I noticed new-to-me suit brand Suistudio at Nordstrom in 2019, and liked what I saw. I dressed a few clients in their suit separates with favourable results. Although the brand specializes in trouser suiting and dressy tops to wear with them, the handwriting is different to the regular modern classic neutral norm because of unique colours and patterns, trendier silhouettes, and playful design details.
Here’s a good assortment of their luxurious products.
It turns out that Suistudio is the sister brand to the menswear brand Suitsupply, which is a Dutch company headquartered in Amsterdam. Suitsupply Menswear was launched out of the trunk of founder Fokke De Jong’s car in 2000 and has gone from strength to strength. Apparently, there is a worldwide market for dressy tailoring as “an expression of individuality – not conformity,” and suits are far from dead. De Jong wanted to bring the same elevated dressy suit approach to women’s wear, and launched Suistudio in 2018.
The womenswear branding is a bit confusing because you purchase items online from Suitsupply, but items are shipped with the Suistudio label. Stand-alone stores across the globe (there is one in Seattle) are called Suitsupply, but the womenswear in the store is labeled Suistudio.
Dutch retail companies generally seem ahead of the curve when it comes to producing sustainably and ethically. Suitsupply was committed to doing business in a sustainable and ethical manner from the start, when other retailers are only catching on now. You can read their recent corporate responsibility reports to see the details. Furthermore, the brand’s vertical manufacturing operation allows them to have complete control of the quality of its garments. This not only reduces their carbon footprint, but allows them to keep prices on the affordable side.
Fits are true to size, and sometimes sized the Euro way. The Dutch are tall people, so pant lengths are long, and might need adjustment. Sizes run from an USXXS to an XXL, and aren’t as inclusive as I’d like. Hopefully that will change.
Impressively, each brick-and-mortar store employs a full-time tailor so that your alterations are done on site, and right away. I LOVE the sound of this, and will make full use of the service when I visit the Seattle store in future.
For high-quality tailored suiting, the prices are not that outrageous. The good news is that the brand has extremely aggressive sales, discounted items are available at the Nordstrom Rack, and there is an outlet store if you’re prepared to purchase final sale.
Forum member and friend Tanya, who knows my style well, recently alerted me to a pair of Suistudio turquoise and carrot tartan high-waisted wide leg pants that were on deep discount at the Nordstrom Rack. I fell in love and got them right away. They are stunning quality, unique, comfortable, fit beautifully, and feel as playful and fun as they do chic and dressy. I had them shortened because I’ll be wearing them with white fashion sneakers and low-heeled white boots, and I’m not as tall as many Dutch people. I subsequently saw a Suistudio striped merino wool polo shirt in the same colours, and got that on deep discount too. I can’t wait to wear the two together soon. Thank you, Tanya!
I’m thrilled to find another sustainable and ethical brand who makes good-quality, interesting, colourful, and dressier clothing. Fun that they are from the Netherlands too.
