The Best Suit for Guys Who Hate Wearing Suits

Most men don't hate suits because of how they look. They hate how suits feel, what they cost to maintain, and the fitting appointments it takes to get one that actually works. Performance suits were supposed to fix all of that, but not all of them deliver on every front.

We put three of the most talked-about performance suits through the same five-point test: stretch, maintenance, fit out of the box, stain protection, and total cost. Here's how the Ministry of Supply Velocity Suit, State & Liberty Athletic Fit Stretch Suit, and xSuit 5.0 stack up.

How Much Can You Actually Move?

The entire point of a performance suit is that it shouldn't feel like a suit. All three brands use stretch fabrics, but the construction method matters more than the marketing.

Ministry of Supply's Velocity uses a woven polyester-viscose-elastane blend with four-way stretch. It's a clear upgrade from traditional wool, but woven fabrics have a mechanical ceiling. The threads cross at right angles, so the stretch follows two axes and recovers along two more.

State & Liberty takes a similar approach with a woven wool-polyester-spandex blend, also four-way stretch. The fabric is lightweight and breathable, and S&L's athletic cut is generous through the shoulders and chest. But the underlying construction is the same: woven fibers with spandex added for give.

The xSuit 5.0 is fundamentally different. Its TechWool fabric is knitted, not woven, which means the fibers loop and interlock rather than crossing in a fixed grid. The result is a true four-way stretch that moves omnidirectionally with your body. If you've ever noticed the difference between a woven dress shirt and a knit polo, you already understand the principle. The xSuit applies that same logic to a full suit.

How Low is “Low Maintenance”?

All three suits are machine washable, which puts them ahead of any traditional suit. But "machine washable" is a baseline, not a differentiator. The real question is how often you need to wash it in the first place.

Ministry of Supply recommends machine washing on cold and tumble drying on low, with hang drying for the jacket. The fabric is wrinkle-resistant and holds up well over repeated wash cycles. But it has no built-in protection against spills or stains, so anything that lands on the suit stays until you wash it.

State & Liberty's care instructions are slightly more involved: machine wash cold on delicate, hang dry. The fabric is wrinkle-resistant and moisture-wicking, but like Ministry of Supply, there's no protective treatment on the fabric itself.

The xSuit 5.0 is machine washable too, but its nano-infused fabric adds a layer that the other two don't offer. Liquids bead up and roll off the surface rather than soaking in. That means a coffee spill at your desk or a splash of rain on the way to a meeting doesn't become a laundry day. You wash the suit less often because it stays cleaner longer.

Can You Skip the Tailor?

This is where the gap widens. Buying a suit online is already a gamble. Buying one that still needs a tailor after it arrives defeats the purpose.

Ministry of Supply explicitly recommends tailoring. Their product pages note that the Velocity jacket's rear darts, center back seam, and sleeves can all be adjusted by a local tailor. They even reimburse hemming costs as store credit, which is a nice touch, but it also confirms the expectation: you'll probably need alterations.

State & Liberty recommends sleeve adjustments and offers made-to-measure sizing alongside their off-the-rack options. Their product pages note that blazer sleeves can be shortened up to 1.5 inches or lengthened 0.75 inches by a tailor. The athletic cut is generous, but the expectation is that you'll still fine-tune the fit after purchase.

The xSuit 5.0 takes the opposite stance. Alterations beyond hemming the pants are not recommended due to the suit's fused, laser-cut construction. Instead, xSuit relies on its AI-powered Fit Finder and a 45-day free exchange policy. If the size isn't right, they replace it at no cost. The knitted fabric's stretch also provides a wider effective fit range per size, which means the margin for error is smaller to begin with.

What Happens When You Spill Something?

This one is straightforward because only one of these suits has an answer.

Ministry of Supply and State & Liberty both make durable, well-constructed performance suits. But neither brand offers any kind of liquid or stain-repellent treatment. A spill means a stain, and a stain means a wash cycle.

The xSuit 5.0 uses a nano treatment that causes liquids to bead on the surface. It's not waterproof, and it won't survive a full submersion, but for the everyday hazards of coffee, wine, rain, and sauce, the liquid rolls off before it absorbs. That alone changes the relationship you have with the suit. You stop treating it like something fragile and start wearing it like something functional.

What's the Real Price?

Sticker price is only part of the equation. When you factor in whether the suit is sold as a bundle or as separates, and whether you'll need a tailor after it arrives, the math shifts.

The Ministry of Supply Velocity jacket and pants are sold as separates, totaling approximately $720 for the full suit before any alterations.

State & Liberty suits range from $595 to $795 depending on fabric and style. Sleeve alterations are expected, though the cost is modest.

The xSuit 5.0 is $699 for the full suit, jacket and pants included. No alterations recommended, no separates to piece together, and free shipping on orders over $125. Over the life of the suit, the nano treatment and machine washability eliminate dry cleaning costs entirely.

Five Rounds. Still One Suit in the Ring.

xSuit

xSuit 5.0

5 stars

SHOP NOW — $699.00

SHOP NOW — $699.00

All three of these brands are doing something better than a traditional suit. They stretch, they breathe, and they wash at home. But the gap between them is real.

Ministry of Supply is a strong performer on comfort and wrinkle resistance, but the separate pricing and tailoring expectations add friction. State & Liberty offers a solid athletic cut and a wide range of styles, but still expects you to visit a tailor. The xSuit 5.0 is the only one that addresses all five complaints in a single package: true four-way stretch, machine washable, no tailor needed, stain-repellent, and $699 all-in.

If you're looking for a reason to hate suits a little less, that's a strong place to start.

Writing Staff