New job requires suits

[stumy]

Originally Posted by a tailor

the fabrics that will give you good wear, serge, gabardine, sharkskin. dont get talked into high number very fine lightweights.

This is good advice. It's perhaps unlikely that anyone would try to sell you an especially lightweight fabric given your price range, but to the extent you can stand it, thicker suits are going to be better work horses. They will generally wrinkle less and last longer. I'd also avoid polyester blends for the most part, but perhaps it could be passable when dealing with the customers (but not the VP). You are unlikely to find polyester most places though, so its probably not a concern.

Also, for future reference, BB has been having very good sales on their 1818 line over the last year, and will likely have one soon. I think they had fitzgeralds selling for $450 this summer, which is an almost impossible value to beat, imo. Those suits will last.

Good luck!

 

[Pahreen]

At 5'7", you should probably try 42S.

 

[bigbris1]

I didn't read this thread but you're a lucky bastige for needing to wear a suit to work. Having said that, your aim should be getting $2K+ suits for pennies. Get a measuring tape and Do et!

Being 100% honest here: I love style, and expensive things but there's always a cheaper [legal] way to get the same things the suckers spend top dollar on. They spend on the experience. You spend for the item

They pay for someone to pour their drink. You pay for the drink & have the missus wash the glass. Nahmeen?

 

[ArMiXiA]

I second the 1818 Fitzgerald. They are really nice suits for the money when they are on sale.

 

[pandamonium]

Originally Posted by bigbris1

I didn't read this thread but you're a lucky bastige for needing to wear a suit to work. Having said that, your aim should be getting $2K+ suits for pennies. Get a measuring tape and Do et!

Being 100% honest here: I love style, and expensive things but there's always a cheaper [legal] way to get the same things the suckers spend top dollar on. They spend on the experience. You spend for the item

They pay for someone to pour their drink. You pay for the drink & have the missus wash the glass. Nahmeen?

I really agree with this. I know you said you preferred not to buy pre-owned clothes, but if you can get a tailor to give you all your measurements you could probably pick up a far nicer suit than you would find in your price range (even at discount stores and during sales) in our buying & selling forum. Even check Ask Andy, or ebay if the seller has a high enough rating.

 

[heli0x]

Has anyone mentioned Nordstrom Rack, across from the state street filenes? The selection for size 42 is gonna be pretty decent, and from what I remember none of the suits are really slim cut, so you should be able at least a couple you can pick from. As far as prices, I wanna say everything is between 50-75% off.
But as far as value and whats good investment, I gotta agree with the BB 1818 in 42S (R is traditionally for 5'8 to 11), got mine earlier this year for about 500 (30% friends and family sale, 15% card opening, and could have been less than 450 with a corporate account).

 

[pitboss12]

I gotta agree with the Brooks Bros. suggestions. I'll add that you need to make sure that you get it tailored properly. You can screw up a nice suit with bad tailoring.