3 Piece Suit?

[fryguy042]

As a college student looking to add to my business attire, I was looking at getting a 3 piece suit (something I always wanted). Where should I look (keeping in mind I am a college student on a pseudo-college student budget)?

 

[FreedBird]

Coming from a fellow college student I can give you a simple answer, don't. Get a good two piece suit. The three piece suit can come off as pretentious for a college student and won't work well as business attire. If you still are set on a three piece suit you can find decent vintage ones on eBay, but keep in mind you can't wear it in the business environment. Also keep in mind that the number of opportunities you will have to wear a three piece suit will probably be only once or twice a year.

 

[Roikins]

Originally Posted by FreedBird

Coming from a fellow college student I can give you a simple answer, don't. Get a good two piece suit. The three piece suit can come off as pretentious for a college student and won't work well as business attire. If you still are set on a three piece suit you can find decent vintage ones on eBay, but keep in mind you can't wear it in the business environment. Also keep in mind that the number of opportunities you will have to wear a three piece suit will probably be only once or twice a year.


Don't forget, the vest is always optional; if left on the hanger, you have a two piece suit.

 

[FreedBird]

Originally Posted by Roikins

Don't forget, the vest is always optional; if left on the hanger, you have a two piece suit.

Yes, but a three piece suit is inevitably more expensive than a two piece suit and when you are considering a college student budget you will be sacrificing quality by buying a three piece suit.

 

[UTVol085]

You can wear a three piece suit wherever you can wear a two piece suit, as long as you can deal with comments about it. Since when does putting on a vest make the whole world come to an end? It's not like he's wearing a tailcoat. Most businessmen don't care, unless they notice it for a good reason. Again, it all has to do with how you wear the thing and handle comments like "why are you wearing a three piece suit" or "I like the vest!".

Anyways, Jos. A. Banks sells "suit separates" if you're looking for a low-priced three piece. I'd never buy from them though; look on eBay or for sales at places like Brooks Brothers or Ralph Lauren, or Thick As Thieves if you want to go MTM.

 

[Conrad]

Last 3 piece suit I bought I spent all of $5 on at a local thrift store. Fully canvased, mid 70's vintage. put $40 into it getting the sleeves shortened and waist tapered.

I picked it up since I needed a herringbone suit, this one just happened to be a 3 piece, but I've never worn it as a 3 piece.