Your favorite go-to suit?

I was going to say something snarky about how a gentleman should know how to select clothes, or at least ask for advice, without relying on his girlfriend. But it occurred to me that your boyfriend might know some other stuff that I don't know how to do, like do calculus. Everyone is good at something.

Therefore: He should go to a quality menswear store or at least a nice department store and buy a quality solid navy blue suit. It will last him through several weddings, funerals, fancy dinners, nights out on the town, job interviews, etc. He should buy a nice solid white shirt with a point (not button-down) collar. And he should buy a nice tie in either solid or a muted pattern.

If you compliment him on how he looks, maybe he'll start dressing smartly more often.

how does he usually dress?

in a "classic/traditional" style? try:
- Ralph Lauren Blue Label
- Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald

or more of a "designer/sleek" style? try:
- Jil Sander
- Ralph Lauren Black Label

+1 on finding a quality menswear shop. In San Francisco, you can go by Barneys or Saks and try a bunch of suits to get an idea of how different brands fit and look with his build. There are also Brooks and Ralph Lauren stores. If it's his only suit, consider solid gray or solid navy since they can be worn on a variety of occasions.

What Rolex said. Go to a local quality store and take a look at the selection. Get an idea of his style and pick up a staple N
avy or Grey
Edited by ZickertM - 9/13/12 at 3:09pm

Solid charcoal gray (but definitely not black) is also a good choice, but I'd lean toward that as a second suit, not an only suit. If he goes wild and wants a third suit, then he can think about pinstripes or glen plaid (maybe that's a fourth suit).

I forgot to mention shoes: With navy or charcoal, the safest choice is black oxfords. I prefer captoes myself, but that's just me. Please don't let him wear some square-toed monstrosity.

Good recommendations. But all of these can be had on the B&S subforum for much less than Wilkes Bashford

I personally like the Zegna Milano fit and Samuelsohn Gable

+1 on finding a quality menswear shop. In San Francisco, you can go by Barneys or Saks and try a bunch of suits to get an idea of how different brands fit and look with his build. There are also Brooks and Ralph Lauren stores. If it's his only suit, consider solid gray or solid navy since they can be worn on a variety of occasions.[/quote][quote name="Parker" url="/t/314950/your-favorite-go-to-suit#post_5741046"
]how does he usually dress?
in a "classic/traditional" style? try:
- Ralph Lauren Blue Label
- Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald
or more of a "designer/sleek" style? try:
- Jil Sander
- Ralph Lauren Black Label

For the classical Trad/semi trad Check out The Hound on Sutter.
They are the closest thing to Paul Stuart in San Francisco without
the "attitude". Very knowledgeable sales staff . Not pushy.
They have an excellent selection of Samuelsohn.

http://thehound.com/

Some things: 

 

1) How much will he be wearing this suit? 6 times per year? Multiple times per week? 

2) How much is he willing to spend? 

3) What's his build/physique like? (height, body type) 

 

If he's not going to wear it that much, doesn't want to spend that much on it, and has a athletic or thin build I'm gonna go on and vouch for Hugo Boss IF, and only IF you can find 'em on a good discount(I've found them at 200$-300$). I know this is going against the grain here on SF, but HB has some of the best fits for slim and athletic guys. And the suits look sharp.

 

I was also going to suggest MTM, but I don't think those will make the time-frame in question...

 

If he's got more money to spend, there suddenly are more options. Ralph Lauren Black Label are pretty standard "go to" suits if you want sharp, fitting and a good touch of modern.  

But as others have said, he just has to go out and try. 

 

I would steer away from the used B&S route(even though there's a lot of money to save), simply because:

-Poor time frame 

-Sizing (It's not a beginners game...Easy to get burned) 

-There's probably gonna be some alterations involved

Why not post a picture of him? That way we can try to estimate which brands would fit him based on his frame, size, and proportions.

That's very true but if you want selection in a timely manner it's best to go brick and mortar. If you have time to wait then go try the styles at Wilkes and then stalk the B/S forums for his size. I picked up a NWT Samuelsohn for under $400 a week or so back and that's certainly not a crazy deal around here. Just a fair price.... (strangely enough it was from Richards, another store from the Mitchels group)

On The Fly has a made to measure service for several brands including Southwick and Samuelson. They are in SF.

If he wants something a bit more modern, try MAC in SF (modern apparel clothing and not the makeup : ) They have some midnight blue trim fitting suits by Belvest and several other brands.

+1 for having a great fitting, quality, solid navy suit.

first, what is your budget? 

 

if budget is not a problem, how about tailor a MTM shirt with best fitting on him

 

otherwise, you can go to the chain stores to find a suitable style that he wants  

 

anyway, +1 for having a great fitting, quality, solid navy suit.