Ben Sherman suits range is famous for its distinctive style. Slim fit jacket with narrow lapel, slim-fit trousers with no pleats, no cuffs. The Mods, The Who, Small Faces, the 2 Tone ska, Quadrophenia, Paul Weller of course, The Specials, Britpop, Bradley Wiggins… Ben Sherman’s tailoring really seems to be designed for slim guys.
Fat & Forty? Ben Sherman?
However if you used to be into all that music & trends but just because you’ve crossed the “fat & forty” line doesn’t mean you’re no longer allowed to wear a Ben Sherman suit! Finding a “perfect suit” off-the-shelf is difficult for big, bulky men anyway. Wherever you look, trousers with no pleats / no cuffs are on-trend for the past 8-10 years or so. Ben Sherman has always kept that style, then you might as well try the brand you think represents your roots (don’t laugh).
So one of my clients at work complemented my Ben Sherman suit and we started to talk about the lifestyles that we used to have back in the 1980’s – we were about the same age (50+). After singing several Jam songs and he said to me “so you were a Mod then?” I said “Oh no. I was Bowie, Strummer then Morrissey…” If I’d said it openly back in those days, I probably would have got lynched. And would have got lynched if I’d been a Mod too!
“Camden” and “Kings”
Ben Sherman suits are available in two different fits. Camden Fit, which is a skinny fit with slim lapels, and Kings Fit that is slightly wider and more relaxed but still a slim fit. Mostly notch lapels, some peak.
Skinny Camden Fit is not necessarily just for skinny men, but in fact it highlights your torso-line especially towards your pelvic bones. If you are middle-aged and reasonably toned body with thinner legs, it will still fit well. You’ll feel uncomfortable in Camden Fit if you have big biceps and thigh muscles – both Camden & Kings trousers are flat front (no pleats).
You’ll definitely feel more comfortable in Kings Fit if you have a broad shoulder.
Ben Sherman Suit Size Guide
The chart below indicates that there are some sizes for short & stocky men (5.4″ – 5.6″ height with 46″ chest)
I am short, 5.6″ and my normal suit jacket size is 38S. And Ben Sherman 38S is the perfect fit. I always go for Kings Fit – my shoulder feels too tight in Camden Fit, so do my bulky calves in Camden Fit trousers, but that’s just my body shape.
Ben Sherman History
Arthur Benjamin Sugarman, who moved from the UK to Southern California at the end of WWII, raised a family and worked for his father-in-law’s clothing manufacturing company, changed his name to Sherman, a more American sound name. Returned to the UK in the early ’60s, founded the business in Brighton in 1963.
Ben Sherman is probably the most popular for its range of shirts, right from the beginning to date. He was very particular about the cloth material he was using and imported “Oxford cloth”, which was only available in the US. The shirts based on the Oxford cloth had a renowned success, especially when opened a store on Carnaby Street, the centre of Swinging London.
Sherman sold the business in 1970s and retired to Australia, died in 1987, aged 62. But the brand remained popular throughout the mod revival by The Jam, The Specials and Madness until mid-1980s, and again by the Britpop bands such as Blur and Oasis in 1990s. Paul Weller designed a range of ’60s influenced shirts in 2007.
Of course, not only the shirts and tailoring, but a variety of top quality clothing ranges such as Harrington jackets, coats, knitwear, footwear, t-shirts, and accessories remain popular to this date.
OK done. Let’s have a look at the suits!
Ben Sherman Suits Summer/Autumn 2016 Updates:
Ben Sherman has come up with a collection of fantastic six new suits, 4 of which are Kings fit, one Camden fit and one labelled tailored fit. With lighter material for the Summer/Autumn with no waistcoat, all the suits are offered for a lot cheaper price of £199 each.
Blue Semi Plain Slim Fit Suit Shawl Collar Slim (Camden) Fit
So this is their only Camden fit. I’ve noticed they’re no longer calling it “skinny” fit, but the principle and the size guide hasn’t changed.
- One button jacket, shawl collar
- Four button cuff
- Slanted pockets
- Side vents
- Trousers with flat front, slant side pockets with one hip pocket
- 70% Wood, 30% Polyester, dry cleaning only.
Grey Check Suit
This is the type that I’m dying for this summer. Light grey goes with any dark coloured tie.
- Two-button jacket, notch lapel
- Tailored fit
- Four-button cuff
- Three external and four internal pockets
- Side vents
- Trousers with flat front, slant side pockets with one hip pocket
- 70% Wood, 30% Polyester, dry cleaning only.
Blue Stripe Kings Fit Suit
Beautiful and classy, new Kings Fit suit from Ben Sherman.
- Two button jacket, notch lapel
- Tailored fit
- Four button cuff
- Three external and four internal pockets
- Side vents
- Trousers with flat front, slant side pockets with one hip pocket
- 70% Wood, 30% Polyester, dry cleaning only.
Ben Sherman’s other 3 suits are;
Left: Burgundy Plain Kings Fit Suit, one to keep an eye on for this Autumn! 54% Polyester, 43% Wool and 4% Elastane.
Centre: Dark Teal Flannel Kings Fit Suit. The same flannel suit is lighter for the Summer, 60% Wool and 40% Polyester.
Right: Blue Tonal Check Kings Fit Suit. This one is 70% Wool and 30% Polyester for the same price.
Ben Sherman Ties
Here is a collection of ties to go with Ben Sherman’s plain, chic, subtle designed suit.
Clockwise from Top Left: Clean Paisley Tie (£35), Gingham Tie (£35), Silk Cotton Stripe Tie (£35), Polka Dot Tie (£35), Knitted Candy Stripe Tie (£35), Iridescent Oxford Tie (Smoked Pearl, £30), Wool Silk Structure Tie (£35) and Iridescent Oxford Tie (Cranberry Red, £30).
There are more available.
Return Policy
Here’s an update. I was asked about Ben Sherman’s return policy, which is 30 days; it says when you receive your clothing (except underwear or swimwear) you’ll find a return form as well as a prepaid return address label in the parcel. They’ll give you a full refund. Your local Ben Sherman store cannot give you a refund or exchange unless you’ve used a click & collect service.
They don’t provide prepaid returns postage labels in Italy, so if your delivery address is in Italy you need to contact them to arrange a collection in a different method.
If the item is wrong or faulty, they’ll refund you all the cost (incl. postages & packaging), as long as you return it within 28 days.
Keep the tags & labels! Ben Sherman says they may reject the return and not give a refund!
I hope you like the selection above, there are many more of course, take a look at the great range of Ben Sherman suits from its website.
Hello Raymundo. Great suit selections!
The British Tweed Suit reminds of classic British films during the World War Era, like ones in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy.
Relating to movie further, the Mohair Camden can be a Halloween Joker costume purely because of the colour.
To me, my style would be the Kings Fit Suit because of the way it looks which appeals me. I have a similar looking suit and to me, it suits me the best.
Hi Tar, thanks for your comments – I’ve never seen Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, but I can imagine those actors nicely dressed up. I love the Joker costume by the way, I must try green or yellow shirt in purple jacket!
Great looking suits. I’ve never personally bought from Ben Sherman before but their range seems great, in particular their tweed suits look amazing. I’m a little warning about buying a suit online though – I usually buy mine in-store because to me the most important aspect of the suit is the fit. Do you know about their returns policy? Is it generally quite straight forward buying suits online?
Hi Dave,
Thanks for your comments – I forgot to include their return policy (sorry!) I will update the page now!
I guess whether you can trust the suit size or not depends on the brand – personally with Ben Sherman my size has always been the perfect fit and have never had to return. Also your body size may change over the years but luckily I haven’t had the problem (as yet!). I often try suits in store but can’t make up my mind, go home, check online and find it sold cheaper.
Buying suits online can be tricky, I wouldn’t randomly Google and buy one from a store I’ve never purchased from before.
Thanks again for your query & comments!
Ray
I think that 30 day return policy is really cool!
Oh man im looking forward to my new tailored suit.
Wanna look like im doing the job interview and not going to one. Ya know.
The suits look great! That purple one looks super Royal. Got anything in red. Or pin stripes?
Hi Brett, thanks for your comment – going to a job interview in these slim suit would be fantastic, especially the purple one! I’ve actually been looking for a bold pin stripe suit for a while, my old one has a dated shape. Red suit would be cool too, but with Ben Sherman quite unlikely (?) I’m looking forward to their new Spring collection.
Thanks for stopping by!
Ray
Hi Raymundo,
What suit would you recommend for my husband? He’s 6’2″ and about 165 lbs. Usually he’s pretty slim, though some times he grows a potbelly for a few weeks. Very slim legs. I’d say his arms are about average… toned, but not highly muscular.
He doesn’t work in a field where suits would be appropriate. However he loves to dress up when we have outings. In fact, I have to tell him to tone it down sometimes. We live in a part of the country where jeans and a button down is considered black tie wear. Still, we travel, so he has the opportunity to don a suit here and there. And we don’t plan living in the land of cowboy boots forever. So, what do you suggest?
Hi Renee,
Thanks for your query – if he has very slim legs and his arms are about average, I think a Ben Sherman suit would be perfect for your husband, either of Camden Fit & Kings Fit. Skinny fit trousers are made for guys with long slim legs to show them off.
Potbelly can be hidden by wearing a waistcoat underneath, and if he likes to dress up for casual occasions, you should definitely suggest that he tries different colour & pattern combinations (although if you have to tell him to tone it down, he already likes to look outrageously?) I’d always go, if the suit is plain & dark, choose a shirt that’s patterned & light, and vice versa. If the shirt has a big bold pattern, choose a plain tie and vice versa.
I wish I had very slim legs! I hope you’ll find something chic for your husband.
Thanks again for stopping by.
Ray
Oh man, I love to dress dapper! My favourite of those suits would have to be the Prince of Wales. It would be a perfect addition to my wardrobe. I could wear it to a wedding, work or to the next Northern Soul night – nice!
Great idea to stick some tunes at the bottom of your post too!
Hi, thanks for your comments, my favourite is Prince of Wales too, great design & quality. Yes perfect for wedding to impress other attendees. To Northern Soul night – fantastic idea! I must introduce you Ben Sherman shirts sometime soon too, as I love them so much. Thanks again!