Suit Quality Advice
Monkeys.
I am by no means a slave to fashion. My after-work wardrobe is mainly free t-shirts I got from credit card companies. So I'm not going after sartorial splendor here. But I got these jos a bank suits that are just total shit and I am going to be replacing them soon.
The fit is neither good nor bad. But the material and construction is just utter shit. And this is the Sig Gold line which is supposed to be relatively better.
I'm looking at Hart Schaffner Marx, Hickey Freeman, and Brooks.
Anyone have experience with them? I'm looking for a suit that will last a good 5 years instead of the 1.5 that I expect to get out of these scheissehosen I got from JAB that are already splitting at the crotch after 6 months.
my suits from Macy's sales have lasted for several years. i have never understood the need to spend more than $500 on a suit.
If you can point me out to a durable suit at a low price, I'd be in your debt.
Have JAB now: it sucks. Had Men's Wearhouse for my internship: sucks too. I'm not particularly hard on them, but the things start splitting at the pockets, vents, arms, lining well under a year of use. For a $400 suit (which I know isn't much for a suit), I expect a lot more.
Anyone has the JC Penney Staffords? I hear good things about those.
Are you kidding? I know bank tellers who wear better suits. The last time I had anything Stafford was when I needed a shirt and tie for my middle school band concert.
I'm in the same boat. Might look into Nordstrom's as well. They've got some good higher end stuff and they tailor for free.
Any other thoughts anyone?
Would look at something other than Brooks. Lots of people here swear by them but there are better values. Their stuff doesn't seem much better than Jos A Bank to me.
Get a couple suits and rotate 'em out - really extends the lifespan of each. Same deal with shoes.
As for material quality, check the (thread?) count. Counts in the high hundreds like what you'll see in high end suits are meant to last like 2 weekends. The lower the count the more wear it can take.
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Hart Marx are nice
super 120 wool (100%)
Why pay retail? You can get a $1200 jacket with handstitching on sale for like $450, and they'll tailor it in store. Instead of trying to find a less shitty suit from a shitty suit retailer, wouldn't it be better to find a retailer you really like and then regularly check store sales? Plus you can always walk up to the manager and ask for a discount.
A $500 suit is not expensive -- it may cost a lot, but it is not expensive. A decent, none flashy suit is going to be in the $800 range. Baller MD suits are 2,000+ off the rack and beespoke is off the chats. Mens clothing is expensive -- if you want an all wool suit that is well made and will last a while, go to Brooks during the bi annual sale and try to find one in the 400-500 range. You can get cheap suits that look fine, but they are cheap for a reason, even in the 800 range you are still on the lower bound for a quality suit. If you can actually spend $800, go to Mr. Ned in Manhattan and have him make you one -- this is what I plan to do. They are made to measure and I figure if you purchase one at Brooks for the same price, you might as well have it well fitted and to your specifications -- no pleats, etc. Just my thoughts, this stuff traditionally was intended to last a lifetime -- Churchill was constantly having holes in his suits repaired from cigar ash falling on them (albeit you probably cannot afford his Savile row tailor). If you get fat, you can let it out and visa versa. There is nothing wrong with a $200 suit, but unless you had a guy in india sew it for you (which I have met people who do this) it will probably be low quality, despite how good it looks.
To all suit shoppers. Nordstoms, Neiman Marcus, and Saks all have outlet stores which sell suits at incredibly low prices. Nordstrom Rack in NYC has some great deals. I recently picked up 2 Hugo Boss for 325 each, a Zegna for 450 and Hickey Freeman for 450. These suits list price from 900-2000, so outlets would be my recommendation. Stay the fuck away from the macys shit. It may last long, but that is bc it is made out of polyester and stiff wool. Anyone who knows fashion can spot a cheap Alfani from a mile away, and it just shows a lack of self pride and taste, assuming you can afford better.
If one of these outlets are not near your location, you are better off trying on the suit you want at list price, and ordering it online from one of these stores or others. Worst case, it doesnt fit, and you ship it back.
OP, you are correct, JAB suck, so dont take another step backwards and buy an Alfani from Macys for 200. If you are really cheap, some Calvin Kleins are not bad, and this is purely bc they fit well. Other affordable suits are DKNY, Joseph Abuad. Idk, I would just look out for sales and hit the outlets if possible.
More importantly than quality, go for fit, nothing baggy, very slight break at the ankle.
Calvin Kleins actually have a very good fit, especially if you are slim.
Go custom. [email protected]
He comes to NYC once every six months, takes your measurements and you'll have your suit in 8 weeks. I have 3 of his suits.
3 piece suits: 375 2piece: 300 With your name on the inner left pocket, quality fabric. You can't beat it. It's not all about the name, it's about the fit
Thanks.
I'm looking for ROI, guys. One I hit my retirement money mark, I'm wearing nothing but flip flops and t-shirts. A suit is just an irksome necessity in the meantime.
Maybe consider getting a tailored suit. If you're ever in Asia - definitely consider researching a few good tailors before your trip (if you do a search on WSO, there's already a few names for HK and China)
There's also a few online tailored suit businesses. Obviously, with an online shop, you run the risk of it not fitting perfectly, but a lot of them have guarantees - where if you're not happy with it, they'll fix it free of charge until it's right. Here's one example: http://www.indochino.com/ I think they sell wso/">suits for around $350-400.
Also do a search on AskAndy and StyleForum. They often post reviews or people's experiences with various tailors.
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Pleats, break, cuffs, vents: all are preferences. Look at the regent suits from BBs, all have flat front trousers.
Cuffs/no cuffs, vents are preferences. Pleats are actually a big deal. ANYONE can wear flat front pants. When you wear pleated plants, it depends on how the pants are cut, what your silhouette is like, etc. It can work, but not as consistently. That's why you hear so many people say wear only flat front pants. Because when you wear pleated plants, you need to know what you're doing to not look stupid
BB recently had a 60% off sale on 1818 suits, which normally go for $1000 or so. The sale may still be going. 1818 meets any reasonable standard for a business professional (below MD level) and is agood buy at $400-$500 (prob not $1K). If you have a corporate card you get another 15% off
When you hear people bashing Brooks Brothers, I believe they are referring to their discount line. They have a few suits (brooksease or something) that are aimed at the lower end or younger customers and are probably low quality.
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