Help Me Find a Suit for My 20-Year-Old Son

My son attends Princeton and hopes to join one of the eating clubs next year. He visited one last night on an invitation. Alas, he had to wear one of my long-in-the-tooth hand me down suits, not at all flattering, prompting my wife to suggest we buy him a proper one. He does not have time for bespoke even if we were so inclined. I am driving distance from New York. What do you recommend? He's almost 6 feet and approximately 150 pounds - a slim, well-proportioned guy who will look smashing in a well-fitting suit. Out of the box I'm thinking Phineas Cole (probably too expensive) or Ralph. Ideas, please.

Ralph Lauren is having sales right now, particularly at the outlets. I would suggest you look up how to measure him and arm yourself with that, first. When he tries different sizes on you'll get a better idea of what will suit him, and may even be able to buy online without first trying it on. Then find a good tailor.

I would caution you against spending too much money on a suit for him - his size will change dramatically over the next few years. No one at the eating clubs dress to SF standards anyway - they dress the way you'd expect to see college students in suits.

Buy him a reasonable suit in an attractive cut and help him choose some good shirts + ties.

Cool dad, wish mine had gone on SF to ask for suggestions on what suit to buy me instead of taking me to SYMS

Take your son with you to New York one fine day. That way you can adopt more heuristic methods to reach an optimal suit solution.

Princeton? I'd say there might be other options, but the best two seem to be brooks brothers or Polo (from the polo store, that is). Would be especially awesome to give a made to measure suit from one of these two brands!

Originally Posted by vncrz

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Cool dad, wish mine had gone on SF to ask for suggestions on what suit to buy me instead of taking me to SYMS

For many young men, you would be the coolest dad if they found a new suit from SYMS under the Christmas tree.
http://www.syms.com/category/men/suits/

I would avoid Phineas Cole. They look too extreme, almost costumey.

I bought my son a Boss, classic navy twill suit 7 years ago and it got him through college looking amazing. He is tall and trim. At that time Boos was a better fit on him than Polo which was a bit boxy. SF doesn't like Boss but it sure worked for my son. Some of the trimmer, new cuts by Ralph Lauren might be better now however. Perhaps RL Black Label?

If you had a time machine, the answer would be so simple: Langrock. Why not Nick Hilton?

Originally Posted by pocketsquareguy

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I would avoid Phineas Cole. They look too extreme, almost costumey.

+1

Paul Stuart does have other lines that are priced cheaper than Phineas and will be in style much longer.

Originally Posted by F. Corbera

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If you had a time machine, the answer would be so simple: Langrock.

Why not Nick Hilton?

I thought about Nick Hilton but wonder if it would be too stodgy.

I'm willing to spend $1,000-$1200, something like that. Of course, cheaper's good too.

Actually quite a few of the eating club members are my clients at RL on Nassau though I'm sure quite a few are Nick Hilton's clients as well, neither will lead you astray.

He wont need a suit, most of them wear a jacket/tie for the clubs and a dinner jacket for holiday parties (which you're probably a bit late on this one). Blazer, flannels, shirts/ties.

Save the suit for when he starts interviewing.

Ralph Lauren or Brooks Brothers will be good bets. I think RL will probably fit him a bit better given his build.

In the Polo line, I think the consensus here is that the Bradford model is best for a tall slim guy. Otherwise, the Black Label suits should fit him perfectly. They're a bit more expensive, though fully canvassed. The RL store and Barney's have some good sales on these. I also happened to see a beautiful grey flannel Black Label suit for 40% off at Saks on 5th last week that was a 40L. Can't imagine they'll still have it, but it's just a quick phone call. It was a peak lapel model, not sure if you/he care.

As far as Brooks Brothers goes, all I know of their suits is what I see here. Seems like pretty solid staples. I can only say great things about their shirts, of which I own many. If he hasn't already discovered them, someone of his build will do well with some of their extra slim, non-iron shirts (he's in college, after all). Great values given the quantity discounts offered.

Originally Posted by ltontheqt

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I thought about Nick Hilton but wonder if it would be too stodgy.

This is what happens when you get advice from an old man