Suit Suggestions

[RedLeg]

Let me preface this by saying that I'm in Cincinnati, OH, so my access to discount stores is very limited. Stores also don't have a lot of higher end competition, so I get a lot of "We are the only one who carries this, so it never goes on sale."

Some info on me:

I'm 22 years old, 6'3" 195 with an athletic build. Not everything fits me well. For example, I've found some good deals on Hickey Freemans, but they just don't have the length I need. This has also made it a challenge to find suits online at good prices.

Currently have 3 suits (grey, navy, navy pinstripe) and I'm looking to pick up 2 more before I start work. It's a formal office and a 100hr a week job, so I would like to get at least one before I start (I really need a charcoal). I'm moving to NYC, so I'll probably go see Mr. Ned for the other whenever I have time.

Budget is $800 - $1k per suit.

Any advice you guys have would be greatly appreciated. Right now, I'm between picking up something at BB during this sale, waiting for a Canali to pop up online, or just waiting to move and getting the suits when I can.

Also, I'm very hesitant to buy a suit that I can't try on or is pre owned. I certainly do not know suits well enough to feel comfortable buying based on a list of measurements.

 

[CousinDonuts]

If you're working 100hr weeks in NYC I'm guessing you're going into Investment Banking or Consulting? Do you have to have the suit before you move, or can you wait until you get to New York and have access to every brand you could ever think of? And are you moving on a Friday and starting work on a Monday? If you have a week or so you could spend two days checking out stores, buy something, and have it ready for you halfway thru your first week.

 

[RedLeg]

I'm doing IB. I'll probably arrive on a Thursday, so I will have some time. I have to get moved in and all set up though.

My big fear is the time crunch if I don't find something in that first weekend. I remember when I interned running to buy more shirts on my lunch break because I couldn't find time to always make it to the dry cleaner. I will have 5 weeks of training, but I've been told to expect to be staffed during training

. I guess I'm just trying to front load as much as possible.

Stopped by BB today to pick up some of their slim fit shirts and tried on some suits. The Fitzgerald in 42L was too short in length and a bit too narrow in the shoulders.

 

[CousinDonuts]

I worked in IB so I'll give you this advice. 1) welcome to the real world. This is the first of many things that you'll have to start planning ahead for. 2) No one really cares what the analysts look like. Just make sure your shirt looks clean and passably pressed. No MD will realize that you wore the same few suits twice in the same week. They also know that you're right out of college and your closet is not office-ready. Just do as much shopping as you can that first week. Start with the department stores where you can get 1 or 2 other suits fairly quickly - focus on fit and buy as much quality as you can for now but don't go overboard. Once you have this 5 suit rotation you can take some more time to upgrade and add from there. good luck.

 

[RedLeg]

Sounds like good advice. I'll keep my eyes open for something here but won't pull the trigger unless it's a good deal.

I agree with the no one cares about what the analyst wears bit (to a point obviously). I want to dress well for me, not for the MD who reminds you four times not to announce yourself on the conference call.

 

[unbelragazzo]

3 suits should be plenty to get you by until you find something you like. There's no need to rush.

 

[RedLeg]

3 suits should be plenty to get you by until you find something you like. There's no need to rush.

Yes very true. I guess the general dislike for Hugo Boss suits on this forum has gotten to me a bit. I bought two of them before I even knew what a fused jacket was because I liked the fit. Made in the USA and $350 a piece sounded good to me at the time.

 

[duggyald]

Negative publicity is still a publicity in that sense! Hugo Boss isn't that bad, you'll just have to get the one that really suits you.