Buying a suit

[Akali]

For upcoming interviews and work I would like to buy my first suit. I don't know the first thing about suits other than what I see on the street. I have about $600-$700 to spend, but if I can get it cheaper that would be great. I already have my own shirts and ties. Questions: What style of suit is most common? Also, where would you suggest I shop in L.A or NY? As in which shops.

 

[jaedaliu]

This is for your first real job?

You don't need to spend $$$$$ on a suit.

Men's Warehouse or a Macy's sale will do just fine. Buy whatever fits comfortably and in a dark color.

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

If you're only buying a suit for interviews, just spend 100$ at target and get it tailored somewhere nice.

 

[Lifted]

Is this for your job in the defence, legal, or medical field?

Walmart has great suits. Especially for lawyers. Not so suitable for doctors.

 

[mistercrabby]

I get my suits from Macy's. What J says.

Spend some money on two pair of good shoes. They will cost you at least 150 bucks. Wingtips. Black. Learn how to polish them. Cheap or scuffed shoes will totally ruin the look of even the most expensive suits.

Ties are generally a matter of personal taste. Avoid loud, garrish colors.

Get a couple of lint rollers or brushes and keep one in your car. Check yourself out before you go in.

 

[drbrock]

everyone is spot on here. Spend most of the money on tailoring for the Macy's suit. When you get a huge bonus or something like that then go to custom suits. They can be had online for very cheap and you get top end quality.

Like Mistercrabby says shoes are a VERY close second if not more important to the suit. I think 150 is too low for a great pair of shoes. People love AE. If you catch a break on sale that can be had for 200. When I was in banking so many people had beautiful suits but horrible shoes. It was a dead giveaway to the clients and their peers. Do yourself a favor go to AE or J&M and get Aristocraft level shoes or higher. Disclaimer: I personally like J&M Crown Aristocraft and Custom Selects but many people on style forums favor the AE for quality. It is up to you. Just make sure you don't cheap out on shoes. Good thing with expensive shoes is that they last a lifetime versus 2 years with cheap shoes. I wear mine almost everyday and they still look brand new(6 years old).

Think about it this way. Most women judge a man by his shoes if he has the basics down. So will most business people. They know what quality looks like.

 

[slayer202]

first tip, don't get clothing advice from a tech forum

 

[silverpig]

You will probably want a simple 2-button, 2-piece suit. If you are average to thin, get a single vent in the back; if you are larger, then a double vent works well.

As for colours, something dark, but not black. Charcoal or navy are solid options, with little to no pattern.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

I get my suits from Macy's. What J says.

Spend some money on two pair of good shoes. They will cost you at least 150 bucks. Wingtips. Black. Learn how to polish them. Cheap or scuffed shoes will totally ruin the look of even the most expensive suits.

Ties are generally a matter of personal taste. Avoid loud, garrish colors.

Get a couple of lint rollers or brushes and keep one in your car. Check yourself out before you go in.

wingtip shoes?
what are you, 40 years old?

 

[drbrock]

Wingtips are in right now. For his first pair of shoes I would get classic black lace ups though. He can get a Dark Navy Suit on Sale at Macys for 200. Crazy good tailoring for 100. Maybe 150 since it is New York. I don't know the pricing up there. 250-300 on shoes. Well within his budget.

 

[The_Dude8]

Nordstrom has their anniversary sale this friday 7-19, and they have some AE shoes onsale for $200.

Jcrew make great looking suits; make sure the suits fit your body like a glove. FIT is king.

http://dappered.com/2013/07/10-things-you-never-want-to-hear-yourself-say-when-buying-a-suit/

 

[SirStev0]

The men's warehouse hooked me up on my interview trail.

 

[Absolution75]

Macy's, they'll carry a lot of brands so you can find one that fits your body type the best. they are also fairly inexpensive. Jos a Bank suits fall apart.

Find something you feel confident in, you should feel like a badass in your suit (bring truth to the phrase: "its time to suit up!").

 

[skim milk]

Go to Macy's.
I bought a great suit about 3 weeks ago for $100 total after 60% discount plus another 25% coupon on top of that. I then got it custom tailored for about $40 and it looks like an expensive suit. I've been very happy with my choice.

 

[Patranus]

Jos A Banks is money.
Go dark dark dark gray.
Nothing beats dark gray, white shirt, red tie for an interview.

 

[Patranus]

I get my suits from Macy's. What J says.

Spend some money on two pair of good shoes. They will cost you at least 150 bucks. Wingtips. Black. Learn how to polish them. Cheap or scuffed shoes will totally ruin the look of even the most expensive suits.

Ties are generally a matter of personal taste. Avoid loud, garrish colors.

Get a couple of lint rollers or brushes and keep one in your car. Check yourself out before you go in.

1x $300 Shoes >>>> 2x $150 Shoes

 

[JDawg1536]

Don't go anywhere but Macy's unless you have the money to spend and you want something really nice. I just bought three from there a few months ago and spent about $350. They have really good deals..... I got one off the clearance rack for $80. Spend the money to get it tailored.

If it will be your only suit then stick with dark blue or charcoal.

 

[foghorn67]

Navy is the most versatile. It's a damn good choice for a first suit. Avoid black for your first. It should be your 3rd or 4th. It just screams "waiter". Even if it's tailored, it's a finely tailored waiter.

And yes, tailor it. Accept tailoring offers from the place you bought it from. This will ensure your retailer will back you on any mistakes. Next, get a 2nd opinion from an Italian tailor. They always have fitted modern. Suits shouldn't make you look like a kid that borrowed his dad's suit.
Cheap is fine. Just know most cheap suits over do it on the shoulder pads. It's a way of holding it's structure on the rack. (And cheaper to seam the structure).
There are few cheap suits that a breaking away from this.

 

[Howard]

Suit -> navy or gray. Make sure it fits well around the traps and shoulders and wraps around your shirt collar without a gap. Also needs to be comfortably fitted around your chest but without too much space. The length needs be just long enough to cover your ass completely. Double vented is probably the most versatile when it comes to body types. Two-button is traditional nowadays. A tailor can take care of the rest. Material is important but not so much if you're going to wear it rarely.

Shoes -> AE Shoe Bank or second hand. Get fitted when your feet are their absolute largest. Understand the difference between heel-to-ball and heel-to-toe. Tuli's cups can come in handy.

Belt -> matching shoes

Socks -> a neutral color that is compatible with pants and shoes. Try not to pick the same color as the shoes. Socks that are same color as pants is usually a safe bet.

 

[The_Dude8]

http://www.jcrew.com/mens_feature/LudlowWool/PRDOVR~41794/41794.jsp

jcrew ludlow suit.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

ludlow is a good one. jcrew factory thompson in worsted wool is good too. You can pick that up under 2 bills.

Suit supply if you're shopping in NYC is good too. I think most versatile would be napoli.

definitely navy blue or charcoal gray. I'd avoid black and any weird patterns.

Most likely you'll need to set aside at least $60 for alterations. You could also pick up a suit from indochino.com. They raised their prices recently though. I think that would be OK if you knew your fit.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Burlington Coat Factory has some decent stuff too.

 

[Howard]

ludlow is a good one. jcrew factory thompson in worsted wool is good too. You can pick that up under 2 bills.

Suit supply if you're shopping in NYC is good too. I think most versatile would be napoli.

definitely navy blue or charcoal gray. I'd avoid black and any weird patterns.

Most likely you'll need to set aside at least $60 for alterations. You could also pick up a suit from indochino.com. They raised their prices recently though. I think that would be OK if you knew your fit.

indochino is very hit-or-miss and they may not cover 100% of the necessary repairs/alterations. Plus, they take at least 3-4 weeks, which admittedly may not be an issue.

 

[M0oG0oGaiPan]

indochino is very hit-or-miss and they may not cover 100% of the necessary repairs/alterations. Plus, they take at least 3-4 weeks, which admittedly may not be an issue.

yep, spot on. I think they do have a traveling tailor that should be a little bit better in terms of finding a good fit.

 

[silverpig]

indochino is very hit-or-miss and they may not cover 100% of the necessary repairs/alterations. Plus, they take at least 3-4 weeks, which admittedly may not be an issue.

Uh, if the suit is far off, you get a free remake. After that they'll pay for alterations etc. Most people should be able to measure themselves using 2 tries and a sample make, while still allowing for alterations.