Calvin Klein/Ralph Lauren/Tommy Hilfiger versus Brioni/Armani/Gucci Suits

What is the difference between department store suits like Calvin Klein/Ralph Lauren/Tommy Hilfiger and high end suits like Brioni/Armani/Gucci? (Besides the price) To me, a lot of these suits look very similiar. Can you just look at someone and say, "That's an Armani suit, he must have paid a couple thousand dollars for it."?

I know the higher end suits have better material like Super 100s/ 200s but superficially, I can't tell exactly what brand of suit someone is wearing. Why would someone pay 10x more for similiar looking suits?

4 Comments
 

Firstly, RL/CK are usually cotton suits - sometimes even a blend between cotton and synthetic fibers such as polyester. This is easily distinguished from the wool/cashmere that is used to make a high end suit from a designer such as Prada/Loro Piana, even Brooks Brothers. Second, the tailors at high end designers are much more dutiful than at lower end brands; the difference in the fit is certainly distinguishable, particularly in athletic/slim fit people. Larger men usually don't fit into Italian suits such as Zegna period. The construction of the suit is also differentiated - lapels have a cleaner, more tapered cut, the pants conform as opposed to boot-legging. In short, if you know suits the difference is obvious

 

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