Though I have two custom suits in my closet, I always bought off-the-rack dress shirts from Nordstroms, Bloomingdales, Saks, etc. I was always told that the European-cut clothing would fit me the best and I shouldn't worry about anything else. The shoulders were wide and the torsos was slimmer -- what more did I think I could ask for? Then Elizabeth came along. Easy to converse with from the get go, she was great throughout the entire process. She sold me on the custom shirts after the third or fourth re-measurement, making sure things were 110% correct, and the shirts fit perfectly when it came in. At prices between $100-200 (depending on fabrics) for a custom shirt, I don't have to buy off the rack anymore. Elizabeth helped me to pick fabrics, buttons, button-hole threads, monograms, collar and cuff styles (all of this at no up-charge) and probably other things I don't even remember. Ask for her next time you go in... you won't be disappointed. read more

I have seen the error of my ways, and I will never go back to buying a non-custom suit ever again. I would never have tried this place out if it wasn't for the recent Groupon. For the price of the Groupon I got a suit, a couple of shirts, a tie, and a pair of cufflinks. We're not here to talk about Groupon though, we're here to talk about the service and the quality. Getting an appointment was a little tricky, as they were swamped post-Groupon. I got my appointment about 3 or 4 weeks after calling (also due in part to my wacky schedule). About a month and a half to two months later, I picked up my shirts and had the first fitting on my suit, and a week later I had the finished suit. Really makes you realize how much effort goes into making sure everything looks perfect, and it does. The initial visit (with Riccardo B.) was great. He took the time to show me just about everything, and didn't put a hard sell (or any sell really) on me to go above and beyond what the Groupon covered. I think it took about 45 minutes to get all my measurements in, pick the fabric and options for my shirts and my suit, and to have me on my merry way. First, the shirts. Best fitting shirts ever. I'm 6'4" and 195 lbs with a 37" sleeve and a 15.57 neck. Anything "off the rack" in that sleeve size is going to look like a blouse on me because for some reason clothing manufacturers equate tall with fat... dunno why. When getting a shirt made just to your specifications you have complete control. How long do you like your sleeves? How broad should the shoulders be? Do you want an extra button on the bottom because your torso is longer than the average 5'10" male? The shirts aren't cheap, but for the awesome fit and quality you are getting, they are definitely worth it. Expect to spend around $140 on the low end to, I think, about $190 on the high end (depending on the fabric). Next, the suit. Wow. I have never had such a well made, good looking suit in my life. I don't know how much this would have cost me if I had bought it without the Groupon (somewhere around $800 I think?), but this makes my $700 suits from Jos. A. Bank look like I picked them up from a Goodwill store. The fit is amazing, the stitching and the details feel nice and sturdy, and the attention to detail in the tailoring is apparent (making sure the pin stripes align at the seam on the shoulders, for example). My favorite part about putting together the suit, was getting to pick the lining. Might not sound very exciting to some (or most), but I like walking into court, wearing a suit that has a shiny purple paisley lining... I can even pull out the breast pocket (which is lined with the same fabric) and pass it off as a pocket hanky. Not sure I would shop here for non-custom items (the ties, at $90 a pop, are a bit expensive), and to that end they really don't have that huge of a selection of pre-made items. Rather, this place is all about making sure you look your absolute best. Will definitely be coming back here the next time I'm in the market for a suit. read more

I came into Balani in late July to get a suit for my wedding. Steve met with me, invited me back to his measuring office, and proceeded to help me choose and get measured for a suit in the most professional manner possible. Not once did I feel pressured into making any decisions on choosing a higher end fabric or material. He always let the quality speak for itself, and showed us several swatch books of varying colors and prices. He made sure that I understood the difference in price points between the types of fabrics, and let me examine several examples until I was satisfied. Then he began to measure me. He was quick, efficient, and friendly. I felt completely at ease the entire time, and he made sure to ask me about all of my preferences when it came to style and cut. Today, I came in for my first fitting. The suit was such a great fit, that I felt like I could have walked out of Balani's without a single worry. Again, he made several extremely minor adjustments -- trying to get the absolutely best possible look for me. I have already told several friends that if they ever need a suit, Balani is the place to go. I will definitely return if I ever need to purchase a suit or tux again. read more

** 5 YEAR UPDATE ** The suit and the shirts are still like new. I've since traveled for a dozen+ weddings including my own, as well as worn them for countless local shindigs, soirées, and an interview. Nothing but compliments and they always held up to the dry cleaning, storage, and normal wear. I don't regularly wear a suit but it feels good when you're looking good. Best part, aside from my wedding was when I got dragged out to meet some people at a river north nightclub - and again, I'm a black t shirt and jeans type of guy sitting in the local pub by default - and was wearing the suit I got from here and waiting in a line that wasn't moving, and regretting my decision to appease my friends; people at the door ask me aside and offer to let me in if I throw them some cash. I did, enjoyed my beer and was outta there in the 20 minutes I could stand it and off to my local pub to everyone's surprise that I was capable of dressing extremely nice. A+++ will be back soon for another shirt or coat. read more

I went to Balani for my first ever custom suit, and now that I have it I don't know that I ever want to go back to getting stuff off the rack. They have a TON of fabric choices. They have so many fabrics available that it would have been overwhelming if Ricardo hadn't been there guiding me through it. Ricardo seemed to have a very intimate knowledge of the thousands of different fabrics they have available, and I ended up very happy with my selection (a worsted super 120). Ricardo did not pressure me to go with a more or less expensive fabric (I ended up with a less expensive fabric for one of the shirts I got). The measurement was done very carefully, and Ricardo measured everything at least two or three times. You can tell that he takes a lot of pride in his work. After a couple weeks, my suit was ready to try on. I went in and was pretty happy with the fit, but Ricardo had some suggestions for some alterations. Since he'd done such a good job before, I went with his advice, and I'm happy I did. The suit came back a second time and this time it really fit like a glove. I really like the feel of the suit and it looks great. It's pretty versatile as well, so I'd feel comfortable wearing it to a job interview, wedding, or even a fancy night out. I really appreciate the superior service and guidance that Balani and Ricardo provided throughout my experience with them. They've earned my trust and I will definitely be back for more suits in the future. Thank you! read more

A few months back i purchased the Groupon for suit, 2 shirts, 1 tie and a set of cuff links and let me tell you how pleasantly surprised i was with what i experienced at Balani's. At first i was a little skeptical that I could get a high quality suit and all the trimmings for under $1000 and i was incorrect in that thinking. The experience start to finish was second to none. I have had custom made suits from other vendors such as Tom James previously. Balani hit it out of the park. The quality of the fabric, the attention to detail on the construction of the suit and the fit is perfection at its best. Ricardo Bucio was my suit consultant. He has been a pleasure to work with and i will continue to get my suits from him at Balani. This is as good as it gets. Thanks again Ricardo. read more

I've never had a custom suit made before, and walking into the store for the first time was a daunting experience. I needed a suit for an upcoming wedding reception, and knew I wanted something snazzy, but had no idea what I actually wanted. The dizzying array of choices from fabrics to suit styles to cuffs and collars was enough to make my head spin. My suit consultant (first Jake, and later on Ricardo), quickly calmed my nerves, assessed my style, made some recommendations, and once I made the first decision (the fabric: blue corduroy velvet -- oh yea!), every subsequent one got a little easier. Ricardo is a young, hip guy with no airs and boundless grace about him. He was polished and detail oriented. During my final fitting, he found the sleeve to be just a couple mms too long, and so had them shortened. The public had an unbelievable reaction to the suit. I hopped from store to store on Michigan avenue looking for the perfect tie, carrying suit in hand, and everywhere I went, from Saks to Ferragamo, the salesperson would be blown away by the sheen and brilliance of the suit. I'll only every buy custom from here on! Some stats: The first appointment when I made all the key decisions that would seal my wedding fashion fate took one hour. It took four weeks from my first appointment to the time when my suit was 100% finished. I bought a full suit (pants and coat) and a custom-made shirt to go along. read more

Now though the last time I've been to Balani was 2 1/2 years ago, I think it deserves a major shout out. Brother's if you have not treated yourself to a custom suit, save your coins and get at least one in the closet. There's nothing that compliments your body PERFECTLY than a custom suit. All the fabrics are top-notch and you have a myriad of selections to choose from to let you know, this is YOUR CUSTOM SUIT. So here's my experience, I go and meet up with a seasoned tailor who know's fabric, linings and the best styles for your body. Anywhere you can chill and have complimentary cocktails at 10 in the am is a place for me. I went there to get a couple of custom shirts to add to the closet and they got me for the 3 suit deal that comes with 5 shirts. Keep in mind my tailor (I'm old school they say "custom consultant") will let you know what styles fit your body. So here I am 6' 5" at 290 lbs, wanting a suit like James Bond in which he highly recommended me not to go with. Reluctantly, I took his advice because he and I knew I had some work to do in order to get on the level. So when I ordered my suits I was easily a 52XL. When I came to pick up the suits three months later due to me traveling, I had significantly loss weight and needed to have them trimmed down. Not Sean Connery trimmed but slimmed nonetheless. The slacks were so big on me, they needed to be re-cut and not just taken up in the waist. All the shirts were too big as well and I needed a complete re-sizing of all the items. Needless to say, I did not leave with my haberdashery that day. It took another month for the pieces to be re-cut but I was amazingly please with the outcome. They made the mark and the suit's and the shirts fitted impeccably well. My mother always dressed me well and the first time she seen me in a custom suit, without me saying anything, she asked where did I get the custom suit from. Even people that has seen me in suits all the time, noticed how these suits looked better. There's something about how a suit will drape on you so perfectly that even an untrained eye can tell custom vs off the rack. I look at a custom suit as a pair of Italian racing gloves, off the rack, a pair of mittens. Catch my drift? I'm sending a 5 stars to this custom clothier because it's time to add more pieces to the closet. I've dropped some more lbs which the older ones needs to get re-sized again but hopefully, I'm ready for the "James Bond" 1 button no pleats in the slacks demo. read more

I had an amazing experience at Balani! Being a tall and slim guy, it's always a pain for me to find dress shirts that properly fit me. Either they fit my torso correctly but are short in the arms and tight around the neck, OR the neck and arms are just right but the shirt is billowy in the chest. Life is hard... Enter Balani! After receiving a gift certificate for a dress shirt, I made an appointment with Cordt. He did a great job of guiding me through all the options that come with each dress shirt, and helped me pick out fabrics that would compliment my existing wardrobe. A few weeks later my shirts arrived and were a perfect fit. I'm not lying when I say that I have NEVER looked better in a dress shirt. Having a shirt that fits me perfectly is such a relief, and I can't wait to go back! read more

These guys have been my go-to for suits and shirts or nearly 7 years. Cordt in particular has always provided top-notch service and offers up little details and suggestions to take the personalization of the garments to the next level. The fit, attention to detail, quality, and overall experience are simply unmatched. Highly recommended, there's nothing else like it. read more

I have wanted to look into a custom suit for some time and when Groupon featured Balani Custom Clothier I had to take the plunge. The process is overwhelming, but my salesman, Cordt was fantastic. The options for fabric, lining and style are huge. I had an idea in my minds eye of what I was looking for as far as color and fabric. With hundreds to choose from Cordt found exactly what I was looking for. The initial session takes about one hour in which they take measurements of every part of your body. Cordt did a great job discussing the construction of the suit and the differences between custom and off the rack suits. Seven weeks later you are back for a fitting and minor adjustments are made. A few days later I was wearing the best fitting suit I have ever owned. Even more amazing than the suits are their custom shirts. I never knew there were so many options for white shires let alone all the colors and patterns available. Half way through the first day of wearing one of the two shirts I purchased I called Cordt to make an appointment to buy more. This is the most expensive suit I have ever owned but it is also the best fitting suit I've ever owned. The price is in line with the top designer suits at Nordstroms or Shale, but I can believe those suits could have the same custom fit. I can honestly say I have bought my last suit or shirt at Nordstroms or Shale. read more

I have a meeting with my business partner today, and since I can't lose this opportunity really made sure that I got the best suite from the best boutique in town. I am a regular customer here so, I already know how their product is, and of course, they are constantly serve a quality product most especially when it comes to suit. They never disappoint me, and I always receive good customer service from them. They always assured me to have a good shopping experience in their boutique. I'm a man but it's my habit to shop and choose myself the suit or any clothes I will wear. This boutique is excellent as always. I recommend this Balani Custom Clostiers with my co workers and friends. And in addition, my business partner gave comment with the suite I bought here, he said he like how it looks elegant though it has simple design. All in all, I must say, it deserves 5 stars for a review. read more

Any guy that cares about building a high quality wardrobe needs to sit down with Balani at least once. Balani makes the experience of picking and designing custom suits and shirts a lot of fun without breaking the bank. This includes everything from the experience of being in the showroom, to the consultative approach their knowledgeable sales staff offers to the high quality products delivered. Balani offers its clients terrific value, and I highly recommend them. I also had Steve visit me at my house recently. I gave him a general sense for what I was looking for, and within minutes he had a few fabric swatches in front of me that I went with. He does a great job of marrying your own personal style with the current trends. read more

Below is my husband's experience: My experience at Balani was fantastic. At my initial consultation Cordt walked me through the entire process and patiently helped me select all my fabrics. He was very informative and pleasant throughout. I ended up choosing the 3 suit package (which comes with 5 free shirts). Now that my suits have arrived I could not be happier. The difference between a custom and off the rack suit is significant and I don't know if I'd ever buy off the rack again. The custom fit is amazing and I truly enjoy wearing them. I definitely plan on buying additional suits from Cordt in the future. If you have ever considered purchasing a tailored suit, give Balani a call and ask for Cordt. You won't be disappointed. Bryan R. read more

Balani is a fantastic place to get great fitting custom suits and shirts. My first experience was the result of a gift certificate, which I used to get two custom fitted shirts. The downtown location was convenient to my work, and I came in the early evening. There was a receptionist, who lead me to my own room and offered me a choice of beverages, including beer and wine (all gratis, or priced into the profit margin of the clothing, I suppose). Soon after I met a tailor/style consultant (whose name escapes me now), who walked me through their fabrics and styles, discussed what I was looking for that day, and helped me choose the right materials and shirt styles. He was very knowledgeable and not pushy about upselling to higher quality (i.e. more expensive) fabrics. After I chose my style and fabrics, he took all of the necessary measurements, I paid the bill, and was back in the store to pick up two impeccably fitting shirts about 4 weeks later. I had such a good experience that about 8 months later I decided to get a suit as well. I went back in, and worked with a different tailor than the first time, but the experience was just as good. In the meantime I had lost about 10 pounds as I was training for a marathon. The tailor found this out, and learned that the shirt I was wearing was from my prior fitting. He noticed that the fabric around the arms was a bit too loose as a result of my weight loss and insisted that I leave it to be taken in (for no charge). Sure enough, when I came to pick it up, the shirt looked much better (not that I had the eye to realize this before the tailor did). If you want clothes that fit better than anything in your closet, along with excellent customer service (and are willing to pay the price for these benefits) I strongly recommend that you schedule an appointment with Balani. read more

Came to Balani looking to have a custom tux made for my wedding. William was my main point of contact, and was a complete pleasure to work with throughout the whole process. My first visit was to meet with William and go over the details of the vision for my custom tuxedo. We went over my vision for the garment, and he provided his professional opinion and worked with me to help create a garment that I could look great in for my wedding. My second and third visits, a few weeks after the first visit, were to go over the fitting of the garment. From start to finish, I'd estimate the turnaround time to be two months. I'm incredibly happy with my custom tuxedo, and I recommend Balani to all my friends with regards to getting suit or shirts tailored. William was absolutely great to work with, and if you come into Balani, ask for WIlliam and be rest assured that you will come out of Balani with shirt or suit that you can feel proud and satisfied to wear. William will help you look your best with your custom garment. read more

Anyone who is getting married, looking for a new suit, or even just new shirts should DEFINITELY come to Balani. I most recently came here for a custom 3-piece suit for my wedding and was thrilled with the results. I'm 6'7" and have never had anything fit so nicely and after seeing pictures from my wedding the difference in custom is clear. My consultant is Elizabeth, who has been so helpful throughout the entire process. She helped pick out colors that worked, suggested fabrics, and gave ideas on what linings would look good. I had several alterations after the suit came in to get it perfect and she was always helpful and never once got frustrated. She wanted to make sure I was completely satisfied with the purchase. She was also very cognizant of my wedding date and made sure to expedite changes when needed. On top of that, Balani threw in a free shirt as a "wedding gift"! Prior to this I had actually come in once for 5 dress shirts and another time for just a vest. At the time I couldn't afford a complete new suit, but Elizabeth still took the time to help me and make me feel comfortable. I really appreciated her attitude even though it was likely a small purchase at the time. I don't think I'll be able to go back to off the rack suits after this. read more

I've been going to Balani for about a year now and have had a suit, sport coat, and a few shirts made. Prior to coming in, I had little to no knowledge about men's clothing, but Emily has done a great job of educating me on the different styles and fabrics that are available. I've also had the pleasure of meeting Sonny, who's a very down to earth guy. After talking for just a few minutes, it's easy to see how passionate he is and that he truly cares about everyone that walks through their front door. Everything I've had made fits great, and I can't recommend Emily and Balani Custom enough. If you're looking for custom clothing, this is your place! read more

I purchased a suit and two shirts from Balani a little over six months ago (I wanted to give the items fair use before reviewing) and have to say I am pretty disappointed in the quality of the product, as much as i was underwhelmed by the service level. The the fitting / fabric selection process went fine, but upon returning for my final fitting for my suit, I noticed the lining of the jacket appeared very very different from what appeared in the swatch book (much brighter and shiny). Steve essentially told me that I should have known that it wouldn't look like it did in the swatch book (still not sure why I should have expected that). While we did ultimately find a solution, it would seem appropriate to tell people up front if they should expect a notably different product than what they are seeing in the showroom swatch books. At this same fitting I tried on both shirts and they had drastically different fits at the chest and sleeves. Not sure how this happens when you are working off the same measurements and template. We sent them back to be refinished, and although the fit is better on both, one shirt has been unusable from Day 1 due to a terrible 'bacon' effect down the entire front of the shirt / bottons that ironing cannot fix. Finally, after relatively minimal use the suit is already showing more signs of wear than I would expect. At this price point I would expect the service and product quality to be better. Have not heard from them (outside of promotional email spam) since the day I walked out with my suit. Lacks the personal touch of custom / bespoke clothing. read more

Its kind of weird to write a review about a men clothing place lol, but my bf and I always shop at this place lol I like it too because I can find many thing to dress him (he always need feminine help in mixing and matching clothes) read more

I decided to get a custom suit for my wedding. I had never purchased anything custom before and I certainly had never spent top dollar on a suit. But, with all the glowing reviews, I thought I'd give it a try. I setup a consultation with and went through all of the options for a 3-piece suit and shirt. Frankly, I was a little overwhelmed, but Joanna was extremely helpful in giving me options, as well as opinions of what would look good (generally only when I asked for her opinion - she wasn't pushy and didn't have an agenda). I was a little nervous about how the suit would fit, given that the styles these days seem to be really tight and I didn't want that. The suit came in maybe 8 weeks later, so I went in for a fitting. Again, I was overwhelmed at all the details. Again, Joanna was very helpful. There were maybe 3-5 tiny adjustments that she suggested in order to make the suit even better (e.g., making the cuff 1/4" shorter, making one of the pant legs a little shorter, etc.). I agreed and came back a few weeks later for another fitting. This time, though, I had lost a fair amount of weight. Again, we made some adjustments and brought the shirt in, etc., so it would look perfect. Overall, Balani/Joanna spent a lot of time with me making sure it was perfect (all included in the price, of course, and they will tailor it again any time within the first year). Now, I have the perfect suit. At first, I thought the suit was too "fitted" for me. Over time, I've realized that none of my other clothes actually "fit" me. Highly recommend. read more

I have known Joanna at Balani for years, but it wasn't until I had a bad experience with my previous bespoke clothing company that I called her up. I was looking for that perfect suit and couldn't be more happy with what I received. She made the whole process seamless and after a getting measured, having the suit ordered, and making adjustments, I was blown away by the final product. The shirt I received with the suit fit like a glove and I followed up a few months later to order more shirts - all fitting incredibly as well. I plan to stick with Balani for good! The best part about custom clothing is that it forces you to stay in shape too - lest you want to buy a whole new wardrobe. I don't think Joanna would mind that though! read more

Balani is a go-to for the best clothing and service in Chicago. Don't look any further for anything from suits to tuxes to casual clothes. I have been working with Ricardo for almost 8 years and have never been let down. His attention to detail, friendliness, and passion shines through. Everything I get from Balani is perfect and couldn't be happier. Give them a try! read more

Well... My suit, shirts and pants came in. They quality of the tailoring is impeccable. There was no need for any adjustments (something that I know Ricardo takes pride in with his measurements.) I get compliments everyday on my Balani garments and it's the edge I take into every sales and customer call. After sales support has been rock solid with Ricardo. Stop researching other tailors and decide upon Balani. You will be most satisfied. read more

I started working with Cordt in 2013 for a friend's wedding. It was the first time I've ever gotten a custom suit and shirts made. I've been back twice since to order more shirts and suits. The quality is fantastic and they fit better than my skin haha. When going through the process, Cordt is really great at providing recommendations and explaining every last detail so you can feel good about the choices you are making. The last couple of times I have gone back, I've simply said "Cordt, what should we be doing next?" and we have an entire discussion about how to build out my collection and select versatile colors/patterns. I plan on replacing all of my dress clothes via Cordt at Balani over time, and I highly recommend you all check it out and ask for him. read more

Balani was an awesome experience. I had Cordt and I couldn't have had a better experience. Being tall makes dress clothes hard to fit correctly but Balani makes it easy. I got a suit and I've earned some dress shirts through their referral program. Would recommend to anyone looking to update their wardrobe. read more

It has been an absolute pleasure working with Ricardo and the rest of the Balani crew. They are willing to work with any style and specifications you could think of, and are willing to do whatever it takes to outfit you in a suit that meshes with your own personal style. After working with a handful of custom suit shops over the years that just couldn't produce what I was looking for, I can gladly say that Balani will be my go-to for the foreseeable future. Ricardo has an exceptional eye, and has innovative ideas for making each piece completely unique, which I have never personally encountered elsewhere. On top of all of this, the Balani crew was extremely accommodating of my busy work schedule. My experience here could not have been better! read more

Balani is the best. If you want custom clothes, this is the place to go. They take such care in building your wardrobe, providing sartorial advice, and measuring (and remeasuring) to ensure a perfect fit. The options are endless. Additionally, if you have any issue or hint of an issue they address it immediately. The customer service is exceptional. read more

Since entering the work force eight years ago, Ricardo has been my go to expert for all my formal attire needs. He's been great about offering style advice and helping me navigate the custom clothing options as I've progressed in the work world and expanded my formal wardrobe. When I've had an issue (whether that's a grease spot or a moth bite), he's been prompt and helpful in ensuring that I appropriately treat the issue and don't damage my nice clothes. I only make it home to Chicago once or twice a year but make a habit of seeing Ricardo for any clothing needs. I'd strongly recommend Ricardo and Balani to anyone looking to purchase their first piece of custom clothing or bolstering their existing wardrobe. read more

I've been working with Cordt at Balani for 8 years as my clothing needs have ebbed and flowed. From a wedding tuxedo (literally - the most beautiful formal wear a man could own) to suits and shirts that outclass my coworkers and clients alike, Balani has never failed to get the best fitting and most attractive men's clothing you could fathom. I say this as someone who is NOT a clothes horse but who - like most professionals - notices when a suit fits JUST RIGHT. Everything Cordt has suggested fits that way and - perhaps a bigger testament to his personal skill - looks really nice without being obnoxiously showy or obviously ostentatious. The stuff I've gotten is just incredibly beautiful, well-fitting, extremely high quality menswear - there really isn't much more I could say about Balani's quality and Cordt's overall collaboration. This is the place to go and guy to see for making sure your return to public life looks even sharper and feels better than pre-pandemic. read more

This was my first time purchasing a custom suit. In fact, I may not have ever done so except that I was the highest bidder at a charity auction where the prize was a donated gift certificate from Balani (valid for one custom tailored suit). When I got to the showroom, I was pleasantly surprised by the modern, open design of the space. Ricardo was my clothing consultant. With so many ways to style a custom suit, I thought I would be intimidated, but Ric did a masterful job guiding me through the selection process and making sure I was comfortable. He gave me great suggestions, always taking into account my personal style, my profession, and my body type. I ended up not only selecting (in my wife's words) a spectacular charcoal gray suit, but I ordered 3 shirts as well. A few weeks later, the suit and shirts arrived, and Ric and the on-site tailor made sure everything fit to perfection. I had two separate fittings and during the second fitting, the founder, Peter Balani even introduced himself and gave his seal of approval on the fit of my suit. I will definitely be back. read more

I just moved to Chicago from New York and need to find my new custom clothier. My guy in New York was excellent and was sad I had to find someone new so Chicago had a lot to live up to. I decided to try three places after some research: Balani, Nicholas Joseph and Wilfred Newman. I got 2-3 shirts from each in a 3-way deathmatch to see who would get my busniess forever. NJ and Balani were the most expensive. I tried to keep quality of shirt constant and it was the $120 range at Balani, $110 range at NJ and $90 at WN. WN was cheaper because it's being run by Ryan Newman and he's still in the startup process. I thought overall his shirt was not only cheaper but better quality than the Balani shirts which were each $30 more. The fit on the Balani's were not as form fitting and true to my body as the WNs or NJs were. The arms were just slightly too loose and same with my waist. They would have to remake the shirt if I wanted it to be modified so I won't be doing that. It's not bad enough for me to want to remake the entire shirt, but when compared to the WN shirts side by side, there's a clear winner and clear loser. The collar stays in Balani shirts are built in as opposed to pretty much any other custom shirt I've ever seen, so that was kind of nice. I don't think it makes up for the quality difference of the other shirts, but a nice perk nonetheless. I enjoyed the store at Balani, it was large, comfortable and had plenty of fabrics. The staff was courteous, knowledgable and very welcoming. I got the same impression of NJ and WN too so I can't say Balani really stood out from the pack there. Out of the 3, Balani had the best "store" with NJ coming in second and WN third but the margins weren't that wide. The one category that Balani did win was timeliness. I went to all three stores within a couple days of each other so expectetd the shirts around the same time. I was contacted by all three places almost within an hour of each other 6 weeks later. I received both shirts on time and with ease from Balani. WN only delivered 2 out of my 3 shirts on time with one in the wind, getting that weeks later. NJ lost one of their tailors and said there would be a two week delay and they'd keep me posted, which they did, but ended up taking much longer. Overall I thought it should all boil down shirt quality. I can deal with shotty timeliness as along as the work is good. Balani was my first elimination since their quality was not as good as the other two guys and they were the most expensive. read more

My wife. Hated my suits. Said they looked baggie and always asked why I couldn't look like the guys on the late-night talk shows. "Why can't you look like that?" she said. The woman is a lady of action and the next thing I knew she gave me a "certificate" for Balani's. You know, one of those homemade things that have a simple design but are elegant with love. Went to Balani's, Joanna took careful measurements, we discussed fabrics and costs, free shirt, and the buttonholes. Friends, it's all about the buttonholes on the sleeves. "Marginal differences," as Tom Wolfe said. Keep your eyes open. You occasionally see them around. You always see them at Balani's. Then the wait. It was shorter than expected, but long enough to build up ripe and juicy expectation. The call came, the suit was in, and I went for the first fitting. You read that right - after the suit is ready, to make sure that everything fits exactly as it should. If adjustments need to be made they are made and it's worth waiting again. Before long the suit was in hand. The shirt with my initials embroidered on the cuff. Dead perfect, down to the buttonholes and the buttons. I'm waiting for NBC, CBS, CNN, or ABC to call. Balani - thinking about it? Don't, just go. read more

Wow. I cannot even begin to tell you how much I love this place. From the service (Emily was beyond amazing!) to the craftsmanship and quality of the clothes, I cannot wait to come back and visit again. I had two suits and a tuxedo created for my wedding and got compliments on them all day! I have large legs and find it hard to find a cut that is somewhat slimming, without being uncomfortable. Emily nailed the look and was able to provide amazing suggestions and feedback during the fittings. read more

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Hands down the best place to buy a suit in Chicago. I purchased a suit here just over 2 months ago and absolutely love it. I worked with Cordt and he could not have done a better job. Every single detail is perfect. Going in I had no idea what I wanted but he made the process extremely simple and helped me with every decision. Along with the suit I received a complimentary dress shirt and also purchased an additional dress shirt and two ties. Again, Cordt gave me great advice and recommendations on what he thought looked best with me. I'm never going to purchase a suit anywhere else after this experience. The price is comparable to a factory made suit at Brooks Brothers but instead this is 100% made for you. That being said, it does take around 5 weeks to be made but it is worth it in the long run. read more

I recently got married and I decided to go all out and get a custom tailored suit. I must admit I am not a very fashionable guy so I was a bit intimidated by the whole process. After doing a bit of research I came upon Balani. I read mostly good reviews about Balani, and more specifically about Steve who works there. Steve is a really great guy and is amazing at his job!!! He was very personable and professional and extremely helpful to me considering that i know virtually nothing about custom tailored suits. I never felt stupid in the questions or concerns that I had. I cannot say enough good things about the customer service. The quality of the suit was fantastic and the tailoring was perfect for me. When a suit looks that good on you, you feel that good. And my wife says I was hot, so that's all I needed. So, thank you to Steve and all the people at Balani that made my wedding day that much more special. read more

Never thought I would take the time to get a custom suit but I'm glad I did. It was a great process and I will absolutely be back to Balani in the future. I really appreciated the excellent customer service and overall attention to detail. These guys really take care of you....money well spent! read more

Overall I was extremely pleased with both the customer service and quality of the clothes/fit. I would argue that I am not an easy fit due to my excessive slender body. Most "slim fit" shirts at non customized stores still look like parachutes on me. That problem is only multiplied when I am buying a suit. When I went to Balani I described the previous problems I've had even with custom made suits. I let them know I was looking for a more youthful look with a European type of fit. They had no problem catering to this request. In the end I got a great suit and two shirts that fit better than any other I've previously purchased. Additionally the customer service is top notch. I worked with Elizabeth who was very patient as I changed my mind multiple times about which design, fabric and style of the suit to select. Additionally, when I had no idea what the latest trends were she was able to guide and advise me appropriately. After this I will only purchase custom shirts and suits and I will go back to Balani in the future. read more

My brother and I came here to have shirts made, it was a fantastic experience. I am 6'5 and 160lbs, find a shirt that isn't a circus tent is impossible. My new shirt from here fits like a glove. We are both thrilled with the experience and with the final product. It's simply the best of the best. I can't give it a high enough star rating. read more

This is a top notch operation through and through. The manager Ricardo is phenomenal and will ensure you have a good experience. The administrative staff are great. I worked with Joanna and she was pleasant, helpful, and accommodating as well. Their whole team was responsive and committed. read more