I've bought 4 suits from the Men's Warehouse and have been reasonably happy. 3 of them have held up well after years of pretty regular wear and tear (once to 3 times a week for about 3-4 years). I then bought a tux from them, and it's been complete ass. As a musician, the one bit of formal wear I need to actually "work" for me has been atrocious. I bought a replacement jacket from Jos. A. Banks, but haven't put enough miles on it to say anything. . .

I agree with nightcrawler that you'll want something more on the versatile side if it's your first suit and/or one of 1-2 suits you may own.

When in doubt, wear a tie. Even then, I've noticed a good tie goes a long way to making even a dull suit "pop" a little.

 

ty all good advice

 

I like to go to Nordstrom when I need a new suit. Nice people, good service and they seem to have sales all the time on suits. I like the free holster from them the most, it's really convince. One thing I just learned is that they like to "introduce or try you on" the "ok" stuff first...I guess because they want to push the not so popular stuff out first. So try on about 5-8 suits then pick one that you like.

 

I actually just saw a few videos regarding what to look for when buying and fitting a suit. Some pretty good tips in here:

http://www.monkeysee.com/play/2176-men-s-f...-and-fit-a-suit

Its kinda geared more towards the higher end stuff i guess but alot of the tips about fitting and quality can apply to any price range. Also interesting was the segment about creating different looks or "illusions."

 

Skip all the aforementioned advice and get your ass to Brooks Brothers. I love my BB suits.

 

I think Men's Wearhouse is fine if you're going to a career fair or for your first out-of-college job interviews.

They find the correct fit and style as long as it's "I'm looking for my first job" style.

If you're going for a mid-level or higher position I'd suggest going somewhere else. But for the first year or two of working, Men's Wearhouse is great for your first 2-3 suits.

 

go to [insert decent mens clothing store] and get help from the employees there. simple enough. it sounds to me like you won't get a great fit right off the rack, and you will probably have trouble getting a shirt with the right neck size that isn't huge... but like i said, the employees of wherever you go can help.

 

I agree with the tuna. You will probably need your shirts tailored for them to look good. If ties are uncomfortable for you then either your collar is too tight or its just a matter of getting used to having the shirt closed around your neck. The tie doesn't need to pull up any tighter than a properly fitting collar.

 

Y'all are going to hate this, but my newest suit is from Target. It was inexpensive, and I love it. I had to get the pants hemmed, but that was cheap enough too.

 

Try to get something in the blue or gray family, as changing shirt and tie combinations will give many different looks. Plus these colors can be used for a variety of events, from casual to formal. I also prefer some type of pattern or faint chalk stripe vs a solid fabric but that is just me. Finally, be sure to get a medium-weight fabric that can be worn year-round.

Either two or three button single breasted is fine but try not to get too trendy, as the leading edge doesn't stay there for long.

Oftentime, you get what you pay for. In a couple years, a $100 suit will look like just that, a $100 suit. Better suits cost more because the material is of a higher quality - they wear better, resist wrinkling better, fit better, etc.

Having said that, I'm a big believer in never paying full retail. Keep an eye out for sales - I just picked up a new sport coat yesterday at Dillards - 70% off. You need to be patient but keep your eyes and ears open for deals. You should be able to get a good-quality suit for $300-$400 if you shop around.

Fit is important and every manufacturer has their own cuts. Suits are sized by chest (in inches) and typically in 2 inch increments - 38, 40, 42, 44, etc. The assocaited pants are sized accordingly. Be sure to try on different types, as fit varies dramatically among manufacturers.

Expect to have the suit altered. I'm a 42 off the rack but still take each suit and sportcoat to the tailor for minor tweaking. This step is often skipped but is the most important, as it truly what separates the finished look.

Look for an athletic fit, both in suit and more importantly, in shirts. They are cut a little fuller around the chest and neck and taper in tighter around the waist.

Don't ignore made to meausre, particuarly if you are having difficutly finding something that feels like a good fit. Prices can be very competitive with off the rack - I've paid as little as $225 for a sport coat and $90 for a shirt for custom work and the fit is fantastic.

Hope this helps, good luck.