I've been a Balani customer for several years now. Steve, my consultant, has been great to work with. And, the clothes are of great quality. I'm a tough fit and they always come through with great looking clothes. I've purchased suits and shirts so far. The regular sales and promotions are something to look forward to. read more

This review is for any woman looking for an absolutely perfect gift for a very special man in her life. I know absolutely nothing about suits. I found Balani off of yelp last year and bought a suit package for my boyfriend. Cordt was super helpful and explained the process to me. Then when I brought boyfriend in to pick out his suits, the look on his face was priceless--completely thrilled and delighted. Again, Cordt made the experience part of the gift--walking us through all of the possible combinations. We picked up the suits a few weeks later and they were amazing. He's had them for about a year, and he gets compliments every time he wears them. And I have to say, he looks amazing in them. This year for Christmas, I had to get him another one. Once again, a great experience. I'm pretty sure, short of an italian sports car, I could not find a more perfect gift. As a gift, a custom suit is like an infinite gift: the fun experience of picking out every aspect of the suit, the actual (perfect-fitting) suit, adjustments for life, and compliments every time it is worn. read more

Balani was recommended to me by a few friends... so I decided to get a Tuxedo, suit (with two pairs of pants), and four shirts for my July 3rd wedding. I spent +$5,200 for the above items. The full amount was charged the day the order was placed in March. The ordering process was OK, though the space is not very comfortable, options presented were never coordinated with price, and I learned I spent too much money. In May, the items arrived. They were not pressed, and needed a ton of work. I thought this was custom? They needed to do a number of nip and tucks to all of the items fitting right. - The shirts needed to be darted. - I later learned this is not right, they should have been made to not need this. - the pants too long, seat needed to be adjusted - the jackets needed major work, buttons moved, panels remade - one of the shirts was made wrong... this turns out to be a very long process leading to the day before my wedding. - the shirts sleeves are too short - The cuffs do not allow for me to wear a watch. So they had all my money and everything came in needing work... which is to be expected... but over the next two months I would make SIX visits for fittings... an extremely frustrating chain of events. The last visit, two days before my wedding, I finally got my jackets mostly right... but the shirt they made wrong... was not darted and needed to be corrected at the last moment ONE DAY before my wedding. I also needed to take all of my items to get pressed, something I was NEVER made aware of. Since I got my items two days before my wedding... I added a last moment trip to the cleaners! To this day I am not happy with my items. The suit jacket fits weird... I don't like the pockets and how they sit with my legs. The Tuxedo pants have buttons for my suspenders, but as I noticed recently, the buttons end up above the edge of the pants due to the method the buttons are attached. DO NOT USE BALANI... there are so many better companies! read more

I have been a client at Balani for about a year and have ordered several suits. I work with Cordt and am extremely comfortable with his approach, orientation to detail, and advice on the finer points of making a suit fit correctly. I have been to other tailors in Chicago and elsewhere, but Cordt and Balani have won my loyalty. I frequently receive compliments on the suits I have ordered from Balani, and more importantly, I feel on top form when I wear one of their suits . I'll definitely be back. read more

Went to Balani to get my first custom suit as a law school grad gift from grandpa. Although this is my first custom suit, I am a savvy consumer when it comes to clothing. Balani is a pleasure to go to. The atmosphere is clean and modern without being overly pretentious. They always offer beverages and I have never had to wait around to be seen. I have been working with Joanna; she's an absolute pleasure to work with! She's been super helpful in terms of picking fabrics and patterns and is very responsive if I have a question over email (responds very quickly). She's a great saleswoman but also not too pushy with regards to up-selling. As for the tailoring, everything is looking great! What really distinguishes this suit is not just the meticulous taking of measurements when ordering the suit (I was there for at least 90 minutes), but the willingness to fine tune it upon arrival to make sure it fits your body perfectly. Well worth the price to look that good. read more

I had the pleasure of meeting Sonny Balani about a year ago, and finally scheduled some time with Steve in their Chicago location. The ENTIRE experience was exceptional, from start to final fitting to finish. The sport coat is perfectly fitted, and better tailored than every other custom sport jacket or suit I have ever purchased, and I love their attention to detail in the shirts! It was such a 10/10 that my I bought a gift card for my daughter's boyfriend too. Stop in or call Steve or Sonny, you will be so glad you did! read more

Had been here before to get a tuxedo and had a great experience. came back this year to get a suit/shirts for an upcoming wedding. I worked with Cordt and all I can say is WOW! He had an excellent knowledge base of mens fashion and in particular what would work great for a guy my build/size while staying attuned to my personal style. When I was stuck on patterns/cuts, he had great suggestions. Overall, excellent experience from the appointment process, front desk staff, quality of store and craftsmanship, to the impeccable attention to detail. Will definately be coming back and recommending Balani. read more

Although I no longer work with Nick, Balani continues to deliver a top notch product. Nick moved on, and now I work with Elizabeth. She is one of a kind, and absolutely the perfect person to help build my wardrobe. Elizabeth is in high demand, but if you can get in with her it would be worth your time. read more

Had a great experience getting a custom 3-piece for my wedding. I worked with Joanna who was extremely friendly and responsive via email. She ensured the fit was just right and gave helpful style advice while listening to all of my requests. In general, I think for the quality of suit you receive, it really is an outstanding deal that can't be matched at traditional department stores, and it's fully custom! read more

This was by far the best men's custom clothes store in Chicago. I can't say it enough how amazing the service was that I received at Balani. My wife and I came in on a Saturday in November to hear about the custom experience and I walked out with a purchase of 3 custom shirts. Not only was Elizabeth very friendly and knowledgeable, she never pressured me or used sly sales tactics to get me to buy anything. This is different from other places I have been and a big reason why I will be coming back in the future. I received my shirts in the middle of December and absolutely love them. read more

I used Balani to get a "Complete Suit Package" - suit, two shirts, cufflinks, and a tie. It was a great value, and the clothes are fantastic. The staff was very knowledgeable about the materials and styles, and offered their advice on different style choices. The atmosphere is nice (they offer you beer!), and it's a low-pressure environment. I did two fittings to make sure the clothes fit perfectly. Each time, at least two different Balani employees came to check the fit and do the measurements. And all this was worth it - the fit is great. read more

Simply put, my experience at Balani was perfect. Great, welcoming atmosphere (not stuffy, still classy, friendly and great music). Cracked a beer with my man Cordt who really knew his stuff, made sure all my questions were answered throughout the fitting and gave me some great advice. Once my order was complete, he followed up to make sure I was happy, which I was - complete with a handwritten thank you note. Nice Touch. Never been happier in a shirt. I'll definitely be back. read more

I had a great experience with Balani. I purchased some slacks, and later lost weight. Their took the slacks in without any trouble, and they are the best fitting slacks I have. Considering the fit and service I received for the price, I couldn't be happier. Additionally Joanna was extremely helpful, and very knowledgeable about fabrics, styles and fits. She was great to work with. read more

I recently got married on the beach in Florida and was looking for a custom suit for the occasion and thankfully came across Balani Custom Clothiers. With the assistance of Nick, Joe and the entire staff I could not be happier with my three piece suit. Having never purchased a custom suit before, Nick walked me through every step and helped me pick out the fabric and lining. I was then meticulously measured so that the suit perfectly fit my body and a tailored french cuffed shirt was also thrown in for free with the purchase. Once the suit was finished, Nick and Joe went over every aspect of it and had adjustments done by their expert tailors. I had a wonderful experience at Balani and I highly recommend their services. Nick did warn me that once you have your first custom suit made it becomes an addiction and I definitely know what he means now. Even though this was my first custom suit experience, it will certainly not be my last and I cannot wait to go back to Balani Custom Clothiers for more. read more

I found Balani about 6 years ago after spending several weeks trying to find shirts to fit my build (18" neck and 33-34" waist). Everything I found looked like a circus tent on me. Suits? Even worse. 46" chest means 38-40" waist. Alterations cost several hundred dollars. My experience with Balani in 6 years had been great. I've had dozens of shirts made, several suits and a tux. Problems with something they made? They'll fix it. Impressed by Nordstrom's customer service policies? They stink compared to Balani's. Sonny's policy is to do right for the customer. Period. I've worked with Steve for years. He makes the experience so much fun and is always sensitive to your needs and what's in style. When I wear my Balani clothes, I feel special and look great. My advice, especially for anyone who struggles buying off the rack? Go. Don't fear custom prices. The clothes are custom and so are the prices. You can't go wrong. read more

Balani continues to impress me. I freaked out after finding a tear in the leg of my pants and Steve made sure that it got repaired quickly. Can't even see where the tear used to be if you look for it. read more

I have been going to Balani for the last few years. Ever experience has been excellent! I. Now wear only the shirts from Balani. And I currently have 4 customs suits from his place. The detail to detail is first class. The follow up is also very good. Any problems are taken care. When I went there the first time I was not sure how I would feel. Sonny and his entire staff make you feel quickly at ease. Offering you bottled water or even a cocktail. He explains the process and goes over the choices. He also will provide direction if you are unsure in any area. It is a joy to wear a shirt that really fits. A tremendous amount of different colors and fabrics are available to choose from. Sonny makes sure you are comfortable with your selections. He does not attempt to get you to buy a more expensive suit unless you want to. He does a good job asking question on your first visit. To make sure he understands what you are looking for. Craftsmanship is still alive. It can be found at Balani custom clothier. Treat yourself you will end up with shirts and suits that were made for you. You feel actually feel better wearing them then non fitting clothes! Great experience all the way around. Thanks read more

I've bought several suits from Cordt at Balani's Monroe location over the last two years. The service and experience have been exceptional and the choice of fabrics and construction options extensive. Love the final product, fit on each suit has been perfect. I'll be back for another one this year! Updated 07/02/14: Since my last review I've purchased another suit and six shirts - service, fit, and quality still outstanding. Updated 10/12/2015: Worked with Cordt on a sport coat and another six shirts, everything still outstanding. read more

I went to Balani with no expectations, but was blown away by their fantastic service. I walked into the store on a cold afternoon, and was immediately welcomed by Will Hightower, who helped me design a custom blazer/pant combo. After sampling a range of fabrics and looking at various designs, Will helped guide me through the fabric selection and at a price that was in my range. Within a few weeks, the suit had arrived and I went in to try it on and get a second fitting. I cannot stress the importance of the second fitting enough. The suit goes from great to stellar when they fine tune the tailoring. I am so happy with my new blazer/pants combo and would recommend Will to anyone. He has a great deal of experience with design and fitting and can help pick out a really sharp outfit for any type of occasion. I also moved to a new city and Will has been critical in coordinating shipping and making sure that I continue to use Balani despite the distance. I will never go back to buying off-the-rack suits when I can pay a bit more for something that looks better, feels better, and holds up better. read more

I found Balani on Google after relocating to Houston. I ordered three pair of pants on July 14. Christian B., the Vice President, so expertly recorded my measurements that their shop refused to cut only one pair. My initial fitting justified the shop's concern; the measurements were wrong. Two other pair were cut from the new measurements, and they fit fine. I finally took the first pair home today, six months after I ordered them. They have been altered twice and still don't fit properly. I can wear them as long as I don't want to carry my wallet or more than three dollar bills in the pockets. So now I have two pair of pants for the cost of three. read more

perfect tux rushed for my wedding looks incredible not much else to say read more

Only 4 stars for now but I suspect this will be a 5 star very shortly. I used to get my clothes tailored by a guy from Hong Kong. And then everything went business casual and I went one step further to retired casual (jeans and t-shirts). Today I'm back in the city looking to make an impression and through my clothing stylist found Ricardo at Balani's. Ricardo fitted me for my first tailored coat in years and sharp dressed man doesn't begin to fully explain how this coat fits me. I'm awaiting my new overcoat and will be buying all of my future coats with Ricardo/Balani's. But get this, Sonny the CEO and namesake of the firm personally reached out to me to insure everything fits, that I'm happy, and if I wished to comment on my experience. Full service doesn't do this place justice. And while you are being fitted, you can toss back a couple of fingers of some good scotch as well... read more

My overall experience with BALANI has been incredible! I've never purchased or gone through the process of customizing formal suits. When I decided I was in the market, I did some research and received some referrals from my network, and chose to consult with BALANI, Steve Gorman in particular. From the initial consultation to the final outcome, my expectations have been greatly exceeded. BALANI employs only those who are thoroughly versed in the field and are far from pushy on sales; they treat each customer with respect and loyalty, which is a scarce attribute. Since my first purchase, I've only gone to BALANI for any formal attire, and will plan on continuing business there in the future. If you are looking for a unique experience and amazing quality, I highly recommend consulting with BALANI for any/all needs! read more

I got a suit for my wedding at Balani, Steve was awesome and really helpful throughout the process. If you want a REAL suit, you go see Steve at Balani. Thanks guys! I will be back. read more

The folks at Balani are awesome! The craftsmanship is top notch, as is the customer service. Emily is a joy to work with and she takes pride in matching her customers with items that truly embody who they are. If you want bespoke clothing in Chicago, Balani is the place to go! read more

I had never been fitted for a suit and I was so happy with my experience here. John helped me with the process and he made it easy and enjoyable. He has great experience and really gets to know you and what would work best. I got fitted for a suit for my wedding and I can't wait to show it off. Highly recommend booking an appointment with John, you won't be disappointed! read more

Balani suit was just what I needed. I used the opportunity for the matrimonial moment... I chose the upgrades from the Groupon based on the fabrics. Cordt was professional and the team was solid. Thanks again. MTG read more

As someone who has sourced an occasional suit over the past 20 years, I decided to explore the custom suit option. I had a friend work with CORDT at Balani, and he raved about the experience. From the minute I walked in the door, I felt that everyone was catering to me...there was such attention to detail, while being super sensitive to style and my tastes...the process was a ton of fun, and the result was well worth the money. I wish that I had known about Balani years ago...but, at least I do now. The suit fits great, and I receive unsolicited comments from those that see me in it...great product & service. Great job, Cordt! read more

These guys are great!! I worked with David Tinter and had an amazing experience getting my first fitted dress shirts, I can not stand getting dressed up but if you have shirts that are made to fit you then it's almost enjoyable! Thanks Dave for all your help! read more

I've had two suits made by these guys. There were some problems with the first suit, but they fixed them with no questions asked. Balani was also very good about extending the use date on a Groupon I purchased for them. Also, there was a miscommunication between me and the person who was supposed to be taking care of my fitting for the second suit. I'm pretty sure Stephen Gorman--who filled in for the person who was supposed to be in, and did a great job in the process--came in on his day off to take care of things. Great service. The suits are obviously very expensive, but the quality is fantastic. If I'm ever at a point professionally where I'm having to use mostly custom-made suits, they'll all be Balani suits. read more

While planning my wedding, I wanted to look as sharp as I could on the day itself so I started looking at custom suit shops. I've never found an off the rack suit that ever quite fit right, even after tailoring. My wife had heard good things about Balani so we made an appointment and it was one of the best shopping experiences I've had in a really long time. Everyone there is super friendly regardless of who you meet with and they make it a pretty enjoyable process. Ricardo was incredibly helpful no matter how many questions I had for him, regardless of whether a particular style/fit would look good with my body type all the way down to what color of shoe and what kind of tie knot would look best with the look. I paid the cost of the suit/fabric and they even threw in a custom shirt, which I wasn't expecting at all. There were never any extra charges and I never had to pay extra for any fittings which was great as I ended up having a few due to losing a fair amount of weight before the wedding. Ricardo was more than gracious about scheduling and making time and I never felt like I was rushed or given anything but the best opinions/advice. The cost of the suit wasn't cheap compared to an off the rack suit, but having something made from the ground up to fit you does look and feel better. There is also a pretty wide range of fabric choices/prices if you're trying to go a bit more budget. Knowing that I can have it fitted at no extra cost combined with the friendly and positive atmosphere only has me wanting to go back as often as I can! read more

I found Balani after a vigorous search online. I scheduled an appointment with Cordt who could not have been more helpful and eager to teach me about clothing and the proper fit of a suit. Cordt educated me on why it's so unlikely to get a perfect-fitting suit when you buy off the rack and take it to a tailor. The fitting and design process was remarkable. Along with Cordt, we took 40+ measurements (twice) and then moved to the design phase. This was a suit for my wedding but we also made some choices so that this could be a suit for a business setting, or a night out. Since it was my first custom suit, Cordt made some good suggestions so as to make this somewhat situationally "universal". Every person and every moment from the time I set foot in their store was absolutely perfect at their job. It was extremely cool to first select fabrics, and then design all the little details of a suit that I didnt even know existed. Most of the time I deferred to Cordt on guiding my decisions. He helped make choices which made me look taller and thinner, and it worked! I'd be remiss if I didn't mention how cool the measuring and design process was. This is a flawless company in terms of customer care. Since I had procrastinated on the wedding suit, they assured me that they would complete it in less than their standard lead time so that I would have the suit a couple weeks before the wedding. Flash forward to the pickup...I had two shirts and a suit to try on. From the second I buttoned up the shirt, I knew I was in a whole new world. Never before had clothes fit me like this. I am not built like the "average" person (who is?), so it was incredible to have a shirt fit me that was exactly made for me. I tried on the suit and was immediately amazed at the quality and fit. I went from a normal schmuck to a movie star in that dressing room. Honestly. While I thought the suit was perfect, Cordt wanted to touch up a couple things and refit a few very minor tailoring things. However, since i had to fight a terrible rush hour trip into the city for my fitting, Cordt offered to mail me my suit to avoid a second long trip down. The suit showed up in the mail when they said it would and it fit absolutely perfectly. They followed up continually to make sure everything went smoothly and that I was satisfied. Even after the wedding, Cordt wanted to make sure that this suit was everything I expected. This was one of the coolest processes that I've ever experienced in any transaction. I am 100% sure to go back any time I need a shirt, slacks, suit, sport coat or any dressing advice. The cool part is that they save your sizes so they can make you clothes in the future without a fitting. (They can even mail you fabric samples to choose from.) Oh, and if you change size, they will alter the suit free in the future. Last thing...I sort of had the idea that the custom clothing world, particularly in suits, was something that was limited to the extremely wealthy. I guess I would tell anyone curious to check it out. The cost is a LOT less than I thought it would be, and Balani is eager to taking whatever route suits the customer and their budget. Most of all, the value is unparalleled. It's rare to have a business transaction that is like this. They really care about the customer, and I think in doing so, create customers who will come back for life. Now that I know the ins and outs of how clothes should fit, it's going to be really hard to want to shop anywhere else. I would strongly urge anyone curious to check it out. It will undoubtedly be a wonderful experience. read more

This is the second time I have used the services of Balani. The first time must have been the exception and not the norm as I gave them a 1 star . The second time last week was a much different experience and I would now recommended them to friends and co-workers. The owner stopped in the appointment to make sure all was running smooth and after the first time it showed that he was hands on and cared for his customers and his staff. I look forward to a long relationship with this firm. read more

Ricardo is the best. Understood my price range, and excelled at giving me the necessary recommendations to design an incredible blazer, while allowing me to be in control of the decisions. Made me feel comfortable and would recommend to any friend. Worth every penny! read more

Customer Service is good but very poor on delivering product on time and company expectations. Worth checking out other similar companies in area as pricing is high also. read more

By far the best shopping experience I have had to date. I am bigger guy and hate buying off the rack and getting an ill-fitted suit. I have had many suits made here and Ricardo is the best. You are greeted by the best staff and are welcomed like you are famliy. The suits are of the best fabrics and the fit is the best with a price range to fit nearly every budget. I got married in my custom Balani tux and wear a Balani suit daily. They are the best in the business. When I go to Chicago, I will generally make an appointment with my tailor, Ricardo. read more

I needed a suit for my wedding, and since I'm 6'-7" 250Lbs. it was difficult that not only fit me, but fit correctly. I had a Groupon for Balani and was very impressed with their materials available, speed, and all around personal attention that they take with each and every customer! I received many many compliments about my suit and try my hardest to schedule dinners and outing so I can wear it again. I would totally recommend this store and if you are fortunate enough to have Ricardo Bucio as your tailor, then you're set! Very knowledgable with materials, colors, and styles. He kept me from making the wrong decisions in regards to the cut of the suit, to the actual shirt and vest colors. Very happy and would totally go back!!! read more

I'm writing this after my second, excellent experience with Balani Custom. I came back after purchasing my first suit using a Groupon deal. Two perfect suits later, I couldn't be happier with the quality product and first-class service I received. As other reviewers have noted, the selection that is available is beyond what one could hope for; if you have an idea of what you want, I know they'll make it happen, and if you don't, their knowledgeable staff will guide you in a friendly, no pressure manner to a look that will surely satisfy. Ricardo was excellent in offering advice, explaining all the different options/customizations available to me, and helping deliver my second suit under considerable time constraints. To me, this level of service and attention to detail, coupled with a top-quality garment make buying from Balani a no-brainer. As long as I can help it, I'll be going custom with Balani, you should too. read more

Balani is great all the way around. First of all, wonderful service, which is why you (or at least I) go to a custom clothier, but also a huge selection, regardless of whether you are looking for suits, shirts or an overcoat. I originally went to Balani to get a suit and a shirt, and I am very impressed. I have bought other custom clothes before (actually most of my clothes since I'm 6'5 195 it is the only way to get clothes that fit) but Balani was recommended and so I tried them and they took it to a new level in terms of both level of service and fit. The suit came back great, but Ricardo suggested a few minor alterations that made it even better (small word of advice, if you are not used to the custom process, speak up about what you want the clothes to look like, the tailors will have great advice but at the end of the day it is yours to wear so it should be as you wish - that is what they want, but they can't read minds). And although a shirt may seem a little more 'simple' the fit on my shirt is tremendous, much better than I was used to with other places. As winter approched, I recently went back to get a great fitting overcoat. Very similar to the suit process, tons of choices in terms of fabric and color. Also really liked the ability to design the coat (as their are a few more distinct choices than with a suit - at least in my opinion). I just received the coat and it is amazing - turned out even better than I expected. The second day I wore it, I was in a shoe store and a random person walked by and complimented my coat (that usually doesn't happen to me). I know a few of the people down at Balani now and I'm sure they are all good, but I've worked with Ricardo both times and he is great in terms of offering suggestions and giving you a perspective of what your choices will look like in the end. Overall, I highly recommend Balani if you are in the market for any sort of custom clothing. read more

Have been having custome shirts made for ~10 years through another shop and was recently referred to Balani by a colleague. Top notch experience from the first interaction. Cordt was extremely knowledgeable, professional, accomodating and a pleasure to work with. Expansive and high-quality fabric selection for both suits and shirts. You won't be dissapointed. read more