Opinions on suits

Handlebar Moustache

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The last suit I bought was from Sears in 2005. It was cheap and not very stylish to begin with, and I'm 40 lbs heavier now, so I needed something new...something to wear maybe once a year.

So I started shopping and found a clearance suit at Jos. A. Bank online. It's a charcoal herringbone tailored fit 2 piece "Signature Gold" suit. I got it for less than $100 shipped after promo codes and all that stuff. I didn't want to spend much, and l feel like I did really well. It fits nice and I like the way it looks. I'm going to bring it into the local store and have the pants adjusted a bit.

The only problem is that I have absolutely no idea about all this stuff. I'm a rube. I like my 40 dollar pulsar watch and my 200 thousand-mile-old cars. Online reviews are bullshit these days. My friends don't know anything about suits either. So for the suit guys....is Jos A. Bank garbage, or is it decent stuff? What do you wear? Why?
 

RusWolf

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It depends on your body type.
Best suit is not the most expensive suit but the best fitting suit. (Although a trained eye may see the fabric and how the suit is made) generally speaking a decent suit can be found for as low as $200 and up, i would not go lower than that and even than only select brands on crazy sale.


Hugo Boss, Versace Collezione, Burberry are more like fitted suit’s, look great, feel great.
Hugo boss has several different lines but from my experience they are mostly tailored style and easy to find a proper fitting suit, plus they sell suit separates.

Hickey Freeman suits are really good as well and more classic options as far as how they fit.

Versace Collezione line is also more fitted/tailored style, fabric is great.

Burberry, same as versace.

YSL suits are made in Italy and also fit great.

Canali suits are high end on the level of burberry, versace, armani and few others. Not cheap, good sale on a Canali suit is still in $800-900 and thats a crazy good price. Same for Armani, rarely in sale and will likely never go lower than that price.

John Varvatos is another honorable mention, but i can never find one that fits me properly, they are on a tighter side, especially in shoulders and arms, but look and feel great.

Suits that I have owned/still own: Hugo Boss, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks fifth “made in Italy” line, multiple Hickey Freeman suits, Versace Collezione, Burberry. My next suit’s will be a Canali and YSL.

I scored Saks Fifth Ave suit on some kind of crazy sale awhile ago for $200 ($800 regular) and it just happened to be a perfect size for me, only 2 or 3 sizes were available.

Check out stores such as Century 21, Saks Fifth Avenue, Saks off fifth. Depending on your location you may or may not have them in brick and mortar, but saks off fifth is present in many states, also nordstrom and nordstrom rack. Go try some on and figure out your size and fit first. After that it will be easier to zero-in on how much you want to spend and which one to get.

I personally would skip johns A, mens warehouse and similar brands... but thats just me and my opinion. If their “gold” line is $100 i’m afraid to ask how low is regular line lol

A good suit will last you for years and you will not regret in investing in a quality suit. IMHO

Hopefully it helps.

P.S. I just noticed you are 40 lbs heavier now lol, so my suggestion would be to look at Hickey Freeman suits to start.


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kazman

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I go to local Thrift stores in the better part of town, find a high quality suit that retails or $500-$1000 that's close in size. Buy it for $10-$20, take it to a tailor and have it fitted for $50 or $100.


Just sayin
 

Klaus

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Jo's A Bank is not a good suit and it probably does not fit you. The materials are probably not that bad but I suspect the fit is terrible.

If you want to guess how much someone spent on a suit look at how it fits. I like to say that if you only spent a couple of hundred you did not get a deal, you got ripped off.

Brands actually do not matter all that much, they are just labels. You want wool and thread count matters. I have had good luck with Brooks Brothers. I am slim and they have a cut that fits me very well. $700-1200 gets me a very nice suit there.

You did did not ask but I thought I would mention that gentleman only wear a white or light blue shirt with a suit. Patterns are OK but flat is better. I prefer pattern suit, flat shirt, pattern tie. Socks match your pants. Belt and shoes match (and watch watchband if leather). NO cologne.

I cringe whenever I see a guy with a red or dark blue shirt with mismatched belt and shoes. Looks like a cell phone salesman.
 

CobraBob

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You already bought the suit, so at this point if you're happy with it overall (except the fit of the pants), wear it that one time a year and enjoy the money you saved on another option. IMO if you're only going to wear a suit once a year or so, don't pay big money for a higher quality material and fit. Especially if you might gain, or lose, weight along the way. If you wear a suit frequently, yeah, then go with a good quality, tailored suit with exceptional wear qualities. JMO.

This thread reminded me that I don't even have a suit. I did have one that I bought at a department store maybe 10-12 years ago, but I lost weight and haven't worn one for at least the past 3-4 years. Haven't needed one. All of my past suits were department store varieties. Fits were decent, so no complaints there. However, for regular use (ie. a job), I definitely see the merits of a custom tailored suit.
 

SolarYellow

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Buying a suit online can be problematic as you should be trying them on in store because it isn't like buying a pair of 32/32 jeans in which most different brands (not always of course) will all fit rather similar.
 

13COBRA

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Just go by a $300-500 suit at Men's Warehouse and then have them tailor it for you.

A 'good suit' is all in the fit.

I've had $500 suits and $5,000 suits...if tailored correctly, you'd never know the difference.
 

01yellercobra

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I picked up a Hugo Boss suit from a Burlington by my house. I had it tailored to fit me and I think it looks good. I didn't realize how much of a difference that makes until I got fitted for a tux for my buddies upcoming wedding. The fit of that tux makes me feel like a gray blob. I'm really not looking forward to wearing it.
 

BlckBox04

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Buying a suit online can be problematic as you should be trying them on in store because it isn't like buying a pair of 32/32 jeans in which most different brands (not always of course) will all fit rather similar.

yep
If you're in the market for a nice suit definitely get measured and have it tailored. It costs a little bit but it's worth it to have a nice well fitting suit.
 

buffalosoldier

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Its all about the material and fit. You can buy a decent suit on sale and then spend the money you saved on haveing the suit expertly tailored, you will thank yourself and feel good wearing it. Then you may wear it more often than one time a year.

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03Sssnake

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Jo's A Bank is not a good suit and it probably does not fit you. The materials are probably not that bad but I suspect the fit is terrible.

If you want to guess how much someone spent on a suit look at how it fits. I like to say that if you only spent a couple of hundred you did not get a deal, you got ripped off.

Brands actually do not matter all that much, they are just labels. You want wool and thread count matters. I have had good luck with Brooks Brothers. I am slim and they have a cut that fits me very well. $700-1200 gets me a very nice suit there.

You did did not ask but I thought I would mention that gentleman only wear a white or light blue shirt with a suit. Patterns are OK but flat is better. I prefer pattern suit, flat shirt, pattern tie. Socks match your pants. Belt and shoes match (and watch watchband if leather). NO cologne.

I cringe whenever I see a guy with a red or dark blue shirt with mismatched belt and shoes. Looks like a cell phone salesman.

Jos A Bank suits are way too much for the quality and they will need a lot of tailering/alterations...I made that mistake once, very thin lightweight fabric, will wear quickly and if you have any moth issues in your house they will eat that mfer in a heartbeat....
 

SID297

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I like Hugo Boss. But I find stuff 60% off or more.

So did the Nazis.

Just go by a $300-500 suit at Men's Warehouse and then have them tailor it for you.

A 'good suit' is all in the fit.

I've had $500 suits and $5,000 suits...if tailored correctly, you'd never know the difference.

Bingo, it's all in the fit. I've spent more on custom tailor work than what the suit I was having worked on cost.

Jos A Bank suits are way too much for the quality and they will need a lot of tailering/alterations...I made that mistake once, very thin lightweight fabric, will wear quickly and if you have any moth issues in your house they will eat that mfer in a heartbeat....

In the South a lightweight suit is a must.
 

buffalosoldier

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Good wool even in a light weight should wear well. And a nice simple navy blue suit plain or pinstriped should last years. That being said I had a friend that always wore cheap suits and just didn't care.
And the correct shoes are necessary.

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