anybody have brand suggestions for a set of decent suit (jacket+pants) for under $500? i like Express' style but i don't think their quality is that good, Brooks Brother is obviously better but i also don't want to shell out $1500+ for a suit since my body shape is still changing somewhat rapidly. will spend a bit for tailoring as well.
I've heard a lot of people talk up Suit Supply. I personally haven't bought one yet, but I plan to in the near future.
FrugalMaleFashion subreddit is a good place to ask your question or search http://www.reddit.com/r/frugalmalefashion/search?q=suit&sort=new&restrict_sr=on
No, you can not. You might check to see what $500 will get you at the Men's Wearhouse. You are gonna like the way you look, but you will get a good-not-great quality suit.
You can find some reasonably priced suits at Zara. Banana Republic tends to have a lot of sales, too.
Suit Supply has been getting a lot of love over the last year or two. Free shipping and free returns so you can try them on at home risk free.
You can do a lot for under $500 if you venture out into the world of do your own matching of jackets with pants in separate purchases. But a lot of y'all are afraid of making fashion choices like that, so you by them together according to mass acceptance. Why do our suits have to have identical jacket and pants? Male fashion can be very boring sometimes.
Suits are all about fit more than anything. Find a suit that sits on you well. You can get designer suits at off-5th (saks outlet) for under 500 bucks. You can also get good fitting suits at Jos Bank. They are always having ridiculous sales.
Try Gilt Group or Sierra Trading Post. You can find Jack Victors and Hickey Freeman (or just Hickey for a slimmer fit), which are made in Canada and USA and are half-canvassed, for around 400-500 with online coupons.
If you wait for the Nordstrom semi-annual sale, you should be able to get a quality suit at around that price. They tailor it as well. Nordstrom's Semi-annual sales for Men happen in June and December. Depending on what you need the suit for, I'd avoid Express. Their suits seem more casual to me and not as professionally appropriate.
thanks guys, will check these suggestion out. i plan on investing in a much nicer suit (in 2 years) once my body shape settles in, right now i lost 20+ pounds since january and a lot of stuff don't fit already (baggy) so i rather not keep going back to the tailor. don't need to wear this to work everyday, just for networking events/interviews/formal functions
Brooks Brothers has an offer. Any two suites for $1399. I understand that is not under $500, but it is a pretty good deal. The best, low priced, off the rack suit is Hart Schaffner Marx. Check to see what department stores carry them and wait for a sale. If you buy off the rack, take it to a good tailor: Have them: -Slim the jacket -Adjust the shoulder pads -Adjust the sleeves -Take off the fake cuff buttons and cut a real button-able cuff. (A great way to fake your way to a higher level looking suit) -Half the suit is the trousers, make sure they are slimmer cut and get them properly tailored A very good tailor can take a $400 suit, put $100-$150 work into it and make it look like a $1200 suit. For quick, cheaper suits, I've also had good luck at Saks Off Fifth and Last Call for Neimans. Make sure they are suits that are regular stock sent to outlet, not made specifically for the outlet. You can often tell by looking for the place it was made. Hugo Boss made in America is the good stuff, made in Vietnam, no so much. I also found a few Italian made higher end sports coats for good prices. They often have pretty good sales if you buy multiples too.
Adjusting shoulders on a jacket through a tailor is usually very expensive. If purchasing a suit off the rack, look for a jacket that fits well in the shoulders and chest. Minimal padding on the shoulders is preferred.