Buying a Suit

[fredr123]

Apologies if this has been covered before.

I have recently embarked down a professional career path that will pretty much require me to ditch the shorts and sandles in favor of suits and ties. Unfortunately, I only have two suits that halfway fit me and that just isn't going to cut it day in day out.

I was looking for some advice for local places in Calgary where I can find really nice suits that are affordable and the salesperson doesn't act like a snooty twit when I walk in there. I've had mixed results with Moore's in the past but would like to explore other options. Any advice would be much appreciated!

[kermitology]

I got my last suit at Tip Top and I was really impressed. I didn't pay through the nose and it looks amazing on me and fits great. I checked out Moores as well and didn't like anything there. I thought that the materials they used seemed very cheap and uncomfortable versus my suit which was pure wool and really nice.

[Tron_fdc]

Someone mentioned a suit store on 14th street and 26th ave SW that sells 2nd hand Hugo Boss, Armani, etc suits for dirt cheap. I can't remember the name of the place but it's supposedly pretty good.

[lazy_programmer]

Tip Top is a good choice, some of their stuff is the same as from Harry Rosen except the liner has been changed. In other words, same thing, just not marked up for snobb appeal.

[Agamemnon]

Do you need to wear a 'suit' every day? Usually a combination of dress pants and dress shirts w/ ties work out fairly well... are you sure you have to wear a full matching 'suit' to work? Not just shirt/tie/pants?

[fredr123]

You're right. I could probably get away with dress pants, shirt and tie. That would be fine for when I'm stuck in my office slaving away. However, when I'm meeting clients or otherwise going out of the office the suit is pretty much a must. A few nice shirts that you can mix and match with the pants and jacket and ties would work too. Nonetheless, I still need more stuff and welcome all your opinions.

For what it's worth, wrinkle-free shirts are awesome and well worth the extra $15 over regular shirts.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by lazy_programmer

Tip Top is a good choice, some of their stuff is the same as from Harry Rosen except the liner has been changed. In other words, same thing, just not marked up for snobb appeal.

Sounds like you've been talking to too many Tip Top sales people

It depends what you are going to be doing. If you are in Law or investment banking, at the low end I'd say Grafton and the high end Harry Rosen.

If it is more of an average accounting, finance or marketing job, I'd stick to Grafton

Tip top is kinda bottom of the barrel, but it depends on what you are doing I guess. As well, confirm that you need suits. I've been downtown for 10 years and really have only needed a suit about once or twice a month on average.

[greerb]

Moores isn't too bad of a place either.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by greerb

Moores isn't too bad of a place either.

If price is a big factor, Moores is the way to go.

[looooob]

there was a good related thread a few months ago...someone could probably find it

I'll just reiterate the only thing I know about this topic

there is no such thing as as a short sleeved 'dress shirt'

[Claeren]

Go to 'Ed Williams Men's Wear' in Crowfoot Crossing in the NW and ask for 'Thomas' on any day except Wednesday's. He will hook you up.

Their pricing is a bit higher BUT not so much so that you will not be able to find something worthwhile.

It is where many of the whose-who in the city shop, the quiet, smart choice, mens wear store - including some of our Flaming idols....

You get what you pay for in men's wear, at least once you subtract the demands coming from the advertising department. And BTW, Hugo Boss is a horrible label now. 15 years ago it was good but it has changed hands many many times and if you brag about Hugo Boss to anyone who actually knows suits you look like an idiot. I can't figure out why young people/professionals are so fixated on it... ?

Claeren.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Tron_fdc

Someone mentioned a suit store on 14th street and 26th ave SW that sells 2nd hand Hugo Boss, Armani, etc suits for dirt cheap. I can't remember the name of the place but it's supposedly pretty good.

I don't remember the name of it, but I've bought suits there in the past. It's hit-and-miss, though, and I highly recommend taking whatever you buy to a tailor: a proper Moore's suit is going to look better than a Hugo Boss one that doesn't quite fit right.

[Bench Warmer]

Worked at Tip Top for four years and the quality and durability of their suits is very good. Very good. Most of their suits are pretty conservative as they tailor to the older conservative male market however they do have a few cool pin striped suits and some brighter shirts to spice the look up a bit.

After I left Tip Top and embarked on my career, I bought a couple suits worth $1,000 or so and I admit, they do 'hang' and feel nicer. What I like about the more expensive suits is I like to wear 'bolder' suits (thick pin stripes, window panes, different colors and such) and usually the places that cater to a younger bolder look are more expensive. However, I quickly realized that quality of the more expensive suits are not much better (if at all) than a $300 suit from Tip Top. Certainly not 3X the price better. I have items from Tip Top that are 6-8 years old I still wear today and are in good shape.

So, basically, I'd say look around for deals - there's no need to spend a schwack of $$$ on suits - especially if you can't afford it - when you can find a tonne of great suits for under $500 (or much less). In fact, one of my favorite places to go now is The Bay. They have alot of cool suits that are a bit 'bolder' and 'younger' and if you go on the weekends, they're usually 30% off (check for sales - The Bay always has weekend sales).

Oh...Moore's is crap. Spend the extra $100 at Tip Top or equivalent place and get a suit that will last you for a while.

[Flames in 07]

Totally agree that Boss is no good anymore, some of their sport jackets are decent, not sure they are worth their price though.

If you are buying on the economy end, TT is probably a fair bit better than Moore's.

[fredr123]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

It depends what you are going to be doing. If you are in Law or investment banking, at the low end I'd say Grafton and the high end Harry Rosen.

Thanks for the tip. It's a law-like job. I've had people who see the Moore's label on the suit and kind of scoff at my choice in clothing. I'd like to not be scoffed at, make a good impression and not be broke.

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by fredr123

I've had people who see the Moore's label on the suit and kind of scoff at my choice in clothing.

those people are ###### bags and will always be ###### bags.

[Flames in 07]

fredr, something like grafton would be a good start.

###### bags or not, law firms, espeically corporate firms downtown don't want people running around in cheap suits. Like it or not, that's just true. You may not notice now, but it's easy to tell the difference between low end stuff and high end stuff, it's not as simple as putting a recognizable brand on a piece of cloth.

[Shazam]

The people who buy Hugo Boss suits are the same people who buy BMWs thinking they're actually good cars.

[FireInTheHole]

Originally Posted by Shazam

The people who buy Hugo Boss suits are the same people who buy BMWs thinking they're actually good cars.

What's wrong with BMWs??

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Shazam

The people who buy Hugo Boss suits are the same people who buy BMWs thinking they're actually good cars.

heh, ya I guess. BM's are way over priced for the car you get. Honda Accords are better quality. Not as cool a logo though I guess.