Surprising Suit Insights from My Nordstrom Visit – Canali, Zegna, and… Peter Millar?

Dropped into Nordstrom while my goddaughter was trying on her back-to-school clothes and figured I’d check in with my go-to sales associate to talk suits—specifically Made-to-Measure (MTM) options.

He knows I’m a Canali guy, and he mentioned their MTM program is about a 30% uplift over off-the-rack. Fair enough, given the full canvas and hand-done horsehair structure you get. But I asked him what other brands he’d consider truly comparable in terms of construction and quality.

His answer surprised me.

He said Zegna is about the only other brand they carry that stacks up 1:1—but it comes in at around 50% more in cost. Zegna’s reputation for fabric innovation makes sense, but it’s definitely a higher price point.

Then he mentioned something I didn’t expect: Peter Millar.

I’ve always associated Peter Millar with polos and golf wear, but he explained that their suiting is sold in tiers, ranging from R2 to R7. Most department stores, including his, only stock R2 and R3, but he can special order R7, which is full canvas MTM and—according to him—right up there with Canali in terms of craftsmanship.

That was news to me.

Apparently, Peter Millar R7 uses premium Italian fabrics and has serious tailoring chops. Now, I’m curious: what kind of canvas is it? Canali uses hand-set horsehair canvas, which adds incredible structure and breathability. Does R7 match that level, or is it machine-set? Either way, it’s wild to think Peter Millar is quietly operating in that range.

So here's the breakdown:

Canali MTM – Full canvas, hand-set horsehair, sharp Italian tailoring. +30% price bump.
Zegna MTM – Possibly better fabric game, luxe feel, +50% cost.
Peter Millar R7 MTM – The unexpected contender. Full canvas by order, quality build… but more research needed.

Just goes to show—ask the right questions, and you might uncover options you never knew existed.

Anyone here tried Peter Millar’s higher-end MTM? Would love to hear what the canvas is and how the fit holds up.

Mainly dropped in to buy some new David Donahue dress shirts on the last day of the anniversary sale.

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