The Indochino Ultimate Summer Collection 2013

Indochino is quickening their pace and barely waited four weeks after their Spring Collection to introduce their new 2013 Summer Collection, named the Ultimate Summer Collection. 

Similar to the Summer Collection 2012, the new collection introduces lightweight seersucker suits and blazers, a suit and a couple of blazes of medium-weight fabrics suitable for all seasons, some new colourful additions to their Boca Chinos line and a couple of new trench coats (see a quick review of their older version here). There are also yet more shirts and perhaps more interestingly, new belts. The old ones very really narrow and I was asked if I am using my girlfriend’s belt at work. The new ones have an acceptable width of 2.8cm – the previous ones (still up for sale) measure around 1.9cm. 

As for the suits, there are the two seersucker suits, grey and blue – see the blue one below. Both styles are available as blazers as well. I checked for the main differences to last year and interestingly, the 2013 seersuckers have an entirely different fabric composition.

2012: 100% Cotton

2013: 79% Wool, 20% Cotton, 1% Lycra

Would be interesting to compare the breathability of both. Surely, the 2013 seersuckers will wrinkle less, but somehow a 100% cotton suit does have its advantages as well, especially in the scalding regions. It is a pity the half-lining option is still only available for Blazers. I have an order waiting to be finished from the Spring Collection and can’t wait to see how this option will turn out. 

Again, there are a couple daring blazers. I remember last year Sabir from Men’s Style Pro did a review on one of those and rocked the double-breasted look. A similar style, The Premium Plaid Blazer, is available with this year’s collection as well, but the price skyrocketed from just $199 to a whopping $429 – an increase of more than 53%, mainly because this time the fabric is sourced from Reda. Still, a cool looking blazer, even if I think the shirt on the model is a bit too busy in combination with that pattern. 

A word about prices and coupons

In 2012, Indochino had released a very similar collection around the same time. One big difference to 2012 is the price point. Seersucker suits went for $299 in 2012 and now sell for $429. That is a steep increase of 30%. By comparison, the more affordable blazers increased more than 33% from an affordable $199 to $299. Furthermore, just like in 2012, no coupons are around. Reasons for the hike in prices includes higher commodity prices, a switch to higher quality components and of course, the establishment of Indochino as a more premium brand than before. Perhaps there is also a certain expectation from investors to break even; I can of course, only speculate about that or Indochino’s profit situation in general. 

What is your opinion on the Summer Collection?