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CRAFTSMANSHIP

10 Hallmarks of
a Quality Suit

10 Hallmarks of
a Quality Suit

A zoom-in shot of the handset collar.

It’s easy to spot a quality suit if you know where to look. From hand-set collar to pick stitching, interior lining to Neapolitan seams — learn about the craftsmanship that goes into every stitch, accent & detail of our suits for men.

With uncompromising commitment to fine Italian fabrics, expert tailoring, and radically personal customer service, our suits embody the highest levels of craftsmanship and quality, with every detail considered.Whether you’re looking to invest in your first suit or want to introduce a Custom Made suit to your wardrobe, Suitsupply brings you insight into what makes our suits a product of true quality.

The Details Matter

A Suitsupply formal suit featuring a knit.

The elements of a quality suit require intricate attention to details—from the selection of suiting fabric to the stitchwork, the size & shape of suit features to the placement and material of accents. Our men’s suit designs incorporate centuries of artisan knowledge and tailoring expertise.

In this article, we’re highlighting the key hallmarks that are infused into every one of our men’s suits.

1. A Hand-Set Collar

Hand-Set Collar

Excess fabric is folded back onto itself and stitched by hand to create the thinnest collar possible. This is known as a hand-set, or hand-sewn collar.

You wouldn’t think it, but a lot can be learned by a quick look at the collar. In a quality suit, fastening the collar is a labor-intensive process requiring up to 20 skilled hands. To ensure the seams are as thin as possible, the fabric should be folded and hand-sewn back onto itself—this hides the excess fabric which a tailor can later re-cut or re-shape to emphasize your desired style, if needed.

2. A Lapel with a Natural Roll

A lapel with a natural role including 1000’s of stitches and light padding to maintain a natural roll.

Rolling lapel — 1000’s of stitches and light padding to maintain a natural roll.

A quality lapel should belined with a cotton and horsehair “floating” canvas. Instead of heat-fused in place, it will be precisely stitched in to give it volume and prevent it from flattening.

Unlike inferior lapels, which are pressed into a sharp, flat crease, a rolling lapel creates a rich, dynamic fluidity that eventually takes on the wearer’s shape. A voluminous roll is a key giveaway of a quality crafted jacket or coat lapel.

3. The Barchetta Pocket

The barchetta pocket on a camel Suitsupply suit, named after the Italian word for small boat.

Named after the Italian word for a small boat, a barchetta pocket is a welted chest pocket with a gently curved opening resembling the shape of a boat.

The barchetta pocket is a time-intensive accent requiring an experienced hand. Though functional, this classic Italian detail is best regarded as an aesthetic accent that gives your style a touch of traditional flair.

4. The Pick Stitch

Pick stichting adds a touch of sartorial flair, lies along the edge of the jacket hem,shoulder, lapel and pockets.

Pick stitching adds a touch of sartorial flair. Pick stitching, also known as AMF stitching after the sophisticated machine that creates it, is stitching that lies along the edge of the jacket hem, shoulder, lapel and pockets Pick stitching is a textural feature used to accent suits, blazers, and sport coats. A true sign of expert craftsmanship, this detail not only keeps the lining in place, but it also keeps the edges sharp and prevents rolling and curling.

Pick stitched lapel — A traditional and stylish way to prevent curling or rolling of the lapel edge.

5. The Neapolitan Seam

The Neapolitan seam, angled slightly backwards-- providing more comfort as it naturally curves with your shoulder.

A true Neapolitan seam is angled slightly backwards, not only obscuring the seam from the front, but also providing more comfort as it naturally curves with your shoulder. With the difficulty of correctly matching the front and back jacket panels, this intricate seam requires an experienced artisan hand.

6. The Functional Buttonholes

Functional buttonholes, officially known as surgeon cuffs, they help to roll up jacket sleeves.

Functional buttonholes — Leave one unfastened to show just how sophisticated your suit truly is.

Functional buttonholes are a telltale sign of a quality in a men’s suit or sport coat. Officially known as surgeon cuffs, as they were made for 19th century surgeons needing to roll up their sleeves, functional cuffs are just that—cuffs that you can button or unbutton. While most suits feature fixed buttons that are purely aesthetic, functional buttonholes give you more versatility and utility.

7. The After-Dinner Split

The After-Dinner split on the back of Suitsupply camel trousers, helping you to be more comfortable when seated.

After-dinner split — It’s not a mistake, it’s a carefully crafted way to keep you more comfortable while seated.

An unseen and underappreciated trouser detail that makes a huge difference when it comes to comfort and mobility, an after-dinner split is a small slit found at the top center of the back of the trouser waistband that grants a bit of give when sitting. Though miniscule in size, it’s a big indicator of quality constructed trousers...and a much needed feature after any large meal.

8. The Interior Lining

Tongue facing lining in the inside pocket reinforced by the jacket fabric.

Tongue facing lining — The inside pocket is reinforced with the jacket fabric. Not only a more luxurious aesthetic detail, this technique also makes the pocket more durable and prevents the sagging that comes from natural use.

Trouser lining inside Suitsupply trousers, crafted from more robust cotton for added durability and a beautiful finish.

Trousers lining — Crafted from more robust cotton for added durability and a beautiful finish.

Many Suitsupply suit jackets and trousers feature interior lining. This hidden layer supports highly trafficked areas of your suit, like the trouser button or the breast pocket inside the jacket. With reinforced interior lining, your suit is set up to last you much longer and prevents deterioration in these high-use spots.

9. Fine Italian Fabrics

We work with the finest mills and most of them are in the heritage weaving province of Biella, Italy.

All the high-end details in the world make no difference if they’re not showcased on a premium fabric. That’s why we’ve made it a point to work with only the finest mills, most of which are in the heritage weaving province of Biella, Italy. From the world’s most eco-conscious weavers like Candiani, from which we get our denim, to technical fabrics from Olmetex and high-end wool, silk and cotton blends from the world’s oldest mill, Vitale Barberis Canonico, we make no compromise when it comes to top quality fabrics. Learn more about just why this famed Italian region has been home to the world’s top mills for hundreds of years, with no signs of slowing down.

10. Horsehair Canvas Construction

What you don’t see in a Suitsupply jacket makes the difference, our horsehair-infused canvas lining is one detail that makes the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.

Sometimes, it’s what you don’t see that makes all the difference—cue the canvas lining. Perhaps the one detail that makes the difference between an ordinary and extraordinary suit, a quality canvas is made from horsehair-infused cotton and is meticulously stitched in to “float”, rather than just heat-fused in. Though hidden, this layer makes a definite impact on the shape and durability of your jacket, as it adds structure, reinforces the outer fabric and naturally molds to your shape over time for a more precise and elegant fit.

Suitsupply offers a comprehensive range of radically personal services to our clients with fast, effective tailoring, and direct delivery. Since our founding, Suitsupply has offered a tailored aesthetic with flair, crafted in a way we’re proud of.

From Madison Avenue in New York City to Hong Kong, Suitsupply stores can be found near you, worldwide. Our retail locations offer seasonal custom-made and ready-to-wear collections of suits, jackets, trousers, shirt, outerwear, knits, shoes and accessories for weekday, casual and evening wear. In-store tailors are available at all stores for quick, on-demand alterations.