Cost of a Suit

[angryazn88]

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Hey guys, I was wondering whats the price range for a nice suit for an interview. I'm trying to find something that looks nice and at the same time isn't super expensive.

 

[meliora27]

I think you could get something nice for around $200. If you're in NYC check out Century 21 downtown. You can get a really nice designer suit at an incredible discount.

 

[jwoody]

I got a 600 dollar suit at Jos a Banks for 200, plus another suit for my wedding for 100 bucks. They always seem to be having pretty good sales. Not sure if that is a national chain or not.

 

[Sinfest]

You can find suits for as cheap, or as expensive, as you want. What matters the most is that you get your suit tailored! Tailoring can make a $250 suit from Macys look better than a $1500 suit from Burberry without tailoring. When looking for suits, make sure it fits perfectly on your shoulders (not boxy, not too tight, drapes well over the shoulder, etc). Everything else can be tailored to fit your body.

Also, find a great tailor! Since you're in NYC, that shouldn't be a problem. I spent about $140 to get my suit/shirt tailored, when I could have spent $50 elsewhere, but it was worth it because my tailor is great at what he does and I knew the end product would be perfect.

 

[Rollo]

One word: Karako. Google it.

 

[blinkboy1156]

Jos A Banks. Got a great suit for $200. Keep an eye out for their sale. They have a great tie selection too 🙂

 

[MightyMoose]

You can find suits for as cheap, or as expensive, as you want. What matters the most is that you get your suit tailored! Tailoring can make a $250 suit from Macys look better than a $1500 suit from Burberry without tailoring. When looking for suits, make sure it fits perfectly on your shoulders (not boxy, not too tight, drapes well over the shoulder, etc). Everything else can be tailored to fit your body.

Also, find a great tailor! Since you're in NYC, that shouldn't be a problem. I spent about $140 to get my suit/shirt tailored, when I could have spent $50 elsewhere, but it was worth it because my tailor is great at what he does and I knew the end product would be perfect.

Completely agree.

OP, you can get a nice suit, shirt, belt, shoes, and tie for ~$500-600.

 

[angryazn88]

thanks everyone!

 

[mmikey]

Got a suit from target that fit perfectly: $80. Got a shirt from Kohls that was 'fitted' and fit great: $20. Got a cool looking tie from Macy's on sale for $20. Spent $29 on dress shoes. Have received an acceptance from every interview thus far. Seriously, just wear something that isn't terrible looking and feel comfortable in it. No real need to blow money that could get you to another interview or two on a suit.

 

[Instatewaiter]

Got a suit from target that fit perfectly: $80. Got a shirt from Kohls that was 'fitted' and fit great: $20. Got a cool looking tie from Macy's on sale for $20. Spent $29 on dress shoes. Have received an acceptance from every interview thus far. Seriously, just wear something that isn't terrible looking and feel comfortable in it. No real need to blow money that could get you to another interview or two on a suit.

Seriously. Anything more than a few hundred dollars on an interview suit is just ridiculous

Jos A Banks is a good place. If you have a Marshalls around you they often have suits for very cheap (it's hit or miss). I got my last suit from Marshalls for $100 and it was regularly ~$500 at places like macy's.

It's hard to tell the difference between a $600 suit and a $100 suit especially if they are tailored well.

 

[aspiringOSTEO]

1

 

[MCAT guy]

Best advice on SDN yet!!!! I wish I had the money some of the individuals on the allopathic side talk about blowing on a suit. To me it just does not seem as important as what you have to say. Obviously look nice, but be more worried about how your going to present yourself at the interview. Were all college students, and 99% of us are not self made millionaires or fashion experts and ADCOMS know this. Good luck!!!

Looking nice and well tailored is VERY important.

Spend as much as you can that is reasonable for you. My suit was a bit more ($500) but if you only got $100 or so, shop smart (maybe even ebay) and tailor well.

Remember that looking sharp is huge. It can make people interpret what you say differently based on how you look.

Good luck.

 

[heroes31]

If you have coupons from Macy's (they mail them all the time) you can save like 15-25% off some good quality suits. I have bought a few tommy hilfiger and calvin klein suits that fit well and look great. If you want to spend a little more I really like suits from JCrew (in store or online). You can buy the pants and jacket separate so if you know your size you dont really need any tailoring. Their suits are always stylish and fit really well.

 

[MightyMoose]

Seriously. Anything more than a few hundred dollars on an interview suit is just ridiculous

Jos A Banks is a good place. If you have a Marshalls around you they often have suits for very cheap (it's hit or miss). I got my last suit from Marshalls for $100 and it was regularly ~$500 at places like macy's.

It's hard to tell the difference between a $600 suit and a $100 suit especially if they are tailored well.

I agree that tailoring is a big factor in how good the suit ultimately looks, but I don't think that someone wouldn't be able to notice the difference between a $100 suit and a $600 suit (assuming both have been marked down).

I do agree with your point though, that it's not worth breaking the bank over, but a good looking suit is extremely important. The nicer the suit the better it will wear and stand up to the test of time. I plan on using my same suit for residency interviews, then to work one day. No sense in buying a throwaway unless you have to.

As a wise woman once said, "We don't make enough money to buy cheap things." Sometimes these types of things are worth the investment.

 

[Sinfest]

If you have coupons from Macy's (they mail them all the time) you can save like 15-25% off some good quality suits. I have bought a few tommy hilfiger and calvin klein suits that fit well and look great. If you want to spend a little more I really like suits from JCrew (in store or online). You can buy the pants and jacket separate so if you know your size you dont really need any tailoring. Their suits are always stylish and fit really well.

I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but if you want a proper fitting suit, 99 times out of 100 you will need tailoring. Just because you can buy suit separates doesn't mean it will fit correctly.

You may find the pant size you're looking for, but you're going to have to hem the length so that it is not baggy. If you want a slimmer look, you'll have to do some tapering. The sleeves on the coat will need to be adjusted so that it ends at the proper length, and allows some of your shirt to show. The chest and waist area will also need work if you want it to be perfect (not too tight, but not loose), along with the length of the coat. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that finding the perfect fitting suit right off the rack is practically impossible. That's why people with money buy bespoke suits.

Sure, you don't need a perfect fitting suit. Just as long as it looks okay, you should be fine. But if you want to put in that little bit of extra work to look better, it cannot hurt.

 

[theone1979]

Ok, I am probably going to sound a bit arrogant here and likely get flamed a bit, but I want to comment on the whole "suit" issue, as I know a good deal about suits (not to say that other do not).

First, let me agree that it is not crucial for you to buy a very expensive suit. You absolutely can buy a suit for $200, have it tailored, and look completely professional and have it not impact your interview negatively at all. So I am not suggesting that you need an expensive suit.

However, to suggest that a $200 suit can ever pass for a $1400 suit is just plain wrong. When you buy an expensive suit, contrary to what others may think, you are not just paying for the name. An expensive suit is made of very high quality wool and is impeccably constructed. A $200 suit can never be made to look like this for the simple reason that the high quality wool/materials cannot be purchased at this price.

So while there is no question you can look good and presentable in a fairly cheap suit, it is an absolute falsehood that your suit will ever pass for a high quality suit.

Again, I am not advocating that people spend an absurd amount on a suit, I am just saying that it is completely false to make claims that a cheaper suit can look like a well made, expensive suit.

 

[Sinfest]

Ok, I am probably going to sound a bit arrogant here and likely get flamed a bit, but I want to comment on the whole "suit" issue, as I know a good deal about suits (not to say that other do not).

First, let me agree that it is not crucial for you to buy a very expensive suit. You absolutely can buy a suit for $200, have it tailored, and look completely professional and have it not impact your interview negatively at all. So I am not suggesting that you need an expensive suit.

However, to suggest that a $200 suit can ever pass for a $1400 suit is just plain wrong. When you buy an expensive suit, contrary to what others may think, you are not just paying for the name. An expensive suit is made of very high quality wool and is impeccably constructed. A $200 suit can never be made to look like this for the simple reason that the high quality wool/materials cannot be purchased at this price.

So while there is no question you can look good and presentable in a fairly cheap suit, it is an absolute falsehood that your suit will ever pass for a high quality suit.

Again, I am not advocating that people spend an absurd amount on a suit, I am just saying that it is completely false to make claims that a cheaper suit can look like a well made, expensive suit.

I feel as though this comment is directed towards what I wrote earlier.

I never said a single thing about quality. Of course a more expensive designer/bespoke suit will be made out of better fabric, along with much better construction. I was speaking from a strictly aesthetic point of view (the interviewer is not going to look closely at the fabric or how well it is put together), and a properly tailored $250 suit can look just as great if not better.

 

[selfhealer]

I could tell the difference between a cheap and expensive suit, regardless of tailoring. But it really doesn't matter.

 

[MCAT guy]

I could tell the difference between a cheap and expensive suit, regardless of tailoring. But it really doesn't matter.

matters very little, agreed.

 

[heroes31]

I'm not trying to sound arrogant, but if you want a proper fitting suit, 99 times out of 100 you will need tailoring. Just because you can buy suit separates doesn't mean it will fit correctly.

You may find the pant size you're looking for, but you're going to have to hem the length so that it is not baggy. If you want a slimmer look, you'll have to do some tapering. The sleeves on the coat will need to be adjusted so that it ends at the proper length, and allows some of your shirt to show. The chest and waist area will also need work if you want it to be perfect (not too tight, but not loose), along with the length of the coat. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that finding the perfect fitting suit right off the rack is practically impossible. That's why people with money buy bespoke suits.

Sure, you don't need a perfect fitting suit. Just as long as it looks okay, you should be fine. But if you want to put in that little bit of extra work to look better, it cannot hurt.

Sure if you have thousands of dollars to spend and you want a custom made suit your advice is perfect. But if you really know your true size or if you get measured by someone who knows what they are doing, you can get a suit that fits perfectly without extra tailoring from a quality designer. I even bought a tuxedo from JCrew that didn't need tailoring because i knew my exact sizes. Now granted often companies like JCrew make their suits a little slimmer than most so they tend to fit better for those that are on the slim side. If you need something altered slightly Jcrew will do it for free or just take it to your local tailor for a few dollars. That's just my advice anyways.

 

[Sinfest]

Sure if you have thousands of dollars to spend and you want a custom made suit your advice is perfect. But if you really know your true size or if you get measured by someone who knows what they are doing, you can get a suit that fits perfectly without extra tailoring from a quality designer. I even bought a tuxedo from JCrew that didn't need tailoring because i knew my exact sizes. Now granted often companies like JCrew make their suits a little slimmer than most so they tend to fit better for those that are on the slim side. If you need something altered slightly Jcrew will do it for free or just take it to your local tailor for a few dollars. That's just my advice anyways.

I think you misread what I wrote. All I said is that you need to get your suit tailored. And you will not get a perfect fitting suit just because they know your size.

 

[angryazn88]

One word: Karako. Google it.

its funny that you told me to google it because i didnt know there was one right by my house maybe 6 blocks away but i never really payed attention to it since i never needed a suit. thanks for the advice!

 

[MightyMoose]

Sure if you have thousands of dollars to spend and you want a custom made suit your advice is perfect. But if you really know your true size or if you get measured by someone who knows what they are doing, you can get a suit that fits perfectly without extra tailoring from a quality designer. I even bought a tuxedo from JCrew that didn't need tailoring because i knew my exact sizes. Now granted often companies like JCrew make their suits a little slimmer than most so they tend to fit better for those that are on the slim side. If you need something altered slightly Jcrew will do it for free or just take it to your local tailor for a few dollars. That's just my advice anyways.

Most higher quality suit pants have to be hemmed at the bottoms. They are fit at your waist, but your tailor will size the appropriate length of the leg. It's not usually expensive, but you can't wear your suit out without doing it. Maybe this is the slight alteration J-Crew offers for free?

I still have to agree with Sinfest on this one, tailoring a suit is a must. If you buy the right size suit this can be done for ~$40-50. But if the suit is too large and they need to do a lot of work it can range in the low to high $100's. This is why it's important to buy the right size.

After seeing plenty of students interviewing, it was fairly obvious who didn't feel it was necessary to hit the tailor. Some can probably pull it off, but that is the exception, not the rule.

I also agree with the above poster, nicer suits are made of higher quality wool, which drapes the body better, has nicer cuts, and usually is built to last.

 

[paintballswimgu]

I went with Brooks Brothers. Mainly, because I knew that they would size me for a suit, and that it would fit me perfect.

however, Joseph A Bank is my favorite for dress clothes normally, they just weren't having a sale at the time. The day after christmas is the best time to buy a brooks brothers suite. fyi. Also, you should check with your university, because if its like mine, they had a corporate discount with Brooks brothers that they allowed me to use.

 

[whoop]

I got 2 suits for $100 at K&G. The quality looked just as good or better than the guys suits at my interviews.

 

[traitorman]

i think it also depends on your build. i checked out macy's, mens wearhouse (where they always have good deals), etc. but everything was really boxy and appeared big even for my size.

i personally felt that no amount of tailoring was gonna make any of those suits fit me nicely if it wasnt designed for my build.

 

[Cheshyre]

i think it also depends on your build. i checked out macy's, mens wearhouse (where they always have good deals), etc. but everything was really boxy and appeared big even for my size.

i personally felt that no amount of tailoring was gonna make any of those suits fit me nicely if it wasnt designed for my build.

Same. I'm a cyclist and pretty small. The only suit I've ever found that really seemed to fit properly at the shoulders was a 36/S by Joseph Abboud ($600).

Anyway, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. I wore a black suit that was too big and non-tailored to my interviews. Plus, I wore a white dress shirt that was so old that it was kind of yellowed. Dress shoes were from 7th grade. The tie was a cheap navy thing from JCPenney. In short, I broke just about every interview suit guideline and I got into all 4 schools I interviewed at (okay, waitlisted but eventually accepted at 2 of those). Of course, this is because I had a suit from a long time ago. If you don't have a suit at all and need to buy one, then maybe you might consider spending a bit more to invest in one that'll last... although even that advice is suspect. People change in build. Styles change. Your stylishly slim suit that you buy now might not be so great later. You may not even fit into it after 4 years of torture - I mean, medical school.

People talk about first impressions - yes. I'd say that you want to make a good one. I'm not one of those guys who doesn't care about how I look but this isn't Project Runway or whatever. The guys interviewing you honestly don't care if your suit has perfect waist suppression or full canvas inside it. So long as you don't show up wearing some wrinkly khakis and a dirty dress shirt, it will be okay. I'm sure that they realize that most of us have no money anyway.

By the way, the guy who whipped the allo forums into a frenzy about suit buying a few years ago? He posted a picture of himself at the end. Let's finish with this - if you don't look like a model, you're not going to look like one just because your suit is perfectly tailored either.

 

[angryazn88]

This might be a stupid question but how much would it cost to tailor a suit if I decided to buy one at Macy's or Century 21?

 

[mmikey]

Same. I'm a cyclist and pretty small. The only suit I've ever found that really seemed to fit properly at the shoulders was a 36/S by Joseph Abboud ($600).

Anyway, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. I wore a black suit that was too big and non-tailored to my interviews. Plus, I wore a white dress shirt that was so old that it was kind of yellowed. Dress shoes were from 7th grade. The tie was a cheap navy thing from JCPenney. In short, I broke just about every interview suit guideline and I got into all 4 schools I interviewed at (okay, waitlisted but eventually accepted at 2 of those). Of course, this is because I had a suit from a long time ago. If you don't have a suit at all and need to buy one, then maybe you might consider spending a bit more to invest in one that'll last... although even that advice is suspect. People change in build. Styles change. Your stylishly slim suit that you buy now might not be so great later. You may not even fit into it after 4 years of torture - I mean, medical school.

People talk about first impressions - yes. I'd say that you want to make a good one. I'm not one of those guys who doesn't care about how I look but this isn't Project Runway or whatever. The guys interviewing you honestly don't care if your suit has perfect waist suppression or full canvas inside it. So long as you don't show up wearing some wrinkly khakis and a dirty dress shirt, it will be okay. I'm sure that they realize that most of us have no money anyway.

By the way, the guy who whipped the allo forums into a frenzy about suit buying a few years ago? He posted a picture of himself at the end. Let's finish with this - if you don't look like a model, you're not going to look like one just because your suit is perfectly tailored either.

Pics or it didn't happen.

 

[Phoenix Rising]

Pics or it didn't happen.

found 'em:

"A big reason why people wear suits is to look presentable. So BE presentable. Get the **** outta here with that oversized cheap ass JC Penny ****."

http://dogandponyshowwebsite.com/flams-fashion-fail-oversized-suits

 

[DbDan]

Sure if you have thousands of dollars to spend and you want a custom made suit your advice is perfect. But if you really know your true size or if you get measured by someone who knows what they are doing, you can get a suit that fits perfectly without extra tailoring from a quality designer. I even bought a tuxedo from JCrew that didn't need tailoring because i knew my exact sizes. Now granted often companies like JCrew make their suits a little slimmer than most so they tend to fit better for those that are on the slim side. If you need something altered slightly Jcrew will do it for free or just take it to your local tailor for a few dollars. That's just my advice anyways.

This is so unbelievably dependent on body type its ridiculous. Knowing your true size? Find me somewhere that I can find a 44 or 46 jacket that is going to taper properly around my midsection. Now consider I wear 32 or 34 pants... you aren't going to find that trust me I've looked. In fact, my parents bought me a nice Hugo Boss suit for my interviews and weddings that I was attending as a graduation present. We chose the suit because it had the largest drop from jacket to pant at -6 (suit separates were not an option for this suit). It took us FOREVER to find a tailor who was even comfortable bringing down the pants as much as needed to be done and who could assure us he could get the shoulders to flow properly given the amount of taper.

I'm not saying I'm some beast of a human, I'm just saying that depending on your body type you may or may not have luck with an untailored suit. I know no matter how long I looked would have looked ridiculous in one.

Bottom line. Get a suit that fits properly. Adcoms aren't going to deny you because you couldn't afford a top end designer. They will however take notice if you show up looking unprofessional in a suit that fits horribly.

 

[srivatarun]

Hey Bro,
Simple - just go to Macy's or any of the similar mid-line department stores and check out the suiting section. Tell the salesman your size and if you're a slim dude make sure your suit is slim fit. You should easily be able to find a good quality suit for ~200-250 bucks with a decent name brand - Jones New York, Ralph Lauren, Alfani Red, Calvin K.

Banana Republic has awesome suit sales usually if you go to the store (if you have an off size), and you could spend the same and get a really good suitfor about the same. But if you're in a rush check out the Dept. stores, they're usually your best bet.

 

[TILalot]

I spent about $150 bucks at JCPenny a week before my interview. Got a black suit, wore a white dress shirt from Kirkland (Costco), and a red tie from JC Penny ($30). Got in just fine. The suit didn't even fit completely right either.

 

[OrangeRoost]

You can find suits for as cheap, or as expensive, as you want. What matters the most is that you get your suit tailored! Tailoring can make a $250 suit from Macys look better than a $1500 suit from Burberry without tailoring. When looking for suits, make sure it fits perfectly on your shoulders (not boxy, not too tight, drapes well over the shoulder, etc). Everything else can be tailored to fit your body.

Also, find a great tailor! Since you're in NYC, that shouldn't be a problem. I spent about $140 to get my suit/shirt tailored, when I could have spent $50 elsewhere, but it was worth it because my tailor is great at what he does and I knew the end product would be perfect.

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