What to do with out of style suits?

[J.R.]

Howdy group,

I have several old suits that are just out of style. Three button jackets, lots of shoulder pads, square cut, longer jackets, too much room in the sleeves, no vents, low arm holes and pants with double pleats and too roomy. All roughly 20 years old, all in great shape. I spoke to a couple local tailors and they said to donate them to groups who provide them to people who can't afford a suit and need one for interview / work. They all said that the amount of work to fix them would basically require completely restructuring and rebuilding the jacket and the cost would be too much for what they are worth, versus just buy new. I'm leaning toward donating at least a couple and maybe just hanging on to one of them.

I also have a few old sport coats but the only issue with those are the lower arm holes and no vents. Arm holes I'm sure there is nothing they can do about but they should be able to create a single vent right?

 

[Camerashy]

Charity shop

 

[NORE]

I've gone thru something like this and gave away all but 2 suits that still fit ok.

Give them away. Better than throwing them away and provides reason to restock.

 

[NORE]

 

[J.R.]

Okay, thanks for the confirmation. I didn't mention but they all fit fine as well, just way out of style. The main issue to me is the low armholes as there is no fixing that.

 

[JFWR]

Howdy group,

I have several old suits that are just out of style. Three button jackets, lots of shoulder pads, square cut, longer jackets, too much room in the sleeves, no vents, low arm holes and pants with double pleats and too roomy. All roughly 20 years old, all in great shape. I spoke to a couple local tailors and they said to donate them to groups who provide them to people who can't afford a suit and need one for interview / work. They all said that the amount of work to fix them would basically require completely restructuring and rebuilding the jacket and the cost would be too much for what they are worth, versus just buy new. I'm leaning toward donating at least a couple and maybe just hanging on to one of them.

I also have a few old sport coats but the only issue with those are the lower arm holes and no vents. Arm holes I'm sure there is nothing they can do about but they should be able to create a single vent right?

If you are sure you don't want them, I highly recommend going the route the tailor suggested. Charities which assist men in need of business wear for interviews and jobs and the like can be a vital helping hand on a man's path towards success. Often times, the men who receive these suits are recovering from homelessness and other unfortunate circumstances that make it difficult if not impossible for them to find suitable attire. You will be helping a fellow man in need.

 

[Thin White Duke]

I feel your pain.
As a lover of three button suits, when they circled back into fashion twenty years ago I acquired several before they inevitably circled back out again.

And it took me a while to realise that the style may have three buttons but the square shoulders, no-shape tubular cut to them dated quickly and was not very flattering at all. Some of mine had great fabrics too - I fondly remember a cream sharkskin with some mohair and a subtle sheen, and a silvery grey b and w micro check that had some cashmere.

I had an excellent seamstress back then too but there was no fixing them so off they went to the charity shop.

 

[gimpwiz]

Wait 20 years for them to be in style again

 

[emptym]

Howdy group,

I have several old suits that are just out of style. Three button jackets, lots of shoulder pads, square cut, longer jackets, too much room in the sleeves, no vents, low arm holes and pants with double pleats and too roomy. All roughly 20 years old, all in great shape.

You might keep them. That style is already coming back. While you're waiting for them to become mainstream again (prob a couple+ years) you could post pics here:

SWD Discussion Thread for Tailoring

This is a discussion thread for SWD members interested in tailoring. The term "tailoring" here is used pretty loosely. Since most clothes are cut and sewn, many can be described as "tailored." I'm using the term here to loosely refer to suits and sport coats. A sport coat is anything with...

www.styleforum.net

I spoke to a couple local tailors and they said to donate them to groups who provide them to people who can't afford a suit and need one for interview / work. They all said that the amount of work to fix them would basically require completely restructuring and rebuilding the jacket and the cost would be too much for what they are worth, versus just buy new. I'm leaning toward donating at least a couple and maybe just hanging on to one of them.

I also have a few old sport coats but the only issue with those are the lower arm holes and no vents. Arm holes I'm sure there is nothing they can do about but they should be able to create a single vent right?

Normally, I would agree that donating to that kind of charity is best (my dad used to direct one). But the bolded part above shows why in this case, with these particular suits, it would not be ideal to donate them, at least not now. The style is very dated or too avant-guarde. Either way, they're not ideal for interview or job suits, unless the position is with some sort of creative firm.

I've gone thru something like this and gave away all but 2 suits that still fit ok.

Give them away. Better than throwing them away and provides reason to restock.

Bris!!! Welcome back.

 

[shoewarma]

Yeah, I'd donate them as well. The styling of suits has evolved to be more flattering and attractive, I don't see how such suits would ever make a comeback.

 

[JFWR]

Yeah, I'd donate them as well. The styling of suits has evolved to be more flattering and attractive, I don't see how such suits would ever make a comeback.

You'd be surprised.

 

[Proleet]

You might keep them. That style is already coming back. While you're waiting for them to become mainstream again (prob a couple+ years) you could post pics here:

SWD Discussion Thread for Tailoring

This is a discussion thread for SWD members interested in tailoring. The term "tailoring" here is used pretty loosely. Since most clothes are cut and sewn, many can be described as "tailored." I'm using the term here to loosely refer to suits and sport coats. A sport coat is anything with...

www.styleforum.net

Normally, I would agree that donating to that kind of charity is best (my dad used to direct one). But the bolded part above shows why in this case, with these particular suits, it would not be ideal to donate them, at least not now. The style is very dated or too avant-guarde. Either way, they're not ideal for interview or job suits, unless the position is with some sort of creative firm.


Bris!!! Welcome back.

a majority of people woudnt notice the suits are out of style and even if they did, most likely wouldn’t hold it against people In a tough spot. More likely they’d be positively surprised if someone showing up in a decent suit

 

[Harwid]

I try to buy quality suits with more timeless style. I did not buy any 3 button suits. No wide lapels.

I like a clean look so I sew up all jacket vents and sew up all front lower pockets. Only shirts with spread collars. Absolutely no button down shirt collars.

Jeff

 

[JohnMRobie]

I like a clean look so I sew up all jacket vents and sew up all front lower pockets. Only shirts with spread collars. Absolutely no button down shirt collars.

Jeff