Hello everyone, and welcome to another of my reviews. In this article, I’ll review a new suit commission from the local tailor Suit Commune.
If you haven’t already done so, read Part 1 of the review here, where I chronicled my experience commissioning a suit and shirt with Suit Commune. I’ve since collected my garments – let’s take a closer look at the fit and finish of the suit.
Suit Commune – the Fit
Suit Commune is one of the few young tailors that uses a basted fitting process, and it shows in the fit.
Firstly, the jacket is of the correct length, ending near the middle of my palms. The sleeve length is good too, ending near my wristbone and exposing a quarter-inch of shirt cuff. More importantly, the shoulders lie flat without any fabric bunching. Furthermore, there’s a slight tapering around the waist, giving me a slimmer look. There are also no shoulder divots – one of the cardinal sins of tailoring. However, if I were to nitpick, it would be that my uneven shoulders weren’t addressed fully, resulting in the excess fabric below my right shoulder (left side of the picture above).
On a brighter note, the sleeves drape nicely with little wrinkling, which is not easy given that the sleeve pitch is dependent on the individual’s posture. This highlights the benefits of a basted fit, where the tailor can adjust for individual characteristics. Additionally, the jacket also lies neatly on the shirt collar without an unsightly collar gap.
However, the most impressive aspect is the back, which drapes well. It’s not perfect, but the fit (undoubtedly aided by the basted fitting process) exceeded my expectations, especially for a youngish tailor like Suit Commune.
The trousers also drape cleanly, with slight tapering to give my legs a streamlined look. The length is spot on, with the trousers just lightly brushing against the top of my Arden Teal shoes.
Suit Commune – Workmanship and Style
Let’s now take a closer look at the workmanship and styling of the suit.
The suit is made with fabrics from the Italian mill Paladino, and is admittedly on the pricier end of Suit Commune’s offerings. However, this is a case of getting what you paid for. Paladino’s fabric is sublime, being premium to the touch and light on the skin. It’s also visually arresting – I love the sage colour, especially with the subtle Herringbone texture that is only apparent up close.
The suit is also full-canvassed, as evidenced by the presence of visible stitches (or “dimples”) on the underside of the lapel. For those uninitiated with tailoring, a full-canvassed construction is the crème de la crème of suit construction. A full-canvassed suit will mould itself to the wearer’s body over time, and (with proper care) will last for decades.
Even though the suit is full-canvassed, the lapel roll is unfortunately lacking. It’s a shame, as a nice lapel roll gives the jacket dimension.
However, the jacket does feature surgeon cuffs – a hallmark of quality tailoring. The cuffs are complemented by beautiful horn buttons, while the casual 3-button configuration gives the jacket a more relaxed feel.
The patch pockets and the single-button design further reinforce the jacket’s laidback look. I love the design of the patch pockets, which is done uniquely. They remind me of the pockets on safari jackets, with the flap and the centre slit.
On the inside, the Flash lining provides a fun contrast to the cool sage fabric. I love the multicoloured paisley print – it’s vibrant, and encapsulates the debonair feel of the suit perfectly.
The Gurkha trousers (with their extended waistband) further elevate the outfit’s rakish feel, while the single pleats add an old-school charm. Gurkha trousers are admittedly not the most convenient to wear, but damn do they look good.
Additionally, the horn buttons and bronze side adjusters add visual contrast to the cream-coloured trousers.
Like the jacket, the cream trousers are crafted from Paladino fabric. Once again, the Italian mill’s fabric feels lightweight and breathable, resulting in comfortable wear even in Singapore’s tropical climate.
As the icing on the cake, the shirt is full of sartorial details that perfectly pair with the suit. For one, it features a one-piece collar with a lovely roll that is eminently striking. The striped linen texture also adds a touch of pattern to the otherwise solid-coloured outfit, with the green buttons complementing the earth tones of the shirt (and overall outfit) nicely.
All in all, I love the look. The sage jacket and cream trousers combo look great, with the striped linen shirt tying the whole look together holistically. The workmanship is good too, with several intriguing design features (unique patch pockets, three-button sleeves, Gurkha trousers, one-piece collar shirt, etc) that differentiate this commission from those I’ve done before. The outfit feels classic yet also fresh, and it’s one that I’ll be wearing often.
Conclusion – so Suit Commune “shiok” or not?
Suit Commune has exceeded my expectations, both in terms of style and substance. I adore the design, and I credit Priscilla for engineering this look. I’ve over 40 suits done to date, but Suit Commune has delivered an outfit that stands out from my crowded wardrobe. The fit is above average as well (especially for a young tailor), while the full-canvassed construction will ensure that the suit ages beautifully.
Suits at Suit Commune start from $349, with bundle deals starting from $799. This particular Paladino suit bundle costs $1399. For my readers, Suit Commune is offering a free Arden Teal polo tee (worth $49) with a minimum spending of $599. Quote “WAHSOSHIOK” while making your appointment to enjoy the offer. Personally, I think the bundle deals provide better value due to their all-inclusive nature – there’s no additional surcharge for surgeon’s cuffs, horn buttons, linings, Gurkha trousers, one-piece collars, etc – especially if you’re looking at full-canvassed options.
Book an appointment with Suit Commune here.
Location: #02-16 Tampines North Dr. 1, T-Space, Singapore 528559
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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.
