What black suit to buy for my wedding?

I'm new here and would love to get your advice! I'm getting married next August and plan to buy a new, black suit for the occasion. My theory is why rent a tuxedo when I could buy a nice suit that will last a decade or more (assuming it continues to fit that long)? Here's the main caveat: I'm broke. I'll be graduating from college in May and it'll be all I can do to save money for this and for a honeymoon between now and August. I want a well-fitting suit (every other suit I've ever purchased has been complete and utter crap). I also would prefer a 3-piece suit (I've always wanted one). I've thought about this 3-piece suit from J. Crew: http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Browse/Mens...4524/74524.jsp I know J. Crew isn't the most popular around here, and nothing less than fully canvassed is looked down upon, but hey, I do what I can. Alternatively, I was thinking about buying a MTM suit from baronboutique.com. That would allow me to fulfill my dream of having functional button cuffs, and still pay less than what J. Crew would charge. And finally, I've considered Brooks Brothers' Suiting Essentials, which lets me choose the fabric I want and various other options. The sales associate at my local BB said to wait for the 25% sale in January, which I would probably do if I were to go this route. What would you guys suggest? Any other suits in my price range ($600 or less) that would fit me well?

My rules-based chip (largely programmed by Manton) tells me if faced with such a dilemma that a black suit is not a substitute for a tux, and that suits for all other occasions should be gray or navy, with black being reserved for formal wear only.

Personally, if strapped, I'd rent formal wear for the wedding as it will get only one immediate wearing. I did just that when I graduated broke and married near simultaneously. I then purchased a conservative gray suit for interviews, for which I had to give my car title to the personal loan company for lean and surety.

Congratulations on both college and your wedding.

Originally Posted by mossrockss

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I'm new here and would love to get your advice!

I'm getting married next August and ...

What would you guys suggest? Any other suits in my price range ($600 or less) that would fit me well?

Hello and welcome,

there is enough time till August. So read SF and use the 'search'.

Yours
GN

Echoing sentiments above:

Unless you really think you'll want a black suit for other uses (which many here won't recommend), rent a tux.

You're getting married in August. What is the rest of the party wearing? Church wedding or outdoors? Answering those questions might mean you'd be able to buy a more useful suit (for example, a lighter weight and color).

Even a charcoal or navy could work.

At 600 bucks you could get a good fitting made_to_order (not to be confused with made toi measure or custom), I believe the BB program you mentioned is MTO.

Congratulations.

Take your time. With patience and a little luck you may be able to do much better for a similar amount of money. (When I followed your link, the price was $350.)

Also, I agree regarding color. If you want to wear black, rent a tux. Otherwise, I suggest a navy blue solid. I've never bought from The Wizard of AAHS on eBay, but at or below that price level his suits have been well-recommended at another forum.

If you're within traveling distance of a Filene's Basement, Nordstrom's Rack, etc., you also may find something better in your price range.

Also, you probably should budget for some tailoring to get the best possible fit.

I've never cared for tuxes and would rather have a black suit that could be used as regular business wear.

...Buy a tux.

You only live once, and thats why credit cards exist....so you can go broke a little at a time, and not all at once.

Brooks brothers has tuxes for $998 (1818)

Ralph Lauren Polo is $1495 but you can use the code HOL2008 to knock it down to $1045

Polo is a classic look, peak satin lapels, formal buttons. Single button enclosure

Trousers have side adjusters and suspender buttons.

I felt like the j-crew tux was pretty lame, it didnt even have formal buttons. I would definetly go to a formal wear shop prior to buying the j-crew tux.

Unless he's getting married at night, why would he want a tux?

Don't buy a tux.

What about shoes?? How are you set for footwear? If you don't have a great pair of shoes (+shirt +tie), another reason to rent.

If you are buying, get hopping to get a good deal on shoes too.

don't get married.

A tweed suit with a nice rep tie and brown shoes (preferably english) would work wonders. I even wear that when bathing and don't see why you shouldn't dress exactly like me.

Originally Posted by wiru

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Unless he's getting married at night, why would he want a tux?

Well said, along with the above comments against wearing a black suit.

Mandatory link in wedding attire threads:

http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/T...DINGATTIRE.htm

Thanks for the responses so far.

1) Peak lapels are evil, in my humble opinion. I will never wear peak lapels if I can help it.

2) Tuxedo? No thanks... at least at this point in my life. I feel that a nice, sharp, well-fitting black suit will be plenty formal. And the reason I like the J. Crew suit ($633 for everything) is that it has the marketing term "year-round" attached to it. Right now I'd like to get some standards down that I can wear any time of the year. I have to budget here, people, and if I'm going to drop this much money on something, I want it to be flexible.

3) I wear black suits frequently. Perhaps I should not? But I like to look nice when I go to church every week. My personal feeling is that black is a good starting point and from there I'll branch out with navy or gray or other suits. If this is incorrect, explain why.

4) Shoes? Good point. I need some new nice, formal black shoes. Currently I have a pair of J&M cap toes. Leather sole. Got them 4.5 years ago for junior prom of all things (sheesh that was a long time ago). They've held up incredibly well. My next pair I wouldn't mind some wingtips, though. I hadn't thought of shoes before, so any suggestions for relatively cheap (like... $175 range), nice shoes of high quality?

Thanks! I've only known about this forum for about a week, but already I'm frequenting it multiple times a day!

And learning much, I see.

Don't wear a dinner suit during a day wedding, don't wear a black suit to a wedding. Either wear a morning coat or (sigh) go with a navy or charcoal suit. Good luck to you and your prospective bride.