First real suit

[bvbellomo]

I have 2 suits. A black suit my mother bought me in the 1990's (still fits but is starting to fall apart) and a gray suit each groomsmen got for my brother's wedding. My hair is a little grayer than either picture (but still comes across as black), and I've lost a little weight - but I basically look the same and expect both trends to continue (I won't lose enough weight to alter the fit of a suit, but my face might not look as full).

I am about a year away from a PhD in Computer Science, which means interviews as a Professor, which is much more serious than my past interviews as a software developer (wearing a suit while interviewed by future coworkers in t-shirts). I am also single, and like to look nice for a more formal date - although that is much less popular now.

I feel I should own a nice suit. I found a reasonably priced bespoke shop with great reviews, but I'd hate to even check it out with absolutely no idea what I want. And this is not a process I want to rush.

Lots of advice on the Internet, but as usual, it is contradictory. Should people with medium skin buy medium tones to match? Or go very light or very dark for contrast? Grey, navy or blue with black hair starting to go gray? Or warm colors with brown eyes? Should people who only own 1 nice suit own black? Or should everyone avoid black except at funerals?

I don't wear a suit often, so I'd rather own only 1 or 2. And something that fits well is more important than nice fabric - fit is obvious to everyone, but few people can tell the difference between cheap and expensive fabric. I have no idea how much to spend - and I don't want to tell a salesman that. I want to spend as little as possible without fabric falling apart or looking cheap.

 

[ter1413]

-Where do you live?
-What is your budget?

I would look to purchase a navy and grey suit. Start there. You can wear those 2 to pretty much any occasion.

 

[EZB]

-Where do you live?
-What is your budget?

I would look to purchase a navy and grey suit. Start there. You can wear those 2 to pretty much any occasion.

This. You need two good to start, especially if there are multiple interviews per job!

 

[Phileas Fogg]

Reasonably priced bespoke? Stay away.

If you’re going to have one nice suit, keep it simple. Navy or charcoal solid. Beyond that, you can play with patterns (plaids, stripes, etc).

You’re right to put a premium on fit. As far as the quality of the fabric, no one can tell except you. Still, a quality fabric will wear better and drape better and will continue to look good as time goes on.

There are plenty of online options but I’m not keen on those. Too many variables in a proper suit to leave to some app to figure out.

I’m not sure where you live, but I’d investigate reputable made to measure. You may even want to consider a relatively inexpensive off the rack suit until your weight loss has stabilized.

Congratulations and good luck.

 

[EZB]

I highly recommend Oliver Wicks. They will cover $125 of tailoring up to a year later on any suit. Then they incorporate those changes so the next suit has the new measurement

 

[bvbellomo]

I live in Cleveland Ohio.

I don't have a budget, and that is something I am asking for advice on. A good $10 bottle of wine is enjoyable while a good $5 bottle is at best drinkable. $20 can be unique and special or merely without obvious flaws, and a really great $50 bottle can stand up favorably to most more expensive wines. I've never tasted anything north of $200, but at that point you are paying for rarity and a good story more than the actual product.

What price suit is equal to a $20 bottle of wine? What about a $50 bottle?

 

[Phileas Fogg]

^ Honestly? I’d find a Brooks Brothers, go in and be fitted. You can find something for a decent budget, you can actually try it on there and have it fitted. Don’t spend your free time having to deal with some online company.

Get a basic suit; one that will serve for interviews as well as make you look presentable when on a date. Once you’ve found your ideal weight you can continue with more premium tailored clothing options.

While it’s good that a company will cover alterations for one year, at the rate you’re likely to wear a suit, it may not work to your advantage.

 

[ter1413]

^
That.

 

[bvbellomo]

You may even want to consider a relatively inexpensive off the rack suit until your weight loss has stabilized.

It won't change much, and I expect it to slowly drop until I die as long as I take care of myself.

 

[bvbellomo]

^ Honestly? I’d find a Brooks Brothers, go in and be fitted. You can find something for a decent budget, you can actually try it on there and have it fitted. Don’t spend your free time having to deal with some online company.

Get a basic suit; one that will serve for interviews as well as make you look presentable when on a date. Once you’ve found your ideal weight you can continue with more premium tailored clothing options.

While it’s good that a company will cover alterations for one year, at the rate you’re likely to wear a suit, it may not work to your advantage.

Brooks Brothers does not seem like much of an upgrade over what I have now. I have not had the black suit altered or felt the need to alter it over the past 25 years, and I expect my body to change less over the next 25 years.

Even if I go with Brooks Brothers - my questions and problems are still unanswered. I don't want to go in with no budget, and no idea what color or style I am looking for - except everything at Brooks Brothers should be well under my budget.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

I’d still try Brooks Brothers as your first option. A decent BB suit will retail for around $1000 but they often have sales. And there’s nothing bargain basement about BB. It’s a good, solid suit.

As for budget, the sky is the limit my friend. I think a good, quality made to measure suit will run you somewhere between $1500-2000 to start. It’s not a bad investment but it needs also to fit your budget, lifestyle and needs.

If there’s a Saks Fifth Ave anywhere near you check it out. Their house label suits are made by Samuelsohn out of Canada. I’m a huge fan of the brand as it represents about as good a value as you can find in tailored clothing. You can buy off the rack or made to measure for a pretty good price.

Good luck.

 

[EZB]

Brooks Brothers does not seem like much of an upgrade over what I have now. I have not had the black suit altered or felt the need to alter it over the past 25 years, and I expect my body to change less over the next 25 years.

Even if I go with Brooks Brothers - my questions and problems are still unanswered. I don't want to go in with no budget, and no idea what color or style I am looking for - except everything at Brooks Brothers should be well under my budget.

the alterations are really to cover any measurements errors. You get measured and then have the suit made. If something isn’t quite right, you get it altered and tell them. The next suit is adjusted for that alteration

 

[Phileas Fogg]

^But why should there be any measurement errors? My made to measure suits have all come back without any need for that. I go in, get measured and fitted, the suit comes back. Maybe nudge the sleeves a little but otherwise it gets finished and I walk out with my suit.

It’s great that they cover the cost, but it was there fault in the first place. I’m not trying to argue, I’m just curious why people expose themselves to this type of aggravation when it comes to tailored clothing.

 

[EZB]

^But why should there be any measurement errors? My made to measure suits have all come back without any need for that. I go in, get measured and fitted, the suit comes back. Maybe nudge the sleeves a little but otherwise it gets finished and I walk out with my suit.

It’s great that they cover the cost, but it was there fault in the first place. I’m not trying to argue, I’m just curious why people expose themselves to this type of aggravation when it comes to tailored clothing.

They don’t measure you. You measure you. That leads to error.

 

[Phileas Fogg]

They don’t measure you. You measure you. That leads to error.

even worse! I’m glad dentistry has not adopted this particular practice.