first suit - sizing

[rockyfella]

Dear all,
here is your new fellow forum member in a need of advice. I have already learned a lot by searching this forum, but I still need some individual tutoring.

I've been working in biomedical research (jeans+ t-shirt dress code), but now I am going to make a transition to consulting. This means that I have to get a first suit (almost, the only other I had was for my prom), at the tender age of 35. The immediate purpose of the purchase are the comming interviews.

My first instinct was to go to Mens Warehouse, but I didn't like their stuff much, and this impression was confirmed by the majority of MW postings here. I would like to get some good quality solid gray suit in contemporary cut. The thrifty me tells me to go the ebay-and-alteration route, but since I don't have any suit to compare, I am worried about getting the size right. Hence my first question:

1. Is it safe to shop just by knowing my sizes? I am 5'7, with chest 38' so I guess I would need 38S. Is this approach going to get me the approximate fit, with the rest being taken care of by an alteration?

If, as I suspect, this is not feasible, I was thinking going to Brooks Brothers here in NYC. They would get my measures, helped with selection and do the alterations. Here is a suit I like, and they have it in my presumed size 38S:

link

Hence my next question:
2. Is this a reasonable deal at $898 or is it overpriced? Do you think this is an appropriate style for my height?

Martin

 

[DocHolliday]

Sizing varies widely among makers, so you can't assume that, say, a 38 is a 38 is a 38. Best to get measured by someone who knows how. Then, if you want to shop on eBay, you can compare your measurements to the suit's.

If you're uncertain about proper fit, read up on it here or at Ask Andy. I definitely wouldn't depend on a salesman to help you there -- half of them will have your sleeves down to your knuckles.

I think you're smart to go with solid gray. Very versatile. The Fitzgerald isn't a bad choice at all, but Brooks' suits are pretty pricey for what you get, at least at full retail. Be better if you can find it on sale. But if not, you can definitely do worse, assuming the Fitzgerald doesn't put a pinch on your pocketbook. And for a first suit, sometimes it's worth paying retail to try it on and know exactly what you're getting.

Good luck with it.

 

[Jared]

Welcome to the forum! My minority opinion is that for your first suit you should pay extra for a professional eye. So either shop in a store where you can trust the salespeople (and DH is right, if they don't want you to show cuff then they're useless), or get a suit you can return and take it to a good tailor for a consult. That BB style is good (I didn't know BB made such fashionable cuts!), although it may make you look taller to go for a 3-button with besom pockets. Center vents are also not ideal for the majority of body types, but it should be the last of your worries. And make sure you have good shoes.

 

[rockyfella]

Great advice - thanks. I will post some pictures for critique when I am done with shopping.

 

[chobochobo]

yes, +1 for professional help/good advice, and +1 for good shoes too.

I know that I did it the wrong way perhaps, not knowing exactly my suit size. It was a bit of a learning curve for me, but thankfully with a reasonably good alterations tailor I'm piece by piece improving my initial acquisitions. (though some have gone to the charity shop or as freebies to the B&S board).