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Need advice on how to spend $1500 in NYC on a new suit, shirt, and shoes

EvilTuna7

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Hi everyone,

I've been lurking for a bit now and this is my first post. I currently do not own a suit, but buying one has been on my mind for a while now. Some of my friends are starting to get married but even beyond that I just want to be able to suit up from time to time. My budget is right around $1500 and I have an idea of what route I'd like to go but having some input would be great.

This will be my only suit for a while most likely, so it needs to be pretty versatile. I'm pretty set on a grey suit with brown shoes, belt, etc. My current thinking is that I'd like to go something MTM from Suit Supply, specifically this one: http://www.suitsupply.com/shop/1.P3263/Suit?filter_27=736#. After a quick search for shoes I like both of these: http://www.zappos.com/to-boot-new-york-varden?zfcTest=fw:1 and http://www.zappos.com/magnanni-francisco-cognac?zfcTest=fw:1 (I've never heard of Magnanni before though, any thoughts on them or To Boot for that matter?). From there I just want to pick up a white shirt and I think for my first tie I'd like to go navy blue. Any suggestions on a solid shirt brand would be great.

That's pretty much the direction I'm currently envisioning. Would you guys do something different with my ~$1500 budget? Thanks a lot for the help!
 

tropics

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msulinski

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I agree with tropics that you should get either darker gray (charcoal) or navy, as this will be your only suit. Definitely stay with a solid.

I know most people will suggest you don't wear loafers with a suit, but I am not sure wear monk straps fit in. For your first/only pair of dress shoes, I would go with something more conservative, like a dark brown or black captoe barmoral. A 5th Ave or Park Ave from Allen Edmonds should work, and is in (or below) your budget.
 

in stitches

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PM Spoo. He will get you what you need. :)
 

EvilTuna7

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i bought a suitsupply suit recently and it seems very solid so i think that's a good call.
if you are only going to have one suit people usually suggest darker (charcoal) would be more useful.
to boot does not get a lot of love on the forum:
http://www.styleforum.net/t/59761/to-boot-new-york-quality/0_40
sounds like you have the budget for them so how about some sweet epaulet carminas instead:
http://www.epauletshop.com/servlet/the-1414/Salinger-Double-Monk-Brown/Detail

Glad to hear you had a great suitsupply experience. I see it's hit or miss with the TBNY stuff and I don't know enough to be able to make a call as to their quality "in the field", so i guess I'll try to avoid them. Those Carminas are gorgeous, but they're up there in terms of price. I'd have to see what the total cost of the suit, shirt, belt, and tie would be before I committed to those. Thanks a bunch for your help.

I agree with tropics that you should get either darker gray (charcoal) or navy, as this will be your only suit. Definitely stay with a solid.

I know most people will suggest you don't wear loafers with a suit, but I am not sure wear monk straps fit in. For your first/only pair of dress shoes, I would go with something more conservative, like a dark brown or black captoe barmoral. A 5th Ave or Park Ave from Allen Edmonds should work, and is in (or below) your budget.

Other people have mentioned to me as well that I should keep the color on the darker side of things, but I think I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of versatility to get a lighter color. I've just always really liked suits in that shade of grey. I've noticed the AE's get a lot of love on this forum, so I'm definitely planning on checking them out. From just a cursory look on their website these 2 shoes jump out at me

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF7603_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF1103_1_40000000001_-1

Another question that I've had is, are the designs on those shoes (sorry I'm not sure what the designs are called) ok with a suit? I assume that they are, but it seems a little odd to me to be wearing a solid suit and shoes with those designs on them. Thanks!

PM Spoo. He will get you what you need.
smile.gif

Great! (what exactly will he be getting me?)
 

msulinski

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...

Other people have mentioned to me as well that I should keep the color on the darker side of things, but I think I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of versatility to get a lighter color. I've just always really liked suits in that shade of grey. I've noticed the AE's get a lot of love on this forum, so I'm definitely planning on checking them out. From just a cursory look on their website these 2 shoes jump out at me

http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF7603_1_40000000001_-1
http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF1103_1_40000000001_-1

Another question that I've had is, are the designs on those shoes (sorry I'm not sure what the designs are called) ok with a suit? I assume that they are, but it seems a little odd to me to be wearing a solid suit and shoes with those designs on them. Thanks!
I would go with the Rutledge, as it is a balmoral (closed lacing) instead of a blucher. You can wear shoes with designs on them, but generally speaking, the more design, the less formal the shoe. So if you go with a formal suit (solid navy or charcoal), you may want to stick with someone that doesn't have too much design. However, with the gray suit, you can be a little more adventurous with the color and design of the shoes.
 

jrd617

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If you want to come in under budget, try the B&S here for suits and shirts:

-$700-800 on a suit
-$125-$150 on a shirt
-$200 on shoes from the AE Shoebank :D

Spend the rest on an SC and pants :slayer:
 

in stitches

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EvilTuna7

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I would go with the Rutledge, as it is a balmoral (closed lacing) instead of a blucher. You can wear shoes with designs on them, but generally speaking, the more design, the less formal the shoe. So if you go with a formal suit (solid navy or charcoal), you may want to stick with someone that doesn't have too much design. However, with the gray suit, you can be a little more adventurous with the color and design of the shoes.

Awesome, thanks for the explanation. I think I like the Rutledge more anyway, but that price is a bit higher than I was thinking. I did some research and found out their a fairly new shoe, so there haven't been many sales on them yet.

If you want to come in under budget, try the B&S here for suits and shirts:
-$700-800 on a suit
-$125-$150 on a shirt
-$200 on shoes from the AE Shoebank
biggrin.gif

Spend the rest on an SC and pants
icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif

I looked up the AE shoebank and it looks like the only place is out west. Is there an AE shoebank website or am I just not seeing the one in new york?

great swag at a great price
smile.gif

Thanks, I'll shoot him a pm!
 

JordanB

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I'd recommend Mr. Ned for your suit. About the same price as Suit Supply, but you'll get multiple fittings and great service. (www.mrnednyc.com)

Head over to CEGO for a couple shirts (www.cego.com)

You'll have a few hundred left for a pair of shoes.
 

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