I think Nicholas Joseph makes the best custom suits and shirt in Chicago, and I've been buying custom clothing for over 20 years in London and New York before I moved to Chicago for work in the finance industry.
My admin made me a list of 10 companies in Chicago, and I called them all. Most sounded like I was bothering them - only Nicholas Joseph was friendly, knowledgeable, but I made an appointment with two other companies as well so I could test a custom suit and custom shirt from each.
The other two companies, names undisclosed but also named after their owners and in the Loop, were pushy and spent most of the time trying to increase the sale price, and the least amount of time asking me questions and listening to my answers. I am a fit guy and wanted a well tailored suit, but not skin tight like some of the associates at my firm - these other companies tried to convince me the opposite. I also examined their samples and they felt cheap and they couldn't tell me if they were Italian wool or not? The other companies didn't have a tailor there which also made me uncomfortable so I didn't purchase from either, nor would I recommend them.
When I arrived at Nicholas Joseph, I was greeted warmly in a nice open showroom with a ton of samples and dozens of fabric books, mostly from Italy and Europe, even Zegna which caught my eye. Katie, my Designer, asked me what occasion the suit and shirt were for and who I would be in front of. She then helped me selected the perfect shade of navy blue and we chatted about the details - two buttons, side slits in back, brown bone buttons, and more narrow, modern, but not too trendy pant legs. She even told me that she and the team just returned from touring the fabric mills in Italy and got certified!
About 4 weeks later she called and emailed a link where I could schedule a time to try on the suit and shirt at my convenience, and it was super easy. When I tried on the suit it felt lightweight and fit amazingly well in the shoulders, and through my chest and more narrow down the arms. We did have to adjust it a little to make it more tailored around the waist and adjusted the pant length, both of which were ready in a week. The custom shirt was perfect and one of the best I've ever had.
Overall, they've got a new loyal customer because of their service, great attitude, knowledge, Italian fabrics, tailor at the showroom, and professional communication. Thank you Katie!