- Plenty of new menswear brands use performance materials or made-to-measure sizing, but very few combine both. Now Los Angeles-based brand Sene is using both to create a wonderful suit for commuters and travelers.
- Aptly named after the bustling New York City neighborhood SoHo, the Sene Soho FlexTech Suit is stretchy, moisture-wicking, and machine washable.
- I took Sene’s 15-question Smart Fit Quiz, and my Soho FlexTech Suit came out absolutely perfect. I got compliments around the city and in the office all day long.
- At $495 (originally $595), the Soho FlexTech Suit is the same price as other performance suits that aren’t made to measure. At that price, it’s worth not having to go to a tailor for alterations.
As a product reviewer and someone who’s passionate about clothing even when it doesn’t pertain to work, I come across troves of menswear brands. I love trying new pieces and telling the stories of emerging brands, but I have to say that the industry is becoming very predictable.
If you told me about a newly founded menswear company, I probably wouldn't be too far off by blindly guessing performance workwear or made-to-measure garments were in some way involved. They're literally everywhere you look - and I've personally tried or, at the very least, written about every worthwhile option you can buy.
Then I came across Sene, a Los Angeles-based brand that's combined high-tech performance materials with a made-to-measure fit to create the ultimate suit for commuters and travelers - the Soho FlexTech Suit.
The Sene Soho FlexTech Suit is made with a four-way stretch material, that's moisture-wicking, machine washable, and completely customizable based on their 15-question Smart Fit Quiz.
In addition to asking for basic measurements like jacket and pant sizes, the Smart Fit Quiz also asks basic questions about your body like height, weight, build, midsection, shoulder posture, and seat (aka your butt). This is to make sure every single part of the suits fits your body properly. You'll also have the opportunity to answer style-related questions like how much of your sleeve cuff you would like to show, whether you prefer modern or classic blazer lengths, and how you'd like your pants to fit.
If you want to order the suit based on your normal jacket and pant sizes, you can. But with how well the Smart Fit Quiz works and the fact that it only took me about 10 minutes, I strongly recommend you go for the fully customized option.
How it fits and what it's like to wear
Online made-to-measure brands are nice when they actually work, but can be a time-wasting nightmare when they're a dud - and the Sene Soho FlexTech Suit is definitely the former. The fit is nothing short of amazing considering I didn't have to see a tailor or chat with a style expert throughout the process. I've tried other performance suits that were great from a material standpoint but ultimately required tailoring for a good fit.
I'm super thankful that I don't have to wear a full suit to work every day, but if I did, this would be my go-to. It's stretchy, and I didn't show up to work already covered in wrinkles after my commute. As I sit at my desk writing this review, I've been wearing the suit for 9.5 hours (and counting), and I can say that it's just as comfortable as the jeans and sweaters I usually wear to work.
The sleeves are the perfect length, the jacket fits well whether buttoned or unbuttoned, the pants fit my waist perfectly, and they're at just the right length. And if for any reason you're unhappy with the fit after you receive it, Sene will make free alterations as part of its 100% fit guarantee.
If you're wondering about the rest of my outfit, I'm wearing a Charles Tyrwhitt Extra Slim Fit dress shirt, Polo Ralph Lauren tie, The Tie Bar's ... tie bar, and carrying an Italic Gable Leather Zip Briefcase.
Here's a shot of the back of the suit. There's no unattractive draped or pinched effect that indicates a suit that's too big or too small.
The bottom line
The Sene Soho FlexTech Suit is priced at $495, and it's absolutely worth the money. It's the same price as Ministry of Supply's performance suit, which isn't made to measure. By the time you get that suit tailored, you will probably have spent the difference in price (or more), not to mention the turnaround time.
The Soho name comes from the SoHo neighborhood in New York City, and it's very fitting. It's stylish, and it allowed me to keep up with the hustle and bustle of commuting and working in the city. I stayed comfortable and wrinkle-free. If you want a suit that's just as comfortable as your casual clothes and extremely good-looking, the Sene Soho FlexTech Suit won't disappoint you.
