Going suit shopping tomorrow with my mom (lol). I'm in my mid 20's, work in finance, and need to really gear up my professional clothing because I'll be involved with fundraising soon (i.e. asking wealthy people for $$$). Current suit is like a $300 one from K&G superstore that I got a year ago.
I'm looking to spend maybe $2,000 to $3,000 (my mom will likely pitch in to help so it will depend on that haha hence why the range is that wide) on 2 or 3 suits, 3-5 shirts, and 2 pairs of shoes.
Down the road, I'd like to get into Tom Ford suits and the like, but definitely don't need that now.
I hear great things about Allen Edmonds all around for dress shoes? Any other recommended brands in the $200 to $400 range?
I was curious if anyone also had thoughts on Nordstrom vs Suit Supply for suits and/or dress shirts. All the old comparisons seem to be over 2-3 years old. Also, any thoughts on Nordstrom Rack?
I also read somewhere that Suit Supply suits are made in China. Is this true? Not sure how to interpret that, hopefully it's still high quality.
I also have a $250 gift card to Nordstrom/Nordstrom Rack (Xmas present from an uncle 3 years ago), so Nordstorm will likely be our first stop. Everything I buy will be tailored. My mom really wants me to get a super nice white dress shirt, so we may do Tom Ford for that and then go cheaper on the other colors, at least price wise.
Any/all recommendations welcome!
EDIT1 (May 9th)
I ended up getting a Brooks Brothers 1818 suit for the 2 for $1600 deal. They told me to hold off on the second one until the first one is done/tailored (will be about 3 weeks), and I can see how it looks/feels before picking the second one.
The one we got today looks amazing, it's like royal blue.
But we ran into a huge issue with shirts. I have arms that are disproportionately long for my body. I'm 6'2 with a 16 to 16.5" neck, but need 37 to 38" sleeve length on the shirts, otherwise the shirt sleeves are 1 to 2 inches too short. Only problem is that neck size and arm length combo has been almost impossible to find.
Brooks asked me to try Suit Supply, Nordstrom, and DXL. We also went to Tom Ford. At TF, I'd basically need to do a made to measure. Nordstrom's longest dress shirt length is 36", so I basically can't buy a shirt from there. I had mixed feelings about how the suit at Suit Supply fit.
So that basically only leaves me Neiman Marcus and DXL for shirts :-(. We will be going there on Wednesday.
Oh, and total budget for this is $3,000. My mom is chipping in $1500, and I'm putting in $1500.
The 2 suits will be like $1600, I gotta get the 2 Allen Edmonds shoes + 4-5 shirts and ties in for the remaining $1400. So We still haven't bought any shirts or anything else aside from this one suit.
EDIT2 (May 11th)
Ended up dropping about $1000 total ($1250 before discount, see next paragraph for explanation) for 2 pairs at the Allen Edmonds store, walnut and Oxford blood, including 2 matching belts, and shoe trees/polish, etc.
I had 5 AMEX cards that each had a "spend $250 at AE, get $50 off" so I bought 5 $250 gift cards and used them. Basically got 20% cashback.
Also, gonna likely go with MTM shirts from Brooks Brothers. Also got an MTM sport jacket from Q Clothier (across the street from Brooks and recommended by the BB salesman), that was about $1,000. Literally, Brooks, Suit Supply, AE, Q,etc. are all within a 50 foot radius of each other in this part of my town.
All in all, looks like I'll be spending about $4,000 total :-O. Still need the second suit and the multiple dress shirts and possibly another pair or two of dress shoes for the second suit. And still haven't used the $250 Nordstrom gift card haha.
I would get Allen Edmonds Park Avenues in black and a pair of Fifth avenues in brown or dark chili. You'll be set for pretty much any occasion and any suit.
For the suits, I would go to suitsupply (they are very high quality and are perfect for professional wear) and get a charcoal and a navy suit. I would start with just two and get them perfectly tailored. Possibly pick up a navy blazer as well (either from suitsupply or another place like Brooks Brothers or Jcrew), as well as some wool trousers in some version of gray (the trousers can come from many places, like Jcrew or other menswear retailers). Just make sure they are 100% wool and slim fitting.
For the dress shirts, I would go to Brooks Brothers and get a couple white slim fitting dress shirts (you should have multiple), as well as a light blue one. Possibly a striped shirt, if you have extra $$, but this isn't as important. Also, pick up a few ties at BB while your there.
If you really want to go all out on a dress shirt, I wouldn't get a "fashion" label like Tom Ford. Check out premium shirt designers like Gitman Brothers or New England Shirt Company. You will get much better quality for your money at those places.
Good Luck!
I think some people have said it but for American CBD (Conservative Business Dress, such as meeting wealthy clients for fundraising) the standard attire is BB 1818 suit in navy or charcoal (usually get 2 for 1600 or something) and Allen Edmonds shoes. 2 suits and 2 pairs of shoes should take you to approx $2000, then either get your shirts from BB or somewhere like Kamakura if you're based in NYC. Also budget for some solid conservative ties.
Link to the Suits Sale
I'm approaching wedding season and have quite a few in the next 12 months. Currently I'm only rocking a black suit I got from Mens Wearhouse a few years ago. I'd love to expand my choices but I'm not particularly well versed. Anything on here a particularly good deal or such a good option that it's worth a smaller discount?
I'm thinking about heading to Nordstorm Rack to pick out a suit or two, but I don't know too much about which brands or companies make reputable suits, save for Hickey Freeman and Brooks Brothers.
Are there any brands that I should watch out for when I shop at the Rack?
Getting married and also need a "casual suit." I hope to make this suit versatile to both occasions. Looking to get something in a blue hue.
Tailoring is important as my body type has broad shoulders/arms and chest but decently slim torso that I simply won't find off the rack.
Are there any recommendations anyone has?
I just went to Nordstrom Rack for the first time. I've been trying to shape up how I dress to be more business friendly and have more dress clothes in my wardrobe for a few reasons. I need to be presentable for meetings I'm in, plus, I feel comfortable in high-quality garments. They feel really, really, good against my skin.
I went into Nordstrom Rack, as my cousin mentioned she got some great discounts there. She went there with me. I found shoes I liked rather fast, I looked through all the dress shoes. I now officially own my first set of dress shoes. Penguin brand. They are rather attractive and fit my personality well.
While there, I noticed a sale rack full of suits. I looked at it and didn't find anything. So, I tried on the other suits they had (not on sale). One fit amazingly well. Felt like the best suit I ever wore. My cousin shows up and holds up a suit she found hidden behind some others on the rack. I tried it on. The jacket fits perfectly. It was a bit smaller, and it fit me perfectly. The cuffs jacket will not need to be tailored at all. The pants are too long, and Nordstrom offered to hem them for free tomorrow.
I paid $120 for a suit. A very high-quality suit. It's like nothing I own. All my other blazers now feel different. I was surprised how deep the retail markdown was. I checked Google for it. It was a huge discount. I got lucky.
I highly recommend going to Nordstrom Rack and checking out the clearance! Also, if you're in Central California and looking for a Calvin Klein suit, my local store has marked all Calvin Klein suits down to $149 that are size 40R and above. Sadly not my size :(
Unless it's Calvin Klein Collection, it's not "very high quality." In fact, I'm fairly certain it's CK's lowest quality line at most Nordstrom racks.
Just a heads up to OP... Macy's will very frequently have sales on their "designer" suits for about $100. Calvin Klein, DKNY, Tommy Hilfiger, Kenneth Cole, Bar III and Alfani (their in-house brands).... If that's what you're looking for.
https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/Men/Clothing?breadcrumb=Home%2FMen%2FClothing&origin=topnav&filterByBrand=suitsupply
Some good deals on full suits
Hey All,
Looking for advice/opinions on which I should pick for a suit.
I need to buy a navy blue suit for an upcoming medical school interview and want any advice on which brand to look at and at which store? I picked up a Charcoal Bar III Suit today from Macys and now want to move a little up for the navy blue suit.
Looking to spend maybe between $600-700.
Hugo Boss from Nord any good?
Are nordstrom rack suits a good idea for someone attempting to get higher quality but at a lower price? Is it really just stuff kicked back from the main store or is it like brooks brothers where they have an outlet only brand for suits?
Title says it all. Anyone had experience with this line? There's a sale on the M2M line for $1,200 2 jackets 2 pants (incl. suits and blazer/slacks combos) at my local store.
I know the following: Made in Mexico Mostly super 110s, 130s Variety on constructions and styles available (unlined, unstructured, patch pockets, etc)
Thanks!!
A bunch of suits on final sale for $39 at Rack -- I remember buying one from Macy's for around $110 for a wedding and it was nice quality
https://www.nordstromrack.com/shop/product/2851941/kenneth-cole-reaction-blue-check-techni-cole-slim-fit-suit?color=BLUE%20AND%20NAVY%20CHECK
Like title says, would like to buy a suit. Not looking for it to be tailored or custom, just want a normal, navy suit and I don't know any of my measurements. Only need to wear it a couple times a year for weddings. Not sure if there's better options than the chain stores like men's wearhouse. Looking to spend under $500 (hopefully). Thanks for the advice!
https://www.nordstromrack.com/brands/suitsupply?origin=productBrandLinkhttps://www.nordstromrack.com/brands/suitsupply?origin=productBrandLink
Hi, I need a last minute suit that I also plan on keeping for a while. I went to Nordstrom and got this one since I thought it looked nice, and it's from a reputable brand. I don't know much about suits, but after studying up a bit on what makes a good suit, everyone recommends 100% wool. This one is a wool blend. Should I return it and get another one? Basically, I just want to know if I was ripped off lol. Thanks for the advice!
Have you guys taken advantage of Nordstrom’s alterations? Do they hire trained tailors? Did they do a good job on your clothing? I read online that you can bring clothes from anywhere, is that true? I’m just curious to hear about your first hand thoughts.
I need to buy my first suit. I don’t have anyone I can bring whose taste I trust. We aren’t a suit-wearing bunch.
What is the best place to buy an affordable suit for a newbie? I don’t know my size or what styles work for me. If I go to Nordstrom (Rack?) or Men’s Wearhouse, will they have customer service assistants who will take my measurements and give me style advice? Or do I have to pull something off the rack and hope for the best?
Thanks.
Been several years since I had to buy one, but I just started a new job where suits will be required from time to time. Sadly, the COVID pandemic has left me with a few more pounds than before the pandemic ... so none of my suits fit well enough anymore.
Obviously, there's Men's Wearhouse ... but I don't know many other good places for decent looking suits at reasonable prices (not looking to have something bespoke made for me).
EDIT: Wow, thank you for all of the responses! A lot of good input here, but I think based on the feedback my first stop will be heading over to Suitsupply!
EDIT 2: Went over to Suitsupply and was very pleased with the entire process. The advanced reservation time, personal service, materials, price - all solid. Walked away with two suits - first one they were able to hem right in the spot so it was ready-to-wear an hour after I walked into the store, second one I am custom ordering bespoke. They had a lot of suits that looked good that were in the $450-600 range which is absolutely a decent price IMO.
My partner and I have decided to both wear suits to my brother’s wedding next fall. I’m kinda at a loss for where to go to get something made to measure, though- Indochino is affordable (especially with the sale going on today) but I’ve read a lot of negative reviews.
Does anyone have any suggestions? 🙏🏻
So I found a beautiful grey herringbone Canali. It's on clearance for $950. Any tips on getting the price lower other than a "clear the rack sale"? Thanks!
Nordstrom rack is only frugal in regards to shoes. Everything else has sky-high prices.
Thanks guys. Normal Canali is quite a bit of my league. However. If it was possible to get this down to the $500 range (about my max for a suit). I'd def. bite as the jacket fits well. I'm assuming its a main line. The model is L-13290/37. So other than the 25% off from a clear the rack sale thats all I know about. They do have two Canali Exclusive suits that have been there a while as I usually go to check and see if any new AE shoes showed up and browse the suits and jackets. I did find a pair of strandmoks for $100 I might go for.
I’ve never bought from Nordstrom Rack, but with their sale going on I thought I might get some button up shirts. I usually wear a medium in everything shirt related, should I do the same with shirts from Nordstrom?
I need a new suit fairly quickly and don't want to risk shipping delays with an online retailer.
Specifically I'm looking for a men's suit and I'm located on the Northside. Thanks for your insights!
UPDATED
Age: 40M
Size: 36S coat, 33 pants
Budget: Less than $1,000.