How to find a suit when you are just a little guy?
Hi y'all. I really want to get a (preferably used, vintage) suit but I cannot find a good, masculine suit small enough for me. I follow a few Japanese menswear guys on ig who seem around the same measurements as me so it must be possible, but from looking on ebay I haven't had much luck. If anyone has recommendations on what to search for on YJP or any companies that make cool men's suits for tiny little guys please let me know!
Attached photos of suits I like.
I'm a woman's S-XS (shoulders: 17.5", chest: 32" waist: 24", hips: 34" ) for reference.
Thank you! ♥️
26 Replies
I think you may have success with CdGH or homme deux or even homme plus in like S or XS/SS
Y’s for men also an option but I encounter less super small stuff
There‘a also a lot of Issey Miyake on Y!JP but most of the smaller stuff is women’s pantsuits which are probably too far from what you’re looking for
Happy to share my search terms if you’re interested.
Yeah I think Issey is too different than what I'm searching for but thank you, I will look at some CDG suits 🙏
I might check out Ring Jacket as well
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A lot of examples like this out there. There’s also a lot of new old stock CdGH that gets auctioned weekly ending on Saturday nights/Sunday mornings.
And you may know this already but use セットアップ (set up) instead of “suit” in your searches for best results.
I would definitely look at Ring Jacket. How long is your back (ie, how long does a suit jacket need to be?) I constantly see jackets from Ring Jacket that are labeled size 36, for example, but instead of 29-30" long they're like 26-27.5" long. I bet a 34S from Ring Jacket might fit you decently. Now, pants... let me do some estimating. You may find, eg, 26 waist and 34 hips and tailor down the last two inches; 24/34 might be out of the norm, unsure. Would need to look.
Ring Jacket is not the only one of course, there are a number of japanese makers that might do, and quite possibly more from Korea, HK, Singapore, etc. You're not too far off from what many smaller men in Asia wear, as far as proportions go.
Evan Kinori makes suits in XS which you might be able to find secondhand, and CdGH+ and Deux are good calls
Pro tip, thank you. I did not know that
Thank you, I'll definitely check them out. I'm so unfamiliar with menswear I didn't know about Ring Jacket before
They're a fairly big name for good quality out of Japan. They make for a number of retailers, commonly Ships, which has nothing to do with shipping&handling nor boating.
Oh, Beams might carry them two, and/or sell under their own name. Unsure actually of maker relationship there, but Beams has some jackets under their name that may work for you.
This may also help you: COMME des GARCON HOMME コムデギャルソンオム
That captures homme, homme plus and homme deux (does not include most junya, CdG shirt or women’s lines)
The Armoury also carries Ring Jacket in New York, so be on the lookout @charlie
Cut S out of the search for CdG imo, XS is probably right and it'll save you some effort when scouring
if you live in a developed country there is a high chance that your city or the next bigger city has tailor services / chains that offer suits mtm (made to measure) - which is a step below bespoke, but should look better than pretaporter+tailor
I mean yeah, but I try not to go from "recommendation for used, vintage suit [likely in the $100-300 range]" to a $900-xxxx custom suit :P
Yeah I'm a broke student lol I'm probably not getting a mtm in my lifetime
You might be able to find something on drop93. Prices are in HKD tho and I might have done my mental math wrong
Jk I think the cheapest ring jacket they have is like $900usd
LOL bye
In terms of new options, I know Natalino (https://natalino.co/collections/sport-jackets) and Spier & Mackay both sell size 34 (44 EU) which may fit you. I don't have experience with them and they are in the $3-500 range tho.
Sport Jackets – Natalino
A London-based clothing brand focused on relaxed, elegant classic menswear.
Polo Ralph Lauren sells nice child size tailoring (https://www.ralphlauren.com/boys-clothing-suits-sportcoats-trousers). I have their doeskin blazer in the biggest boys size that I got for $300, and it fit me perfectly after their alterations (I also changed the buttons to dark horn later on as I find the gold ones too preppy). I'm 5'7" 125 lbs for reference.
Found this cool double breasted blazer at Nordstrom Rack that has size 34 ($192): https://www.nordstromrack.com/s/cos-herringbone-recycled-wool-blend-blazer/7190221?origin=category-personalizedsort&breadcrumb=Home%2FMen%2FClothing%2FCoats%20%26%20Jackets&color=020
Have you looked into Beams Boy? It's the womens line for Beams+ and they make matching, sometimes ivy-inspired jacket/trouser sets on most of their collections, like this ones. Probably worth taking a look for those on YJP
This may seem random, but what is your inseam?
26"
these are awesome
Look for Brooks Brothers or similar boys suits. Might be hard on eBay, I’ve never looked
BB (at least used to) have boys’ clothes that were equivalent build, just smaller.
Yeah right now I'm honestly taking Ralph Lauren boys as my best best, just trying not to think of the episode of Sex and the City where Samantha dumps her date after he gets up and goes to the bathroom and she sees his coat is from the boy's department at Barney's
@charlie my boys PRL sport coat seems to be of good quality. It's made in Italy for whatever that's worth. There is no indication that it isn't an adult garment aside from the size being a boy's size chart number. Also, the front pockets on mine are sewn shut (going to bring it to a tailor to see if he can open them or if they are fake pockets)
I'm not sure if it's half canvassed as it doesn't say, my uneducated guess is that it is as it fits nicely on me lol. Going to see if a tailor can tell for me
And lastly the PRL tailor who did the initial alterations when I bought it (in Manhasset), I believe did a good job. Also strong attention to detail, they noticed that the sleeves were a smidge different length after the alteration and fixed it for free.