Our son is getting married in September. I guess I need a suit. I guess I also need some advice.

A couple things to think about. The suit will get very little use after the wedding, but I don’t want to look like I bought a suit at Walmart either.

I know nothing about styles or the cut of suits. I might even have a build that could pull it off, but I don’t like the skinny suit look—at all.

How much should I budget to meet the objective described above? I don’t need a $2k suit, but I don’t want a $150 suit either.

This is all kinda funny. I think I’ve owned exactly 2 suits in my life. The first, my mother bought for me when I was in HS. I wasn’t present.

She said, “It’s denim, I thought you’d like it.”

It looked like a clown suit, contrasting stitching and outsized lapels. Bad memory.

I can figure this out, but I may have to travel down to the big shitty. Maybe you guys can steer me toward stores and brands. Please.

Check Goodwill and other thrift store. Good bet for a suit you rarely wear.

Rent one in the big shitty.

You don't need a full fledged "suit". Go to Macy's, Kohl's, etc... and get a nice sport coat or 2, and a pair, or 2, of nice pants. A nice shirt and a tie. I prefer Haggar sport coats. Get a black one.

If you are reasonably proportioned you should have no issue buying an off the rack suit. You are better off with 100% worsted wool vs. a poly blend. It's a different wool fiber than you are thinking of and breaths better and will be more comfortable.

JC Penney used to be a flag ship in the off the rack suit world but I hear they've fallen off a lot. Men's Warehouse usually handles a variety of suits. A quick google search for Men's Suits near me should show you what is out there.

Off the rack doesn't mean perfect. You'll definitely need to have the pants hemmed and usually a sleeve length adjustment. It is also not uncommon to need a roll taken out of the back just below the collar depending on how you are built. A waist tuck is also not uncommon.

JC Penney for off the shelf.
Haggar for selection, fit and value.

I consider "nice" wool suits to be Hart, Schaffner & Marx or Austin Reed for a sticker price of $600 to $700 at Dillard's. If you catch the right sale you might get one for $250 to $450. They will tailor it to you and you can go back and pick it up a week later. I like their Roundtree & Yorke button down shirts also.

You didn't mention if wedding plans being made include the wedding party being in a tux. AT least check, then rent when the groomsmen get theirs.

Get a nice sport coat and a pair of pants, no one is doing suits anymore.

I got a nice dark blue one at Kohls that works well with various pants and paired with a dress shirt and tie is plenty dressed up for weddings and other events.

I think we all need, eventually, a nice suit for funerals. We’re not getting any younger, I’m starting to see the olders pass away more frequently.

It doesn’t need to cost a lot. A traditional conservative business type suit, not the trendy styles that come and go with the latest fashions, will be good for many years. And screw those skinny leg styles. Uncomfortable.

Best wishes to you.
.

Men's Warehouse. Inexpensive but looks fantastic. And they will have someone help fit you.
You Sometimes less than $200.
I have 2 thrift store suits also. They were $10 or so.

quote:

Originally posted by ScreamingCockatoo:
Men's Warehouse. Inexpensive but looks fantastic. And they will have someone help fit you.
You Sometimes less than $200.
I have 2 thrift store suits also. They were $10 or so.

Men’s Wearhouse also sells semi-custom suits. These take a few weeks to deliver but give you more options for color, cut, fabric, and size. I got one last year and it was about $600, and fit better than any suit I’ve had before. Well worth and extra $100, which included altering the jacket slightly after I was able to try it.

I have bought suits from both Jos. A. Banks and Men's Wearhouse. Both offer custom fitting for free. Don't know if they still do or not but Men's Wearhouse used to have free lifetime alterations and pressing. They would also add an additional layer of lining on the coat where the hammer would rub for a very reasonable price and replace it as needed for free. Either store would be a good choice, and both have frequent sales.

+1 on Men’s warehouse. Had great middle aged male help with fitting and such for middle girl’s wedding for me and my son.
Skip forward couple years to youngest girl’s wedding and different store with young attendant I got the opposite experience and ended up with a shirt and tux jacket at least an inch short. Failure to listen to the customer.
Congratulations and enjoy the party

I’ve been considering purchasing this one to be buried in. Wool blend, under $100 from amazon.

quote:

Originally posted by arfmel:
I’ve been considering purchasing this one for my funeral. Wool blend, under $100 from amazon.

Good choice. The hat really pulls it together.

Thanks you guys. All I really needed was some direction, and you’ve given me that.

Mall department stores often have good sales on suits and they can be had for under $300. At Macy’s or Dillards you can often find Ralph Lauren, Hilfiger, and the occasional Hart Schaffner & Marx.

Brooks Brothers outlets also have regular deals on basic black, navy, and gray suits.

I wholeheartedly disagree with people saying not to buy a suit and wear a sport coat unless it’s a casual wedding. The fathers of the bride and groom should typically match the bridal party or possibly be one step less formal. So if they are wearing tuxedos, you should be in at least a suit. I would go with navy as the best all-around color.

The key to the suit is the fit.

You can have an expensive suit but if it's a poor fit, you're gonna look (and feel) like trash. A $350 suit that's fit to your body will look and feel like a suit that costs more.

I bought some suits from Dillard's a few years ago. Back then they would adjust the length of the pants for you without charging you.

Get a suit that fits your body type. If you are heavyset, don't get a slim fit suit. If you are skinny, don't get a baggy suit like Steve Harvey.

Are dark blue and charcoal gray still the 2 suits most will go with?

Having gone through this last year when my daughter got married, I prefer Jos. A. Banks over Men's Wearhouse. In our area Jos. A. Banks had a better selection and I thought their prices were reasonable.

Congrats to the father of the groom!