How many suits is enough?

[runsurfswim]

I have a three button grey suit and a heavy wool pinstriped suit. Is that enough?

 

[pvrhye]

We know nothing of your life. If you wear a suit everyday, you probably could use more. If you only wear one when somebody dies, you probably overshot it.

 

[LanceW]

Assuming you wear a suit 4-5 days a week I would recommend adding another solid color to your rotation. Solid colors are a less memorable design and will help when your selection is limited. Giving each of your suits a second day to rest will help with their longevity too. A solid navy suit will be stand out just enough to be easily recognizable as not one of your others but blend in enough so that it allows your shirts and ties to be the main backdrop of your ensemble.

 

[dragon8]

Originally Posted by pvrhye

We know nothing of your life. If you wear a suit everyday, you probably could use more. If you only wear one when somebody dies, you probably overshot it.

Agree. Tell us more about what you do for a living.

 

[SirGrotius]

Not really. A three-button grey and then a heavy wool is on the stodgy side.

I'd say you'll want a lighter navy suit. Try not to do stripes. Then you're pretty good with three suits as the average guy. If you want to mix things up in the future a light brown might be nice, but those are riskier propositions.

 

[KObalto]

Originally Posted by LanceW

Assuming you wear a suit 4-5 days a week I would recommend adding another solid color to your rotation. Solid colors are a less memorable design and will help when your selection is limited. Giving each of your suits a second day to rest will help with their longevity too. A solid navy suit will be stand out just enough to be easily recognizable as not one of your others but blend in enough so that it allows your shirts and ties to be the main backdrop of your ensemble.

He's a law student, both suits are pinstripe, one thrifted as a costume:
http://www.styleforum.net/showpost.p...postcount=7414
OP, if you're interning at a firm that requires suits, I would recommend getting 2 more suits, solids, in either navy, gray or charcoal. You will also require 2 pairs of oxfords, one dark brown, one black, to be worn on alternate days. Pics of the suits would be helpful in judging their appropriateness for a first year intern. Also, what kind of firm is it?

 

[NORE]

10. But only actually have 8 or 9 to keep things interesting.

 

[lasbar]

20 including summer ones..

 

[bluesman528]

When you have 6 suits for spring/summer and another 6 for fall/winter, you have enough options for every mood and weather situation. But naturally, there is room for more.

Most notably with more suits, you have all the possibilities to extend the selection to colors other than plain grey and plain navy (within reason

) and fabrics other than four season ones. That alone adds way more fun to the game (if you choose from good qualities concerning fabric and construction, a closet full of crappy suits leads you to nothing). Instead of only reacting to the basic requirements of a job environment you can enjoy the exuberance of your own style.

Don't forget the matching shoe selection, though.

 

[gorgekko]

Originally Posted by KObalto

OP, if you're interning at a firm that requires suits, I would recommend getting 2 more suits, solids, in either navy, gray or charcoal. You will also require 2 pairs of oxfords, one dark brown, one black, to be worn on alternate days. Pics of the suits would be helpful in judging their appropriateness for a first year intern. Also, what kind of firm is it?
Pretty much my standard advice as well. Always start off with navy, charcoal and a grey. After that you can branch out to other conservative colours and then start going off the beaten path to things like pinstripes or sober patterns. As for how many suits are enough? There is no answer. Somewhere between three and infinity. I've settled in at six but I don't wear suits to work.

Originally Posted by bluesman528

Don't forget the matching shoe selection, though.
Yeah, this is where the addiction will start. Be very careful.

 

[runsurfswim]

Wow, this is legit. I've been lurking since my posts, and learning a little. Thanks guys.

When I get a chance, I'll upload some photos and get y'all a better laugh that way(I can't help but think what I got is anything but a punchline).

After wearing boat shoes with black pants and a blacker three button blazer, and learning that was a bad idea a year later, I've dedicated myself to not looking like a fool. However, since I'm going to Europe out of desperation(couldn't find legitimate work--THANK GOD i.e. I would love any excuse to be in Europe), I think I've bought myself some time, although I probably won't be able to show up to OCI in either of my suits in three months.

Wow, I didn't know how little I knew.

Also, I'll post a pic of my hat, since apparently it needs a feather.

Also, apparently I need 100 posts to get into the wealth and power forum? What's up with that?

 

[WorkingOnIt]

If you're not wearing a suit this summer, I would guess you'd be able to make do with your two until next summer. If your school is like mine, your suits will have rest time with the two day blocks of OCI interviews.

It wouldn't hurt to get a solid navy suit though. I currently have a solid navy, a solid charcoal, and a pinstripe black for fun. I think I might get another solid navy or pinstripe navy just to have three normal suits. (Evidently pinstripe black isn't seen in the office outside of California. I just learned this last year.

)

 

[MikeDT]

My current needs for a suit <1 this is plenty enough.

 

[MyOtherLife]

For a student I would recommend this list:

• 2 suits for summer (super 100's or higher)(charcoal and navy) and 2 heavier for fall/winter/spring.
• 3 sport jackets; 1 super 100's for summer, 1 tweed & 1 tan cord. for fall/winter/spring.
• 6 dress shirts with spread collars- 2 white, 2 French blue, 2 white pencil stripe (or 1 of each at least)
• 1 dozen pair of dress socks- 6 Navy, 6 Black
• 10 briefs & 10 undershirts
• 1 dozen ties (buy them in thrifts stores for pennies)(quiet patterns & muted colours)
• 2 pair of black balmorals so you can rotate each day (suggest Allen Edmonds Park Avenue or equiv.)

With care, you'll have all the options you'll ever need through school and into your first years of work. None of these items has to be expensive. Take good care of your clothes and they will last. Use the sport jackets for activities outside the courtroom.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Suits are kind of like money. Ironically they are inversely correlated in my case.