How to buy a suit?

I've never bought a suit. How do you do it?
Do you find something you like online then go to a local store and try and find something similar?
Or do stores/tailors have so many choices you can find one when you get tehre?

1. Buy a plane ticket to London.
2. Take a Cab (or Underground) to Savile Row.
3. Walk into one of the many bespoke shops.
4. Have a suit made for you.

Alternatively,
Go to a decent menswear store (not Men's Wearhouse), get measured, try on several suits of different styles, find which style/cut looks best on you, buy it, have it tailored.

Then invest in a good pair of shoes.

It's very possible that you will not buy a suit on your first trip. Or even your second or third. Check out several stores before you make a decision.

What if I'm not looking for a traditional suit, but more of a trendy, brad pitt type look suit?
Would I find these in a menswear store too?

Originally Posted by rox88

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What if I'm not looking for a traditional suit, but more of a trendy, brad pitt type look suit?
Would I find these in a menswear store too?

Go to Tom Ford in NYC.

Seriously though, unless you have unlimited money, go to a good menswear store. It would help to know where you live and what your budget is. A good suit can cost a lot of money. Also, don't settle for something that looks and fits bad, regardless of what the salesperson says or if there's nothing else in the store. Years ago I could never find a suit that fit me right, but that was because I was looking in the wrong stores.

For the longest time long ago I thought there was no such thing as looking good in a suit. I tried on and wore suits from macys, jcpenny, mens wearhouse, etc and I just figure a suit was just something you HAD to wear not something you wanted to wear.

Until I discovered rlpl.

I remember in GQ they had a guide?

Found this,
http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=22174

Originally Posted by rox88

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What if I'm not looking for a traditional suit, but more of a trendy, brad pitt type look suit?
Would I find these in a menswear store too?

Where else would you find them, a womenswear store?

Originally Posted by rox88

Click to expand...

I've never bought a suit. How do you do it?
Do you find something you like online then go to a local store and try and find something similar?
Or do stores/tailors have so many choices you can find one when you get tehre?

What are you buying the suit for - is it for rare occasions (weddings or funerals) or will it be worn on a regular basis? Are you starting to build a suit wardrobe or will this be a unique piece? This is important to know as it will guide your selection as to style, fabric and colour so that you will have a garment that best fits your needs.

Use the search function to do some research on the qualities of a well-made suit. You will also find good information on how to get value for your money. Take the time to read up on how the price of a suit is not always related to its quality; are you paying for a well-made suit or a designer's brand. There is also information on how a suit should fit to help you when you start to try suits on.

Where are you located - are there a selection of menswear shops in and around where you live? Have yourself measured there or by a tailor to find out your "size". This will help you when you begin your search. Not knowing your measurements may mean that you are trying on suits that are too small or too large. That said, understand that you may have to size up/down depending on the maker and the cut but at least you will know if you are in the ball park.

What is your budget? There is no sense looking at suits that are beyond your means. However, don't just think of retail prices. Review postings in the B & S to see the typical pricing of suits you may be interested in. There is also great information on SF regarding sales around the country and online. If you live in a location with a dearth of quality menswear shops SF can give you access to suits you don't have at home. EBay provides an overload of suits that are available to you but unless you do your research beware because your "great deal" on a name brand suit may turn out to be a fake or from the last century.


If you do your research then refine your knowledge by asking informed questions on SF it will help guide you in your quest.

Good luck.

I'm in Winnipeg Manitoba. There aren't a lot of Men stores here, but there are a few smaller tailor type men stores.

I'm looking for a suit that I'd probably wear only once or twice a year.

Thanks for the help so far. And thanks for the link to the other post.

Originally Posted by rox88

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I'm in Winnipeg Manitoba. There aren't a lot of Men stores here, but there are a few smaller tailor type men stores.

I'm looking for a suit that I'd probably wear only once or twice a year.

Thanks for the help so far. And thanks for the link to the other post.

Rox88,
Do these tailors do bespoke suits or not? If they do and you trust one of them enough, you can try to go bespoke.
Otherwise: you have 2 choices: made to measure or ready to wear. I think, but I am not sure, that Holt and Renfrew in Toronto have a MTM service in Toronto. You can also try stores like Moore's for RTW, if you have one in Winnipeg. They have very small, average and very big sizes. Be sure to choose a suit made of wool, navy or charcoal color, single breasted. Their prices are in the 300-400$ range. For a use of once or twice a year, I would not pay 3000 $ for a suit.

Wait. You've been a member here for over two years (Join date: Jun. 2007) and you're asking this?

Never needed a suit so never read about them. Figured it's time I have one on hand.
mimile , I think a couple of the tailors are apparently pretty good, but I have a feeling they may be a bit expensive.

Cash, check or a major credt card.

Originally Posted by rox88

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Never needed a suit so never read about them. Figured it's time I have one on hand.
mimile , I think a couple of the tailors are apparently pretty good, but I have a feeling they may be a bit expensive.

If it is above your budget you can still try the other solutions. Amazingly enough, there are some good suits in Moore's.