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College student looking to move beyond his first suit

jg210703

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Hi everyone,

I am a 22-year old undergraduate, and I am currently in the process of interviewing with 20 or so companies, and I am interning overseas in a US embassy. SO I am looking to expand my wardrobe. I am 5'5 and 150lbs, with a fairly wide frame.

I have one navy blue pinstripe suit that I bought in China for around $160. I also have a white(2, one with cufflinks), light blue, and dark blue button down shirt. I also have 2 pinstripe button-downs from the Banana Republic, one light thin brown stripes, and one thick royal blue striped.

I also have 1 pair of khakis from the Gap, 2 slacks (1 black/grey 1 grey/brown) from the Banana Republic. I have one yellow/blue/sliver striped tie and a pink/silver tie.

I am looking to purchase a sport coat that I can wear with my slacks, and also to add some more ties. I have to admit I am totally new to this, and any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
 

drizzt3117

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I'd personally think about getting two suits, one solid charcoal, one solid navy, and you can mix and match the jackets with the suit pants and your slacks. That would be the best way to improve your versatility IMO. As far as ties go, I'd get a solid red, solid navy, and some stripes/patterns that you like, trying to stay away from things that are totally wild.
 

Edward Appleby

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1. Where are you?
2. How much do you want to spend?
 

jg210703

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I am currently in Beijing, China.

For ties I am willing to spend US$50-75

For sport coat, max $200. New suit max $400
 

Edward Appleby

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Hmm. I don't know what kind of bespoke opportunities you have in Beijing at that price range, so I'll ignore that road for the moment.

For ties, Sierra Trading Post and VirtualClotheshorse will provide a solid assortment around that price.

Jackets and suits, ebay is your best bet. Go to a department store and figure out your size in some different brands. If you're willing to go used, you can get Brioni, RLPL, Isaia, Barbera, etc. easily. NWT, expect Polo, Canali, Zegna, Corneliani.
 

drizzt3117

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This is a minor hijack, but can you send items APO to US Embassies?
 

mensimageconsultant

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A sportcoat and/or suit in either solid charcoal or navy is good advice. (Mixing the parts of each is clever advice.) More standard advice, for your body type, is for any jacket to have besom (not flap) pockets and to be single-breasted and vented. Which type of vents is better, if one is better, would require seeing a picture of you.
 

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