Let's Go Buy New Suits!

[bax]

So the O'Connors thread got me thinking about suits and I realized that I will need to purchase my first ever suit this month.

I recently took an internship with a hockey team for the upcoming season and I am required to wear a suit on game days. I have never purchased a suit before so I am quite new to the whole discussion.

I've been working in various offices for the past couple of summers so I have collected some fairly nice dress clothes, but I don't know what I should be looking for in a suit. I am in my early 20's so I want something that will be versatile and of high quality. I like my current dress clothes to be quit slim fitting. It is a style and a comfort thing for me.

So any advice on materials, brands, styles, etc?

[Winsor_Pilates]

For your first suit, I would go completely against the O'Connors thread advice and buy something very entry level.
You won't yet know what you're looking for, so no point in spending $1000+ and then deciding you don't like the cut, fabric, lapels, etc.

I don't think people around hockey games will be wearing high end suites either, so you're probably fine with just about anything. If you like very slim fitting, try the suits out at Topman.
Not great quality suits for the business world, but will probably be the style and fit you like.

[The Familia]

I just bought a new suit at Harry Rosen. It's a Z Zegna and exceptionally nice. If you go there talk with Brad. He will fit you up perfectly. Be prepared to spend some coin on a good suit. There is a huge difference between Moores $200 suits and a professional suit (I spent $1300 for the suit and a shirt). The suit is slim fit, Italian fabric, very comfortable and stylish. The colour is a very dark Navy.

[worth]

Any colour but black.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Well, more specifically, navy or charcoal. Preferably navy.

As for where to go, I have no idea what your budget is but given that you don't know what you're doing, if you have the $ to drop on it, the advice in that thread to get a MTM Samuelsohn isn't the worst plan in the world. It will be sure to fit properly, and then you can take the measurements off of that to buy future suits for significantly less money.

[wooohooo]

Check out indochino or eph

I got a suit from eph and it fits good and they also give you $75 to alter your suit. It's a custom made suit where a tailor will come to your city and measure you. Cost me roughly $500 for suit, vest and dress shirt.

You can pick your fabric and how expensive you want to go. Couldn't be happier

[bax]

Appreciate the advice!

I think I'll steer clear of Topman's. I bought a pair of pants of theirs once just on a whim and they fell apart after about 4 months of light wear.

[bluejays]

I was in the same position a few months ago, moving from a business casual position more or less, to a formal everyday position. I had two fitting suits only. So I needed a few more and scoured the internet for advice. Somewhat of a mistake. Everyone will goad you to buy that $800+ suit, claiming it'll last forever, and thr Moores suit is inadequate. The problem is twofold. Say you spend $800+ on a suit. Are you going to wear that every single day? Don't you think people will realize that you're wearing the same suit day in and out? Secondly, look at suits from only 10 years ago. Who cares if it's Hugo? It'll still look outdated after awhile. Unless you're in a profession making a killing, forget the expensive suit. Great if you can get a half or full canvas suit, but unless you go to suit supply you probably won't find something quality, and even then, think of all the clothes you can buy with $500?

So, what I ended up doing was buying 4 suits from Moores when they recently had their sale. Calvin Klein X-slim suit for $225 each. Fit well but did a few alterations, and couldn't be happier. Get a few of those and alternate and you're fine. Looks good, hasn't worn out at all, cost is minimal in comparison, and in a few years when it wears down I'll buy more that are future style current. At the end of the day the decision I wrestled with was should I upgrade to $500 per suit for half canvas? I decided against it as I couldn't justify that cost on just one garment. Find a well fitting wool suit at a good price, alter to specification, then spend the rest on a proper investment. Don't get caught up in the bells and whistles if you think you'll regret it.

[peter12]

I am not really a suit man, more of a sports coat man. Think that fat guy in mad men, but less flashy. For suits though, Samuelson was the best bang for my buck that I found. I have owned tailored clothing throughout the mid-range, and Sammy's were the best. If you can wait until December, check out Brooks Brothers Winter sale on boxing day. The slim fit Fitzgerald suits are 30% off.

Everyone has different preferences. Moores, Eph, and Indochina are mostly cap. Z Zegna and Hugo ain't much better. But then CHL is out in Caruso and Kiton, and thinks I am the peasant. Do what suits you and your needs, but don't cheap out.

[jar_e]

I think the biggest piece of advice is to get a decent tailor and make sure you get the suit you buy tailored. It's probably not going to rival MTM but is sure can make an off the rack suit look a whole lot better.

[topfiverecords]

Ya, don't be like Eric Francis and just rock 2 suits for 50+ games a year.

[Sainters7]

Agreed about not going "straight baller" with a really expensive suit as your first one.

Just whatever you get, please don't pair it with those trendy light brown shoes unless the suit colour actually matches it. I like those too but that style is out of control right now. Can't believe how many dudes I see downtown in like black suit/white shirt/black tie or something and then those kicks. How does that go together??


Posted from Calgarypuck.com App for Android

[bluejays]

I work in the financial district and the even worse fashion trend right now is the Strombolopolous look. Super tight trousers 3 inches too short to show ugly patterned socks? The hipster influence right now is so cookie-cutter, hairstyles and all. What ever happened to wearing well tailored clothes that fit? Not baggy, but not extreme tight. Guys gotta start dressing like men again. Anyway, rant over.

[Travis Munroe]

Considering it is your first suit and used for hockey, consider going to Winners and taking it into a seamstress to have it done up nice to your body type.
You can get a designer brand and spend 300-400 after alterations. With it being a designer brand, it wont wear quick on you and you won't care too much on hanging it properly, etc in the dressing room.

[DoubleF]

My suggestion... Go into the following places that sell suits, explain you know nothing and see what type of information you can glean from them.

1. Tip top
2. Hugo Boss
3. Harry Rosen
4. Calvin Klein

Keep tabs on the suits you like. IMO, Calvin Klein is a great combo of comfort, style and cost and a good entry level suit. But that's just my opinion.

They should explain to you things like how a suit should feel, the fitting/how it should look, "Sometimes, always, never ever.", whether you should unbutton a suit every time you sit down, Sportcoat/suit jacket/blazer differences etc. which is more than you will ever need to know about the suits. But, they might help you avoid silly mistakes like showing up in a tux.

After learning about suits, keep your thoughts open about taking it to a tailor for sleeve shortening, back seam modification, waist adjustment and pant hemming. This is huge as a good fitting suit looks better than a more expensive suit that doesn't fit as well. Average cost probably between $150-250, but you will have a great fitting suit that looks proper and not disheveled looking for a long time (assuming your body shape and size isn't going to change a lot).

Also, if you don't want to be laughed at, make sure you cut open your pockets before going to work on day 1.

[spetch]

If you are willing to drive a bit (2-2.5hrs) I could fit you up and a suit and get it all altered for you for a fraction of what u would pay anywhere else

[Coach]

TipTop has a sale right now, some decent looking suits for $100. Me and my buddy went shopping for a friends wedding. Bought tuxes for $100. Never had a tux, so for $100 what the hell.

It's not going to get you something super high quality, but if you're going to be wearing them a few times a week, and your an intern (ie, not making very much, if any, money), I'd say it's best to go get 2 or 3 suits for less than you'd pay for one at O'Connors or Harry Rosen. Just my two cents.

Designer Depot is good for cost as well. Not a tonne of selection sometimes, but you can get some decent clothes for cheap.

***Ducks as peter12 throws a $1200 shoe at my head***

[peter12]

Originally Posted by MattyC

TipTop has a sale right now, some decent looking suits for $100. Me and my buddy went shopping for a friends wedding. Bought tuxes for $100. Never had a tux, so for $100 what the hell.

It's not going to get you something super high quality, but if you're going to be wearing them a few times a week, and your an intern (ie, not making very much, if any, money), I'd say it's best to go get 2 or 3 suits for less than you'd pay for one at O'Connors or Harry Rosen. Just my two cents.

Designer Depot is good for cost as well. Not a tonne of selection sometimes, but you can get some decent clothes for cheap.

***Ducks as peter12 throws a $1200 shoe at my head***

Yeah, dude. That is brutal.

[CaptainCrunch]

I went with the 3 or 4 Moore's style suits for day to day wear and the semi casual meeting sets. And then I buy 1 or 2 higher quality ones that I can use for special events or for client facing meetings where I need to dress up.

As it stands I rarely wear suits or jackets anymore. I used to turn up at meetings and I'd be far surpassing what everyone else is wearing as the business world has gone very casual.

Even at the C level I'm more likely to meet with a guy wearing khaki's and a decent dress shirt.

[psicodude]

What are the thoughts/opinions on the Black Brown brand, mostly found at The Bay? I find it fits me very well and is of good quality for mid-price clothing, but am curious how it stacks up against other ~$500 suits.