Suits

Having worn the MJ Bale suits a few times now I thought an update might be helpful.

Certainly VERY happy with my purchases. Both suits 'drape' very well and have a very comfortable feel about them. They feel great to wear and look a cut above my older suits.

The non-fused construction of the jackets DOES make a difference in how they feel to wear and how they look.

I only have one concern to date - I'm now much more conscious of the suits other are wearing and can pick people wearing other Bale suits (or better quality bespoke or MTM ones) compared to the standard OTR retail brands.

Anyway - I would certainly recommend anybody looking for a new suit to check out M J Bale - has to be in store though to get a feel for the fabric and fit.
 
Great info here I am also looking for a few new suits to wear to work, the MJ Bale 2 suits for 1k looks good. I will check them out in store.
 
The latest new technology for ordering suits -

 
Updating this thread just to keep it alive ...

In October I was in BNE and ducking into the M J Bale Outlet centre at DFO there. Picked up a Pearce charcoal jacket and two trousers and an Eastwood patterned navy jacket and trousers for $731.

Today I was at the DFO in CBR and wandered past their outlet centre there, 40% off all stock so a navy suit in my size, already discounted and with the 40% off, worked out to be $180 (single trousers). I was sorely tempted but having committed myself to a new LE brush I thought I'd better not.

I know that there are M J Bale outlet store in SYD, BNE, MEL as well as CBR (see store listing here) and I'd encourage you to check them out if you are in the market for a suit or two.
 
Updating this thread just to keep it alive ...

In October I was in BNE and ducking into the M J Bale Outlet centre at DFO there. Picked up a Pearce charcoal jacket and two trousers and an Eastwood patterned navy jacket and trousers for $731.

Today I was at the DFO in CBR and wandered past their outlet centre there, 40% off all stock so a navy suit in my size, already discounted and with the 40% off, worked out to be $180 (single trousers). I was sorely tempted but having committed myself to a new LE brush I thought I'd better not.

I know that there are M J Bale outlet store in SYD, BNE, MEL as well as CBR (see store listing here) and I'd encourage you to check them out if you are in the market for a suit or two.

I love the mjbale suits. Will see what I can turn up.
 
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The latest new technology for ordering suits -

This reminds me that, at about the turn of the century, a new store opened at an upscale mall near me. It was called The Custom Foot. Very small "footprint", pun intended. Just a few samples, a chair and a scanning device. Basically, it created a holographic image of each foot (socks off). You picked a shoe style, leather, color and sole from the samples. They pushed a button and sent all the data to Italy. About 3 weeks later the shoes were delivered to your home.

Absolutely brilliant! I always found it difficult to find shoes that fit properly. This were the best fitting shoes I ever owned. High quality. Basically the same price as quality shoes found in the traditional stores. Bought several more pair. I firmly believed it would drive all the traditional shoe stores out of business.

In keeping with my predictive prowess, The Custom Foot went out of business after about two years. They just vanished. Not sure what the problem was, but I'm glad I didn't try to invest in the business.
 
Extremely impressive. Don't forget your birthday suit.

Yeah, I find I try and wear that less and less now. Poor fit, baggy in some places bulgy in others. I'm not sure that even my tailor could fix it - ironing certainly will be of no help!

This reminds me that, at about the turn of the century, a new store opened at an upscale mall near me. It was called The Custom Foot. Very small "footprint", pun intended. Just a few samples, a chair and a scanning device. Basically, it created a holographic image of each foot (socks off). You picked a shoe style, leather, color and sole from the samples. They pushed a button and sent all the data to Italy. About 3 weeks later the shoes were delivered to your home.

Absolutely brilliant! I always found it difficult to find shoes that fit properly. This were the best fitting shoes I ever owned. High quality. Basically the same price as quality shoes found in the traditional stores. Bought several more pair. I firmly believed it would drive all the traditional shoe stores out of business.

In keeping with my predictive prowess, The Custom Foot went out of business after about two years. They just vanished. Not sure what the problem was, but I'm glad I didn't try to invest in the business.

Ahead of their time!
 
In case anybody is remotely interested ...

Walked into the M J Bale Outlet centre with my 19YO fashion consultant (daughter) and walked out with -

Gretton Jacket


Gretton Trousers


Hitchcock Jacket


Hitchcock Trousers


$597 for the lot. Grabbed 4 ties (nothing fancy just 'stock' ties) for $99 as well.

Came home and with my consultants help tossed one old suit and 16 ties. I now have a core business wardrobe of six MJ Bale suits purchased over the last three years. $1437 for the first pair, $731 for the second pair and $597 for this pair. Initial retail on just this last couple was $1,800 (who would pay that?)

Add 26 ties and 10 white shirts and that rounds out the business attire clothing wise.

With 'second hand' (half barely used) shoes, all English made GYW:-
  • Loakes 1880 black brogues
  • Cheaney black brogues
  • Cheaney black oxford
  • Barkers black oxford
  • Cheaney tan brogues
  • Florsheim black oxford
That is what you will see me in on a work day
 
Very nice.

In April my wife's dad passed away after a long illness.

Had to get a black suit in a rush, so I walked in to Peter Jackson suits in the local Westfield.

Managed to get a nice, slim-fit suit straight off the rack, and it fit nicely. I had to get the next-size-up jacket, because I have broad shoulders.

$400.00, down from $600.

I still prefer bespoke, but time was obviously a factor. Very happy with the suit, though.

I'd like to wear suits to work, but I spend too much time in the warehouse, and on a forklift.
 
Very nice.

In April my wife's dad passed away after a long illness.

Had to get a black suit in a rush, so I walked in to Peter Jackson suits in the local Westfield.

Managed to get a nice, slim-fit suit straight off the rack, and it fit nicely. I had to get the next-size-up jacket, because I have broad shoulders.

$400.00, down from $600.

I still prefer bespoke, but time was obviously a factor. Very happy with the suit, though.

I'd like to wear suits to work, but I spend too much time in the warehouse, and on a forklift.

Sorry to hear about your father in law mate :(

I looked at the PJ suits here in Canberra, their shop is a couple up from the MJ Bale in the main mall, not bad but none that grabbed my attention at the time.
 
Nice suit but you'd stand out like a sore thumb at a pox doctors picnic in that up here. For me it's the Territoty toux - clean t shirt and stubbies and a new pair of double pluggers.
 
In case anybody is remotely interested ...

Walked into the M J Bale Outlet centre with my 19YO fashion consultant (daughter) and walked out with -

Gretton Jacket


Gretton Trousers


Hitchcock Jacket


Hitchcock Trousers


$597 for the lot. Grabbed 4 ties (nothing fancy just 'stock' ties) for $99 as well.

Came home and with my consultants help tossed one old suit and 16 ties. I now have a core business wardrobe of six MJ Bale suits purchased over the last three years. $1437 for the first pair, $731 for the second pair and $597 for this pair. Initial retail on just this last couple was $1,800 (who would pay that?)

Add 26 ties and 10 white shirts and that rounds out the business attire clothing wise.

With 'second hand' (half barely used) shoes, all English made GYW:-
  • Loakes 1880 black brogues
  • Cheaney black brogues
  • Cheaney black oxford
  • Barkers black oxford
  • Cheaney tan brogues
  • Florsheim black oxford
That is what you will see me in on a work day

The Hitchcock looks rather nice Mark.

I take it you like Black shoes.
 
The Hitchcock looks rather nice Mark.

I take it you like Black shoes.

Thanks mate

Black shoes and white shirts - build everything else around those is my approach!
 
Keeping the thread alive, in my new role they require “business casual” or better seeing how much effort folk put into not wearing a suit left me thinking, I’ll just wear a suit.
my only suit besides my dinner suits I use for lodge was a 42 blue Connor number my old real estate firm bought me which was nice at the time but god it’s seen some stuff.. so I’m going to have it cleaned and give it to vinnies now that I actually wear a 40.
So now I’m all about grey and have a blue for days when I’m over excited.
Yep, fun times.
 
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