Buying a Suit

[fredr123]

Thanks for all the advice. I agree you can tell the difference between JC Penny and something nice pretty easily. My first suit when I started law school was on the cheaper end from Moore's. The suits I bought more recently were on the upper end at the same store but are by far and away better quality. Lighter material that hangs better, moves with you, more comfortable to wear...

People at my place don't wear suits 24/7. Relative to other firms, it's pretty laid back. Working in your office, by yourself, dress can be business-casual but outside the office a certain level of professionalism is necessary. Given my status, I can be sent out to do grunt jobs at any time and therefore must be able to toss on the tie and jacket and go. So for me, I pretty much have to be at least in half a suit at all times.

With student loans and rent and other expenses being how they are now, I can't really afford to spend a ton on suits. I want something decent for now but want a step above Moore's. In a year or so things will be different and I can start adding to the wardrobe with some truly fine clothes.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

That's true 'theoretically', but I guess it's a perspective thing... I won't argue that there's a difference between designers, materials, etc because I'm sure there is. But personally, I know that the only way I'm going to have a future with my employer is whether I can produce the goods. It won't matter if I'm rollin' in Armani if I can't do the job as well as (if not better than) my counterparts. Plain and simple.

Down the road I might be more conscious about this kind of thing, but for a guy just starting out (like the guy who started the thread), I'd say to look professional and feel comfortable, and you'll be in position to do your best work. If it takes a $1000+ suit for you to do that, then by all means. Just my $0.02.

Also, I'll repeat that it depends on your workplace... I've never worked for someone where I've felt I wasn't adequately dressed or that I wasn't reaching a certain standard. If I did, then perhaps that's not the kind of environment I want to be spending 8+ hours a day in. It's also a personal thing... I know that I'll never 'look the part' like some other people do, regardless of what I wear. Some people just grew up in nicer neighborhoods, with better schools, speak more eloquently than I do, and have more connections. But that's not how I got to where I am, and I'm not going to change because I'm afraid some stiff down the hall will scoff at what I wear (for the record, I got hired wearing a Moore's suit at the interview)

For 9 out of 10, if not more jobs, how much you spend on your gear doesn't matter.

However there are a few lines of work ie large law firms such as MD or MT and investment banking where you need to look the part. The young grad who started this thread is going into law ... and yes at the end of the day it about the value you add to the company, but how you present yourself to clients is part of that value add.

[Claeren]

^ I know Ed Williams will be having a fall sale at some point like in early October i think, but that sounds a ways off for what you need...


Claeren.

[Ironhorse]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Honda Accords are better quality. Not as cool a logo though I guess.

And, IMHO, just as exciting as a brown paper bag.

[Superflyer]

Sorry to drag this out of the archives but I am in need of help. I work in IT so I do not need to wear suits......well ever. But I am need of one for Chrismas Parties as I am invited to some nice ones. Like for example I went to one with the mayor last year because my uncles have friends in high places, not bragging or anything just saying.
Now my question. I do not need it for more then 2 or 3 times a year max so I cannot justify spending like $500 - $1000 on a suit or something like that. Is there anywhere that I can find a nice suit for a low price?

[Table 5]

[Barnes]

At Moores, you can find a suit line called Pronto Uomo. They are made by the same people that make suits for either Hugo Boss or Bannana Republic (cant remember). They are less expensive and really nice. If I could suggest one thing, don't buy a suit with any polyester whatsoever. They hang differently and will get shiney from dry cleaning chemicals quick. Buy wool! Check them out Superflyer.

[14]

MEXX outlet store in Westhills is the place to go. I have about 8 (Jones, Ralph Lauren, Nautica) suits, need them for my job, and the last two have been bought there. They are sold separately as pants and jackets but they are a good price (sometimes you can get a great sale!) and are a top name. Great cuts as well.

Best option by far.

[Red Mile Style]

Bring a chick with you - she'll make sure you pick out a hot one.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Sounds like a few people are jealous of the guy with the BMW and Boss suit.
I really both Boss suits and BMW's. I guess it's a matter of opinion, if you think a moores suit and Honda is really as good as a Boss suit and BMW, well power to you I guess.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by 14

MEXX outlet store in Westhills is the place to go. I have about 8 (Jones, Ralph Lauren, Nautica) suits, need them for my job, and the last two have been bought there. They are sold separately as pants and jackets but they are a good price (sometimes you can get a great sale!) and are a top name. Great cuts as well.

Best option by far.

Mexx suits look nice, but are not well made. They're usually a synthetic material which is a bad choice if you're really concerned with quality. You should get 100% wool if you can.

I recommend Zara if you want a suit with a nice designer look but not too expensive. Their suits are designed with fashion in mind, and look great. Much much better then the average Calgarian's suit that doesn't actually fit right and is out of date style wise.

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by Red Mile Style

Bring a chick with you - she'll make sure you pick out a hot one.

If you're shopping for a suit with a woman, lay out the ground rules before you go . . . . she can "suggest" but in the end, you're the one making the decision. She'll be offended at first but this is absolutely crucial.

That will prevent you from ending up with a neon monkey suit just so you can get laid.

Sounds like a few people are jealous of the guy with the BMW and Boss suit. I really both Boss suits and BMW's. I guess it's a matter of opinion, if you think a moores suit and Honda is really as good as a Boss suit and BMW, well power to you I guess.

I have the Boss suits - and, by coincidence, just spent many thousands at Harry Rosen in the last few weeks - but I drive a Durango. I wouldn't be caught dead in a BMW . . . . or a Range Rover for that matter.

Cowperson

[Bench Warmer]

Originally Posted by Barnes

At Moores, you can find a suit line called Pronto Uomo. They are made by the same people that make suits for either Hugo Boss or Bannana Republic (cant remember). They are less expensive and really nice. If I could suggest one thing, don't buy a suit with any polyester whatsoever. They hang differently and will get shiney from dry cleaning chemicals quick. Buy wool! Check them out Superflyer.

Excellent, excellent point here. Never, ever buy a suit with more than 5% poly in them (sometimes you'll get some lycra stretch suits or something like that that are cool that have 5% poly). But 100% wool is the way to go - yes, you have to dry clean them but the comfort is so much greater...and the wool suits are nicer, cleaner suits.

[SeeGeeWhy]

Check out O'Connor's Mens Wear on 1st St SE. Very high quality tailor made suits and price ranges vary depending on the material you want. Excellent service.

[troutman]

One day in court I was joking around with another barrister in the lounge. He was a real dandy, and was surprised to see I was wearing the same suit. He flipped open the lapel to show me the "Boss" logo. I flipped mine to see "Bosco". We laughed. I have some actual Boss suits now but knock-offs can do the trick.

If you can manage to get to Hong Kong, you can have a bunch of tailor-made suits made for you real cheap.

I wear suits less and less. Do you find more offices are going casual? My clients seem to prefer that I'm not in a suit.

[Tron_fdc]

Originally Posted by troutman

One day in court I was joking around with another barrister in the lounge. He was a real dandy, and was surprised to see I was wearing the same suit. He flipped open the lapel to show me the "Boss" logo. I flipped mine to see "Bosco". We laughed. I have some actual Boss suits now but knock-offs can do the trick.

If you can manage to get to Hong Kong, you can have a bunch of tailor-made suits made for you real cheap.

I wear suits less and less. Do you find more offices are going casual? My clients seem to prefer that I'm not in a suit.

Heh. I fly to China next week, and I'll be coming back with the ususal suitcase filled with Hugo Boss socks, and Calvin Klein underwear. It ****es me off that places like Holt Renfrew charge $25 for dress socks, and I can buy the exact same thing for $0.50 in China. I'm definately going to get a few Armani suits this time....they're so bloody cheap over there if worse comes to worse I can give them to a friend if they don't fit right.

I had a house part a few months ago where all my friends left with Lacoste and polo shirts.....all it cost me was $40 for 20 shirts.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by 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!

I'm going the other way from you. I wore suits for many years and didn't really like it. Now I run my own business in a smaller community where suits aren't really expected in many cases, have ditched the suits and am far happier. I'd offer you all my old suits but they probably won't fit and then my wife would just want me to go out and buy more for the 3-4 times a year I wear one. Have fun in Corporate Land. It's better out here.

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by troutman

My clients seem to prefer that I'm not in a suit.

Goodness, do you charge extra if you're in your birthday suit?

[Bench Warmer]

Originally Posted by troutman

My clients seem to prefer that I'm not in a suit.

I have been told by some of my clients in the past not to wear a suit as it makes the staff uncomfortable. So, I slap on my Poison t-shirt, some acid wash jeans and grab my plastic Transformers lunch box and it's off to work!

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Shazam

Goodness, do you charge extra if you're in your birthday suit?

No, then I'd have no clients.