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Help with a summer suit for a style noob

post #1 of 10
2/3/12 at 11:17pm
Thread Starter 

I'm sure you guys get all kinds of requests like this.  I'd appreciate it if you tolerated this one more:).

 

I'm 32, and I haven't cared about style for the past 31 years of my life.  I have brown eyes and brown hair, im reasonably tall (5'11) with a slim build.  I'm looking for a nice, light summer suit at a reasonable price (I'm a teacher). 

 

I'd like to buy the suit in a complete set, if possible.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

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post #2 of 10
2/4/12 at 7:40pm
Fit is most important. You don't want a suit that doesn't fit pretty well.

Look into made to measure. In the US, LS Men's Clothing in NYC and English-American near Baltimore are probably the most affordable quality MTM. The most affordable decent quality semi-bespoke is probably Mr. Ned's in NYC. (Avoid online MTM for coats: long experience on this board shows it's just too risky.)

Otherwise, do hundreds of try-ons of ready to wear in dozens of stores. If the coat doesn't look great and feel perfectly comfortable in the shoulders and the overarm, or if the collar stands away from your neck, move on.

Go to asuitablewardrobe.dynend.com and search for "summer suits" for ideas on what fabrics are good for summer wear.

Buy Alan Flusser, CLOTHES AND THE MAN. Read the part on the fit of a suit.

Welcome to Styleforum.
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post #3 of 10
2/4/12 at 7:45pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks very much.
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post #4 of 10
2/4/12 at 7:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyjimjam View Post

I'm 32, and I haven't cared about style for the past 31 years of my life. 

Sounds like you spent your first few months in some awesome diapers, though. icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif I'm guessing that you are looking for something nice but relatively inexpensive and not MTM to start. Brooks Brothers has some poplin and cotton suits on sale for 50% off right now. You may want to look at those. The Fitzgerald cut is slim with narrow lapels.
And, ahem, suits generally come in a complete set, that's what makes them suits, although there are "suit separates" around as well.
Linen, cotton, fresco, and poplin are good summer fabrics. What is your actual budget?
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post #5 of 10
2/4/12 at 7:55pm
You're welcome. I forgot to mention: if you go with RTW, spend the time and money to find a good alterations tailor. Not the "hem the trousers and take up the sleeves" type you'll find in any cleaners. A real alterations tailor, who can alter the chest and the waist of a coat.
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post #6 of 10
2/4/12 at 9:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by KObalto View Post

Sounds like you spent your first few months in some awesome diapers, though. icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif I'm guessing that you are looking for something nice but relatively inexpensive and not MTM to start. Brooks Brothers has some poplin and cotton suits on sale for 50% off right now. You may want to look at those. The Fitzgerald cut is slim with narrow lapels.
And, ahem, suits generally come in a complete set, that's what makes them suits, although there are "suit separates" around as well.
Linen, cotton, fresco, and poplin are good summer fabrics. What is your actual budget?

This +1.

BB has pretty good sales on their summer suits. I have a jcrew cotton that I'm pretty happy with. If you end up buying a cotton suit, I wouldn't drop a lot of bank, they just don't hold up as well as a wool suit.
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post #7 of 10
2/5/12 at 7:49am

+ 1 with Testudo about his comment about fit being paramont.  I recently read a blog on a tailor's website and here his advice about summer formal/business attire.

  He likes linen and cotton suits and though they crease easily that's part of the beauty and integrity of the garment. Also says lightweignt wool in type called fresco's with less tight weave which makes for more air movement can be a nice summer suit material. Remember that minimum linings are also helpful to keep cool in wearing the suit jacket. With your reasonable budget, ask a knowledge salesman at the store for these requirements for your suit. If I had your brown hair, I'd go for a nice shade of gray suit and maybe because of your age at 32 something more modern cut and slim fitting than the more classic sihoulette brands. I wonder if one can still find the newer model Oxxford brand suits for the price of what Filenne's Basement use to have on sale, sometimes at discount for $800 to $600? 

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post #8 of 10
2/5/12 at 7:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by jimmyjimjam View Post

I'm sure you guys get all kinds of requests like this.  I'd appreciate it if you tolerated this one more:).

I'm 32, and I haven't cared about style for the past 31 years of my life.  I have brown eyes and brown hair, im reasonably tall (5'11) with a slim build.  I'm looking for a nice, light summer suit at a reasonable price (I'm a teacher). 

I'd like to buy the suit in a complete set, if possible.

Any help would be appreciated.

To often.

What is a suit "in a complete set"? If coat and trousers are cut from different cloth it is not a suit (unless you intend to buy 'morning dress').
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post #9 of 10
2/6/12 at 8:14pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by singlechange View Post

+ 1 with Testudo about his comment about fit being paramont.  I recently read a blog on a tailor's website and here his advice about summer formal/business attire.

  He likes linen and cotton suits and though they crease easily that's part of the beauty and integrity of the garment. Also says lightweignt wool in type called fresco's with less tight weave which makes for more air movement can be a nice summer suit material. Remember that minimum linings are also helpful to keep cool in wearing the suit jacket. With your reasonable budget, ask a knowledge salesman at the store for these requirements for your suit. If I had your brown hair, I'd go for a nice shade of gray suit and maybe because of your age at 32 something more modern cut and slim fitting than the more classic sihoulette brands. I wonder if one can still find the newer model Oxxford brand suits for the price of what Filenne's Basement use to have on sale, sometimes at discount for $800 to $600? 



$800 to $600?  Seems a bit much, but maybe I'm expecting too much for too little.

By complete set, I meant "made of the same material and are the same color, and bought all at once".

As I said, I know little.  The information posted thus far has been helpful.

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post #10 of 10
2/6/12 at 8:19pm
Thread Starter 

So something like the two button fitzgerald on the website (in gray) would be good?

It is a wool and cotton blend I see.  How will this hold up?

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