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First post here! Need some quick suit help...

ramair57

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Glad to finally be on this board! Anyway, just from browsing, I see that most of you guys prefer custom suits, etc, and kinda frown on the "designer" labels. I tend to agree, however, my girlfriend really wants to buy me a suit for all of my upcoming interviews as Im just finishing medical school (finally). Heres the thing, she will only buy it from Saks because thats where her credit card is from; I wont complain because they have some good stuff there, but its all the "designer" stuff you guys hate, lol.

Ok, so I really need some advice from you guys. Im gonna try to find something on sale in the $1,000 range (you know, maybe a 1600-2000 suit that may have a great post xmas sale); if thats not possible, Im willing to go higher. What do you guys think - between Gucci, Prada, Zegna, Dolce & Gabbana, what do you guys think is the best choice. Im looking for a suit that LOOKS awesome, and am a little less concerned with durability at this point (when Im finally making some money in the future, Ill get one with both, lol). Im 5'10" and about 180 pounds, in pretty good shape, if that helps at all. Id appreciate the help guys, I just wanna have a suit that looks great, and people KNOW its not a run of the mill suit - in conclusion, I wanna look like one of those GQ guys, hehe. Appreciate any help you guys can give me; its tough to do this on a strict budget
 

forex

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Get a RL suit,I think Saks carries Blue and Black labels,I am not a fan of Black but Blue labels are nice and well made suits.
 

ramair57

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Hmm, I heard good things about those. Arent they way above that price range though?
 

athletics

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Originally Posted by ramair57
Glad to finally be on this board! Anyway, just from browsing, I see that most of you guys prefer custom suits, etc, and kinda frown on the "designer" labels. I tend to agree, however, my girlfriend really wants to buy me a suit for all of my upcoming interviews as Im just finishing medical school (finally). Heres the thing, she will only buy it from Saks because thats where her credit card is from; I wont complain because they have some good stuff there, but its all the "designer" stuff you guys hate, lol.

Ok, so I really need some advice from you guys. Im gonna try to find something on sale in the $1,000 range (you know, maybe a 1600-2000 suit that may have a great post xmas sale); if thats not possible, Im willing to go higher. What do you guys think - between Gucci, Prada, Zegna, Dolce & Gabbana, what do you guys think is the best choice. Im looking for a suit that LOOKS awesome, and am a little less concerned with durability at this point (when Im finally making some money in the future, Ill get one with both, lol). Im 5'10" and about 180 pounds, in pretty good shape, if that helps at all. Id appreciate the help guys, I just wanna have a suit that looks great, and people KNOW its not a run of the mill suit - in conclusion, I wanna look like one of those GQ guys, hehe. Appreciate any help you guys can give me; its tough to do this on a strict budget


Not caring about the quality makes your search a lot easier. When I bought my first post-Style-Forum suit, I decided that if I am going to spend the money, research and get something I will have for decades. If you are stuck to Saks, and you could be stuck to a worse store, see what they have and do not pay an extra couple of hundred bucks for the name (DG, Gucci). You will want something classic, no loud pinstripes or checks. Those won't go on sale as much in the after Christmas sale bin, but you could get lucky and find a good one. Just make sure the suit it canvassed.

There are several posts about suit quality here, I could tell you some things, but since its already out there, try doing a few searches. Good luck, and btw, I'd start with Zegna...
 

forex

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Originally Posted by ramair57
Hmm, I heard good things about those. Arent they way above that price range though?

You said you have a budget of $1000,right?You should be able to get a RLBL suit under a $1000 easy,especially with all the Saks sale going on right now.I wouldn't bother with all the suits you listed,get something you can wear in the years to come,black label is a trimmer fit,blue labels are cut very nice as well.I am sure Saks has other decent suits,I just haven't been there for a long time so someone can chime in.
 

ramair57

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Cool guys, cool. quick question, sorry for the ignorance. What is the difference bw Ralph Lauren black and blue labels. Is Blue label "higher up"? Ok, so for now, Im focusing on Zegna or Ralph Lauren from what I gather from you guys
 

forex

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Originally Posted by ramair57
Cool guys, cool. quick question, sorry for the ignorance. What is the difference bw Ralph Lauren black and blue labels. Is Blue label "higher up"? Ok, so for now, Im focusing on Zegna or Ralph Lauren from what I gather from you guys
General consensus is that RL Purple Label is on the top,Black Label and Blue Label following PL.Blue Label suits are made by Cornelliani so those are nice,you can't go wrong with them,they must be full-canvass,or half canvass at worst.You maybe able to get the Blue Label suits slightly cheaper than Black Label. As suggested above,try Zegna,you can get nice suits from Zegna.
 

ramair57

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Awesome. Are Ralph Lauren Blue and/or Black labels made in Italy?
 

athletics

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Originally Posted by ramair57
Awesome. Are Ralph Lauren Blue and/or Black labels made in Italy?

Most likely, yes. For me the key to suits are the fit, finish and quality. Name brand and where they came from aren't make or break deals...as long as they know what they are doing.

I would stay away from makers outside of US/Canada and Europe however.
 

Michael Ay329

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You have so limited yourself its tough to provide you any help

You need parameters to better assist you so that when you are shopping, you will know what to look for

Color: Charcoal or Navy (non pin stripe) should be your first suit
Unfortunately, the Italian designers you mentioned prefer black suits...which is not to my liking

Style: Single breasted notch lapel. I love SB peak lapels but until you have a few more suits, I would shy away from the peak lapel

2 or 3 button....likely 3 button given your youth

Fabric: Don't buy into the Super wool race. A super 100 is solid...don't get suckered into the Super 120 and above non-sense...not until you know who is making the cloth and if this will be a special suit which you don't wear every week

With that in mind...don't limit yourself to Saks

Since you do not disclose what city you are located in, none of us can provide you with better information as to a lower cost MTM alternative (you won't find bespoke for $1000). This alternative will best assist in a better fit and make your suit look good

A $1000 suit which fits poorly is a waste of money
 

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