Starting a new client facing position soon and I'll need to update my wardrobe. Not looking for JosABank cheap. Keep in mind that I need to buy suit separates due to my "athletic build".
I've purchased suits from Banana Republic and I've been very happy. Looking for that sort of quality. Not looking to spend $500 per suit, but there are options for cheaper that are good quality. My brother recommends Macy's Bar III line.
Any reco's?
Brooks Brothers 1818 line are around $775 on sale right now.
Classic fit and look, they tailor it for you with the suit purchase.
Does Macy's? I looked there once and thought their tailoring was either a hassle or they didn't do it at all stores.
If you plan to wear it regularly I'd go with a good name and spend a decent price, most of the cheap places like Men's Wearhouse and the cheaper "models" from Jos A Bank you can wear a couple times then they lose their shape/form, etc.
So I'm interested in others opinions.
Even when I spend more at Brooks Brothers if I rotate 10 - 12 suits they don't last more than a few years.
they just look better longer IMO.
Right now I'm in a sales role and I only travel to customer locations a couple times a month. So I can spend more and the suits last longer.
It's hit and miss depending on stock but I've gotten some really nice suits for a third of their price.
It's hit and miss depending on stock but I've gotten some really nice suits for a third of their price.
Those are almost certainly made for outlet pieces. But some are still very nice.
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You can find high quality brands for slashed prices. Canali, Boss, RL, Zegna, Barbara etc
It's hit and miss depending on stock but I've gotten some really nice suits for a third of their price.
Those are almost certainly made for outlet pieces. But some are still very nice.
The majority of outlet suits are crap or a sub level of a quality brand. You have to hunt.
Some of the others - I like the J.Crew suits, but I've never been in one of the factory stores, if they're the same as the retail locations that would be my first stop. You couldn't pay me enough to go in a Men's Wearhouse in Manhattan, they've got the worst salesforce known to man. I thought the Macy's suits were cheap looking and poorly made, even though they also came highly recommended to me by a friend.
I have a guy in CT who I've used exclusively, as he has always hooked me up with great prices, and has a great tailor in store, they will even tailor shirts for you. If your close to the western/southern CT area I'd recommend it.
I mean, can't you get nice quality clothing at a more economical price?
I mean, can't you get nice quality clothing at a more economical price?
I think that's a fair price for a good suit. I mean it's not Armani level and it's not shit level. I'm a firm believer in if you do your research you get what you pay for. Sure you can get cheaper suits and they'll look good for a while, but in my experience they don't last. Everyone has their own experience.
If I can get two suits for $1500, which is usually what I do every year, I'm fine with it.
and I retire a couple suits from my closet that are older.
I'm in sales and appearance matters. If I wore a suit a couple times a year then I'd go a cheaper route probably.
In regards to suits, you can certainly get a good quality suit that's a step above the JosABank stuff in the 250-350 range depending on time of year and sales. You have to get wool though. There is def a difference in quality when you go to the next level of 500-750 per. Personally, I would never buy something off the rack for that much. If I'm spending that much, it's going to be custom which will be a perfect fit.
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but there's no way I'm spending $770+ for a suit.
I mean, can't you get nice quality clothing at a more economical price?
I think that's a fair price for a good suit. I mean it's not Armani level and it's not shit level. I'm a firm believer in if you do your research you get what you pay for. Sure you can get cheaper suits and they'll look good for a while, but in my experience they don't last. Everyone has their own experience.
If I can get two suits for $1500, which is usually what I do every year, I'm fine with it.
and I retire a couple suits from my closet that are older.
I'm in sales and appearance matters. If I wore a suit a couple times a year then I'd go a cheaper route probably.
I hear ya on that, I'm just surprised these garments wear out so quickly.....is it from the dry cleaning?
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In comment 13359538 BillKo said:
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but there's no way I'm spending $770+ for a suit.
I mean, can't you get nice quality clothing at a more economical price?
I think that's a fair price for a good suit. I mean it's not Armani level and it's not shit level. I'm a firm believer in if you do your research you get what you pay for. Sure you can get cheaper suits and they'll look good for a while, but in my experience they don't last. Everyone has their own experience.
If I can get two suits for $1500, which is usually what I do every year, I'm fine with it.
and I retire a couple suits from my closet that are older.
I'm in sales and appearance matters. If I wore a suit a couple times a year then I'd go a cheaper route probably.
I hear ya on that, I'm just surprised these garments wear out so quickly.....is it from the dry cleaning?
Partly, I think it's the dry cleaning and the travel. I'm on planes and trains all the time and my clothes get stuffed into roll aboard suit cases then thrown in a pile until they get to the cleaners, I just think it takes a toll on clothes.
and maybe a little get-off-my-lawn-ish they don't make things like they used to.
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i had to have it remade as the fit was not great.
second time the the waist had to be take in, i went to a tailor and they reimbursed me.
they were extremely accomodating but if you cannot get to the store, I would not do my own measurements.
do the research, fit very important need good tailors, Brooks brothers has them. Also for an athletic build you might want some Lycra woven into the fabric for give say 2 to 3 % again Brooks Brothers. better suits have canvas floating chest pieces for fit and comfort. the Italian brands have some fine fabric but are not well constructed, don't buy for name.
Martin Greenfield suits are hand stitched even the button holes but you won't get that for $500 although the suit can last a lifetime if cared for well
I have 8 legit that I can wear and look good in, it stretches to 10 if I need to, but the 10th one looks like I'm wearing the suit from my high school prom. a little fat-guy in a little coat going on, but I have had no choice on one occasion to wear it when every other suit was at the cleaners together after a long stretch on the road.
Normally now I don't travel for long stretches, short but frequent trips, which is better for my rotation. I could 90% of the time get by with 5 suits if I had to.
I almost never wear a tie anymore. Even with financial services customers/insurance companies in NYC who had been among the most conservative companies on the planet for a long time. Maybe first time I meet them I wear a tie, but after that no tie - if they don't all wear ties. I have a ton of ties but generally wear the same few, solid ties or striped, conservative looking.
I have never worn a pocket square. I'd kick my own ass before wearing one of them unless I was in a wedding party and then I'd kick the grooms ass for forcing that shit on me.
I've gotten a lot of good suits from Macys - this time of year they're usually on sale. Haven't spent more than $200 on a suit and they've lasted.
I've gotten some on clearance too - which I think is the best way to go. The clearance suits are usually just awkwardly sized (no one fits them). For a reasonable price a decent tailor (outside of the store) can make them fit perfectly.
I would never trust my own measurements.
I also have Tom James that I won on a raffle.
It is a decent suit but not sure I would buy at full price.