics. In my recent Dignito Ties Review I wore one of my favorite Suits of the year. A Suitsupply Jort Collection Suit I picked for 70% off in this year’s outlet.
There is not much information online about it, so I wanted to give you an in-depth review and my honest opinions about it.
In the recent Suitsupply Outlet I had the change to pick up a lot of different suits, from varying lines and fits. One of them was the Suitsupply La Spalla which is their most expensive RTW Suit and basis for their MTM Program. Read on to find what I think about this Suit and if it is worth so much money.
Working at Suitsupply and on this blog has taught me a lot. A Good suit is not just fit, fabric and canvas. There are so many imitations and poorly made suits out there than you can imagine. Today we will be looking at 13 ways to spot a cheap suit and invest only in better garments.
Last month I got a great deal (like really great!) from Suitsupply’s Custom Made Program. One of the suits I got was a really nice Solaro Suit and my first Cotton Suit!
Join me as we discuss the convoluted Custom Made Program and see if this suit is worth your money or not.
In 2020 the rules have changed. Gone are the days where a suit and tie were the norm and anything else considered rebellious. The suit however is a timeless classic that will never go out of style. Using the concept of a small minimalist wardrobe with interchangeable pieces, you can create a Business Wardrobe that will cover anything from Business Formal, to Business Casual and Smart Casual.
This article is here to act as a guiding tool for you and point you in the right direction.
Thanks for the clothes reviews. Very helpful.
Thanks Joe!
Thank you for this review man fr!
Thanks for reading ?