What to consider when buying a new suit?

September 28, 2017, 01:15 PM

xmod

^^^ I agree Nordstrom is your best bet if you don't have it custom made.

Two things - most all suits bought off the rack have jackets glued together. This applies to high end names like Armani and others, just know they will not hold up after many cleanings or very hot and humid climates. Also, a custom made suit will fit you so much better than off the rack you would never want to gonthat route. You can get a custom made suit with quality material for the same or less than the high end names and it will look better because it will fit you better (as long as you are fitted correctly). Try Tom James for custom at a reasonable price.

September 29, 2017, 09:15 PM

P229 357SIG Man

Thanks guys, I'm going to go out tomorrow and do what I hate to do most and that is shopping. Yuck

September 29, 2017, 09:26 PM

phydough

I've been told that pants are mandatory with a suit. Even though I dispute that statement.

Just something else to consider.

September 29, 2017, 09:45 PM

sig77

Your first suit should be navy. It can be very formal or casual depending on shoes and will work for wedddings, funerals, or interviews. Your second suit should be grey. After that black, charcoal or patterns. Many places have good deals on suits, but make sure you get it tailored. A poor fitting suit won’t look good regardless of the quality.

September 29, 2017, 09:59 PM

Rightwire

Suits vary in price and quality. The two do not always correspond 1-1. A few things to look for if you are trying to find a 'good' suit.

Look for 100% Worsted Wool. This is a fine twisted wool fiber and is not scratchy as most think. Avoid polyester blended fabrics

Look for suit that comes as a set, coat & pants. Generally speaking suit separates are cheaper and also lower quality.

The pants should be long and not hemmed. They will be fit exactly to you by the alterations person or tailor

Satin or silk linings in the coat are preferred, a good suit will have the pants lined to the knee with the same material.

That should get you started....

September 29, 2017, 10:17 PM

ruger357

Hart Shaffner and Marks Brand. I bought a couple 9'years ago. Still look like new and still get compliments pretty much every time I wear them.

September 30, 2017, 05:58 AM

msfzoe

Try T J Maxx, if there is an outlet in your area.
They vend overstocks and special orders from numerous manufacturers.
Dark blue or grey are always fashionable.
Wool is preferable to polyester.

September 30, 2017, 07:37 AM

sig77

quote:
Originally posted by YellowJacket:
if you don't have one and need a do-everything suit, go with navy.

I prefer Brooks Brothers and they have plenty under $400 at outlets or when they have sales.

Agree. If you only have one suit it should be navy. Brooks brothers outlets have great deals as well if there is one in your area.

September 30, 2017, 11:04 AM

dewhorse

quote:
Originally posted by sig77:
quote:
Originally posted by YellowJacket:
if you don't have one and need a do-everything suit, go with navy.

I prefer Brooks Brothers and they have plenty under $400 at outlets or when they have sales.

Agree. If you only have one suit it should be navy. Brooks brothers outlets have great deals as well if there is one in your area.

We have an outlet 10 minutes away, I grabbed 2 of their traveler suits for under $900.

They fit well and are comfortable.

September 30, 2017, 04:46 PM

Longbow_06

Pants are fairly easy, jackets are another beast all together.

The shoulders are extremely important, and make sure they fit right.
Make sure there's no shoulder dimple, as this cannot be altered.
Make sure the lapels lay flat, and there's no collar gap.
Wear a shirt and tie while trying on the suits.

A suit that's too tight will pull at the buttons, and ride the lapels open.
A suit that's too big will look like a square sack.

October 01, 2017, 10:32 AM

sdf

I went through this exactly a year ago. I found that online is the way to go. I literally ordered 7 suits, found the two that fit best, sent the other 5 back and dropped 215 bucks on a tailor.

Don't wear off the rack. Get a tailor and even a Tommy Hilfiger or Calvin Klein will look quite nice.

Just make sure it's not too small in the chest as that is not even worth trying to alter.

I wish online shopping had existed when I worked sales. Better variety and cheaper. Even look on Amazon.

October 01, 2017, 10:36 AM

sdf

https://www.indochino.com/coll...20Generic%3A%20Suits

I've heard great things about these guys.

October 01, 2017, 01:19 PM

Highspeedlane

I recently got two suits at Men's Warehouse. Overall it was an "okay" experience I guess. What I didn't care for was they try to upsell you at any opportunity, and if you use them for the tailoring it can take up to 3 or 4 weeks, so don't use them if you're in a hurry.

The other thing I'm not sure about is the salesman said the "style" nowadays is for the suit to fit somewhat snugly. I'm not a fan of that type of fit. If I gain 5 pounds I'll have to have them refitted

Oh well, I have my suits now anyways.

October 01, 2017, 01:23 PM

Black92LX

Consider reevaluating the decision that led me to have to wear a suit

October 01, 2017, 02:46 PM

jimmy123x

quote:
Originally posted by TXJIM:
It's all about the fabric and the fit if you want a suit to look good for a long time. Do you have a Neiman Marcus Last Call or Saks 5th Avenue Off 5th store in your area? This is where these two high end department stores sell through their overstocks and last season merchandise. You can often find high end suits from makers like Zegna, Armani, Canili etc. in the price range you are looking at. Last call has a 40% off any one item sale a couple of times a year that can net you a really nice suit at a steal. You can call the store and inquire as to when they expect to have the coupons again. This will get you a better fabric and and better built suit. Find a reputable tailor to hem and adjust as needed.

This as well as Macy's does too. I try to find a quality suit that fits me the best right from the rack. Certain manufacturers each have a different fit and one that fits almost perfect and needs the least bit of tailoring seems to work out the best in the end and fits the best. A great tailor can only do so much to a crappy fitting (on you) suit. For example, I can pretty much pick up a Calvin Klein suit off the rack and it fits me perfectly and only needs the arms shortened and pants taken in at the bottom.

October 02, 2017, 11:21 AM

bendable

quote:
they try to upsell you at any opportunity,

they do that for a reason ,
because they know very well that if you do not like the way that it looks, if you do not like the way that it fits or if you do not like the way that it wears,
you will not come back.

you get what you pay for,
$375.00 suits look like $375.00 suits,
and $1,400.00 suits look ,wear and fit like $1,400.00 suits.

I always started with the most expensive stuff first, I knew that the customer would be most satisfied with the best.

weather it was washers and dryers , men's shoes or wheel barrows

October 02, 2017, 12:36 PM

MeatMan

I wear a suit everyday. a lot of good advice from others above. One added piece of advice: Get two pairs of pants for each suit you purchase if possible. Pants tend to wear the quickest (people take their suit jackets off when in the office, driving, etc). Going back later to add another pant to your still good suit is very difficult as the bolt of material your suit came from is no longer around and matching perfectly will be difficult to impossible.