| rev:text
| - Even though this is a review for my Harry Rosen experience, I'm going to briefly list some of the bad experiences that I've had from Tip Top Tailors, Moore's and Tom's Place because these places need to be called out and inexperienced guys shopping for a suit need to know the draw backs of these places.
I bought my first suit at Tip Top Tailors when I was in university so that I could wear it to job interviews. I didn't realize until years later how ridiculous I looked in it. The salesperson that sold me the suit didn't take the proper markings to do the appropriate alterations. As a result, the sides were not fitted to my torso dimensions me a boxy look whenever I wore it. On top of this, they should provide the appropriate advice as to the color a suit should be for job interviews. I still can't believe I wore an olive green suit.
I got my second suit at Tom's Place in Kensington Market. The only thing I can say about these guys is that they have tricks to make you think you are getting a good deal, when in fact you are paying more then you should. Example, the suit that I bought was quoted at around $500. The salesman suggested that we try on some shirts and ties as well; but the kicker is these items do not have price tags so that they can tweak the overall price at the end in their favor. When you find a combination and go to checkout, the salesman will quickly give the cashier the price run down before you can inquire. The price of everything ended up being around $800. Not much of a deal.
The suit was a little better than the one I got from Tip Top Tailors, except that the suit jacket was slightly too long and the sides could have been taken in a bit more. The end result; the suit looked like it belonged to David Letterman. I was twenty six. This brings me to my next point. If you are fairly young guy and with a slim athletic build, this is place is not for you. The older sales people don't know what is in style these days. They'll sell you a suit your father should wear.
It's the present day and I need a new suit. I decided to give Moore's at the intersection of King St. and Yonge St. a chance. The salesman who was helping me was more interested in fitting me to the suit rather than fitting the suit to me. I explained that I my shoulders and chest fit a 42 slim cut but my waist was a 33. He said that he could not sell me a 42 jacket with alterations to a 34 pants because the 42 jacket has to be sold with 36 pants, and he couldn't mismatch them for me. He proceeded to try and sell me various 40 slim fit jackets with 34 pants even though I was busting out at the chest, arms and shoulders. I decided to leave.
The salesman at Harry Rosen took the time to find the right suite for me. We went through at least 6 great looking suits with various shades and patterns before settling on one that fit best and with the right look. It ended up being a Hugo Boss, mid-grey huge genius slim fit, size 42R for the jacket and 34 waist pants, with the appropriate alterations. He could have easily tried to sell me a higher priced suit but he was more concerned with getting it right, even if it meant a lower commission on the sale. He took the time to explain each criteria point for what would look good on me.
When it came time to do the markings and pins for the tailor, I was surprised by the number of pins that were used to take in the slides and lower back to get the fit just right. At no time in my prior experience at Tip Top Tailors or Tom's Place, did they take the time to do it like this. He even explained that there were the choices of styles for pant length. No bend at the shins when the sleeve just touches the front of the shoe or a slight bend to allow it the sleeve to rest slightly on the shoe. We went with the slight bend. Future alterations are also free in case I develop a slight gut or lower back fat. Great.
In conclusion, if you are like me and you have gone through some bad experiences in buying suits and have spent hundreds of dollars in the process over the years, it may be well worth a trip to Harry Rosen to get it right once and for all. You may spend more there, but the service will be impeccable, the suite will fit you right and you will feel confident when you are wearing it. Conversely, if you have a body type that fits easily into any suit and you find a great looking suit for a mid-range price at a place such as at Gotstyle, then go for it. They are also good at what they do. I'd recommend staying away from Moore's. If you Google customer complaints about this place, you will find plenty. As for Tom's Place, unless you are your father, I'd stay away from them too. They just don't get it when it comes to younger men try to look sharp with the times. And if you are trying to achieve the naive student, boxy looking suit- comedy effect, then go to Tip Top Tailors.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)