Best Place for a Student to Buy a Suit in Toronto

[tdmustang]

I just got accepted into a business program which requires that I have a couple of suits to wear to events, presentations, etc.

I'm looking to spend around $1,200 for 2 suits, and to get the best quality possible for this price point. From what I've read so far, I should be looking to get a suit that is fully or at least half canvassed, and that made to measure is preferable. Is it possible to find a quality MTM suit at this price point? Does anyone know of a tailor that offers student friendly pricing?

I have also been exploring the option of being more budget conscious and getting one of the Banana Republic Monogram suits on one of the 40% off days, or getting a lower end Hugo Boss suit at the Harry Rosen summer sale. I've heard mixed things about fused suits - that the quality is inferior, but also that in recent years the technology has improved greatly. With my limited budget, is this the best way to go? If I take this route are there any stores/brands that have a good value?

Any suggestions on the type of suit to get or places to go would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[freshwes2001]

IMO you're a student, no need to drop a lot of money on suits at this stage of your life. Go with OTR and get it altered. Once you start your career you'll be able to afford the next level...

 

[paradoxical3]

For $1200 for two suits, I think you'd be best off taking advantage of Brooks Brother's semi annual sale that's going on right now.

The problem with cheaping out on a suit, in my opinion, is that you can get a lot more suit for just a bit more price in the low end. If you grab a low end suit on sale, like a Jcrew or something (which keep in mind is still better than what most men wear), it will still be $300-400. If you buy one for $600 from Brooks Brothers, you have a legitimately nice suit that will last you for years and years. I can't imagine a situation where you would feel embarrassed or out of place wearing a Brooks Brothers suit all the way up to the executive level.

Now, if you're willing to buy used or to keep an eye on the for sale section here, that changes things. But for your first suit, there's something to be said from buying from someone that knows how to measure you for one if you're inexperienced - that's where Brooks Brothers comes in.

MTM is out of your price range in my experience; though I am in the states, not Toronto. From my tailor, MTM suits start at $1695. Jackets are $895.

Long story short, if you have $1200 to spend and it's not going to kill you, spend it and pick up a couple of decent suits from a place like Brooks Brothers - you won't regret it and it will be worth it in the long run. If $1200 is a stretch for you, pick up a couple of Jcrew Ludlow suits (or similar) on sale for $300 each and you'll still be better dressed than 95% of men.

 

[Wrenkin]

The advantage of Brooks Brothers is you can try them on, versus J.Crew—the Eaton Centre store won't be open until the fall. BB may run you more than $600 though, even during the sale (maybe $800?). But if you're a normal size, you can always pop down to the Royal Bank plaza, try one on and buy it, and then keep an eye on the website for future sales.

Oh, one issue about the current sale is that if you can score a Corporate Discount card, it may not actually be that much more to get the 15% off the regular 2-for-whatever sale as opposed to the current 30% off one. That may affect how quickly you jump on one.

 

[MyOtherLife]

I am sorry ...something don't smell right...What business program?

 

[Wrenkin]

Why's that? I personally don't think you need multiple suits for a professional program (I certainly didn't) but one would be nice for the usual recruiting events, wine & cheese, etc.

 

[MyOtherLife]

Some suggestions in addition to those already posted...try the Heartland Centre in Mississauga and/or Vaughan Mills Centre. Both of these malls have clearance stock on higher end clothes. End of lines, etc. Harry's Clearance is at Hearland for example.
Look for Samuelsohn, J.P. Tilford (Harrys house brand made for them by Samuelsohn), Coppley or BOSS Black Label on sale.
A good guideline for your first two suits would be Charcoal and Navy (interchageably), then perhaps a dark pinstripe.
The SF Gods may be displeased at me for saying this but....
Moore's is an entry level alternative but better than IC. For a little more you get Brooks Brothers.
If you want the cheapest quality new suits in Toronto, try International Clothiers (IC) on Orfus Rd. but you will have to settle for polyester.

 

[chocolatelvis]

Just got a Thick As Thieves and for the price point and quality, you really cannot go wrong. I'm sure the majority of members on here will agree.
http://www.thickasthievesla.com/

If not willing to take a chance on mail order, GotStyle http://gotstylemenswear.com/ in Toronto has a nice selection and pretty sure they are currently having a suit sale pkus the staff is topshelf.
I hate to advertise these guys due some of their staff being complete racist, but Toms Place in Kessignton has a vast selection of r2w suits along with customs and you can easily grab 3 or so suits in your price range. If anyone knows suits I have to admit, they do.

 

[dredwings19]

MOL post ftw!

 

[bellyhungry]

Also, make a drive across the border to Buffalo and check out the outlets there.

 

[suitedcboy]



MOL post ftw! 

Mother in law post Fort Worth

My acronyminese converter yielded that as the answer.

How did you know his mother in law was on post in Ft Worth?

 

[tdmustang]

Okay, so it seems like in my price range OTR is really the only way to go. I'm thinking I may just get one charcoal suit for now, no need to buy more than I really need.

Any recommendations for the best value in an OTR suit in the $500-$600 range? Are there any quality brands that do full or half canvas construction around this price? If everything in this range is comparable quality, it probably makes the most sense to just get a BR Monogram suit on one of the 40% off days for $350. However if another brand justifies spending the extra 2 or 3 hundred dollars, I'm willing to do so.

Does anyone have any good or bad insights into the BR Monogram line?

Are the Brooks Brothers suits that are in my price range canvassed?

Also, thanks for all the quick and knowledgeable responses! Much appreciated!

 

[dufferin1]

Okay, so it seems like in my price range OTR is really the only way to go. I'm thinking I may just get one charcoal suit for now, no need to buy more than I really need.
Any recommendations for the best value in an OTR suit in the $500-$600 range? Are there any quality brands that do full or half canvas construction around this price? If everything in this range is comparable quality, it probably makes the most sense to just get a BR Monogram suit on one of the 40% off days for $350. However if another brand justifies spending the extra 2 or 3 hundred dollars, I'm willing to do so.
Does anyone have any good or bad insights into the BR Monogram line?
Are the Brooks Brothers suits that are in my price range canvassed?
Also, thanks for all the quick and knowledgeable responses! Much appreciated!

Unfortunately you will never get a full canvas suit for $500-600 unless you're very lucky and its a sale. That being said I got a full canvas suit on the way that I bought for $400 but is a couple seasons old. Best place would be Gotstyle. They've got a couple suits at $595 and I think they could help you out.

 

[Ivon]

Rule 1 for business clothes is you dress for your audience, who are the people you will be doing dog and ponies or meet and greets for. Overly trendy cut suit looks are right up there with square toed loafers are an indicator of the naive or clueless. Business wear is tribal dress, try to look the part. BB or Samuealson might be your best bet at sale time. Try poking around lesser known stores that carry Samuelson or Coppley, like Tello or Perry's, you might get lucky. I used to know a Shcedule 2 bank president who bought all his suits at Tom's, he looked okay, remember, a good alterations tailor is your best friend, he can take that Moore's special and make it look decent. As for BR Monogram, I've seen them and I don't think you can put enough lipstick on that pig and make it look credible for business (I'm in Finance).

 

[MyOtherLife]

MOL post ftw! 

Mother in law post Fort Worth

My acronyminese converter yielded that as the answer.

How did you know his mother in law was on post in Ft Worth?

I had to look up FTW myself. My Google gave me 'For The Win'. I chose that one but thank you.