Suiting Up

   

   Newspapers do what they can to attract and keep readers, even the New York Times. Along with recipes and puzzles, the NYT now offers, "WIRECUTTER" which tests and recommends various products. Coming under the imprimatur of the New York Times, one assumes (well, some of us) that the products being proffered are ones that we should consider for purchasing.
   Along with my subscription to the NYT, come many emails alerting me to "breaking news", important stories, and many others are directly from Wirecutter. A recent one related to suits for men, and the clearly recommended, highest rated, reasonably affordable suits came from a company in Canada - Spier and Mackay. 
   "Elbows up" remember, and buy Canadian. I am sure there is a lot of Maple-Washing in the apparel industry, just as there is in grocery stores, so check out Spier and Mackay.

SPIER AND MACKAY
   You may not be shopping for a suit, but perhaps most of us should be. I need one, because I have gained weight. You may require one because you are looking for a job or lost a family member. Having just travelled, I can assure you we all need to dress better. Plus, suits  may again become fashionable. As Wirecutter suggests: "Even in our exceedingly casual era, we feel pretty strongly that everybody should have at least one suit. And if you pick the right one — a high-quality piece in a versatile fabric and color — that might be all you need. A great suit can carry you through a lifetime of weddings, dates, business meetings, and beyond."

   Although Spier and Mackay may be “menswear’s best-kept secret” and offer "peerless suits" for under $500" (probably Canadian), I was unaware of them, probably because I have not been suit shopping. You likely don't know about S&M because, like most people, you dress mainly in sweatpants or pajamas. It appears that they offer menswear generally and not just suits.  Here is information about them.
  Their website is spierandmackay.com. I think that they operate mainly online, but their address is: Heartland Town Centre Mississauga Showroom, Location 77, 5 Britannia Rd W, Unit 7B. Tel: 905-670-3388.

Sources:
   I usually offer them, but since this seems like an endorsement or sponsor's message, I will also add that I am not on commission.
   The email message from the NYT and Wirecutter came in Sept., but I kept it and just noticed it. Here is the link to Wirecutter, which may not be behind the NYT paywall. I assume one can trust their recommendations. 
   I did some cursory searching and it appears that Spier and Mackay have been around for a while and nothing negative was noticed. 
   But, expect to pay more because of the tariff thing:

"Canadian Suit-Maker Got Slammed by China Tariffs," Matt Lundy, G&M, May 22, 2025:
  For American customers of Spier & Mackay, a Mississauga-based retailer of men's clothing, prices have been on a topsy-turvy ride this month. 
A standard navy suit went from roughly US$498 before tax, to US$1,345 and now US$772 – something entirely out of the company's control. 
That's because the suit – stitched from 100-per-cent wool and, more importantly, made in China – ran afoul of the Trump administration's trade war with Beijing, which has resulted in punishing tariff rates and the end of duty-free shipments of Chinese goods under US$800.
   Despite shipping all its products from Mississauga, Spier & Mackay has faced U.S. tariffs as high as 170 per cent this month on its Chinese-made garments, including suits, knitwear and noniron shirts. Other Canadian companies that make products in China and sell to Americans have been similarly sideswiped....

   Spier & Mackay celebrated its 15th anniversary this month and has built its reputation as a purveyor of quality suits at reasonable prices. The company is frequently promoted by Derek Guy, the megaviral influencer better known as Menswear Guy. (Spier & Mackay is “the best source I know for affordable tailored clothing," he said on X in 2023.)
   To juice its growth, the company has relied on the U.S., which accounts for around 70 per cent of sales. Before the trade war, Spier & Mackay would typically send 300 to 400 packages to the U.S. every day.
  But with tariffs jacked up, American customers have balked at the charges in their online shopping carts."

   It will soon be "Black Friday", so shop now.