suit advice

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Replies

  • GauchoMark
    GauchoMark Posts: 1,804 Member
    if you are only going to have 1 suit, get a solid, classic style in a dark charcoal/grey or dark navy. Get a few different colors of pinpoint collar shirts and a boatload of ties. With that combo, you can make a bunch of different looks with the same suit.

    No matter what you get, learn how a suit is supposed to fit and make sure yours fits well. The salesperson is not your friend - they are trying to sell you the suit! Know for yourself what constitutes a good fitting suit and keep looking until you find one. If they have to do any tailoring other than hemming the pants and maybe the sleeves and POSSIBLY a minor adjustment to the pants band, I'd keep looking.
  • laprovocateur
    laprovocateur Posts: 128 Member
    100% Wool, get fitted and have it professionally tailored, and whatever you do, do not spend less than $500.

    Hugo Boss makes some of the best suits, but just about any Italian brand will hang quite lovely on you.

    Always remember men:(professionally tailored, fine fiber)suit = women:lingerie. When we see a man in a suit, it almost doesn't matter what the rest of him looks like.

    Oh, and don't forget the shoes and other accessories! Never underestimate the accents.
  • Espressocycle
    Espressocycle Posts: 2,245 Member
    If you're not in a hurry, check the thrift stores. Men's suit styles haven't changed much in the last 15 years or so. I scored my favorite suit that way and it was only $14 for a wool suit I get compliments on all the time. Of course, for me usually the pants are too short, but sometimes they have enough fabric in them.
  • CayleyRidgeRunner
    CayleyRidgeRunner Posts: 56 Member
    100% Wool, get fitted and have it professionally tailored, and whatever you do, do not spend less than $500.

    Hugo Boss makes some of the best suits, but just about any Italian brand will hang quite lovely on you.

    Always remember men:(professionally tailored, fine fiber)suit = women:lingerie. When we see a man in a suit, it almost doesn't matter what the rest of him looks like.

    Oh, and don't forget the shoes and other accessories! Never underestimate the accents.

    Excellent points on all fronts. Fully concur with you! I saved up and went with Armani. I kind of feel like a big deal whenever I wear it.
  • HelloDan
    HelloDan Posts: 712 Member
    100% Wool, get fitted and have it professionally tailored, and whatever you do, do not spend less than $500.

    I already said so in my previous post, but wouldn't tailoring be a pretty foolish idea whilst losing weight?
    It will lose its perfect fit straight away.

    Makes sense to at least wait for your weight to stabilise.
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    I like suits. I have about 18+ suits in my apartment. I think its a classier look and any reason to wear suit is a good reason.

    If this is your first suit, buy a good suit. Spend some coins on it. While you donot have to have a custom made one for the first suit, you should definitely goto a spot like mens wearhouse or something and have them look at you and suggest you a whole attire (shoes, complete suit, couple of shirts to go with it and couple of ties).

    One important thing. Donot use the jacket of the suit with different pairs of pants. The main reason is that if you endup washing pants and jacket different times, the color stops matching and it looks odd. Also, dark blue or black is the color to go with for the first suit.

    Good luck and enjoy :)
  • elainecroft
    elainecroft Posts: 595 Member
    Department stores, particularly Carsons or Bergners (depending on your area) often have classic-style suits marked down. The one by us always marks them down 50-75% when they get a new style in, but since suits dont change that much, the new and old style aren't much different. Some dept stores also have decent in-house tailoring.

    I also agree with the charcoal grey - looks good with everything!
  • taunto
    taunto Posts: 6,420 Member
    100% Wool, get fitted and have it professionally tailored, and whatever you do, do not spend less than $500.

    I already said so in my previous post, but wouldn't tailoring be a pretty foolish idea whilst losing weight?
    It will lose its perfect fit straight away.

    Makes sense to at least wait for your weight to stabilise.

    I think spending money on your first suit like this, specially when its not needed is unnecessary. As much as I love suits and love custom made suits, I wouldn't suggest it for the first timer. Get a feel of what you like, how you like your suits etc. A $250+ suit will do just fine for a start, specially if you're losing weight. Once you know what kind of material you like, where are the good spots to buy good suits etc you can go and get tailor made but for now, men's wearhouse or other spots are good enough.
  • robmcd88
    robmcd88 Posts: 85 Member
    Get one with a jacket and vest. It’s a classic look that is never far out of style but always differs from the crowd.
  • juliecat1
    juliecat1 Posts: 3,450 Member
    Where's ket the jet when we need him.

    Get it fitted. Nothing sexier than a cut just right suit
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    The most important thing for a suit to look good is the fit (clown colours are obviously easily avoided).

    I'd go navy for more likely to fit in. Black can come across as too formal, grey sometimes looks like you work in a night club.
    Obviously, single breasted, one or two button, two piece.
  • blakejohn
    blakejohn Posts: 1,129 Member
    100% Wool, get fitted and have it professionally tailored, and whatever you do, do not spend less than $500.

    Hugo Boss makes some of the best suits, but just about any Italian brand will hang quite lovely on you.

    Always remember men:(professionally tailored, fine fiber)suit = women:lingerie. When we see a man in a suit, it almost doesn't matter what the rest of him looks like.

    Oh, and don't forget the shoes and other accessories! Never underestimate the accents.

    this is what made me post last night I went to MW they are having there a sale two suits for about 700 but putting that much out of pocket
    the tailoring is for life so if I lose weight or gain they will take it in or let it out.
  • How fun! I say go for the one that fits you best, not necessarily the latest trend. Rock a suit that fits your personality and definitely agree on getting it professionally fitted afterwards! Good advice. I like grey if you're going with just having one in case you need it. You can dress grey up or tone it down pretty easily. Happy shopping! :bigsmile:
  • goddessofsewing
    goddessofsewing Posts: 110 Member
    Make sure it fits properly! If they have an in-house tailor make sure you talk to them about fit rather than the salesman. So long as the suit fits through the shoulders and in the body length any other adjustments are manageable. When I worked as a tailor I often chose different sizes for the customers than what the salesmen gave them to be altered.

    And suits really are sexy. My husband hates wearing his, but knows I like it.
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    100% Wool, get fitted and have it professionally tailored, and whatever you do, do not spend less than $500.

    Hugo Boss makes some of the best suits, but just about any Italian brand will hang quite lovely on you.

    Always remember men:(professionally tailored, fine fiber)suit = women:lingerie. When we see a man in a suit, it almost doesn't matter what the rest of him looks like.

    Oh, and don't forget the shoes and other accessories! Never underestimate the accents.

    this is what made me post last night I went to MW they are having there a sale two suits for about 700 but putting that much out of pocket
    the tailoring is for life so if I lose weight or gain they will take it in or let it out.

    There's a limit. I managed to lose enough weight that stores had to give me a whole new set of No.1s, and you KNOW that if they had to put their hand in their pocket there was no other way to get them to fit.
  • ahviendha
    ahviendha Posts: 1,291 Member
    get a vest too. different colored vest under a black/grey suit is so sexxxy!!
  • And go for good English tailoring - I buy all my work-wear from Charles Tyrwhitt in Jermyn St London - but they also sell online to the states

    http://www.ctshirts.com/mens-suits/mens-business-suits?q=usddefault|||||||||||||||
  • I agree with the gray and a subtle pinstripe but also have a little color in the stripes. My husband has a dark gray suit that has a purplish stripe to it, looks great with a lavendar shirt.

    Another idea would be a nice sports coat and dress pants, I see more of that in the office I work at and what my husband wears to work and social events.

    And pants are now more fitted through the legs.
  • MrDude_1
    MrDude_1 Posts: 2,510 Member
    You're only going to have ONE suit?

    Ignore what all the girls in here just said, and get black. actual black.

    on your second suit that you will probably never wear because the black one is more appropriate.... get the navy/charcoal/whatever they say....
  • IronSmasher
    IronSmasher Posts: 3,908 Member
    You're only going to have ONE suit?

    Ignore what all the girls in here just said, and get black. actual black.

    on your second suit that you will probably never wear because the black one is more appropriate.... get the navy/charcoal/whatever they say....

    Admittedly, there was only one occasion where I felt a little too formal/over dressed.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Just my 2¢ but just about every man past school age needs a decent suit. Stay with something timeless and classic (charcoal grey, navy blue not black unless you're a funeral director) and I'm a sucker for pinstripes (at one point I had 5 or 6 pinstripe 3 piece suits and wore them for work - now my wardrobe is far more casual, it's rare that I even wear a tie to work but I still have several suits in my closet)

    It is definitely worthwhile stepping up to the plate for a quality garment - it will give you years of service and cheap suits just look cheap.

    As much as I hate buying anything made in China you may want to Google "Hong Kong Tailors" There are a number of companies that have tailors who travel from city to city and can make a very well tailored suit for a fraction of what you would expect to pay. I've bough a couple and have been very happy with them. When I win the lotto I'll head to London for a Saville Row suit......
  • Mmmm suits are so attractive!
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    If you're not knowledgeable about suits, I'd start with relatively cheap ones.

    Beyond that, you really should set aside a day to go and try some on and see what suits you best.

    The point made previously about shirts and ties can't be emphasized enough. A $300 suit with a well picked shirt and tie looks better, in my opinion, than a $3000 suit with a poorly chosen shirt and tie.
  • ArroganceInStep
    ArroganceInStep Posts: 6,239 Member
    You're only going to have ONE suit?

    Ignore what all the girls in here just said, and get black. actual black.

    on your second suit that you will probably never wear because the black one is more appropriate.... get the navy/charcoal/whatever they say....

    Can't disagree more. Charcoal or grey is far more useful than a black suit. I don't like navy as the first suit though. Grey all the way.
  • BusyRaeNOTBusty
    BusyRaeNOTBusty Posts: 7,166 Member
    Flat front pants. Tailored to fit. Brown or dark grey are really big right now.

    Men in suits = yummy
  • blakejohn
    blakejohn Posts: 1,129 Member
    so the price of and off the rack suit and a custom made suit are about the same
  • MichelleLaree13
    MichelleLaree13 Posts: 865 Member
    My rule of thumb is I don't buy anything until I need it. Helps prevent impulse buying, particularly at Home Depot.
    I can't think of anything I would actually need a suit for any time in the next few years. I think I may have one sport coat that fits again. :)

    I would put it off as long as possible or until you hit the weight you are going to stay at. Suits can be expensive and you will want it to fit well. If it fits today and you lose 20 lbs, it definately will not look nice anymore
  • farmwife3815
    farmwife3815 Posts: 326 Member
    Suits-Harvey-Specter-4.png

    Oh yes please!! LOL
  • EllyG08
    EllyG08 Posts: 194 Member
    I :heart: a man in a suit. But it's the accessories that stand out! Be sure to compliment the suit with some fly ties and pocket squares!