Tales from the Tailor shop…

Jonathan -
I wanted to relay my experience to you at Nordstrom's the other night, as it just shows how ridiculous 'department' store 'suit experts' can be. So at Nordstrom's I was trying to get some extra measurements taken for my next EOS suit (they refused, saying I could 'blame' them for an ill fitting suit they didn't make). I was telling the sales guy about my friend who makes custom suits, he was talking me up on sizing and fits of his off the rack suits (trying to sell me one, I didn't mention your prices!). He says: "what are you, like a 36" or 38" waist?" and followed up with "and like a 42 or 44 regular jacket?". As you may remember I'm a 33"-34", and my EOS suit is a 40 short. I respond: "Actually I wear a 40 short, and really like it - it fits snugly and looks great". He literally does not believe me! I assure him I know what I'm saying and he says "I have to see this, here try this on" and grabs a Hugo Boss 40 short off the rack! I oblige, and shake the arms a little after getting it on because they're almost touching the base of my thumb (no cuff showing). Take a quick look in the mirror and it looks great. This is where it got nuts (if it wasn't already) - He explains to me how the jacket is too short. He says "see how short it is?" (bottom was hitting my hand mid-palm), and "if you bend over a little your backside will show - you NEVER want to show your backside in a suit". After my arm shake he states "yah that sleeve is a little short, I'd let that down" and then finishes with "see I definitely think you should be in a 42 regular". I was flat-out shocked, here I am in Nordstrom's (Nordstrom's!) supposedly the cream of the crop of department stores and this guy is trying to make me look like a box! Ironically, the one suit I had during college was a 42 regular (I'm the same size today) and is buried in my closet somewhere. I'll have to do some before and after's for your website. Oh, of note this guy was wearing a nice grey 'box suit' with a boring white shirt and solid tie, rocking the balding head and goatee, probably in his early 40s - this is who is going to 'know' how to make me look good in a suit!?! I guess I'm lucky that you've showed me the way and I won't look like him in 15 years.

-Andy