With interview season basically coming up, I am wondering how did you guys go about buying your suits for the interview. Did you guys just head out to Macy's or JC Penny's and tried on different suits? Did you guys use the internet to browse? I am a complete beginner at this and would really appreciate some advice. Thank you!
How to buy a suit?
- Thread starter tpwelie34
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I got mine at a banana republic outlet for around 100 bucks not too long ago
original price was 600 i think
You can search around for a good deal
original price was 600 i think
You can search around for a good deal
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if you want a nice tailored fit one go to Jos A Bank, fitted suits are a must
S
Swoops
Only way to buy a suit=custom made. I hate the way clothing stores sell suits now days. The pants are always basically parachute pants, and the actually suit coat is usually ill fitting. Getting it custom made ensures that it is exactly the way you want it. As kingsta said..fitted suits= a must. This is just coming from experience. Never bought suits custom till a couple years ago when a friend stated working for a suit shop.. I'll never go back and the prices aren't that much more. If you are on a budget, I would find a banana outlet, they have to best looking suits right off the floor. This might sound a little weird, but google Jef Holm suits and take a look at his suits. This is what every suit should look/fit like. Period.
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hey tpwelie34,
I think the first thing you should do is get fitted. Meaning, find out your measurements (suit and dress shirt). You can go to any Men's Suit department in any store and ask them to take your measurements. They'll find out your collar and arm length. Also, they'll find the suit that fits your chest. For example, in dress shirts I'm a 16 (collar) 34/35 (arm length) and my suit size is 44R (chest size and jacket arm length).
After you get these measurements, you can go ahead and try on different suits and dress shirts with the same numbers. Generally, you can try on any brand with the same measurements, but I tend to find that they all fit slightly different. So once you find a suit that looks good to you, I would recommend trying it on before purchasing it.
As for prices, the suits range in prices from inexpensive to really expensive. Know what your budget is before going into the store - the salesperson may try to push a high end suit.
Also, tell the salesperson that you're going for an interview. I recently bought mine and when I told the salesperson about interviews, he agreed on my choice. It's nice to have some reassurance if you go by yourself.
As for style, there's lots of it. Single, or double breasted. The number of jacket buttons. Type of lapel. Type of vents. I'd keep it simple with the basics first (measurements, color, fit, and price). You can get into details once you feel comfortable with the rest.
Above all else, you can go the custom suit route. But be forewarned, unless you go to China or some other country, custom suits will be expensive. You can go ahead and get priced, but it probably will be more expensive than a store bought suit. In addition, since you are new to this, getting everything custom may not be the best idea, because you should know exactly want in your suit and you haven't developed your style yet. One more thing, even if you buy a suit, you might need to make some alterations, so tack on another $20-$30 to your price tag.
I found this on wikipedia that gives a description of the suit anatomy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suit_(clothing)
Good luck shopping. PM if you have any other questions.
I think the first thing you should do is get fitted. Meaning, find out your measurements (suit and dress shirt). You can go to any Men's Suit department in any store and ask them to take your measurements. They'll find out your collar and arm length. Also, they'll find the suit that fits your chest. For example, in dress shirts I'm a 16 (collar) 34/35 (arm length) and my suit size is 44R (chest size and jacket arm length).
After you get these measurements, you can go ahead and try on different suits and dress shirts with the same numbers. Generally, you can try on any brand with the same measurements, but I tend to find that they all fit slightly different. So once you find a suit that looks good to you, I would recommend trying it on before purchasing it.
As for prices, the suits range in prices from inexpensive to really expensive. Know what your budget is before going into the store - the salesperson may try to push a high end suit.
Also, tell the salesperson that you're going for an interview. I recently bought mine and when I told the salesperson about interviews, he agreed on my choice. It's nice to have some reassurance if you go by yourself.
As for style, there's lots of it. Single, or double breasted. The number of jacket buttons. Type of lapel. Type of vents. I'd keep it simple with the basics first (measurements, color, fit, and price). You can get into details once you feel comfortable with the rest.
Above all else, you can go the custom suit route. But be forewarned, unless you go to China or some other country, custom suits will be expensive. You can go ahead and get priced, but it probably will be more expensive than a store bought suit. In addition, since you are new to this, getting everything custom may not be the best idea, because you should know exactly want in your suit and you haven't developed your style yet. One more thing, even if you buy a suit, you might need to make some alterations, so tack on another $20-$30 to your price tag.
I found this on wikipedia that gives a description of the suit anatomy.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suit_(clothing)
Good luck shopping. PM if you have any other questions.
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What would you guys suggest that is a little nicer than mens warehouse but less than something like a Zegna...I dont want to look like a tool showing up with an expensive Italian suit... but I wasn't too happy with the last suit I got from mens warehouse.
I've heard Joseph a bank a couple times...how do they compare in with places like mens warehouse?
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I've heard Joseph a bank a couple times...how do they compare in with places like mens warehouse?
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk
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I just got a suit from JC Penny that I really liked the material and it fit decently well. The important thing to do is go to a tailor and get it fitted to you so that it fits very sleek and doesn't look like a parachute. Also, don't let them tell you how it should fit, you tell them how you want it. That was the problem I had years ago with Mens Warehouse, they were a bunch of old people and after the suit was tailored I still looked like an old man.
Get a suit with nice material and get it tailored nice, sleek and slim to you. I would also recommend a double vent/butt flap in the back of the jacket, I think that it looks the best. Also, get flat front suit pants so you don't look like my grandpa. My suit was $140 and after $80 of alterations it fits very well and looks great. If you want something that makes you look straight from GQ though, you are gonna have to get it custom made for you. Its gonna be pretty expensive though just for a suit that you could only wear 6 times and might not fit after 4 years of dental school.
Get a suit with nice material and get it tailored nice, sleek and slim to you. I would also recommend a double vent/butt flap in the back of the jacket, I think that it looks the best. Also, get flat front suit pants so you don't look like my grandpa. My suit was $140 and after $80 of alterations it fits very well and looks great. If you want something that makes you look straight from GQ though, you are gonna have to get it custom made for you. Its gonna be pretty expensive though just for a suit that you could only wear 6 times and might not fit after 4 years of dental school.
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See post #89 http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?t=935567&page=2
If you don't have much money: The local goodwill/salvation army has plenty of suits. Just find a good tailor, and no one will notice the difference.
If you don't want to waste too much money: Pay Jos A. Bank , Men's warehouse, Macy's, etc. a visit. I hear Jos. A Banks is selling 2 complete suits+tailoring for around $500.
If you're posin': ebay has plenty of Armani/Boss/Burberry/etc. suits. Just know your size.
If you're filthy rich: consult with your personal bespoke tailor.
If you don't have much money: The local goodwill/salvation army has plenty of suits. Just find a good tailor, and no one will notice the difference.
If you don't want to waste too much money: Pay Jos A. Bank , Men's warehouse, Macy's, etc. a visit. I hear Jos. A Banks is selling 2 complete suits+tailoring for around $500.
If you're posin': ebay has plenty of Armani/Boss/Burberry/etc. suits. Just know your size.
If you're filthy rich: consult with your personal bespoke tailor.
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Seahawk,
I've always liked Macy's and Nordstroms. They both carry a nice selection. I'm not sure if there are any outlets near you, but some outlets, like Hugo Boss, carry nice suits at lower prices.
I've always liked Macy's and Nordstroms. They both carry a nice selection. I'm not sure if there are any outlets near you, but some outlets, like Hugo Boss, carry nice suits at lower prices.
S
Swoops
Nordstrom Rack as well..
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Granted, I'm not a guy, but this is EXACTLY what I was going to say! My Dad is a businessman and buys all of his stuff here. My boyfriend also buys his suits and dress shirts here, and the suits the store carries are extremely nice.
Another great thing about Jos A Bank is that the run GREAT sales. My boyfriend got an entire suit about a month ago for about $170, I think. That included tailoring and whatnot. They commonly have Buy 1, Get 2 free sales and other great deals.
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Just went by Jos A Banks today and got a slim fit suit for $312.00... normally they're around 800, but they have this buy 1 get 2 free deal and instead of buying 3 suits, i just got one suit with 60% off. Not a bad deal if you ask me. Plus they will tailor the suit once it arrives so it's even better.
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I own three suits from Jos A Bank. Just go in and they'll take your measurements and you can start trying on suits to see what you like. I've owned several suits from men's wearhouse and they are fairly good too.
