Deal Update: Winter Sale now includes suits

Saturday, January 26, 2013



This is just a quick update for the Indochino Winter Sale. The overcoats have now sold out and new sales items have appeared. Quite a few suits that you guys might find interesting. Go right here to check the selection, quantities are limited.

The Indochino Winter Sale

Deal Alert: The Indochino Winter Sale 2013

Saturday, January 19, 2013


While there will probably be no official Chinese New Year sale, there are by now plenty of deals to get your Indochino suit for a bargain. If you are lucky enough to live in the US, you can use the Gilt City deal for a full 33% off, you can also use one of the shirt deals and now there is a rather big Indochino Winter Sale.

Head over to the Winter Sale page to see the full selection. This time, you don't have to apply any coupons, the products are already discounted. Supplies are limited. There are quite a few interesting pieces left (see header): 
  • A number of Trenchcoats (down to $179/$199)
  • The somewhat controversial Toggle Coats ($274)
  • The great Camel Overcoat ($274)
  • The pretty cool Houndstooth Blazer ($174)
Click here to see the full selection.
By Lorenz Loidl

Interview: Crystal Walton, Product Marketing Manager Indochino

Friday, January 18, 2013

Interview Crystal Walton Indochino

At the end of 2012 I sat down and thought a bit of what I could offer my readers for 2013. I remember the interview with Indochino CEO Kyle Vucko I had done in 2010 and thought felt it was time for an interview of some sorts again. I got the chance to do an informal email interview with Indochino's Product Marketing Manager, Crystal Walton. Read on for the full story below.

Indochino Deal Alert: Get 33% off with Giltcity.com

Thursday, January 17, 2013


Good news, Indochino is having a major promotion with Gilt right now. You essentially get 33% off and pay $429 instead of $644 for the following package:
  • Essential two-piece suit (choice of eight fabric options)
  • Choice of any dress shirt (excludes shirts over $99)
  • Choice of any tie
  • Choice of any tie clip
  • Choice of any pocket square
  • Choice of any cufflinks
If you want to get a more expensive suit, you can do that as well, the sum of $429 will get deducted at checkout and you just pay the rest. It's an excellent deal if you are prepared to spend a bit - you can get the whole package with all essentials for an entire outfit for a very good price. 

Indochino didn't really have a major promotion since their 2012 Black Friday deal and from what I know, there won't be an official Chinese New Year's sale either. So this is probably as good as it gets and a good chance to get a suit before delivery times increase during the Chinese holidays. 

If you are new to Gilt City, you can use my referral link to get an additional $15 off (I get $15 off for my next purchase, but it doesn't accumulate the credit). 


As for suggestions, the new Ultimate Tech Collection is obviously an option, but there are also more classic possibilities. 

If it's your first suit, I'd recommend something like this:
The offer ends on Thursday, January 24th and you can use the coupon until April 30th. 
By Lorenz Loidl

Special Report from Asia: Part 1 - Ho Chi Minh City

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Special Report from Asia, Ho Chi Minh City Tailors
Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon near District 1, Ben Thanh Market
2013 will be a very special year for me and I believe also for this blog. I have taken a year off from work and decided to combine business with pleasure and travel south-east Asia with my girlfriend. We have arrived in Ho Chi Min City, formerly known as Saigon a few weeks ago and we will be based here for a while, as my girlfriend took a position as an English teacher. We are planning trips to the surrounding countries and I want to check out as many tailors and shoemakers (the Mantorii guys are based here) as possible. I will document the relevant bits here, perhaps one of you guys will make it to this corner of the world at some point and you can make use of the information. 

For now, I will take the chance and get to know HCMC a little better. I packed only very lightly and I'm in need of some proper clothing. Mosquitos somehow feel more attracted to me than my girlfriend, so I actually need long-sleeved shirts and pants for the morning and evening hours. HCMC is full of tailors, especially around the famous Ben Thanh market in District one. 

Fabrics can either be bought directly at the tailors or at the market. So far, I have established a price of around 400.000 VND for a long-sleeved shirt incl. fabric, this translates roughly to $19. If your bring your own fabric, the price will drop to $9, around 2m2 are needed for a long-sleeved shirt. I have no idea how the craftsmanship will be. I assume most tailors will take measurements and cut the fabrics at their shop, but send the fabrics to the same place for production. 

Upcoming Review: My Sang near Ben Thanh Market
The first tailor to receive my business will be My Sang near Ben Thanh market, located in a little side street. I will buy some navy blue linen fabric at the market and find some designs on the internet (suggestions welcome!)

My Sang
12 Nguyen An Ninh, Q1, Ho Chi Minh City
0125.8922.770

Any recommendations? I'd love to hear them!
Did you have shirts or suits made in Vietnam before? If yes, I'd love to hear your feedback. Just walking into one of the many tailor shops is a gamble and recommendations found on StyleForum are often already outdated. HCMC changes very quickly and information from 2010 is very often already useless now. 

Also, if you know any special tricks - what to take care of, how to communicate certain wishes, I'd be happy know!

Furthermore, there are a couple of more things to be published soon. A very interesting interview with Crystal, Indochino's Product Marketing Manager. A new coverage of Mantorii (I'm having a Chili Red Wholecut shoe made!). A new Indochino review (shirt and suit from the latest collection in production). Hope you will find all of this as interesting as I do. 
By Lorenz Loidl

Deal Alert: Get 15% off pants & shirts

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Indochino released a Facebook deal a few minutes ago, giving you 15% off when you buy any of their pants and a shirt. Use the coupon code 15OFFSALE at checkout. The offer is valid until January 18th, 2013. 

The Indochino Ultimate Tech Collection 2013

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Indochino Ultimate Tech Collection 2013 in review
A lot of people have been wondering how Indochino will start 2013. It has been a while since the last big collection (The Deco Collection in September 2012) and expectations are high. Let's talk a closer look at the new Ultimate Tech Collection and find out more. 

The Indochino Ultimate Tech Collection draws strong inspiration from the successful Traveling Collection in 2011. The Traveling Collection came with a number of fresh ideas: teflon coated, wrinkle resistant fabric, headphone ports, a touch enabled "smart pockets" and a plethora of pockets. I had one of those suits then and I was really impressed with a couple of these features. It sold out pretty quickly in 2011.

Today's collection shares some of these innovations, but the concept overall has been improved and Indochino has focused on those ideas that really make sense. 

The Ultimate Tech Collection

The entire Ultimate Collection includes three Nanotech suits (and vests) priced at $629, two Merino wool (80%) and Silk blend (20%) suits (and vests) at $499, two new silk linings and ten premium shirts made from Thomas Mason and Cotonificio Albini fabric ($159-$169).

The new Merino wool/Silk blend suits are interesting designs and a good addition to the portfolio, but the real highlight are of course the "tech suits". 

Let's take a look at the 3 major characteristics (taken from the press release):

NANOTECH
Using a blend of natural and technologically advanced fabrics, the Nanotech suit repels liquids and stains, and resists odors and wrinkles without compromising on breathability or comfort. 

SMART POCKET
The touch responsive Smart Pocket enables the smooth operation of a smartphone from inside the jacket. The waterproof and dry-clean friendly pocket also comes with a metal earphone cable clip and rubber earphone hole to keep the user organized, untangled and hands free.

STORM FLAP
The detachable Storm Flap is a unique and stylish way to protect your neck and chest from cold weather and replaces the traditional winter scarf. This lightweight accessory is filled with White Duck’s Down to provide superior insulation using natural body heat and buttons easily into the inside of the jacket.

Ultimate Tech Collection - Initial Review

Indochino cleverly took the best ideas and learnings from the Traveling Collection and improved them for the Ultimate Tech Collection. Where the Traveling Collection contained perhaps too many gadgets, the Ultimate Tech Collection is nicely focused.

The use of nanotech for the fabric is a clever way of making the fabric more resistant without actually using lower quality fabrics including polyester or other artificial materials. In fact, the quality of the new fabrics has improved considerably when compared to 2011. While many people will still prefer to wear mostly untreated fabrics, there is a place for a nanotech fabric - think of long travels, restaurant dinners, etc. The fabric can be dry-cleaned safely but according to Indochino dry cleaners should take extra care with the smartphone pocket. Most of you will know to avoid frequent dry cleaning anyway - in most cases a brush and hanging the suit near the window or in the bathroom (steam gets rid of the wrinkles) will do.


The smart pocket is another feature that adds value without interfering. Phones like the iPhone 5 are slim and light and won't appear too bulky in your suits pocket. You can also cleverly lead the headphones through the lapel - the look overall becomes more tidy and the headphone cables don't disturb. The cable clip is a clever way of storing away the headphones.


The storm flaps are a really innovative idea. Clearly, a lot of thinking went into developing this idea. From a style perspective, I predict they will be controversial. The look kind of reminds me of wearing a gilet under the jacket, but without the bulk on the body. It will upset the traditionalist, but Indochino has never been afraid of trying bold ideas. They can easily be removed, by the way.


The new shirts contain some really interesting designs, nice pinstripes without being too bold. The price point of the shirts is still discussed very controversially. At the end, what you pay for is the superior fabric. I will order one of the suits and a shirt and put up a review as soon as possible. Actually, I will be traveling South East Asia and Asia for a while this year and I plan on visiting tailors and shoemakers. If you have any recommendations for Vietnam or Thailand, please let me know!

The Indochino Ultimate Tech Collection 2013 Reviewed by Lorenz Loidl. Rated: 9/ 10 (Great)

Coupon Alert: Get $50 off on Toggle Coats

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Indochino Mack Toggle Coat

Indochino just released a coupon code for their two Toggle Coats. Use the coupon MACKRED or MACKBLUE to save $50 and purchase them for $299 instead of $349 (save almost 15%). Might be a really good chance to get a lightweight coat (100% Merino wool) for the rest of the winter. 

Indochino 2012: The Top 10

Tuesday, January 1, 2013



2012 was an eventful year for Indochino. Below you find my personal Top 10, a collection of the 10 things I liked most about Indochino in 2012. What did you like (or dislike) about Indochino - agree with some of the points I mentioned or would your Top 10 list look completely different?
  1. Introduction of Digital Cutting
    A great investment to ensure better consistency on repeat purchases. Not yet perfect, but a huge improvement.
  2. The Indochino Traveling Tailor 
    Originally started in 2011, but perfected in 2012 the Traveling Tailor brings an Apple-like shopping experience to cities across US and Canada. It will be interesting to see how the concept will be used in 2013. Fingers crossed for Europe!
  3. Upgraded Suit Components 
    From silky Bemberg lining to high quality BWF collar felts, Helsa shoulder pads and Freudenberg interlining. Upgrades everywhere and not just for the premium collections. 
  4. Double-Breasted Suits available again
    It took a while, but finally this feature became available again. A great look!
  5. The Modern Linen Collection
    Somehow the summer collections are always my favourite Indochino collections. I love those light linen fabrics and this year they really had some strong colours.
  6. Cutaway Collars for shirts available
    Often wished for by many customers, this was finally made available in early 2013. Calls for a bigger tie knot than the usual 4-in-hand.
  7. Thomas Mason Fabrics introduced for shirts
    A somewhat controversial move as prices for these shirts increased quite a bit, but it's hard to argue with the virtues of great fabrics.
  8. Vincero Suits and Reda Fabrics
    While the Vincero collection was already introduced in 2011, I felt like it only really took off in 2012. Suddenly it made sense to spend more than $400 on an Indochino suit. 
  9. Friday Happy Hour Deals
    A great chance to pick up deals - very often these deals cover the obviously slow moving items, but there are real gems to be found.
  10. Website Update
    Usability on Indochino's website is great across platforms and devices. The most recent update added some missing information and now greatly showcases their products and customisation options.