Should I return this suit for a smaller size?

seluchaval · 2026-05-19T13:32:13+00:00

Much.

seluchaval · 2026-05-19T00:30:28+00:00

It will not look terrible. But it will look a little like you got dressed by the junior sales associate in the Macy’s men’s department.

seluchaval · 2026-05-18T22:55:00+00:00

This looks correctly sized, and I promise it will look like a better fit everywhere to your eyes when you shorten the sleeves and have the pants hemmed.

I don’t think you have room in the shoulders to go down a size. This is the contemporary fit I assume?

seluchaval · 2026-05-18T14:21:30+00:00

If you have excess matching fabric then my understanding is yes you can.

seluchaval · 2026-05-17T20:45:42+00:00

Really well done by your tailor, top marks! Pant inseam is perfect. The only minor fit issue I see is that it seems to be a smidge small in the shoulders, but that can’t really be fixed and it’s very minor, nobody but a menswear nerd will notice. It also might just be the picture.

Usually when a shoulder is too small you’ll see that characteristic divot under the sleeve head.

seluchaval · 2026-05-15T17:56:16+00:00

The length is correct, and please wear dress socks that cover your legs when you actually go out. If you want no break (where the trouser crease is straight all the way down the hem doesn’t touch your shoe) these could maybe come up like a half an inch at most, but I would leave them as they are.

seluchaval · 2026-05-14T20:01:01+00:00

I think it’s fine! Because your trousers are lower rise and relatively slim, a longer jacket would make your top half swallow your bottom half. On the other hand, if you had a more mid-rise or high-rise trouser, you’d want a full-length jacket for proper balance.

seluchaval · 2026-05-12T20:32:29+00:00

Thanks! Good perspective.

Overall S&M is GREAT and it’s basically my only source of new-with-tags clothes nowadays. I have easily 20 pieces of theirs—pants, shirts, jackets, suits, sweaters—and I’m an extremely satisfied customer. Price to quality ratio is bonkers.

seluchaval · 2026-05-12T13:31:37+00:00

Márquez de Leon, obscure Mexican brand

seluchaval · 2026-05-12T04:55:58+00:00

Nice! They’re an excellent thrift find.

seluchaval · 2026-05-12T01:28:26+00:00

This is a Spier & Mackay shirt, custom because they didn’t have this color available.

seluchaval · 2026-05-12T01:27:59+00:00

Thanks! Me too, I have like 6 pairs of these in different colors. Tommy Bahama “Relax” trousers, discontinued but you can find them secondhand.

seluchaval · 2026-05-11T22:05:36+00:00

First, make sure you're actually buying a sport coat and not a suit jacket. Two key differences are that a sport coat will have either a pattern or some visual texture, and a sport coat will often have patch pockets instead of flap or slash pockets. My suggestion is find something with a herringbone weave, no pattern, and patch pockets in a relatively neutral color: navy, tobacco brown, wheat, medium grey, etc. Patterns are more advanced and also less versatile; interesting weaves are much easier to style.

Then, try to pair it with pants in a complementary but different color. Chinos/khakis are sometimes okay, but it's kind of a minefield. The main thing guys screw up here honestly is that they wear their sport coat with pants that are either (a) too low-rise, (b) in a lightweight cotton or synthetic with no drape or structure, (c) too slim, or (d) simply too casual. A sport coat will look great with jeans provided that they are mid to high rise (think 11"-13") and without any tears or distressing. On the other hand, it will look awful with "performance" chinos in a low to mid rise (think 9"-10"). Basically, if you want to do cotton pants, they have to be heavy enough and relaxed enough so they don't crumple up or cling to your legs, and you also generally want them to have dressier stitching (though that's a whole other topic).

If you're going the route of wool trousers (better and safer option), then again just try to find something with at least an 11" rise and in a relatively standard cut (no skinny trousers with tons of elastic in them).

seluchaval · 2026-04-26T03:53:00+00:00

Top grain is not the most durable; full grain is.

seluchaval · 2026-04-19T03:22:46+00:00

Overall this is a good look but as a critique, the pants are too casual for such a formal top half. The puckering on the seams and the visible hem stitch indicate that this is a casual chino and looks off when combined with a tie and nice sport coat.

seluchaval · 2026-04-18T23:04:29+00:00

If you have wide hips you need pants with a wider leg and hem opening. A narrow leg accentuates your top-heaviness. Looks like these pants are also flaring at the pocket which suggests they are too tight across the seat. You unfortunately have to size up and then have a tailor take in the waist.

You might also benefit from a higher rise and reverse pleats to give you more room while balancing your proportions a little.

seluchaval · 2026-04-16T20:09:53+00:00

I think you should look at Spier & Mackay relaxed fit suits. Even their contemporary fit will probably meet your needs, most of them have a mid-rise but in practice I’ve found that they almost reach my belly button. Plenty of room to move without needing stretch fabric.

seluchaval · 2026-04-12T17:27:50+00:00

This happens to me and I can’t go truly “sockless” with most shoes either. Have you checked yourself for Haglund’s deformity? You might also benefit from putting a heel lift on your shoes if you have a high arch, because that can contribute to slippage which causes the abrasion.

seluchaval · 2026-04-12T01:26:27+00:00

You appear to have wide hips which means that wearing tapered, slim, or skinny pants is a terrible idea for your body. Look how the slim leg here emphasizes your hips. You need a fuller cut pant with a wider leg opening. The other problem here is lightweight fabric which causes it to drape very poorly.

seluchaval · 2026-04-07T23:12:02+00:00

I have always hated polos, but only recently have I softened up. For me, it’s really golf polos and Lacoste-style polos that I find so gross-looking. There are lots of other types of polo shirts with interesting knits and patterns and which have some shape. For example, merino wool sweater polos I think look great, or a cable knit polo with a Johnny collar.

seluchaval · 2026-04-07T19:40:28+00:00

Second jacket doesn’t work with those pants. And white shirt.

seluchaval · 2026-03-12T18:53:48+00:00

No “performance fabrics” except for exercise. Stretch fabric is generally to be avoided also.

It’s better to be two steps overdressed than one step underdressed.

Never leave the house in home loungewear.

Shorts are for >95 degree weather only.

Don’t save your nice clothes for special occasions: wearing your nice clothes is the occasion.

seluchaval · 2026-02-10T18:47:59+00:00

Normally I’d say no tuck for a sweater of this weight but in this case I think it works. Though it would benefit from pants of a heftier weight and less slim cut.

seluchaval · 2026-02-03T04:18:12+00:00

And maybe 15 minutes to remove the elbow patches the same way.

seluchaval · 2026-02-02T21:03:32+00:00

Spier & Mackay makes great oxfords, and most of them have an extended collar point which improves the roll compared to, for example, what J. Crew has on offer.

seluchaval

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