Hello everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll be reviewing a 2-piece Ermenegildo Zegna suit from local tailor Meiko Tailor.
I’ve gotten multiple suits from Meiko Tailor previously – I did a red double-breasted suit here, a linen suit here, and most recently a casual jacket here – but I’ve never commissioned a suit made in premium fabric mills. That changed when Meiko Tailor informed me they unearthed a treasure trove of vintage fabrics from esteemed European mills in their workshop, and were offering them at a discount as part of their 47th anniversary special.
Meiko Tailor had bulked purchased fabrics from Ermenegildo Zegna, VBC, Scabal, John Foster, etc in the past, and still has several rolls of these fabrics available. As they are vintage fabrics, they are cheaper than their contemporary counterparts. I spotted a beautiful midnight blue Ermenegildo Zegna fabric in the trove (the top roll in the picture above), and decided that this was the perfect opportunity to own a Zegna suit at a substantial discount.
I’ve previously written a lengthy article on the Meiko tailoring experience here, so I won’t go into details again. I’m simply pleased to report that the experience of getting fitted by Uncle Chung remains a delight.
Baste fitting is not a must – tailors can achieve a good fit without one. However, it certainly adds to the experience, especially when it comes to bespoke tailoring. Seeing Uncle Chung meticulously denote areas to be altered with chalk and ripping out the baste stitching afterwards really imparts an appreciation for the painstaking nature of the craft. At Meiko Tailor (and other bespoke tailors), you’re paying not just for the final product, but also for the experience and service.
After about 4 weeks from the initial measurement, I returned to Meiko Tailor to collect the suit. Right off the bat, I was impressed by how well the suit fit.
The front of the jacket fits well. Firstly, the length of the jacket is spot-on, ending near the middle of my palms. One can see that the sleeves are of good length too, ending right at my wristbone. Most importantly, the shoulders lie flat without any bunching or wrinkling. This is certainly not easy to achieve given that I have substantially uneven shoulders.
Meiko Tailor also nailed the sleeve pitch, without any visible wrinkling throughout. The sleeve drapes beautifully, and is a testament to Uncle Chung’s attention to detail – getting the sleeve pitch right is dependent on observing the individual’s body posture since we all rest our arms in differing positions.
The back of the suit also drapes relatively cleanly, with few wrinkles to be seen. It’s not perfect, but it’s certainly a laudable attempt.
Aside from the fit, another standout aspect of the jacket is its structural rigidity. Even when unbuttoned, the jacket remains upright and doesn’t sag. As the jacket is full-canvassed, the natural lapel roll is evident, giving the garment dimension and structure.
Several little details elevate the suit too. For one, there are the wide peak lapels, which give the jacket a sense of gravitas. Pick stitching is also visible on the lapels, reinforcing the handcrafted nature of the suit. In addition, the Barchetta pocket lends the jacket some flair, while the subtle texture of the midnight blue Ermenegildo Zegna fabric adds character to the look.
Of course, the sleeves are equipped with surgeon’s cuffs – a trademark of high-end, bespoke jackets.
Although not evident in the photo, the black lining of the jacket is also from Ermenegildo Zegna. As such, the lining is silky smooth, eminently breathable, and feels premium against the body. It’s a world apart from the cheap polyester linings found in more affordable suits, and is also superior to my usual Bemberg linings.
However, the most compelling aspect of the jacket would have to be the Ermenegildo Zegna fabric itself. It’s simply the most premium and comfortable fabric I’ve donned to date. Not only is the texture silky smooth, but the fabric is superbly lightweight as well. The jacket feels even more breathable and lightweight than the linen suits that I’ve previously made from Meiko Tailor. It’s honestly quite mindblowing – I didn’t know suits could be that comfortable.
This bespoke Ermenegildo Zegna suit can only be described as a delicious treat to oneself. It’s a stylistically versatile outfit that’s appropriate for both a day at the office and nights out at the bar. It also fits well and is handcrafted with precision. With all due respect to the other tailors I’ve reviewed, this Ermenegildo Zegna suit by Meiko Tailor is undoubtedly the best in my wardrobe currently.
Conclusion – so Meiko Tailor Ermenegildo Zegna suit “shiok” or not?
The first thought that went through my mind when I donned the Ermenegildo Zegna suit was literally: “Wah, so shiok.” Not only did the suit feel like a second skin due to how comfortable it was, but it also functioned as modern-day armour, imbuing me with a sense of infallible confidence. To me, the suit is beyond reproach, bar one aspect – the price. This Ermenegildo Zegna suit has a price tag of $5400, which is equivalent to the average Singaporean’s monthly salary. It’s a lot to spend on a suit, but its vintage origins – as opposed to the contemporary catalogue – will net you substantial savings should you choose to pursue this rabbit hole of fine tailoring.
The vintage Ermenegildo Zegna suits start at $4500, while other vintage fabrics such as VBC, John Foster and Scabal start from $2200. However, Meiko Tailor is running an anniversary sale in November, where these vintage fabrics will be available at a 20% discount. During the sale, a fully-canvassed vintage Ermenegildo Zegna suit can be had for $3600, while suits from other reputable mills will start at $1760. That’s still a considerable amount of money, but it’s a much easier pill to swallow. After all, it is necessary to spend a little to look – and feel – like a million bucks.
Curated package deals from Meiko Tailor can also be found here. In particular, I recommend the $649 Back to Office Wardrobe package, as well as the $2380 Groom & Bride Wedding Package.
Meiko Tailor – Video Review
Those interested in seeing some hands-on footage of the suit can view my Youtube review below:
Meiko Tailor’s Location:
7 Raffles Blvd, #02-01 The Pan Pacific
Singapore 039595
P.S: Check out The Shiok Store here – it serves as a curation of my favourite products from my favourite brands.
P.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.P.P.P.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.
