The World’s Most Expensive Suit

These days, the truly rich never wear suits. Suits are for the people who work for the wealthy. Unless, of course, you are talking about the new line of suits from Britain’s Richard Jewels. Mr. Jewels is a Manchester tailor who is selling a cashmere wool-and-silk blend, two-piece suit for £599,000–-or roughly $890,000 to you and me.

That makes it the world’s most expensive suit, easily topping the $103,000 suit from Amosu that used to hold the top position. What makes it worth so much? Well if you have to ask….

According to the Stuart Hughes website, the suit is embellished with 480 diamonds (half-carat each), stitched into the suit by jeweler Stuart Hughes. The whole suit took 600 man hours to make. (Click on the above link to see the bejeweled suit.)

He already has sold one to a customer in France (size 41, long fit). Mr. Jewels plans to make only three. “I hope to establish a luxury brand that will not only capture the eyes but the hearts of the consumers,” Mr. Jewels said in The Sun. “The emphasis on our products is to solidify one’s individuality.” Lest you think an $890,000 suit is indulgent excess at a time of financial worry, Mr. Jewels assures that 10% of the purchase price will go to a Haiti relief fund.

Is this all marketing hype? Of course. Luxury companies can always find three people to buy almost anything. But the suit is yet another sign that mad, conspicuous consumption is creeping back.

What is the most you would ever pay for a suit?