about to buy my first suit.

[neilxvx]

Alright guys so I've been wanting to buy a complete, and well put together suit for quite some time now. I've decided to use part of my christmas bonus, and gift money to finally buy one. I have several nice pairs of pants and jackets/sportcoats but no actual suit.

Reasons for wanting a suit:

-I have to dress nice for work and although we aren't required to wear a suit and tie, almost all of my coworkers wear them to our corporate meetings we have every few months. (I work at an Audi dealer ship as one of the service managers.)

-Although I'm only 22, I usually prefer to dress nice; What I mean by nice is dress shoes, nice button up long sleeve tucked in to some nice jeans, and some sort of nice sport coat or jacket. I also frequent operas and formal occasions in town on a regular basis.

Ok so moving on. From what I've gathered, it's a good idea to get navy blue as the color of your first suit. I would like to hear everyones personal opinion on this. Also just from my general knowledge of suits, a two button, single breasted jacket is also more preferred for a first suit.

I'm 6'1" and 165 pounds. I'd say I'm thinner than the average person, but with broad shoulders perhaps.

I really like more traditional style dress clothes. I only wear Allen Edmonds shoes, most of them being their more classic styles. I don't like to be flashy and arrogant looking, just "nice" "gentleman like."

That being said, I really really like the look of a nice vest buttoned up in a suit. I'm definitely getting a suit with a matching vest. I think it adds a whole new level of style to the suit.

I'm a bit partial to Nordstroms as I have nothing but good things to say about the quality of service I've received from the employees there. However, I've been looking at Brooks Brothers suits for a while and they seem to offer more of a niche style of clothing, and maybe a bit more unique.

I can't decide on which of their styles to pick a suit from, but I think judging by my size, age, and what I'm looking for, I think the Fitzgerald or the Regent is going to be my best bet. Honestly, the only difference I can think of in the Fitz and the Regent is that the Fitz may be a little bit more in the middle as far as the cut and shape of the suit and trousers. So I need some help deciding on what would be more appropriate for me. I know that I need to just go there and pick them out, but I'd like to have an idea as I don't want to spend all day picking out a suit.

So, in summary. 22 years old, 6'1", lanky - and this suit will be for occasions at work and a couple of nights a month for special events and parties. Greatly prefer having a suit with a vest or maybe getting a vest to match the suit if it doesn't come with one. I live in Houston, TX and I don't know if BB has different types of wool but I guess Worsted or Tropical would be best.

So if anyone could point me in the right direction of what style from BB to buy, what color, or if you think I should try somewhere else... etc. Any advice or rambling would be great. I really want to make this purchase a good one that I will be glad I made for years to come.

[johnmrson]

Suits should only be darkish colours or tones IMHO. I also think that a subtle pinstripe looks better than a plain colour. Also leave the trendy purple and bright green suits well alone. Look for a suit that is stylish. Good style never goes out of fashion. As you say you are quite slim with wide shoulders, then a classic double brested would suit you.

[HopHead]

I am by no means a suit expert or even a knowledgeable person. However, I will say that a navy suit is a great first suit as it can be worn to just about anything and the coat makes a great navy blazer when you want to dress down a tad. Regarding BB, I've never purchased a suit from them (usually go with Ralph L) but I love the rest of their clothes. I put them in the same league as tiffanys for jewelery. Classic, enduring quality. You simply cannot go wrong and end up with a "trendy" piece of crap from BB.

Happy hunting and the last comment I will make is that you shouldn't worry about spending a few hours picking out the suit. After all, whats a few hours "to make this purchase a good one that I will be glad I made for years to come." Remember, the sales person works for you so don't worry about being a bit picky.

[bjh618]

Neil,

I live in OZ, so as to where to buy the suit I can't help you. But, I am also 22 and have just bought a suit from one of our local designers.

I went for the traditional 2 button navy suit and I think that it looks great! Its a classic color that looks timeless.

Other things to keep an eye on are the width of the lapels - I went for thinner lapels as I felt that wider ones looked a bit too old - and whether the trousers are pleated. I have found that flat fronted trousers look and feel a whole lot better than trousers with pleats.

Try on a few different suits so you get a feel for what you're comfortable with as everyone's sense of style and taste is different.

But when you get it right, you will feel like a king with it on!

[StylinLA]

If it's going to be your only suit for awhile, solid navy or charcoal would be best. Both are versatile and conservative. A solid suit allows you to "paint" a lot of different looks with shirts and ties.

I'm not sure about the overall mindset for a vest anymore. It's perfectly proper I'm sure, but in one of the Southern California quirks, they are rarely if ever worn here. It might look a tad too formal for some of your suit uses, but you've got a better gauge of how others there are dressing. You of course have the option to get the vest, but not always wear it.

I can't address the specific BB suits, try them on and see which offer best fit and style for you.

In Houston, you'll want a weight that could work in summer as well. Keep in mind though, usually when you wear a suit in summer, it will be for events that will be air conditioned. Just saying you shouldn't buy the lightest possible weight suit because of a chance you'll have to wear on hot summer day.

We get hit pretty good with heat in LA, but nothing like your humidity. I've got a couple of pretty heavy wool suits I love, but they have to sit out the summer.

[john parker]

Just a couple of quick notes. For your first suit I would recommend dark navy blue, as others have mentioned. Most versatile for all possible occasions. Do not even consider using the suit coat as a blazer; they are not the same thing. Make sure that the coat fits your shoulders correctly; all other things (within reason) can be adjusted but the shoulder fit cannot.

[winkydink]

Get the darkest blue you can find. Darker is better.

An alternative to a new suit is to consider buying a gently used suit off ebay. To be successful, you'll need to understand your rough suit size as well as sticking with a classic look - BB, Oxxford, etc... The upside here is that you can end up with a $2k suit for a couple hundred bucks. You will need to find a good tailor and expect to spend another $50-$100 getting it adjusted to you, but in the end, you will end up with considerably more suit for you money.

[bwashburn]

+1 on getting it tailored -- either where you buy it or from an independent tailor. An extra $100 will make your suit look much better.

Also recommend a very dark navy blue.

[kimfella]

Suits should only be darkish colours or tones IMHO. I also think that a subtle pinstripe looks better than a plain colour. Also leave the trendy purple and bright green suits well alone. Look for a suit that is stylish. Good style never goes out of fashion. As you say you are quite slim with wide shoulders, then a classic double brested would suit you.

I disagree with the "suits should ONLY be darkish colours.." I have a very nice grey double-breasted sharkskin suit, and a single-breasted grey with some yellow windowpane check, neither with vests, both with cuffed pants. However, this being your first suit, I agree blue or dark grey would be a better choice. Also two button, probably single-breasted. A dark suit is very adaptable, and for when you want to liven it up a bit you can choose more colourful ties and shirts. Although I think you want to be pretty colour conscious when choosing a different shirt. You might also consider a second vest, in a complimentary colour. If you are tall and slim you could probably carry off a three button suit, but not for your first, all purpose suit.

I agree wholeheartedly that good style never goes out of fashion. You sound as if you have a pretty good idea of what you like. Look at the fashions of the day, but in the end choose what YOU like and wear it with attitude. I've seen any number of people wearing clothes/outfits I would NEVER wear, yet they look just fine in them. And we've all seen people wearing outfits that are all the fashion of the day that look as if they are wearing ... what everyone else wears.

...I will say that a navy suit is a great first suit as it can be worn to just about anything...
Happy hunting and the last comment I will make is that you shouldn't worry about spending a few hours picking out the suit. After all, whats a few hours "to make this purchase a good one that I will be glad I made for years to come." Remember, the sales person works for you so don't worry about being a bit picky.

+1

...and whether the trousers are pleated. I have found that flat fronted trousers look and feel a whole lot better than trousers with pleats.

To each his own. I prefer the pleated. The cut of the suit you end up with will count for a lot in the pants styling.

If it's going to be your only suit for awhile, solid navy or charcoal would be best. Both are versatile and conservative. A solid suit allows you to "paint" a lot of different looks with shirts and ties.

+1
But also. if you are working in an environment where you can wear suits regularly, don't stop at one! Audi customers probably don't want to the manager they deal with wearing the same suit everytime they see him. And they can probably tolerate a little personal panache.

Do not even consider using the suit coat as a blazer; they are not the same thing. Make sure that the coat fits your shoulders correctly; all other things (within reason) can be adjusted but the shoulder fit cannot.

Yes, yes, yes. Especially the fit. And if you find your waist ... umm ... changes ... over the years, get the suit refitted! Of course at your age your waist size may well outlast the suit.

An alternative to a new suit is to consider buying a gently used suit off ebay.

Not just eBay. There are probably some thrift stores and church bazaars that might have something. My wife is constantly finding high-end cothing and other items for pennies. (Of course she never finds ME decent stuff )

[Fraser]

Seems like most things are well covered here. My one piece of advice is this.

I would only get the tailoring done in the store if the in store tailor is going to be marking you. I never let the sale staff measure me. If the instore tailor doesn't mark clients I would buy it off the rack and bring it to a tailor.

I would also recommend a black suit for your first suit unelss you already own brown shoes and a brown belt.

[SRA7594]

This weekend I stopped by an outlet mall with a Barney's of NY shop. It had very reasonable prices on Burberry, Varvitos, Hugo Boss, and other brands. These were 1000+ suits marked down. Maybe pick up a nice high quality suit there and than take it to your tailor for fitting.

[DaveAri]

Hickey Freeman is always an American Classic. Check out their website for styles of 2 button suits in either charcoal or navy. It not in you price range it's a good place to check out styles that never go out. Plus they are made to be worn with Allen Edmonds Shoes

[Austin]

When I worked in Houston a few years ago, I bought a couple of real nice suits from this visiting tailor.

http://customhongkongtailor.com/loca...ton_Texas.html

[alex2363]

double breasted any color...nuff said

[Abdiel]

I recently went through the same thing and did quite a bit of research. I haven't been wearing suits for years and this is based only on my looking around and opinions, so take it for what it's worth.

My advice is go with a single breasted two button in navy blue and keep it conservative. This seems to be the most versatile combination good for the most occasions that can be dressed up or down as needed. 6'1 and lanky can handle a three button if you really want but two seems to be more versatile. Designer or fashion suits can come and go in style, but a traditional offering from a retailer such as brooks brothers is always in style.

Three piece is nice, and I rather like them, but they can be a bit dated and are to formal for more casual wear. Double breasted is the same, and if you are lanky you can get lost under there. Double breasted is better for larger or stockier individuals.

[VaHomebrewer]

I wear a suit nearly every day to work and have for the last 10 years (I'm 34) and deal mostly with elected officials and a wide variety of businesspeople in my metro area.

That being said, here's my advise:

1) This will be your first suit, so it needs to be something that will work for the widest variety of occasions from weddings to business functions to social events. Go with a nice charcoal or navy suit. A pinstriped charcoal or navy would work also, but that would be my second choice.

2) This is probably more of a YMMV situation, but I'm thin and would not ever think of wearing a doublebreasted. Way too much material around front and they swallow me. I would stick with a classic 2 or 3 button single breasted. IMHO, the single breasted styles are more widely accepted as well - I can't remember the last time I met someone wearing a doublebreasted.

3) Pleat front on plain front is your personal preference, as is cuff or no cuff.

4) Brooks Brothers and Nordstrom will both treat you well and generally sell quality stuff.

5) Get the vest. That way you can dress it up a little bit for the opera/ballet, etc. I wouldn't wear it to business functions - maybe a tad stuffy.

6) 2nd what others said about the tailor - it is utterly critical that you find and stick with a good one.

7) Good quality accessories (shirt, cufflinks, ties, shoes) can make an average suit look great and poor quality ones can make a great suit look average or worse. Notice I didn't say expensive/inexpensive.

8) Your accessories should add the character to your look rather than the suit, so don't be afraid to show a little of your own personal flair in your accessories next to your classic charcoal or navy suit. If your suit is flashy or trendy (a non-classic cut or color or both), you'll want to tone down your accessories.

9) Enjoy!

[The Knize]

Well, Neilxvx, I love your attitdude and you are way ahead (as to how far long you are in the process) of many of the folks that write in with questions under similar headings. No dis to others writing in. Nxvx just seems to have firmer likes and dislikes.

And at 6' 1", a buck sixty-five, relatively broad shoulders, you are goiing to look good in lots of different kind of suits. I agree with the overall recommendation for navy blue, although looking at the Brooks Bros web site, there do not seem to be many navy suits shown. Charcoal gray works, to, although I think a medium gray works as well maybe better. (Not black though, unless foks are really talking about charcoal gray.) I frankly could endorse most of the striped patterns. They seem pretty at least on my monitor. But solid navy blue is going to be most versitile and least noticeable as the same suit from time to time.

Re pleats versus no pleats, it is personal taste to a degree, but that is goiing to be dictated by the overall style of the suit anyway. Single center versus double side vents are somewhat the same thing. I would say two buttom, for sure, over three, although you are tall and thin enough to wear three. It may be harder to get the vest with two button, but I will still go for two. Definitely single-breasted. Double-breasted would stand out and you do not want the only suit you own to be immediately recognizable because it is unusual. Cuffs versus no cuffs. For me, I would say always cuffs, but that is just me, to some extent. I would say never pleats and no cuffs though. I have trousers that are pleated and have straight bottoms, but that is really not proper in some quarters and I think it does seem off kilter. I consider cuffs more traditional and if you like Allen Edmonds shows cuffs are goiing to go fine.

Get a vest for sure. Best to get it with the suit to make sure the fabric and style matches exactly. I really like the look of the Brooks suits shown with the vest with the collar. That is something of a fashion forward look, just be aware. But you are goiing to be wearing this out on the town and the like, and I think it will look great. I would take some care in wearing a vest for business, to let the fashions catch up there.

You asked specifically about the Brooks models, in particular Fitz and Regent. A bit hard to tell from the web site, but this is my take: I would say that the Fitz, very oddly given the same, is BB's lean toward Mad Men. A 1950s look. Thin lapels. More tightly fitted clothing. Jackets a lttle shorter. Arm holes high. Front buttoms seem very high. Do not get me wrong, it is not too too radical Mad Men. But I would still pass. You are goiing to have to try all of these models on--and I would sure include the Madison, too. You are tall and trim with broad shoulders. The last thing you want is to look like you have outgrown you clothes. I personally think this look will not last anyway. I think the lapels are really too narrow, and this look overall is not flattering to many people.

The Regent seems like BB's tip of hat to more a European style. Tighter, higher arm holes, double vents, smaller but not tiny lapels. I think you should try on the Madsion, too. It may surprise you by looking and feeliing the best. It is conservative, tradional style. Or the Regent, because of the closer fit, may seem more flattering to your body type and youth. I do not think that the Regent is going to be two radical compared to lots else out there.

Anyway, have fun for sure. You are going to like the way you look, as the man says.

[neilxvx]

A HUGE thanks to everyone that responded. I've got some more good info and opinions from everyone and that's what I was looking for.

I decided to give that visiting tailor that Austin mentioned a try. I called them and set an appointment for January 24th, as they will be in Houston. They seemed extremely professional, and enthusiastic about their work. Looking forward to trying this out. If I don't like what I see there, I am going to go back to Brooks Brothers. But, I really like the idea of a custom made suit, that has to be the best fitting suit.

Thanks again everyone!

[Austin]

A HUGE thanks to everyone that responded. I've got some more good info and opinions from everyone and that's what I was looking for.

I decided to give that visiting tailor that Austin mentioned a try. I called them and set an appointment for January 24th, as they will be in Houston. They seemed extremely professional, and enthusiastic about their work. Looking forward to trying this out. If I don't like what I see there, I am going to go back to Brooks Brothers. But, I really like the idea of a custom made suit, that has to be the best fitting suit.

Thanks again everyone!

Let us know how it went. Better yet post pictures after the final fitting.

[winkydink]

A HUGE thanks to everyone that responded. I've got some more good info and opinions from everyone and that's what I was looking for.

I decided to give that visiting tailor that Austin mentioned a try. I called them and set an appointment for January 24th, as they will be in Houston. They seemed extremely professional, and enthusiastic about their work. Looking forward to trying this out. If I don't like what I see there, I am going to go back to Brooks Brothers. But, I really like the idea of a custom made suit, that has to be the best fitting suit.

Thanks again everyone!

Custom made! Good for you! Now you get to fuss over the plethora of material. My suggestion: wool, either Super 120 or Super 150.

Let us know what you end up with!