Business suit checklist

[visualpurple]

I'm going to go suit shopping this week in Toronto (I will probably go to Tom's Place if anyone's from TO), and I need some help with what I should be looking for in a suit. I have a good eye for what looks good, but I'm concerned about keeping in line with "the rules" for business suits. I am a professional student and this will be an all-purpose suit (interviews, receptions, and eventually work).

I'm tall and very thin, if that helps. Here's what I've got so far:

- charcoal (pinstripes or no?)
- flat front pants, no cuff
- two-button jacket

I have no idea about things like lapels, vents, etc., so any advice about that would be helpful! Also, I'm very budget conscious, but I will be getting a lot of use out of this so I'm willing to put out a little more. What should I budget for a quality (but not highest-end) suit?

edit: also, what fabric? This will be an all-season suit, but I would prefer something on the lighter side, because I tend to overheat very easily (plus I'll be wearing a coat in the winter anyway).

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Navy or charcoal suit. Solid to start with. Notched lapels, double vent, pleats optional, cuff optional. Lapels no thinner than 3" at their widest point. Stay away from wool flannels if overheating is an issue. Get a mid weight worsted wool.

 

[Achilles_]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Navy or charcoal suit. Solid to start with. Notched lapels, double vent, pleats optional, cuff optional. Lapels no thinner than 3" at their widest point. Stay away from wool flannels if overheating is an issue. Get a mid weight worsted wool.

x2

I would stay away from pinstripes as they may make you appear taller and thinner (unless you don't mind that)

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by Achilles_

x2

I would stay away from pinstripes as they may make you appear taller and thinner (unless you don't mind that)

They are too flashy for an interview.

 

[ter1413]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Navy or charcoal suit. Solid to start with. Notched lapels, double vent, pleats optional, cuff optional. Lapels no thinner than 3" at their widest point. Stay away from wool flannels if overheating is an issue. Get a mid weight worsted wool.

x3

 

[visualpurple]

Thanks everyone - any idea of a ballpark of what I should be dropping for a budget-conscious yet quality suit? Are there any particular designers I should look for?

 

[Nicola]

Originally Posted by visualpurple

edit: also, what fabric? This will be an all-season suit, but I would prefer something on the lighter side, because I tend to overheat very easily (plus I'll be wearing a coat in the winter anyway).

You'll be wearing a coat during your interviews? No you won't. It'll be taken and hung up for you. Most likely the office will be more then warm enough but the average wool fall/winter suit won't make you overheat.

No suit will be four season in Toronto. You'll boil during the summer. Freeze during the winter. Everything will be A/C or heated but unless you intend to walk up and down Yonge street the average Fall/winter suit won't be a problem.

 

[The Louche]

^

Price can vary widely. You can get a very nice suit as recommended above from Brooks Brothers' "1818" mid-range for about $600 on sale. You will, of course, have to budget another $100-$200 for basic, mandatory alterations (jacket sleeve and trouser leg hemming, jacket waist suppression, collar shortening).

 

[The Louche]

Originally Posted by Nicola

You'll be wearing a coat during your interviews? No you won't. It'll be taken and hung up for you.

If an interviewer or a member their staff offered to take my suit jacket and hang it up, I would find it EXTREMELY bizarre.

 

[Towers]

Originally Posted by The Louche

If an interviewer or a member their staff offered to take my suit jacket and hang it up, I would find it EXTREMELY bizarre.

For winter in Toronto I don't doubt he was referring to an overcoat, and not his suit jacket.

 

[mkarim]

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH

Navy or charcoal suit. Solid to start with.

+1. The most versatile ones.

 

[GBR]

Originally Posted by The Louche

^

Price can vary widely. You can get a very nice suit as recommended above from Brooks Brothers' "1818" mid-range for about $600 on sale. You will, of course, have to budget another $100-$200 for basic, mandatory alterations (jacket sleeve and trouser leg hemming, jacket waist suppression, collar shortening).

What on earth is "collar shortening"?

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Originally Posted by GBR

What on earth is "collar shortening"?

He probably means to get rid of the roll behind the collar on many suits the back neck needs to be eased up into the collar to make it look cleaner.

 

[phxlawstudent]

Originally Posted by visualpurple

Thanks everyone - any idea of a ballpark of what I should be dropping for a budget-conscious yet quality suit? Are there any particular designers I should look for?

Here in the US your looking at least $500 for a Hickey Freeman Nordstrom's Rack. I'm sure you don't have any in Canada so...

Not sure what exactly is available up north, but your probably looking at $1k+ USD.

If you can find them:
Hickey Freeman
Hart Shaffer Marx
Brooks Brothers
Ralph Lauren

 

[Cant kill da Rooster]

Originally Posted by The Louche

^

Price can vary widely. You can get a very nice suit as recommended above from Brooks Brothers' "1818" mid-range for about $600 on sale. You will, of course, have to budget another $100-$200 for basic, mandatory alterations (jacket sleeve and trouser leg hemming, jacket waist suppression, collar shortening).

Brooks tailoring is quite reasonable. If you find a half decent fit, I don't think it will cost that much.