Suggestions for Suits in the $300-$600 Range

I'm looking for the best (non-used) suit for the money in the $300-$600 price range. I'm a college student so I don't have the means for anything above that price range, and only have a few occasions a year to wear a suit anyhow. About a year ago I bought a cheap Lands' End suit that served its purpose, but I've gained some weight (the good kind) since then and that suit is now too small for me. If I absolutely needed to, I could still wear it, but it's a tad uncomfortable and noticeably tight in the chest/shoulders, especially when buttoned. Trousers are also a bit too snug around the thighs.

Anyway, I'll be needing to don a suit for presentations and interviews within the coming months, and I'd prefer to have one that fits nicely. Also wouldn't mind an upgrade from the ≈$150 LE suit (though that was after a significant discount and I do think it was a good suit for the price). I'd like a mid gray/charcoal suit, 2-button, notch lapels, preferably with side vents and pleated trousers. Absolutely no skinny lapels, so J. Crew and the likes are out.

So far, I'm considering:

- Charles Tyrwhitt
- Hickey Freeman from Sierra Trading Post
- Suit Supply (though their cuts seem aggressively slim, and I'm afraid they wouldn't work for me)
- Brooks Brothers Suiting Essentials, preferably on sale (though I hate that their charcoal is so dark it almost looks black)

I know there must be some other decent options out there in my price range, so I appeal to the SF community for suggestions. Thanks in advance! I searched the forum before posting this, but most information I found is outdated.

Thanks for the advice, Quadcammer, and for mentioning the Benjamin Sartorial suits at Ehaberdasher. I was actually just browsing those right before I read your reply, but didn't see any mid gray suits in my size (42R). Any idea how often they restock or have new offerings? Never purchased from the site before and don't really know much about them.

As for canvassed vs. fused, sounds like good advice. By no means am I against buying a fused suit, although it would be nice to have at least a half canvas.

Yeah, I'd be curious as well to know the quality of the HF suits Sierra Trading Post sells. Trying on locally would be ideal. Thankfully though, STP has a great return policy.

Thanks usctrojans and msulinski for the insight. I'm 5'11", 195 lbs, athletic build. "Slim" fit suits tend to be too small in the shoulders and chest for me, and sizing up throws off the proportions, so I do need a fuller cut. I guess the Benjamin suit is out then, but it sounds like Canali might be an option. I'd like to try one on.

Unfortunately I am not near a Suit Supply store, but thanks for the info on the Napoli. If that's their least slim model, it'd definitely be the one I'd try. I'll have to scour the Suit Supply thread for more info on the fit.