Best of Toronto
Best Place to Buy a Suit in Toronto
While I can't recall the first place I ever bought a suit; the first suit-shopping memory I do remember is shopping at Tom's Place in Kensington Market. My father used to take my brother and I there whenever it was time for him to stock up on shirts, ties, suits or whatever owner Tom Mihalik was promoting that week. Along the way we'd manage to pick up something for ourselves. There was always a wad of cash exchanged and lots of talk about cutting us a deal. Inevitably, a free tie, shirt or belt would find its way into our bag.
For many, the experience of shopping for menswear in Toronto wouldn't be complete without a stop at Tom's Place; but as the store celebrates its 50th year in business; it's now operating in a retail landscape that presents a lot more suit buying options (at all price points) than there were in years past.
Beyond the national, global and discount chains like Holt Renfrew, Harry Rosen, Moore's, Zara, Club Monoco, Banana Republic and The Bay are a host of boutique shops offering cutting edge styles, custom tailoring and a modern shopping experience. At the top of our list - and winner of our Best of Toronto survey - is relative newcomer Gotstyle. Located on the second floor of a building on King West that also houses MySpace Canada, Gotsyle distinguishes itself not only by the selection they carry but also by the space and service itself. From helpful (but not pushy) salespeople to a lounge area, magazines, chilled music and even a men's spa area (head shave = $39), they understand more than most what men want in a retail shopping experience.
On the racks are a host of stylish yet affordable Canadian and international brands. It's rare to find any suit here that crosses into four figures; and most are within the $400-$750 price range including offerings from designers like Tiger of Sweden, Ted Baker and Zegna as well as jacket and pant combos from the likes of Ben Sherman and Toronto's Haight & Ashbury. They're also currently showing one of the city's best selections of skinny ties and offer an assortment of made-to-measure shirts.
The top five:
Gotstyle
Got Style offers a huge selection of casual and formal men's clothing and accessories. Beyond suits, they have a great selection of affordable sport jackets, pants, dress shirts and ties. More »
Tom's Place
While Tom's Place may not carry the latest styles (most inventory is from last season) it's tough to beat the prices here - especially if you're willing to negotiate a bit. Bonus! Pick up some freshly killed chickens for dinner down the street. More »
Sydney's
This small boutique on Queen West has a nice selection of off the rack suits, shirts and ties; but specializes in creating the custom something that will fit you just right. More »
Boomer
Boomer must be doing something right to pay for that pricey real estate at Queen and John. Selection here tends to favour Boss, Cinque, Tiger of Sweden and J. Lindeberg. More »
Theodore 1922
This Annex spot offer bespoke made-to-measure tailoring as well as a selection of stylish shirts, pants and ties. More »
Discussion
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might I add that Delphic is also a good place to start and if you really wnat something great, go see Dom and get a block done at http://www.trendtailors.com/
Yeah. I second Delphic as well as Deluxe Boutique across the street. Both have very small selections of suits though.
I'm a big fan of Simon Carter down on Queen West. The cut is incredible and the styling are simple with a funky inner lining.
Not to say that there aren't some problems. Suits are a bit on the expensive side (Holt Renfrew and Harry Rosen price range) and the service staff are going through some growing pains.
Simon's is good. I like Gotstyle a lot, some great suits and other stuff. Like a lot of these stores ... though you have to suffer the sort of trendy-bullshit-party-time marketing they all have. I'm on their mailing list and they invite me to parties that must attract the most empty headed lizards and Vice-magazine-tards. Good style often must co-exist with this sort of junk, so I close my eyes and buy stuff nonetheless.
Still Gotstyle, and even Delphic (which I also like) rely too much on stuff like awful awful J. Lindeberg lines. Poorly cut, ridiculously big logos on items like the belts and etc. You can see a J. Lindeberg guy a mile away! Good style is a little more subtle and timeless.
Anyway, I'm glad these stores are in Toronto, and they are good for the city, but could do without the spa-ish pretension (but like I say, maybe they can't exist without it).
Whoops, I mean Sydney's is good. I don't know simon carter, but will go check.
Sydney's is great!
This list is an abloslute embarrasment, and serves to prove that Toronto is the worst major city in North America for mens clothing.
Couple of questions: why do most Toronto men's stores sell almost exclusively middle brow Italian lines? It is virtually impossible to find quality American and English suiting in this city. Odd considering our WASPy heritage.
Also, why have have all the mid-range but quality US/UK chains never set up shop in Toronto? Stores like Brooks Brothers, Faconable, Polo, Hickey Freeman, Dunhill, Gant, JPress and Thomas Pink would be very welcome, and would work price-wise as well. Just wondering.
Could anyone recommend a place for good quality custom made suits for taller people? I'm about 6'6, and fairly slim for my height, and find it impossible to find suits without spending $1500 for a custom-made one...any suggestions?
@Balmoral - Boo Hoo. You one of those people who think the clothes make the man? Or you have one of those New Yorker attitudes?
I like how you added in your suggestions of stores that should be added to the list. Toronto is not the worst place to get suits, considering that I know of many well dressed men who have fine tailors located in the city. And if anything, if you have the right connections, you can get special oversea materials brought to you.
And to constructively criticize the post, I'm not sure if these "top five" are in order, but I didn't expect Tom's Place to be in at number 2. But I agree with Boomer in the top five.
I think Toronto is a fairly well dressed place, and getting better all the time. Yet it doesn't have the mass tradition of good tailoring that the UK has or some other locations. Thus you have men here in nice suits, but they don't fit just right. The biggest problem being everything is too big, too baggy. Shirts with that balloon of material in the back. In the UK, London esp, this wouldn't do, not for a banker or a store clerk. Good cuts transcends economic class.
Castle,
Not sure why I pissed you off so much.
My comment was on how difficult it is to find good quality, reasonably priced, off the rack suits in Toronto. Bespoke tailoring is another matter completely, and I would suggest that your references to "connections" and "overseas materiasl" reflect a far snottier attitude than mine.
Also, you apparantly misread my post. I did not suggest stores that should be added to the list. I simply added some shops that I would like to see in Toronto. Whether they would be considered Top 5 Suit stores is not for me to determine.
And Dave S - all excellent points. A good suit doesn't have to be over $1000 if it fits well.
And also, do tell: what is a New Yorker attitude?
You've got to be joking. That's the list? Whatever.
Hi Ryan,
The list was derived from our Best of Toronto poll. Did you take time to nominate and/or vote for your favourites? What's missing?
From "Ryan Oakley" and his weblink:
"And they have a really cute bass player with a really pretty neck and a really nice haircut. This always helps me get through a show. Watching men on stage, playing with their toys while I?m unable to hear myself think is always dull. But I like to look at a girl with a nice haircut and a graceful neck. So kill me. I?m human."
Thank you ryan -- you seem to be an astute consumer of culture. Tell us more of what is wrong with this list. Tell us more.
I believe the list may be about as correct as it can be.
But -- right there-- that's two problems.
The first is that there really is no decent off the rack in Toronto. The story here is that Toronto's off the rack menswear is really bad. (I'm with Balmoral on this.)
A good suit comes down to fit. If someone understands this, they can pay no more than forty and get a good one. If they don't understand this, they can pay 5000 and get a bad one.
(And sorry Slim, for a fellow of your dimensions, you will likely have to spend the money and go bespoke.)
The second problem is that the list itself is not very good. Tom's Place gets a 4 out of 5 with one vote cast. The rest of them get progressively lower stars with each vote cast.
So the more people who vote, the more who find the selection slightly above average at best. Aside from Tom's Place no one even cracks a 3 out of 5.
Obviously, these are mediocre selections and obviously I'm not the only one who thinks so. When only one establishment, based on one vote, is ranked above 3 stars out of five, there is something wrong. At the time of writing this the number one spot on the list, "Got Style", had 2.3 stars. That's below average. That's a negative review.
Perhaps I'm misreading what the numbers mean. If that's the case, my apologies. If not, I stand by my assertion that this list is a joke and that you're offering people mediocre choices without directly informing them of that.
But you do provide them with the direct data. So that's good.
Je. Ryan Oakley is my name. It does not require quotation marks. I can only assume that you're trying to convince people that my name is not Ryan Oakley. It is.
And what are you doing here? Posting random things from my blog, which anyone is free to go look at, presumably to somehow assault my character, while you provide no link to any sort of site you may have, so that I may do the same to you? Posting under the name Je. That's your name? Je? Are you like Madonna or something?
Look a little harder, Je, and you'll find things that make me look much worse than that. Feel free to use them as you please. It's nice to have a hobby.
And if you think that a nice neck is culture, then I pity you. I'm much more of a consumer of necks than of culture. She has a lovely neck. Your culture, however, is dull.
I prefer to buy my suits out of the back of Cadillac Escalades, thank you very much.
Unless of course, Sam Mitchell & Bryan Colangelo are willing to set up shop downtown. Those two men are the best dressed in the city. Ted Rogers, make it happen.
Just so there's no confusion - the star ratings had no influence on this list. they're simply on the site for people to rate places if they like.
"I'm much more of a consumer of necks than of culture."
I think this is quite possibly one of the best comments ever made on blogTO.
I'm surprised nobody has mentioned Grreat Stuff on West Queen West (first door after Trinity Bellwoods Park). It's not a big store, but the selection is decent and the staff is excellent.
http://www.grreatstuff.com
A hidden gem here in Toronto is Fifth on King Mens Custom. I'm a tough fit and was looking for a place here in Toronto that would make me a custom suit at a good pricepoint. Off the shelf just doesn't fit me well and when you go custom you get a great fit and get to select from a large amount of fabrics and styling features.
www.sprezzatura.ca
Would anyone happen to know of any good tailors that do ladies' bespoke? I'm a hard-to-traditionally-fit shape (love my shape, it's just not average), and I would love to get some suits and button-down shirts made that actually fit me properly...
Thanks!
I buy most of my suits used from Off the Cuff. Terrific stuff at great prices.
It is nice to buy a mens clothes with great combination of different style and colors! I think it will work and all men would like it, even girls will do because it created perfectly. It's seems to be interesting to all men to try that kind of menswear. I hope all men should see it to get some information which I know can really help them.
There is a little place in Richmond Hill that goes to Italy every 15 weeks to buy the best luxury Italian designer fashions made. They carry Ermenegildo Zegna, Cerruti 1881, Alexander McQueen, Valentino, Roberto Cavalli, Dolce Gabbana, Versace, Etc. They are launching their new label De Laurentiis Signature for Bespoke Clients only. All hand made, several fittings, and lots of detail. A collaboration with a New York designer and a fifth generation tailor. They feature exclusive clothes from Italy, all for a price that is well below regular retail. The name is Le Firme. Look em up!
Simon Carter is worth a look. Under $900 for nice UK styling. They have talls now too and have a good tailor so you can get that bespoke look for off the rack price if your a tricky fit like me.
Hello,
I prefer online shopping more than local store shopping, i usually buy my formals be it men`s custom suits or business suit or casual dresses i choose online stores, saves lots of time and good in terms of deal.
Regards,
sarah_9
What the hell are you doing trying to make an argument by posting something that has no relevance to the matter at hand. I do see this as character assassination and its a pathetic way to debate a matter that has no involvement being whatsoever. Oh thats right Je didn't wash his hands one time before leaving the washroom; therefore, let's not take anything he has to say into consideration. Pathetic.
On a search from this post I checked out most of the places mentioned and decided on Fifth on King / Sprezzatura for the suit for my wedding. The guys there did a great job, the fit and attention to detail was perfect for my bespoke suit.
I also met with Sydney who I think would have done a great job, but unfortunately he was out of my price range.
This is something different: www.savillian.com. Savillian offers a cross between a British/Italian house cut, hand crafted and use Italian wools. The price range is from $800 to $1200 for custom. Women's suits as well!
The reason that it is impossible to find quality American and English suiting in the city of Toronto and its environs was once explained to me by a very polite Italian ex-patriate. He told me with a very red face that it all has to do with who the first distributors of suits and garments were in TO. It was eastern-eauropean and italian distributors who were looking to introduce the best priced product to local retailers and thus allow any retailer to attract a clientele (of any income category) and make the best profit margins for the store. Ofcourse there are "some" American and English suit offerings but they offer pretentious selections (ie: new-wave American style houses and Saville Row wanna-be's) at exorbitant prices. Trust me, although Toronto is lacking a lot of established choices for men's clothing, at least you are not suffering the ridiculous situation found in Ottawa or Montreal. Montreal used to be the "in" place outside of New York for decent fashions in North America...now Montreal offers only two sides of the fashion spectrum: severely outlandish purple monstrosities or the mediocrity of Jones New York. Consider yourselves lucky...!
I just purchased my new custom suit from Oxborough of London Bespoke Clothiers and would like to tell you of my experience!
I have a short stocky build and can never find off the rack suits that fit me; I did my research beforehand and went to Harry Rosen Bespoke (on the top floor!) and they quoted me $3600 for a basic 2-piece with an unknown brand cloth. I managed to get beautiful grey Holland and Sherry Super 100's cloth, 2-piece suit for much less!
Oxborough of London are travelling tailors from London, UK. The standard of stitching is the best i have ever seen, and for the price is unbeatable. Check out www.oxboroughoflondon.com :)
Another great place is http://www.torontocustomsuits.com ... they don't have a storefront, so they don't have the overheads and pass on the savings to us. I bought an Italian super 150 suit, and it was hand-made custom to fit me perfectly, all-in I spent about $950 including special linings, surgeon cuffs, hand stitching, etc. They send a sales rep and tailor to you once you book a fitting so you don't even have to go anywhere. I highly recommend it.
Hello,
Online stores are also good option to buy quality suits and shirts, though it is bit difficult to find the genuine stores but few stores offers wide range of quality items at suitable price.
Regards,
sarah_9
http://www.customsuitsshirts.com
Gotstyle is by far the superior place to shop for suits in Toronto. They have a great selection of labels and styles and I love the laid back approach the staff has to servicing their clients. I just picked up a Cinque suit from there today and couldn't be happier.
TDB
Brooks Brothers RBC Plaza Toronto, located at 200 Bay Street in the retail concourse!
This past September I visited "Suits in the City". They make custom tailored suits, shirts, overcoats, tuxedos. Custom suits start at $549 and custom shirts start at $69. Their finished products are incredible! They set-up quarterly events at the Cosmo Hotel in Toronto and have clients come and pick from thousands of fabrics (best selection I have ever seen). You then get measured by their tailor and discuss personalized styling and fit. The garments are then hand cut and tailored in Hong Kong. It takes about 5-6weeks turn around, but the finished product is well worth it! I have been a loyal Rosen customer for many years and a devote custom Canali suit buyer. Suits in the City stocks the same textiles as Canali- at less then HALF the price. I got a Suits in the City "Black Label" suit (which is the same fabric as a Canali custom suit available at Rosen's). I paid $1049! You cant touch a Canali suit for less than $2250!
The owners of the company are a couple of brothers that live in Toronto- both great dudes! They will take care of any alterations that are needed once your garments are delivered to you. Like I said, they don't have a store front, but you can visit their site www.suitsinthecity.ca and register for updates on future events. You wont get bombarded by emails, they only email you when an event is coming up. Worth checkin out!
Did you pay for this advertising space?
I have to point out that places like Zara and H&M carry wool suits, some in super 100's. Sure, you won't get your super fancy Italian label, but you can get a nice everyday suit for $250.
Has anybody, other than Charlie, bought any suits from "Suits in the City." I'd like a bespoke suit, but don't have the +$900 to buy one at Harry Rosen or Gotstyle. Or, if anybody has suggestions for a decent made-to-measure suit for
EricY- I actually used these guys this past summer for a couple of suits- I am very impressed! And Charlie (above) is correct, I think I paid $550 a suit.
I appreciate all the blogs with regards to helping me find the best place ot shop in town for a new suit. Moreover, I think it needs to be reemphasized again, TOMS PLACE IS THE WORST place i've ever bought a suit in my entire life. My father and I went there to buy a suit, before even walking in he said "i don't know why i'm taking you here to get a suit, I promised myself I would never buy a suit here again." Needeless to say I bought 2 suits, and nowboth have fallen apart. The pants ripped by the pocket, the material was cheap, and I'm very disapointed with the service i recieved when entering the store. DO NOT SHOP AT TOM'S PLACE!! I can't believe Tom and his fucking place got ranked second.
i have issues gettin suits in long sizes that fit well but i have to say i bought a jacket from H&M last summer for like 179 and i was shocked by the fit and fabric.....and i work in the fashion industry people cant believe where i got it....if u look well....fashion is available at every price range
these lists are always incomplete
what did they charge you for this ad?
Does anyone know any good alteration places? We had two pairs of pant suits taken in at Moores (Yonge St.) and they did a very shitty job. :(
I've found a great place downtown to buy custom suits and shirts that's not on this list but definitely deserves to be. My friend recommended me to check out a new player in town called IM-Label (http://im-label.com) and it was the best advice by far. Rather than simply renting standard tuxedos, I was looking for a set of suits for my wedding so that we all had something to keep and wear after the wedding for a reasonable price. The stylist there guided me through the entire process of choosing the proper material, style, etc. and best of all, we didn't have to worry about there not being enough inventory to cover everyone in the wedding party since they are all made from scratch! If that wasn't enough, they give you a second fitting where they alter anything if necessary for free so that it fits just perfectly. I'm really happy with the choice to go with these guys. They're super friendly and service was great. I'm definitely going back in the future.
I recommend Studio Kim (766 King St W) for alterations. They do a great job and reasonably priced.
I take all my clients there.
Agreed. I think most Torontonians have no taste - prefering to shop at places like Moore's or Tip Top Tailors.
I believe Toms place is great they always knock down the prices, and there selection is decent, Gotstyle is over priced, I still live by Zara and there cheap suits, for some reason they fit amazing
Hi, Before i use to buy my Suits from Tom's Place. A Friend of mine introduce me oversea tailor from Hong Kong called Himark Martin Tailors. They are very professional and they are reasonably priced and the suits fits me well. They visit Toronto 6 times a year i can give you there web for more information www.himarkmartintailors.com
Some of the worst customer service at Tom's Place. I am never going back there.