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NFT: Men's Suits

Anakim : 8/15/2018 11:19 pm
Let me preface this by saying that I have absolutely no clue what to look for when I'm shopping. I have no idea what's quality, I have no clue what looks good on me. This applies to everything. I am the least metrosexual person you'll ever meet. Watching me try to shop is like watching a retard try to fuck a doorknob. In fact, whenever I go shopping I immediately see if they have any Giants apparel. Haha

Having said that, I'm kind of embarrassed to say this, but I have no idea how to tell a good suit from a bad one. What exactly is the distinction? The material? Like would you be able to tell if someone is wearing a Men's Warehouse suit and if someone is wearing like a Michael Kors one?

I was in Century 21 today (I usually have to be dragged to go shopping by either my mom or my friends. It's SOOOOO much easier when they pick out my clothes for me.) and I saw they had a bunch of suits on sale (and I mean HUGE sales), but I had no idea what I was looking at. Which brands and designers are considered the creme de la creme? I've heard by word of mouth that Armani and the Italian designers are considered the best and highest quality, but how do I know what to look for? Are Hickey Freeman, Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Brooks Brothers... considered high quality?

I'm an attorney so appearance is obviously very important. I need to look professional. But I also need suits for when I go to events and dates and stuff like that. I need to look chic, suave and debonair.

Unfortunately, no one has really taught me the art of style (in part because I was never interested. Haha), so I guess I'm learning a bit late in life how to dress. Help me, Giants Brethren!
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First thing is fit  
GiantNatty : 8/16/2018 8:42 am : link
Find a tailor/company that makes suits that fit your build. Hugo Boss, for instance, isn't for me - they're made for tall, slender dudes with very thin thighs. So as nice as they may be, they're just not for me.

Joseph Aboud and Brooks Brothers are tailored more for my build.

Find some tailors that fit your build, then go from there in terms of materials, stitching, and styles.
Anaheim, you talk like you are a kid.  
idinkido : 8/16/2018 8:56 am : link
So, how does that impress anyone? Being conscious of your clothes is basically your statement to the world as to who you are. If you think clothes don't matter, then take your practice to a nudist colony and let your fine points stand out. Seriously man, take your wardrobe more seriously for it represents you to the world. Once you do that, you will know what you want to wear.
Women's shooooooessssss  
chopperhatch : 8/16/2018 8:59 am : link
Anaheim? Auto-Correct strikes again  
idinkido : 8/16/2018 9:00 am : link
...
Brooks Brothers suits  
McNally's_Nuts : 8/16/2018 9:02 am : link
are insanely expensive. Unless your pulling 6 figures, I'd recommend going to Suit Supply. Suits range from 399-599 and you'll walk out with some really nice suits. I own 4 of them and always get compliments.

I would 100 percent recommend Brooks Brothers shirts, but only when they have the 4 for 199 sale every few months. No shirt is worth 84 dollars when 6 weeks later you can get them for 50.

Charles Tywhitt also has these deals, you'll see it on the subway ads 3 for 99, also cannot go wrong with them.
Brooks Brothers  
pjcas18 : 8/16/2018 9:07 am : link
has a semi-annual 2 suits for $1500 sale- check their website or even ask in a store - if you open a CC with them to pay for your suits you get I believe a 15% discount too, it's really hard to beat unless there is an up-and-coming competitor that has high quality and low prices.

This look  
Beer Man : 8/16/2018 9:09 am : link
always works....

It depends why you need the suits  
PatersonPlank : 8/16/2018 9:10 am : link
If you are just starting out, and you need a bunch of them to get going, then just go to Men's Wearhouse and get it over with. They will look fine, be of ok quality, and fit the bill (I know I will get slammed for that opinion). If you have money and want a real high quality suit or two, then do the higher end places. I've wore suits my whole life, and frankly 95% of them are from Men's Wearhouse. Going other places for a lot of suits will break the bank.
Men's Warehouse  
Csonka : 8/16/2018 9:27 am : link
Has a pretty wide range of suits. Yeah, some cheap ones. But some pretty high end ones too well over $1,000.

I have a hard time finding suits I like in my size and I don't want a tailor to butcher one with major alterations, so I usually go get a suit made to order. Really doesn't cost any more.
Suggestions  
Mike in NY : 8/16/2018 9:29 am : link
I have a black tie event next year and thinking of finally splurging for a tux. As someone who definitely could stand to lose some weight is there any place in New York area that doesn't have entirely slim fit as that definitely doesn't work for me.
RE: This look  
PatersonPlank : 8/16/2018 9:34 am : link
In comment 14040394 Beer Man said:
Quote:
always works....



Thats my Prom suit.
also  
Les in TO : 8/16/2018 9:51 am : link
before you invest in a lot of suits -and while you definitely should have at least three in your wardrobe, you should also know the culture of the company you are going to work for. the dress code where I work is casual (and a lot of tech companies are like that if you get an in house gig there) so if I wore suits every day I would stick out like a sore thumb.

a few other tips:

- if you have a friend with good fashion sense, take them out for lunch and ask them to help you out with shopping, or at least ask them where they go for their outfits

- read men's health, GQ and other men's magazines for ideas

- do a color assessment to figure out what tones look best on you, depending on your hair and skin color

- if there is one area where you don't want to skimp on quality it is shoes....Johnston & murphy and ecco are very good quality, comfortable brands....shirts, trousers, ties, pocket squares you don't need to break the bank...keep your feet happy

- for casual clothes, dress shirts, seasonal clothing, see what is in style by reviewing high end fashion store magazines (I use harry rosen, which is a Canadian luxury menswear business) and replicate that look from H&M, Old navy etc
Appreciate the advice, guys  
Anakim : 8/16/2018 10:05 am : link
Much obliged
RE: Joseph Banks  
Anakim : 8/16/2018 10:09 am : link
In comment 14040328 johnnyb said:
Quote:
Has good suits. Quality product. I have six.


I have a few Joseph A. Bank suits also
RE: Brooks Brothers  
McNally's_Nuts : 8/16/2018 10:09 am : link
In comment 14040391 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
has a semi-annual 2 suits for $1500 sale- check their website or even ask in a store - if you open a CC with them to pay for your suits you get I believe a 15% discount too, it's really hard to beat unless there is an up-and-coming competitor that has high quality and low prices.


What is the upcharge on tailoring services at Brooks Brothers. I have a 15 percent card off thru my job but haven't really purchased anything there in a while.

I still feel like 1500 for 2 suits is a bit nuts, especially when you can go to Suit Supply or Men's Warehouse and get 3 or 4 for the same price.

If anyone is in hot climates or like NYC during the summer, I would recommend checking out twillory.com.

They make fantastic dress shirts that are made with wicking material so you don't sweat like a madman. They look fantastic too.
RE: also  
Anakim : 8/16/2018 10:09 am : link
In comment 14040436 Les in TO said:
Quote:
before you invest in a lot of suits -and while you definitely should have at least three in your wardrobe, you should also know the culture of the company you are going to work for. the dress code where I work is casual (and a lot of tech companies are like that if you get an in house gig there) so if I wore suits every day I would stick out like a sore thumb.

a few other tips:

- if you have a friend with good fashion sense, take them out for lunch and ask them to help you out with shopping, or at least ask them where they go for their outfits

- read men's health, GQ and other men's magazines for ideas

- do a color assessment to figure out what tones look best on you, depending on your hair and skin color

- if there is one area where you don't want to skimp on quality it is shoes....Johnston & murphy and ecco are very good quality, comfortable brands....shirts, trousers, ties, pocket squares you don't need to break the bank...keep your feet happy

- for casual clothes, dress shirts, seasonal clothing, see what is in style by reviewing high end fashion store magazines (I use harry rosen, which is a Canadian luxury menswear business) and replicate that look from H&M, Old navy etc


Thanks for the advice, Les. Just curious, but what do you mean by a color assessment?
RE: RE: also  
McNally's_Nuts : 8/16/2018 10:15 am : link
In comment 14040458 Anakim said:
Quote:
In comment 14040436 Les in TO said:


Quote:


before you invest in a lot of suits -and while you definitely should have at least three in your wardrobe, you should also know the culture of the company you are going to work for. the dress code where I work is casual (and a lot of tech companies are like that if you get an in house gig there) so if I wore suits every day I would stick out like a sore thumb.

a few other tips:

- if you have a friend with good fashion sense, take them out for lunch and ask them to help you out with shopping, or at least ask them where they go for their outfits

- read men's health, GQ and other men's magazines for ideas

- do a color assessment to figure out what tones look best on you, depending on your hair and skin color

- if there is one area where you don't want to skimp on quality it is shoes....Johnston & murphy and ecco are very good quality, comfortable brands....shirts, trousers, ties, pocket squares you don't need to break the bank...keep your feet happy

- for casual clothes, dress shirts, seasonal clothing, see what is in style by reviewing high end fashion store magazines (I use harry rosen, which is a Canadian luxury menswear business) and replicate that look from H&M, Old navy etc



Thanks for the advice, Les. Just curious, but what do you mean by a color assessment?


Yeah, color assessment makes no sense. Stick to Navy and Grey suits. I have a black suit, but never wear it.

You don't want to look like the last pick in the draft.

No one should wear a tan suit.
RE: RE: Brooks Brothers  
pjcas18 : 8/16/2018 10:16 am : link
In comment 14040457 McNally's_Nuts said:
Quote:
In comment 14040391 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


has a semi-annual 2 suits for $1500 sale- check their website or even ask in a store - if you open a CC with them to pay for your suits you get I believe a 15% discount too, it's really hard to beat unless there is an up-and-coming competitor that has high quality and low prices.




What is the upcharge on tailoring services at Brooks Brothers. I have a 15 percent card off thru my job but haven't really purchased anything there in a while.

I still feel like 1500 for 2 suits is a bit nuts, especially when you can go to Suit Supply or Men's Warehouse and get 3 or 4 for the same price.

If anyone is in hot climates or like NYC during the summer, I would recommend checking out twillory.com.

They make fantastic dress shirts that are made with wicking material so you don't sweat like a madman. They look fantastic too.


I believe tailoring is included in the price, not sure. I use my own tailor though, one time at Brooks Brothers their tailor seemed a little "handsy" with me and kind of brushed a testicle - when I felt like he had no reason to be up there to begin with. sort of my personal "me too" moment, so I don't use their tailoring - my guy stays clear of my genitals.

but I think BB includes the price of tailoring with the fee. I agree they are on the expensive side, and i used to buy Men's Wearhouse suits, shit I even got the 2 for $199 suits at K&G when I lived in DC and was 24 years old in one of my first jobs.

but I learned through personal experience that I am sharing with Anakim that those suits a) don't stand up to dry cleaning - they get pilly and frayed much sooner than is acceptable or reasonable and b) don't hold their shape/crispness very long so while you will absolutely look great the first 6 months of wearing them they don't last.

and if you wear suits to funerals, weddings, christenings, bar mivas (sp?) or whatever then a cheap suit that looks good when worn sporadically is perfectly fine.

Anakim is a lawyer though, so I feel like he should look the part and IMO unless he's hustling clients outside of DUI court that is Brooks Brothers or high end, not Men's Wearhouse.
..  
Named Later : 8/16/2018 10:18 am : link
The key issue was raised by the first response in this thread....durability. A suit may look great when you initially buy it, but the first time it gets dry-cleaned the bad tailoring will show up. You'll never see what makes a suit a good one -- the canvas bonding under-layer and the way it's held together.

Start your search with a walk thru Brooks Brothers. If that's too rich for your blood, work your way down the list of men's stores.

Full Disclosure here. The last suit coat I bought was a Jos A. Bank for $5 at the Goodwill store....but I'm retired.
Anakim  
GMEN46 : 8/16/2018 10:20 am : link
Just go to Enzo custom they will take care of everything for you. It will be better then brooks brothers, Bloomingdales and Macy’s and is priced appropriately.
RE: RE: RE: Brooks Brothers  
McNally's_Nuts : 8/16/2018 10:23 am : link
In comment 14040467 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
In comment 14040457 McNally's_Nuts said:


Quote:


In comment 14040391 pjcas18 said:


Quote:


has a semi-annual 2 suits for $1500 sale- check their website or even ask in a store - if you open a CC with them to pay for your suits you get I believe a 15% discount too, it's really hard to beat unless there is an up-and-coming competitor that has high quality and low prices.




What is the upcharge on tailoring services at Brooks Brothers. I have a 15 percent card off thru my job but haven't really purchased anything there in a while.

I still feel like 1500 for 2 suits is a bit nuts, especially when you can go to Suit Supply or Men's Warehouse and get 3 or 4 for the same price.

If anyone is in hot climates or like NYC during the summer, I would recommend checking out twillory.com.

They make fantastic dress shirts that are made with wicking material so you don't sweat like a madman. They look fantastic too.



I believe tailoring is included in the price, not sure. I use my own tailor though, one time at Brooks Brothers their tailor seemed a little "handsy" with me and kind of brushed a testicle - when I felt like he had no reason to be up there to begin with. sort of my personal "me too" moment, so I don't use their tailoring - my guy stays clear of my genitals.

but I think BB includes the price of tailoring with the fee. I agree they are on the expensive side, and i used to buy Men's Wearhouse suits, shit I even got the 2 for $199 suits at K&G when I lived in DC and was 24 years old in one of my first jobs.

but I learned through personal experience that I am sharing with Anakim that those suits a) don't stand up to dry cleaning - they get pilly and frayed much sooner than is acceptable or reasonable and b) don't hold their shape/crispness very long so while you will absolutely look great the first 6 months of wearing them they don't last.

and if you wear suits to funerals, weddings, christenings, bar mivas (sp?) or whatever then a cheap suit that looks good when worn sporadically is perfectly fine.

Anakim is a lawyer though, so I feel like he should look the part and IMO unless he's hustling clients outside of DUI court that is Brooks Brothers or high end, not Men's Wearhouse.


Yes, good point about dry cleaning. Do it 2x a year and for god sakes do not dry clean dress shirts!!

For suits the best thing is to run a HOT shower and let your bathroom get steamy, put the suits in and then spray it with a solution of water and vodka. The vodka will take away any smells. After about a half hr, open your bathroom window.

Just get them washed, starched and ironed. I do not trust the "non iron" shirts, what a load of bull. Costs like 1.85 a shirt and they look good.
RE: RE: also  
Les in TO : 8/16/2018 10:27 am : link
In comment 14040458 Anakim said:
Quote:



Thanks for the advice, Les. Just curious, but what do you mean by a color assessment?
not so much for suits, but for shirts, sweaters and more casual clothes there are some colors that look better on you if you depending on if your skin tone is dark, tanned or very light
when your mom  
PaulBlakeTSU : 8/16/2018 10:27 am : link
takes you shopping, perhaps she can sit you down and explain why a professional attorney would be better served not making "retard" jokes.

There are plenty of articles that go into detail about how to pick out a proper suit, and more importantly, how to learn about the proper fit of a suit. At your age/level, the fit of the suit is going to be far more important than the designer or material of the suit. Sure, there are exceptions, but a basic suit made of "decent" material that is cut expertly to fit you will look more flattering than an off-the-rack designer suit that doesn't fit right.

Suit Supply does a good job with mass-sale of suits. If you are an odd shape, places like MySuit will give you a decent suit that is made-to-measure (they take the general template of a standard suit size and adjust the inputs for about five different measurements before the suit is made at their manufacturer).

That said, the one thing I would advise to stay away from on the cheap end are glued/fused suits. They will come apart quickly and you will soon get a bubbling effect that is impossible to fix. Make sure the jacket is at least half-canvassed.
The Brooks Brothers shirts  
pjcas18 : 8/16/2018 10:28 am : link
are legit no iron.

And I don't mean to sound like a Brooks Brothers sales person, I have zero connection to them (though I think there is someone on here who works for them or used to) but I have been in corporate America for 20 years working for brick and mortars for a lot of it and needing to wear suits every day.

and I traveled extensively.

Brooks Brothers shirts and suits will "un-wrinkle" in a hotel bathroom with the shower on hot in 10 minutes. and look crisp.

I have never dry cleaned a Brooks Brothers shirt.

suits I dry clean about what you said - twice a year, you just can't get that swamp ass smell that accumulates over time out without a good dry cleaning - even fabreeze is temporary. I like the pressing they do too at the dry cleaners.

also  
PaulBlakeTSU : 8/16/2018 10:35 am : link
it's worth investing in a nice suit brush and give it a quick once-over before/after you wear the suit. It will keep it clean and extend it's life. Kent is the standard bearer for suit brushes though I'm sure there are endless choices that will accomplish the same task.
RE: I use  
Sec 103 : 8/16/2018 10:43 am : link
In comment 14040348 pjcas18 said:
Quote:
Brooks Brothers for all my suits and shirts, never had an issue, they're probably considered on the expensive side if you're looking at Men's Wearhouse (garbage), but you get what you pay for and my Brooks Brothers shirts and suits last longer than the others I had.

not quite as long (shirts) as they used to, but suits still do.

This
RE: when your mom  
Anakim : 8/16/2018 10:47 am : link
In comment 14040479 PaulBlakeTSU said:
Quote:
takes you shopping



*took, not take
....  
BrettNYG10 : 8/16/2018 10:48 am : link
All the fashion advice you need:

Don't ask BBI for fashion advice.
Brooks Brothers sales people are awful if you're young.  
BrettNYG10 : 8/16/2018 10:49 am : link
Probably just nice to pj because he's old AF.
You get what you pay for  
Bergen346 : 8/16/2018 10:52 am : link
I have always found that a more expensive suit with better material lasts much longer than a cheaper suit and ends up paying for itself over time.

I wear custom suits, but cheaper and solid alternatives are a few British brands like Ted Baker, Charles Tyrwhitt and T.M. Lewin. You can buy pants separately so if you blow them out, which happens much quicker than the jacket, you can buy a new pair and not have to buy a entire new suit.

RE: Brooks Brothers sales people are awful if you're young.  
pjcas18 : 8/16/2018 10:56 am : link
In comment 14040503 BrettNYG10 said:
Quote:
Probably just nice to pj because he's old AF.


This is true, I am ancient for a 40-something. And I have had the same Brooks Brothers sales guy in Natick, MA for 12 years. Same guy, knows my name, knows my size, knows what I do for a living, knows I'm going to try and get him to knock $100 off the price.
I’m amazed no one has suggested  
RobCarpenter : 8/16/2018 10:57 am : link
Asking your spouse for advice?
RE: I’m amazed no one has suggested  
Les in TO : 8/16/2018 11:15 am : link
In comment 14040520 RobCarpenter said:
Quote:
Asking your spouse for advice?
considering in the OP he mentioned being dragged clothes shopping by his mom, I'm going to go out on a limb and say he does not have a spouse in the picture.
Just go to Brooks Brothers , ask your questions and they will give you  
gtt350 : 8/16/2018 11:17 am : link
and education. Quality of material, style, 2button, 3 button, Double breasted,
tailoring. Al cheap suits are glued (fused) together. Brooks Brothers have floating canvas chest pieces for comfort and tailoring. i would suggest cuffs for true classy look and also buttons for braces. you'll have to ask :)
Of course  
Beer Man : 8/16/2018 11:27 am : link
this guy may be able to help you with your suit selection

Did you get a job, 'Nak?  
Mike from SI : 8/16/2018 11:42 am : link
Don't have much solid advice to offer on suits, other than in my experience, you can get a really good suit for a few hundred bucks, but paying up usually guarantees you get something nice.

Also, suits have gotten way more tight fitting over the last 15 years (granted in the early 2000s they looked like parachutes). If you're getting a few you may want to get one that's slightly less tight fitting in case the style boomerangs.
These threads crack me up  
Greg from LI : 8/16/2018 11:50 am : link
And remind me why I'm so glad that I don't have to wear suits to work and thus don't have to blow obscene amounts of money on fucking clothes.
i've ended up with brooks brothers exclusively for suits...  
only1eli : 8/16/2018 11:51 am : link
and dress shirts after trying other places. i wear a suit every day and the jos. a banks and men's wearhouse-type places don't hold a candle to them in terms of quality. though note that the brooks brothers outlet suits are lesser quality.

yes, tailoring is no charge.

if you wait for sales, the prices can reduce drastically. they're having a sale right now, actually. you also get 15% off for using their card and they have a rewards program that results in gift cards, plus they send you promotional discounts from time to time, including on your birthday. if you're patient, the prices are not astronomical, but the quality supersedes most.
Brooks Brothers outlet shopping  
RobCarpenter : 8/16/2018 12:00 pm : link
Is where to get suits. Not cheap but way cheaper than retail stores.
Whoa seeing that pic reminds me that  
NoPeanutz : 8/16/2018 12:21 pm : link
the MacAdoo years were weird.
Buy at least super 100 or 120 wool...  
JCin332 : 8/16/2018 12:40 pm : link
You'll thank me later...

I'm serious btw...
Charles Tyrwhitt...  
BamaBlue : 8/16/2018 12:48 pm : link
Anyone got the 3 for $99 code? I used to get this deal regularly through the Wall Street Journal, but CT stopped advertising. Right now, the only deal I can find is $56 per shirt (4 shirts for $199 and 15% off), not including shipping.
Seconded Bama’s request  
Bergen346 : 8/16/2018 1:19 pm : link
I love their shirts. No reason to spend a lot on shirts that eventually will be stained and ruined. I get their slim fit and have them taken in and they look great.

Brooks Brothers shirts are the worst in my opinion. When I worked on a desk I would constantly blow out the elbows. Total waste of $$.
Also - go to Nordstrom’s during their semi-annual sales  
Bergen346 : 8/16/2018 1:21 pm : link
You can pick up very nice suits at 30-50% off. Free tailoring and if they tear or breakdown or you have any issues at all they’ll take it back no questions asked.
RE: Did you get a job, 'Nak?  
Anakim : 8/16/2018 1:23 pm : link
In comment 14040567 Mike from SI said:
Quote:
Don't have much solid advice to offer on suits, other than in my experience, you can get a really good suit for a few hundred bucks, but paying up usually guarantees you get something nice.

Also, suits have gotten way more tight fitting over the last 15 years (granted in the early 2000s they looked like parachutes). If you're getting a few you may want to get one that's slightly less tight fitting in case the style boomerangs.


I have some interviews lined up in the coming days (bust out the Barney's suit!), but I'm also looking for suits for dates, events and other non-work-related things.
Tom Ford  
theking : 8/16/2018 1:29 pm : link
Tom Ford... will give you instant credibility.
RE: Charles Tyrwhitt...  
McNally's_Nuts : 8/16/2018 1:48 pm : link
In comment 14040636 BamaBlue said:
Quote:
Anyone got the 3 for $99 code? I used to get this deal regularly through the Wall Street Journal, but CT stopped advertising. Right now, the only deal I can find is $56 per shirt (4 shirts for $199 and 15% off), not including shipping.


Try the sub reddit called "frugal male fashion"
RE: RE: Did you get a job, 'Nak?  
Les in TO : 8/16/2018 2:12 pm : link
In comment 14040678 Anakim said:
Quote:
but I'm also looking for suits for dates
where are you taking your dates, the opera? here's a dating tip on top of the fashion tips in this thread: you don't wear suits on dates. unless you are this guy:
...  
christian : 8/16/2018 2:55 pm : link
Don't under any circumstance buy a suit at Century 21 if you don't know what you are doing.

You're going to end up almost getting the right suit, and almost getting the right suit is going to make you look like an asshole.

You can buy a Canali suit and look like an idiot.

And unless you are going to a gala don't where a suit on a date. (More on this later).

If you need suits for work get to the Suit Supply in Bloomingdale's. The staff at that location is flawless and will get you in the right suits. You need someone to help you with all of it. It's just not tailoring, you need to known fabric, details, cut, breasts (yes there are great suits that aren't single breasted). It's New York, you're going to need a cotton suit. You might even needed linen suit. You need a classic gray wool, a navy wool and black for semi-formal.

Find the salesman who looks the best in his suit and get him. Even if you have to wait.

For dates you need separates. Get a fantastic blazer, get layers. Get some killer sweaters. Get a great pair of boots. You're not going to prom. Do not wear a suit on a date.

You're also in your late 20s right? Don't get caught dead in Brooks Brothers suit for 15 years.
what christian said  
Les in TO : 8/16/2018 3:23 pm : link
and don't forget the grey fleece zip up vest, the new must have item in a corporate uniform.
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