Suit Yourself

In the Casual-Friday-Is-Everyday world we live in, the well-respected man about town has more dungarees in his wardrobe than tailored suits. The forthcoming Gentleman’s Arcade (Pánská Pasáž) aims to remedy these tie-less times with a host of stores catering not to distinguished pinball wizards, but men who want to look like Frank Sinatra. Knize, the Austrian tailor that once dressed Hapsburg monarchs, will hold court in the arcade, as will Ralph Lauren. According to PR reps for the project, opening has been postponed until mid-June. In the meantime, saunter into one of these Prague men’s shops and suit up:

Luxe Labels
Adam Steiner is square one for sumptuous suits in Prague, outfitting Václavs Klaus and Havel and other Prague power players in their stately Wenceslas Square atelier since 1930. Bespoke English suits—meaning the suit is completely customized to your specifications—start around 25,000 CZK. A selection of ready-to-wear styles from Burberry and Pierre Cardin is also available. German stalwart Hugo Boss stocks sleek European-cut suits and other finery at their Pařížská Street store, with Pařížská-Street prices to match.

TIP: The area around the Powder Tower (Prašná Brána) hosts a nice little collection of upscale shops devoted to off-the-rack menswear: Onvi, Kenzo, and Versace.

Italian Flare
Corporate moguls don Italian suits for the padded shoulders and tapered waist that affect an air of power and sophistication—and a breathtaking price tag (upwards of 30,000 CZK in Prague). The newly opened Reports brings luxury Italian style to the heart of Old Town with elegant suits from Canali and Jeycoleman. Browse creamy jackets and silky shirts at Brioni, conveniently located in the Four Seasons for your Martini-swilling convenience. Ermenegildo Zegna‘s breathable Cool Effects line keeps you composed under pressure. Corneliani‘s, on the quiet end of Široka, is another made-to-measure Italian tailor—you select the fabric and cut and the suit is finished in the factory.

TIP: To keep your handsome suit as crisp as a Mediterranean breeze, see our dry-cleaning directory. Dry-cleaning (čistírna) prices are typically per piece with suits and pants between 100-120 and shirts from 60-70 CZK.

Affordable Alternatives
The sprawling men’s store on the top floor of the new Wenceslas Square Van Graaf offers something called the “Modular Suit”, a fancy name for the mix-and-match trousers, jackets and shirts you select from a range of labels that includes Tommy Hilfiger and s. Oliver. Many of Prague’s old-guard department stores and arcades sell suits: Try the Multi Brand Shop in Pasáž Černá Růže, the OP Prostějov shop in Kotva—named for the Czech town where a tailor’s guild formed in 1491—or UK standbys Marks & Spencers or Debenhams. Away from the fanfare of Old Town, Móda Prostějov in Vinohrady promises a bottle of vodka to anyone who purchases a suit from their Bernard line of Czech-made styles. Polish company Sunset Suits has showrooms around town that cater to the fashion-conscious on a budget.

Czech Designs
A relative newcomer to Prague’s tailoring business, Blažek, with locations throughout Prague, including an outlet in the Fashion Arena Outlet Center , offers custom shirts and suits as well as formal wear. Before writing the brand off as unfashionable mall fare, note that rising-star Czech fashion designer and Rhode Island School of Design alumnus Vladimír Staněk created the brand’s latest collection. Expect prices of 6,000 CZK-15,000 CZK. Pietro Filipi is another Czech label that’s stepping up to smart style. Their men’s suits come in under 10,000 CZK and feature narrow ties, waistcoats, vests and popped collars for an Englishman-in-Prague look. With an English friendly Web site and E-shop, you’ll want to put them on your suit-shopping shortlist.

Special Occasion Suits & Rentals
Be it gala event or wedding, if you’re in Prague for the long haul, chances are you’ll need to go formal at some point. With multiple locations, Adina is celebration-wear central, though the overwhelming selection of frothy white things outnumbers the morning jackets and tuxedos that are available for rental or purchase. Kleinod, within walking distance of the Chodov metro station, can order tuxes and suits manufacturer-direct from top labels worldwide. Adama, another hot-spot for honeymooners-in-waiting, brings much to Prague’s circuit of svatební salon (wedding salons) with a nice selection of tuxedoes and suits and, for customers with a heavier build, an extra-wide jacket option. Prices for suit or tuxedo rentals range anywhere from 1,300 CZK-4,500 CZK for up to four days.