Need help finding a budget slim cut suit

[dannyck]

Hey Guys,

I'm a graduate student nearing med school interviews and I need to buy a suit. I have a low budget (under $400) and have tried on a slim cut 2 button navy Calvin Klein suit at Macy's, but found the cut still a little loose. I am 5'9 and 150 lbs, and generally wear a size 38; should I be trying on 36s? The first suit I tried on may be affecting my decisions as it fit absolutely perfect off the rack but was $1200 (it was a RL black label suit, size 38R and 31 pants). Do any cheaper brands have a similar cut to the black label suits (low cut 2 button jackets)? Any help with any of these questions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[dannyck]

Also, if I get the navy suit, what color shirt and tie should I wear with it? White and red tie? Blue and black tie?

 

[Master-Classter]

This is like trying to help that guy who just got off a desert island decide what to eat first...

Okay, okay. Really? you need to do alittle more searching and reading. This question is just way too broad. Read around for some ideas on brands and cuts and sources and what a propor fit looks like, and then go fit some stuff on. buy, take pics, upload here for feedback. lather, rinse, and repeat

 

[dannyck]

Ok so I've done some searching and found that the cut I liked is the "anthony" by RL black label. Is there a cheaper alternative for a similar look that you would reccomend? haha i'm sorry about the barrage of questions earlier...I just want to look really sharp for these interviews and need all the help I can get. Thanks.

 

[heli0x]

Originally Posted by dannyck

Hey Guys, I'm a graduate student nearing med school interviews and I need to buy a suit. I have a low budget (under $400) and have tried on a slim cut 2 button navy Calvin Klein suit at Macy's, but found the cut still a little loose. I am 5'9 and 150 lbs, and generally wear a size 38; should I be trying on 36s? The first suit I tried on may be affecting my decisions as it fit absolutely perfect off the rack but was $1200 (it was a RL black label suit, size 38R and 31 pants). Do any cheaper brands have a similar cut to the black label suits (low cut 2 button jackets)? Any help with any of these questions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
If you have time, you can try buying off B&S here, where really great stuff can be bought for the price youre aiming for (but RLBL 38R in a staple color for 400 is going to be pretty much impossible, but theres other stuff). If the CK you tried on fits in the shoulders and is only a bit loose at the waist, and is at your price, then you should just go ahead and get it taken in. As to what size you are, the only way to find out is to try on some 36s and see if youre comfortable. If you can still move your arms around and feel natural, then maybe 36 is size. I tried on a black label 38 a bit ago, which I found to be big by just a smidgen, and I wear a 36; so my understanding at least is that a 38 in RLBL is pretty much a 37. I think a good suit for med school interviews (slim, but also somewhat conservative) and actually just in general as well, for someone with your build and price range would a Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald. I believe in solids theyre 800, but with thanksgiving around the corner, you should be able to get one for 450? Now I know this is slightly off topic, but are you interviewing this cycle or the next? cuz interviews started late aug... Also, where did you find a black label for 1200? from what i remember, by the time a good sale comes around all the solids in navy/charcoal were gone.

 

[dannyck]

thanks for the heads up! im interviewing this season, just got news late. the suit was actually 2000, but there was a private sale going on that dropped it to that price.

 

[heli0x]

ugh if only you asked yesterday.... if you were totally set on the black label, there was a sale this morning for RLBL over at gilt, i wanna say there were 6 styles, all at 700. but dont worry, another RLBL sale will roll around, in 2-3 months id say

 

[Nicola]

Originally Posted by dannyck

Blue and black tie?

 

[A.K.A.]

dannyck,

Where do you live? Is there a Nordstrom Rack, Off 5th Ave, or Filene's Basement in your area?
Those places may have a more narrow cut suit in your price range. Try Hickey Freeman in a Madison model. What is most important is proper alterations to acheive a correct fit. Almost no suit is perfect off the rack, especially at $400.

Alternatives would be a major department store such as Macy's (try Tommy Hilfiger), or Banana Republic. Get a salesman to help you if you don't know your size. Bracket your approximate size, go a size down and/or up from normal. At 5' 9" tall, one would think you fall into the range of a "regular" size as opposed to a "short".

Determine what is your budget. Don't get lost in the search for a "Holy Grail". No one is going to care at your med school interview whether or not you look like a male model. You should be appropriately groomed so as not to detract from your accomplishments, nor to highlight your deficiencies.

Think white shirt. I prefer a point or spread collar for the slim cut suit, and a light blue tie (patterns or conservative stripe if you are thinking a dark/light mix).

Best of luck to you on getting in to Med School.

P.S. - most doctors I know are terrible dressers.

 

[Timeless Fashion]

I agree. You are on a budget, so don't spend too much time and effort on dressing for a med school interview. They know that you are a student and don't expect you to be wearing a high end suit. Just make sure it looks presentable. Get a conservative 2 button, notch lapel, navy suit and get it altered to slim the body if you have to. White shirt with conservative navy or burgundy tie should help you blend in with the other interviewees. Make sure you have decent shoes to go with the suit. Black laced shoes (balmorals or bluchers) are more appropriate for your purpose as compared to brown shoes or loafers/slip-ons.

Good luck and read up a little on health care reform before the interview.

Originally Posted by A.K.A.

dannyck,

Where do you live? Is there a Nordstrom Rack, Off 5th Ave, or Filene's Basement in your area?
Those places may have a more narrow cut suit in your price range. Try Hickey Freeman in a Madison model. What is most important is proper alterations to acheive a correct fit. Almost no suit is perfect off the rack, especially at $400.

Alternatives would be a major department store such as Macy's (try Tommy Hilfiger), or Banana Republic. Get a salesman to help you if you don't know your size. Bracket your approximate size, go a size down and/or up from normal. At 5' 9" tall, one would think you fall into the range of a "regular" size as opposed to a "short".

Determine what is your budget. Don't get lost in the search for a "Holy Grail". No one is going to care at your med school interview whether or not you look like a male model. You should be appropriately groomed so as not to detract from your accomplishments, nor to highlight your deficiencies.

Think white shirt. I prefer a point or spread collar for the slim cut suit, and a light blue tie (patterns or conservative stripe if you are thinking a dark/light mix).

Best of luck to you on getting in to Med School.

P.S. - most doctors I know are terrible dressers.