Hands On: Strong Suit

I had the pleasure of meeting Jamie Davidson earlier this Fall when he was in town for his trunk shows at H.Stockton.  Jamie runs Strong Suit, a boutique-esqe suit company based in Little Rock.  They specialize in made-to-measure, but have a few seasonal pieces that are available off-the-rack.  This fall, they offer a few suits in various fabrics, as well as a few sport coats.

Jamie was nice enough to send me this grey plaid jacket for a hands-on review.  My first impression is how nice the fabric feels.  It is extremely soft wool with a subtle brown plaid.  It is a luxurious Fall and Winter neutral that is a nice replacement for the darker solids.  The details in the construction are outstanding:

The pick-stitching is a great touch, which shows off the great construction of the jacket.  Besides that, the additional ticket pocket and the working cuff buttons are a top-shelf option for an off-the-rack jacket.

Inside the jacket is more than what you’d expect from a jacket at this price point.  It looks like a custom piece and includes more pockets that you’ll need.  Your date will appreciate this.  Also, I don’t know what it is about the Ozark boys, but including a quote is an appropriate nod to the heritage lifestyle.  My man Martin Dingman does this as well.

The construction of the jacket is really what sets it apart.  The jacket is fully canvased, so it will form to your shape over time.  The fit is tailored, but not slim.  From a sizing perspective, it is very similar to the J. Crew Ludlow line.  The jacket is very comfortable to wear; the soft shoulders, the high armpits and the higher top button allow a much more functional fit rather than a piece of outerwear.  The Strong Suit jackets retail for $495 off the rack, and the suits retail for $695 – that includes the made-to-measure pieces as well.  You’ll be hard-pressed to find a jacket at this level of quality for a lower price.

Strong Suit is popping up at some of the nicest mens stores all over the Southeast:

Atlanta: H. Stockton
Auburn (& Montgomery): The Locker Room
Clemson: M. Frank
Charleston: Grady Ervin & Co.
Charlotte: Taylor Richards Conger
Dallas: Pockets
Greenville: Rush Wilson
Jackson: Great Scott
Knoxville: M.S. McLellan
Memphis: James Davis
New Orleans (& Baton Rouge): George Bass
Raleigh: Liles

Next time you are in the neighborhood, give ’em a look.  Oh – and they offer tuxedos as well.  In black AND NAVY.