Inexpensive Quality Suits??

First off, given the title of this thread, I'm not sure if this belongs in "The Finer Things In Life" section of SRP? Or maybe it does......

Anyway, since I developed, RAD, SAD, HAD and ASD I just despise spending any disposable income on anything NOT shave related. :)

I usually wear a suit two days a week when I'm in Court. I have suits ranging from $1,000 - $200, however, my favorite suit is one I purchased at Zara Men for about $300. While the quality is not the greatest, it fits me perfect.

I was wondering if anyone else had any recommendations or experiences with suits that won't "break the bank?"

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Originally Posted by Fbones24

First off, given the title of this thread, I'm not sure if this belongs in "The Finer Things In Life" section of SRP? Or maybe it does......

Anyway, since I developed, RAD, SAD, HAD and ASD I just despise spending any disposable income on anything NOT shave related. :)

I usually wear a suit two days a week when I'm in Court. I have suits ranging from $1,000 - $200, however, my favorite suit is one I purchased at Zara Men for about $300. While the quality is not the greatest, it fits me perfect.

I was wondering if anyone else had any recommendations or experiences with suits that won't "break the bank?"

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You can get good suits for $300, if you buy them at the right place-- not in a major city, and not in a chain that advertises itself...

May your hunt begin. :)

Actually my favorite suit was bought at H&M
Also look for a mens Le chateau. They have some good dress shirts and ties, with the occasional nice suit.

I have to wear a suit five days a week, so I have to have a variety. Quality is important, of course, but so is price. You'll probably balk at this suggestion, but here goes. Go to the nearest well-to-do community and check out the used clothing stores, i.e. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and churches that sell donations. They have top quality suits, coats, etc. from the finest stores in the nation (or even custom made) at rock bottom prices - and I'm talking $10 - $50 tops! Many come from widows who just want to clean out closets. For instance, if you croaked tomorrow, where would that $1000 suit end up? A little tailoring and it might even fit me! ;)

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Originally Posted by maineeagle

I have to wear a suit five days a week, so I have to have a variety. Quality is important, of course, but so is price. You'll probably balk at this suggestion, but here goes. Go to the nearest well-to-do community and check out the used clothing stores, i.e. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and churches that sell donations. They have top quality suits, coats, etc. from the finest stores in the nation (or even custom made) at rock bottom prices - and I'm talking $10 - $50 tops! Many come from widows who just want to clean out closets. For instance, if you croaked tomorrow, where would that $1000 suit end up? A little tailoring and it might even fit me! ;)

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I actually will not balk at that suggestion. I never even thought of that! I guess I might feel slightly guilty purchasing a suit for $10 that someone not as well off could use to get a job, but I would probably get over it.

That is a very interesting suggestion.

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Originally Posted by basil

Actually my favorite suit was bought at H&M
Also look for a mens Le chateau. They have some good dress shirts and ties, with the occasional nice suit.

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The last time I tried on an H&M suite, the pants were just way to slim for me. I like a slim fit suit, but the pants fit like spandex. Bumping up the size just created awkward proportions. I will definitely give H&M another go though when the Holidays are over.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by maineeagle

I have to wear a suit five days a week, so I have to have a variety. Quality is important, of course, but so is price. You'll probably balk at this suggestion, but here goes. Go to the nearest well-to-do community and check out the used clothing stores, i.e. Goodwill, Salvation Army, and churches that sell donations. They have top quality suits, coats, etc. from the finest stores in the nation (or even custom made) at rock bottom prices - and I'm talking $10 - $50 tops! Many come from widows who just want to clean out closets. For instance, if you croaked tomorrow, where would that $1000 suit end up? A little tailoring and it might even fit me! ;)

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I was disappointed when I tried this at the Goodwill outside the Penninsula in Cornelius, NC. This is the area where most of the Panthers and NASCAR people live. Went in and everything was from the early '90s and in bad shape. I eventually went to Burlington Coat Factory and picked up a decent suit for $150. There were other nicer suits for up to $400. Keep in mind anything can be made to look better after an alteration :)

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Originally Posted by Fbones24

The last time I tried on an H&M suite, the pants were just way to slim for me. I like a slim fit suit, but the pants fit like spandex. Bumping up the size just created awkward proportions. I will definitely give H&M another go though when the Holidays are over.

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I had the same problem but I just mix and matched the pants even though you were not suppOsed to.

I've bought dress shirts all over the world at all price points and yet one of my favorite and best fitting shirts is from Wal-Mart. Go figure. :)

If you have a friend that works at a boutique ask for the 50% hook up, I know here in Canada Holt Renfrew (Saks 5th Ave Equivalent) Offers there employees 50% off. If your lucky enough to live in the United States there are factory outlets almost everywhere, likes Saks 5th of fifth or Niemen Marcus Get a quality suite for like $200, I got a Ben Sherman (not super high end) for that price and the original was $800. I don't care if your suite is $2,000 or $200, if you don't get it custom tailored it will still look like crap, nothing worse than a cheap suite that hasn't been fitted. If you need an example go to GQ UK... one thing the English can do is pull off a nice suite, take that pic to your tailor and say make it fit like this. You wouldn't cheap out on a Pakistani Razor, so why would you cheap out on a suite. But if money is tight ZARA would be my vote.
And IMO you only need 3 suites Navy Blue, Black, Grey/Charcoal, nything else is loud and unrefined (got this from a magazine) If you wear suites 5 days a week, just switch up the shirts and ties, it will be a lot cheaper that 6-7 suites.

if you are ever in los angeles.. you can go to the hollywood suit outlet and get designer suits that are a few years old for stupidly low prices.. i purchased a 3 button paul smith suit for a hundred bucks there.. you have to do some serious looking though...

also.. for really great suits that aren't going to run you over the $1,000 mark...
check out www.thickasthievesla.com

My favorite suite, believe it or not I got it at JC Pennies, I think. It was one of those big box stores. On sale, I think I gave around $150 for it. Charcoal gray with light gray pin stripe, wool blend. Had the trousers and jacket fitted at the local tailor. Fits nice and the fabric hangs/moves wonderfully. A lot of the cheap suites have stiff, ridged fabric and it does not hang or move with you. Looks like an origami project gone bad. A decent tailor can work wonders.

take a look at this place Custom Suits & Mens Suits | Indochino they make tailored suits, shirts and coats. the prices seem good.

It really helps to be built in a certain way. Those of average weight and height, slimly built without an overhanging stomach or well developed upper body can often find good quality 'off the peg' suits in the UK.
Deviate from the norm and the only way you can look good is to buy a bespoke suit.

I love my S.Cohen suit.

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Originally Posted by BuddyRockefella

take a look at this place Custom Suits & Mens Suits | Indochino they make tailored suits, shirts and coats. the prices seem good.

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I really like the look and variety of the suits at Indochino, but I am so hesitant to order a custom suit online. I have read mixed things about them on styleforum, but it seems that they do remake any suits that do not fit properly.

When looking for a suit that is going to make you look great, you can find them almost anywhere. As long as the fabric is natural and not some weird synthetic all the way through a good tailor will fix you fine.

All my suits cost under 200.00, I am not a rich man, I am a simple one, and they look just fine after a tailor works on them for a little extra dough. Make friends with a tailor in town, someone who's been there for years if you can, they're be a staple when you buy suits.