Favorite suit?

[Tito]

I've been on a pretty strict diet and workout routine so far this year and I think it might be time to look at picking up a couple of new suits.

I currently wear Ralph Lauren (Lauren). But I'm thinking it might be time to look, around... Any good suggestions on good fitting, looking, and quality tailored suits. And if anyone has any good suggestions on where to look in S.Florida (Palm Beach area) that would be great too.

[ouch]

My favorite suit would be the "birthday".

[Austin]

I think suits are age subjective. I like Hart Schaeffer & Marx, Oxxford and Brooks Brothers. Of course these are off the rack. Custom suits are more desirable and expensive.

[jmhUT]

Hi Tito,
I am also partial to Lauren suits. I've worn several off the rack labels and Lauren offers the most value for the money. Plus, they are popular enough that retailers keep plenty on hand. This results in pretty massive sales during seasonal transitions. I typially pay no more than $250 for mine. The cuts and colors are classical vs. trendy. I don't expect any of mine to ever go out of style. I am also partial to their sport coats but am much less picky in this area as I typically wear them with jeans.
Cheers,
Jeff

[jfm]

If you are not going custom made, then my favorite is Brooks Brothers. The only problem is that the company tries to adjust its image so often that you cannot always bet on the quality. However, in the past 5 years or so the quality has shot back up to where it belongs. You won't look like a fashion forward person in a BB suit, but you will look more than appropriate.

Edit: They last forever and a day also! So if you are "investing" in a wardrobe, BB is a great choice.

[Shane]

i agree with Justin, when in doubt, Brooks Brothers' suits are very nice looking, classically styled suits.

[Tito]

Okay now that my ears are perked up... What's involved in a custom tailored suit? What & where does one look?

[mrob]

Go to Hong Kong--they're cheap there!

[mark the shoeshine boy]

watch out if you go overseas, remember that Mash episode where the suit came back with horizontal stripes ?

I only have a coupld suits...in which they are Brooks and Hart/s/Marx...pretty nice...

mark tssb

[Sam]

Andrew has good taste, and I wish I could afford an Oxxford- every one I see I want is north of $2150. I find that Jack Victor suits are like Brooks Brothers but not cut as pure "sack" type as Brooks Brothers, but not as English either, with the suppressed waist

Sam

[AJS]

If you are ever in London, try here. (http://www.gievesandhawkes.com/)

[water]

This question is nearly impossible to answer without establishing what you are willing to spend. There are so many variables.

Also, what styling do you like? In very general terms, the common cuts are English, American, and Italian. High button stance? Pinched waist? Hand-stitched? Shoulder shape? All things to consider.

[Dennis]

Tito - I would spend some time over here:
http://www.askandyaboutclothes.com/forum/index.php

These guys know their stuff.

Dennis

[Tito]

I have always wanted to go England for a shopping spree. Thanks for all the imput. I like a clean Classical look nothing flashy I'm not a fashionista at all. I expect to spend $1000 - $1500. But $2100, apparently I have some research I'll have to do. Maybe I don't need to change that badly?

[jfm]

I have always wanted to go England for a shopping spree. Thanks for all the imput. I like a clean Classical look nothing flashy I'm not a fashionista at all. I expect to spend $1000 - $1500. But $2100, apparently I have some research I'll have to do. Maybe I don't need to change that badly?

For what you are looking to spend, you can get a really nice off-the-shelf (OTS) suit and have a tailor alter it for you. It will look great. You may be able to get a made-to-measure (MTM) for that price. But the benefits over OTS will be minimal, IMHO. Go try on some suits, your body type might be perfectly "suited" for one maker's wares.

[Dennis]

I have always wanted to go England for a shopping spree. Thanks for all the imput. I like a clean Classical look nothing flashy I'm not a fashionista at all. I expect to spend $1000 - $1500. But $2100, apparently I have some research I'll have to do. Maybe I don't need to change that badly?

Do look around the AAAC forums - you will get all kinds of info for clothes as well as for shopping. There are tons of links for high-quality shirt purchases both MTM and bespoke, also all the Hong Kong suit makers, Italian shoes and ties, you name it. You can get some excellent clothes for the prices you are looking at. I found it to be very informative but I don't have the wallet or need to dress that way. Jeans and a polo shirt see me through at work. :tongue_sm

Dennis

[gman]

In terms of suits I think you get what you pay for. I live in Indiana and here it's pretty hard to find a decent suit. Most stores carry RL but they dont fit me right. I am fit and european cuts look better on me compared to the traditional american boxy cut. The only place I can find suits that fit me well is at Saks Fifth Avenue (european brands, Versace, Zegna, Boss) and as you know they come with a hefty price. This is my experience, other stores have somewhat pretty good cut however they just never have my size.

[htownmmm]

3 buttons

double breasted

2 buttons

In that order-colors from khaki to black and everything in between. Names don't matter to me, only the fit.


Marty

[MJB]

A lot depends on build and such.

When it comes to suits--I buy mostly the trios from Jos A Banks. They list for $495, and rarely full priced and usually priced at $299 and about twice a year go on sale for $199 which is when I pick them up. The trio is a two piece two button single breasted jacket with a pair of matching pleated suit pants and a patterned coo-ordinated to go with the jacket pant--not too different than garanimals.

Frankly, the trios are not nearly as refined as many suits but they are all wool--they stand up to pretty heavy wear and people rarely turn their nose up as if to say "yuck waht a horrible suit"

[Austin]

A lot depends on build and such.

When it comes to suits--I buy mostly the trios from Jos A Banks. They list for $495, and rarely full priced and usually priced at $299 and about twice a year go on sale for $199 which is when I pick them up. The trio is a two piece three sutton single breasted jacket with a pair of matching pleated suit pants and a patterned coo-ordinated to go with the jacket pant--not too different than garanimals.

Frankly, the trios are not nearly as refined as many suits but they are all wool--they stand up to pretty heavy wear and people rarely turn their nose up as if to say "yuck waht a horrible suit"

I have bought a couple for travel.

[Sam]

Yes, Jos. A Bank would be a good place to start and for the price, are good deals and good suits. Here is what I do, but you have to remember, as a lawyer, I have been buying suits, shirts, ties and dress shoes for 20 plus years. So I am now not needing clothes, but I will pick up something as I WANT it. Go to about the best men's store you can find. Tell the salesman that you are starting out, and tell him what suits you own. Tell him you can not afford to pay full retail and give him an idea of your budget. Tell him you can wait until after Christmas for the big sales. Locally, our two men's stores have their best sales mid-January. For example, I bought a Hugo Boss suit, which is flat front and with the two side vents and very slim cut (though I am not so slim, more athletic but I went up a size and tailored it down). Usually would be over $1000 and I got it for $200. But see, I can wait until the next sale if I have to. I will find Robert Talbott and Brioni ties that go for over $135 down as little as $25 or so. I go to Nashville around that time and will shop there as well.

But if you can wait, tell the salesman to call you when he gets an exceptional deal. Tell him you will get the suit and would like a nice shirt and tie to go with it if the savings are there. Tell him you would like to start doing business at the store, and until your resources build up, price is more of a factor. That Hugo Boss, one salesman at the store held it out for me, even though I do not use him, but one of his associates, and he knows that if something happens, I would use him. I seldom pay full price for a suit anymore as I go when they have their sales. I will get one 25% off at times, but usually, I hit it when they are at least 50% off. One of these days, I'll get an Oxxford or Zegna.

[MacArthur Mike]

If you have the scratch...there aren't too many that can beat an Armani.

[sloopyjones]

If we're talking indulgences, I'll take a couple suits from Kiton:

http://www.kiton.it/kiting/indexg.htm

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/europe/01/20/ultimate.suit/

[surfanimal]

Currently in my suit rotation are the following:

3 Hart, Schaffner & Marx
1 Brooks Brothers (brooksease collection)
1 Brooks Brothers (Golden Fleece collection)
1 Ralph Lauren Purple Label
1 Hart, Schaffner & Marx Tuxedo

Sportcoats for dress-down days:
1 Oxxford Houndstooth (my favorite to wear, ever. best possible quality I've ever felt in a coat)
1 Hart, Schaffner & Marx
& a few no-name brands I've found just shopping around.

(I've got so many H, S & M from their annual sales, the NY store ALWAYS has good deals going)

[moses]

(I've got so many H, S & M from their annual sales, the NY store ALWAYS has good deals going)

! I'll have to look into that. I have a blazer from them (the obigatory blue, although relabed for the local men's store I bought it from, and with pewter buttons, because I can't stand the gold ones). It is really very nice quality. It might not be a bad choice for a new suit. Which I desperately need.

-Mo

[surfanimal]

! I'll have to look into that. I have a blazer from them (the obigatory blue, although relabed for the local men's store I bought it from, and with pewter buttons, because I can't stand the gold ones). It is really very nice quality. It might not be a bad choice for a new suit. Which I desperately need.

-Mo

I love the quality of their suits. It's nothing high end, but they're great workhorse/everyday suits. Sometimes I wish I lived on the east coast, so there was use for 3 piece suits. What I am lacking in is trousers with suspender buttons.

[Dinder1]

Has anyone shopped at a Brooks Brothers outlet store? They have a store about 15-20 miles from me, so I am wondering if it would be worth the drive?
Cheers, DJ.

[TraderJoe]

Has anyone shopped at a Brooks Brothers outlet store? They have a store about 15-20 miles from me, so I am wondering if it would be worth the drive?
Cheers, DJ.

Yep, they usually have decent stuff there, and very capable tailors.

Not to mention, the Royall Fragrance/AS line at steep discounts. :thumbup1:

[Dinder1]

Yep, they usually have decent stuff there, and very capable tailors.

Not to mention, the Royall Fragrance/AS line at steep discounts. :thumbup1:

Thanks Joe, I will check it out. How are you liking those olive oil soaps?
Cheers, DJ.

[TraderJoe]

Thanks Joe, I will check it out. How are you liking those olive oil soaps?
Cheers, DJ.

So Far, they've been good to me. I've used the Italian soap on the face, the Greek on the body. The Greek has the most "pleasing" scent of them all. But I enjoy the organic smell of the olive oil in all of them. As far as skincare is concerned, they are superb. :thumbup:

[Sam]

Has anyone shopped at a Brooks Brothers outlet store? They have a store about 15-20 miles from me, so I am wondering if it would be worth the drive?
Cheers, DJ.

I have not been impressed with the suit savings at an outlet store. They have one in Nashville and one in Destin, FLa

Sam

[Shermdog]

As a lawyer I am pretty particular about my suits....

I use a custom tailor that travels the country to measure you so a prefect fit happens everytime.

The prices and materials are awesome. I typically get my suits for around 600 and that is with a fantastic threadcount/quality and a perfect custom fit. Also, they finish their suits better than off the rack....they add lining to the jacket and extra material in the pant cuff (to prevent it from fraying on your shoe). They are just nicer in every aspect. I believe the same suit off the rack would cost about 1200 to 1500....and you would need it altered (and still no guarantee of a perfect fit). They have more expensive materials and less expensive to fit your budget and needs. I highly suggest calling for an appointment when they are in your city. Order one suit and see for yourself....I get almost all my stuff from them now.

Goto this website and if you have any questions....send me a pm.

http://www.samstailorsusa.com/home.html

I have been a customer of theirs since my days in lawschool (10 years ago) and my father has been a customer for about 15 years.