Best suit for $500?

**nine-three** · 02-21-2011, 08:47 PM

I am looking to buy a new suit for a wedding next month. Looking to spend around $500, plus whatever tailoring is needed. Where is my money best spent? I've heard mixed things about Jos. A Bank and it seems that a decent Brooks Brothers suit is out of my budget. BTW, I am 29 years old and I have other suits that I wear for work so this one can be one that is strictly for formal events.

Thanks!

**DSB** · 02-21-2011, 09:06 PM

Where do you live?

I would stay away from Jos. A Bank. They're not the worst, but I'm not impressed by their quality.

Originally Posted by nine-three

I am looking to buy a new suit for a wedding next month. Looking to spend around $500, plus whatever tailoring is needed. Where is my money best spent? I've heard mixed things about Jos. A Bank and it seems that a decent Brooks Brothers suit is out of my budget. BTW, I am 29 years old and I have other suits that I wear for work so this one can be one that is strictly for formal events.

Thanks!

**duotone** · 02-22-2011, 12:38 AM

http://www.englishcut.com/2005/07/28...only-have-200/

**Austin** · 02-22-2011, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by DSB

Where do you live?

I would stay away from Jos. A Bank. They're not the worst, but I'm not impressed by their quality.

Agreed. If you have a Brooks Brothers outlet store in your area, they have suits under $500.

**dklaiman** · 02-22-2011, 03:55 AM

Find a locally owned men's store if you have one in your area. If you have time, wait for a sale. You should have a few options within your price range.

**nine-three** · 02-22-2011, 08:42 AM

Originally Posted by DSB

Where do you live?

I live in central NJ. There is a BB outlet around where I live, but I've read that their factory outlet 346 suits are a cut below what the real stores carried. I've always just gone to Macy's and bought suits OTR and was wondering if there was a better alternative.

**Deltaboy** · 02-22-2011, 09:02 AM

Go to a Good quality Mens store and you can get a great suit with a shirt tie and belt plus fitting for $500.00 bucks.

**Obiwan** · 02-22-2011, 09:15 AM

To echo what's already been said, find a nice local men's store. In my experience, you may find some tailors selling very nice suits in that price range. At a minimum, a talented tailor would be glad to tell you what and where to buy.

**The Knize** · 02-22-2011, 10:27 AM

Syms or Filiene's basement, if you think you know what you are doing, or can bring someone who does.

I do not like Brooks 345 brand in the least. Not up to regular BB standards a all. Really a fraud. Burbery outlets can be hit or miss.

The top of the line J Banks is not bad and when on sale is very inexpensive. Sales happen often.

EDIT: [Sorry. I should have read your initial post more carefully. So the rest of this is not really pertinent to the OP.]
You might also consider that if you do not often wear a suit and do not think you will be, that you can go with a lesser quality suit. Almost anything looks okay brand new, in my experience. Better suits look better longer when wearing them any particular day, hold up to dry cleaning and the like better, and last longer. If you are only going to wear for one day, none of that may matter to you much!

**Dennis** · 02-22-2011, 11:14 AM

Try Jeff at his Wizard of Aahs ebay store.

You will likely get the best fit if you email him your measurements and ask which line of suit he would recommend, and you will need a tailor to adjust it too. The reviews on his suits are quite excellent (check Ask Andy).

**Doc4** · 02-22-2011, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by nine-three

BTW, I am 29 years old and I have other suits that I wear for work so this one can be one that is strictly for formal events.

Thanks!

I'm thinking you might like something a bit more "stylish" than the baggy "middle-aged-middle-manager" suits that a lot of places sell. Maybe check out H&M for a slimmer suit aimed more at impressing cute bridesmaids rather than corporate vice-presidents.

**Kouros** · 02-22-2011, 07:28 PM

1/2 price Burberry at Saks Off 5th Ave.

**TheShaun** · 02-22-2011, 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by Dennis

Try Jeff at his Wizard of Aahs ebay store.

You will likely get the best fit if you email him your measurements and ask which line of suit he would recommend, and you will need a tailor to adjust it too. The reviews on his suits are quite excellent (check Ask Andy).

I bought a suit from Jeff at xmas time. he is great to deal with and the suit is fantastic and at $260 (AAAC price) it's a bargain. I bought one from the danielle line, they come tagged as baroni. buy one of those and put $100 into getting it tailored and you'll like you bought a $1000 suit. send the savings on a shirt and tie.

**Neurotopia** · 02-22-2011, 08:31 PM

A local, privately owned men's store is always a great experience. I've found great fitting, comfortable, and professional suits for less than 500 easy (as somebody else said, you can get a shirt or two, a tie or two along with it). Plus the personal attention you'll get is worth it. Those guys usually know how to fit you much better than some college kid at Men's Wearhouse who has never had to wear a suit outside of store. Not that you can't get a decent suit at MW, it just isn't the same though.

If you're going to go with a well-known brand, I'd get a Joseph Abboud. I only have one and it's a number of years old, but if their quality is still as good as it was a decade ago, you'll be pleased. It will probably cost you $600 or more though.

**bluther2** · 02-22-2011, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by TheShaun

I bought a suit from Jeff at xmas time. he is great to deal with and the suit is fantastic and at $260 (AAAC price) it's a bargain. I bought one from the danielle line, they come tagged as baroni. buy one of those and put $100 into getting it tailored and you'll like you bought a $1000 suit. send the savings on a shirt and tie.

likewise, I think I have bought a 1/2 doz from them and no complaints.

**gaseousclay** · 02-23-2011, 04:32 PM

You might get lucky and find something at Nordstrom Rack like Hickey Freeman, Canali or Hugo Boss. a lot of people hate on Hugo Boss but I happen to like the fit of their suits and you can get them as low as $300 if you look hard enough.

**nine-three** · 02-23-2011, 08:22 PM

Thanks all for the replies gents. I am going to go with Jeff from the WoA. I've read too many good things to not give them a try.

**nine-three** · 02-23-2011, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Doc4

I'm thinking you might like something a bit more "stylish" than the baggy "middle-aged-middle-manager" suits that a lot of places sell. Maybe check out H&M for a slimmer suit aimed more at impressing cute bridesmaids rather than corporate vice-presidents.

Yes I am looking for something a little more stylish, BUT.... I will definitely be going home with one of the cute bridesmaids.... my wife!

**DSB** · 02-23-2011, 10:00 PM

Originally Posted by Neurotopia

I'd get a Joseph Abboud. I only have one and it's a number of years old, but if their quality is still as good as it was a decade ago, you'll be pleased. It will probably cost you $600 or more though.

I have some JA suits I bought 5-6 years ago that are great. I got a couple off of Overstock a few months ago, and the quality was much lower. The more recent suits were made in China. I will no longer buy Joseph Abboud online.

**Soul Surfer** · 02-24-2011, 07:12 AM

This might be a bit tight for your timelines, but http://www.indochino.com/ might be a good option. All of the feedback that I've seen on them suggests the quality/pricepoint ratio is pretty amazing.

I've not purchased anything from them yet, but I'm in the process of measuring myself to do so...