Buying a suit...

[stang]

The last thread on this, that's relevant is from 2006, so I figure ill start a new thread.

I'm buying my first suit, and since I haven't needed on in 32 years yet, I don't want to blow a ton of cash on something I may not even wear again. Although if I do have one I may wear it a couple times a year.

I'm a husky guy, 6' and a 40/42 waist and a xxl shirt. Where's the best bang for my buck? I've had big and tall as a recommendation, but someone else said no?

Oh yeah it'll be bought in Edmonton next weekend.

[CaptainYooh]

Thomas Jeffrey, O'Connor's, Forman's in Calgary all have good suit selections. Hugo Boss, Strellson and Joseph Abboud make good suits for the big/tall guys. Avoid Armani, they are for the skinny type...

[Tyler]

The guy doesn't want to blow a lot of cash, hasn't worn a suit in 32 years, and you're telling him to buy a Hugo Boss? Geesh.

Dude, go to Moore's and get a decent cheap black suit.

[strombad]

Yeah, honestly, as inclined as I am to name off all of these great suit places, just hit up Moore's.

If you're looking for a cheap suit that you might only wear a couple of times tops, then it's a waste of time going to the nicer joints. I've not got a whole lot of experience in the XXL field, but I'm sure Big & Tall is just fine if Moore's doesn't work out.

[CaptainYooh]

Don't waste your money on Moore's suit. Expensive suits often, almost always, go on sale and you can buy them 50% off. You can find a nice Hugo Boss in a $500-$700 range made of 100% wool and made really well. A suit like that would serve you a few years. That's a reasonable price to pay. A dinner for two these days would cost you a $100 easily. Everything's relative.

[Righteous1]

Try Hugo Boss if you're "husky" they tend to be a bit more boxy at the shoulders for a better fit

[calgarywinning]

The whole point, whether you wear a suit often or not often, is too look good.

So you should focus on a menswear store such as O'Connor's that offers professional fitting and sizing service and can direct you based on your budget into the best possible looking suit that fulfills it's purpose.

Also, you need to size your pants based on your seat if your are on the husky side and let out at the waistband.
Best of luck on your search.

[stang]

Yeah $500 is on the very very high end of what I want to spend... I'd be happier spending $50, but don't want to look like a total knob... It may get worn 3x in its life, if I had to guess.

[strombad]

Then avoid the advice above. Just do Moore's.

It's crazy to drop more than a few hundred on something you clearly see as more of a hassle than a need. If you wanted my preference, I'm dropping over a grand and ideally getting bespoke. You don't need that.

Trust your gut, go to somewhere like Moore's, Tip Top, or Big & Tall.

[19Yzerman19]

Just for the love of God don't buy a black one. Regardless of what you're spending. Navy blue, or grey, fine, just not black. Unless you're only wearing it to funerals.

[Jbo]

I've spent 500 bucks on a suit at moores that I didn't love, but as others have said, it's not really reasonable to expect anything under the 400-500 range.

Why not go to a place and rent a suit? It sounds like it may never be worn again anyway. Black & lee and a couple others do suit rentals.

My personal feeling is that every man should have at least one nice suit though. (I'll put aside the Edmonton jabs on this one as well)

[squiggs96]

Originally Posted by Righteous1

Try Hugo Boss if you're "husky" they tend to be a bit more boxy at the shoulders for a better fit

It depends which cut of Hugo Boss suit you are looking at. I'm 5'9 and skinny. There is no way I'm husky or boxy. I have five Boss suits in the Huge/Genius cuts, which is a slim fit suit. Ask a salesman which cut works for you. I'm guessing the Pasolini/Movie one is for bigger, wider people.

In general, figure out what you budget is, and buy the best suit you can afford. The best suit for you is one that fits you properly. You can spend $5,000 on a suit that will look horrendous if it doesn't fit you properly. If you have the time, I recommend going to a tailor and having one made for you there. You'll get better value and it will fit you better than an off the rack. Since you aren't paying for a brand name, most of the time, the $500 budget might be possible. I had one made in Vancouver for $1,000, but there were options for cheaper ones.

[Regular_John]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

Just for the love of God don't buy a black one. Regardless of what you're spending. Navy blue, or grey, fine, just not black. Unless you're only wearing it to funerals.

This. I wish some one had told me this when I was buying my suit for my wedding. I'm the type who only needs to own one suit, and I really couldn't have picked something less versatile. Did I mention the pinstripes? Yeah, I really screwed the pooch on my "every man needs one suit" purchase.

[GGG]

Spend money on tailoring to get the suit to fit you. A $200-$300 well fitting suit can look good. I managed to pick up a clearance suit at the hugo boss outlet for $250 last Christmas. For the 3 times a year I wear it it works great.

The big difference between it and the same priced suits at tiptop or moores was the cut being more fashionable than traditional. This is a double edged sword though as it will also go out of style sooner than a traditional suit.

Anyway expect to spend $50-$100 on alterations. This is money well spent and is better than buying a more expensive suit and cheaping out on tailoring.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by 19Yzerman19

Just for the love of God don't buy a black one. Regardless of what you're spending. Navy blue, or grey, fine, just not black. Unless you're only wearing it to funerals.

I don't know much, but I know I look good in a grey suit. Nothing better then a nice grey or dark grey suit. Looks great and can be changed up with various shirts or ties easily.

[PIMking]

Originally Posted by CaptainYooh

Thomas Jeffrey, O'Connor's, Forman's in Calgary all have good suit selections. Hugo Boss, Strellson and Joseph Abboud make good suits for the big/tall guys. Avoid Armani, they are for the skinny type...

I have a few Joseph Abboud and they were like $300/ per

I've got a few Calvin Klein suits they were a couple hundred

Polo was a 300

I have close to 20 suits and the Jouseph Abboud is my favorite along with Michael Kors

[sun]

H&M suit that fits will look better than a $1000 suit that doesn't. You're a big guy, so make sure the shoulders fit, and let the waist out if needed. Get it altered no matter what - at least hem the pants. Consider suspenders/braces.

Solid navy single-breasted, notch lapel (3"+ lapel) suit; blue semi-spread collar shirt; 3.25" navy based tie (stripes, pindots, etc); white linen pocket square; captoe oxfords in black (conservative) or brown (less conservative). Never think about what to wear to a formal event again.

Brooks bros on sale maybe? Dunno what you have up there.

[stang]

This is some huge help. Thanks guys!

[stang]

Oh and I'm not from/in Edmonton, just passing through

[Kybosh]

Get a charcoal suit without no pinstripes or other crap. Check out the Banana Republic outlet in the Edmonton south commons. You might get lucky and it'll cost you maybe $200.