Suits
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 20,274
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From: Toronto, Canada
Have your shirts custom made. They aren't that expensive, maybe $100-$200 each but they make all the difference. They will feel better, look better and make the entire look. A crappy, ill-fitting shirt with make a $3000 suit look like garbage but a fantastic shirt will make even a cheap suit look better.
The most important thing about dress wear is the material. High quality material is what makes the difference between a cheap suit and an expensive one. The cut isn't that important. A $300 suit is made from garbage bags and will look like you are wearing your couch. It won't hang right, move right, feel right or look right. A $1000 suit is made from high quality materials and will be worth every penny.
My advice is pay as much as you can afford and never buy anything less than $1000. If you can't afford that don't bother and dress in high quality casual clothes instead. The reason for wearing a suit in the first place is to impress people with your style and wearing a cheap suit says "I'm wearing this only because I have to and as soon as I leave here it's coming off."
The whole point for buying a suit is to convince people you dress like that all the time. Pay up or you are just wasting your money and sending the wrong message.
The most important thing about dress wear is the material. High quality material is what makes the difference between a cheap suit and an expensive one. The cut isn't that important. A $300 suit is made from garbage bags and will look like you are wearing your couch. It won't hang right, move right, feel right or look right. A $1000 suit is made from high quality materials and will be worth every penny.
My advice is pay as much as you can afford and never buy anything less than $1000. If you can't afford that don't bother and dress in high quality casual clothes instead. The reason for wearing a suit in the first place is to impress people with your style and wearing a cheap suit says "I'm wearing this only because I have to and as soon as I leave here it's coming off."
The whole point for buying a suit is to convince people you dress like that all the time. Pay up or you are just wasting your money and sending the wrong message.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 165
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From: Northern VA
Originally Posted by cthree,Feb 17 2009, 12:01 PM
My advice is pay as much as you can afford and never buy anything less than $1000. If you can't afford that don't bother and dress in high quality casual clothes instead. The reason for wearing a suit in the first place is to impress people with your style and wearing a cheap suit says "I'm wearing this only because I have to and as soon as I leave here it's coming off."
The whole point for buying a suit is to convince people you dress like that all the time. Pay up or you are just wasting your money and sending the wrong message.
The whole point for buying a suit is to convince people you dress like that all the time. Pay up or you are just wasting your money and sending the wrong message.
Everything you said makes sense, but may not apply to all people. What about the recent college grad looking for his first job?
One of my best friend's girlfriend is a human resource manager and I asked her about this topic when I first graduated...she basically said, if you're looking for your first entry-level office job out of college, a cheap suit is expected and employers may actually be taken aback if they see you with a really expensive suit as a recent grad.
But definitely upgrade after your first year or so. But for your first starter suits, I see no big deal with getting a few for cheap...just make sure you get them tailored.
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 32,283
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From: Cincinnati, OH
Originally Posted by cthree,Feb 17 2009, 12:01 PM
Have your shirts custom made. They aren't that expensive, maybe $100-$200 each but they make all the difference. They will feel better, look better and make the entire look. A crappy, ill-fitting shirt with make a $3000 suit look like garbage but a fantastic shirt will make even a cheap suit look better.
The most important thing about dress wear is the material. High quality material is what makes the difference between a cheap suit and an expensive one. The cut isn't that important. A $300 suit is made from garbage bags and will look like you are wearing your couch. It won't hang right, move right, feel right or look right. A $1000 suit is made from high quality materials and will be worth every penny.
My advice is pay as much as you can afford and never buy anything less than $1000. If you can't afford that don't bother and dress in high quality casual clothes instead. The reason for wearing a suit in the first place is to impress people with your style and wearing a cheap suit says "I'm wearing this only because I have to and as soon as I leave here it's coming off."
The whole point for buying a suit is to convince people you dress like that all the time. Pay up or you are just wasting your money and sending the wrong message.
The most important thing about dress wear is the material. High quality material is what makes the difference between a cheap suit and an expensive one. The cut isn't that important. A $300 suit is made from garbage bags and will look like you are wearing your couch. It won't hang right, move right, feel right or look right. A $1000 suit is made from high quality materials and will be worth every penny.
My advice is pay as much as you can afford and never buy anything less than $1000. If you can't afford that don't bother and dress in high quality casual clothes instead. The reason for wearing a suit in the first place is to impress people with your style and wearing a cheap suit says "I'm wearing this only because I have to and as soon as I leave here it's coming off."
The whole point for buying a suit is to convince people you dress like that all the time. Pay up or you are just wasting your money and sending the wrong message.
the idea that *everyone* should spend minimum 1k on a suit is f'ing ridiculous.
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Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,925
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^^ Yes! I love Express. Their clothes are very modern and fitted. I have 3 suits from them and I am an extremely happy customer. I mean you have to do a little tailoring if you're small like me but if you're a pretty built guy than it should fit you perfect. The prices there are awesome also!
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,440
Likes: 1
From: NORCAL
Originally Posted by GPMike,Feb 17 2009, 12:45 AM
Skip all the aforementioned advice and get your ass to Brooks Brothers. I love my BB suits.
not only do they have the nice suits. they have the best dress shirts that are iron free machine washable!!!
shirts are much higher quality and easier to take care of than designer stuff. dont waste your money on shirts from bloomingdales, macys, nordroms.
bb shirts for life.
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,936
Likes: 5
From: NY, NY
Originally Posted by trainwreck,Feb 17 2009, 01:13 PM
not only do they have the nice suits. they have the best dress shirts that are iron free machine washable!!!
shirts are much higher quality and easier to take care of than designer stuff. dont waste your money on shirts from bloomingdales, macys, nordroms.
bb shirts for life.
With the state of the economy, I know that J.A. Banks is running a lot of sales on their suits.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 20,274
Likes: 4
From: Toronto, Canada
You think nobody knows you're wearing a cheap-ass suit?
Look, the only reason to put on a suit is to make a good first impression. I realize that making a good first impression isn't important to a recent grad going to an interview but bear with me.
When you put on an awesome suit you become king of the world. You know you look good and because of that you will reek of confidence and that demands respect. You'll be cool and comfortable, your posture will improve, you'll sit chest out shoulders back and be fluid because you know you don't have a bad side rather than guarded and unsure.
When you feel that way about yourself others will feel that way about you. If you can only afford to buy one suit and one shirt then fine, just get one but make sure that when you put it on you feel like you've got a big "S" on the front because that is what it's for. You're making a statement about how you feel about yourself and you can't expect anyone to feel better about you that you do. If you show up like the King of Spades then for that time, at least until you f**k it up, you are "the man". The suit projects confidence and self assurance inward and you, in turn, project it outward to those you are with by looking, acting and sounding like you know WTF you are talking about.
Don't forget about the rest of the package. The hair is critical. Get a proper haircut and get a manicure.
The clothes make the man and your $299 suit is fooling nobody, least of all yourself and that's the most important part.
Look, the only reason to put on a suit is to make a good first impression. I realize that making a good first impression isn't important to a recent grad going to an interview but bear with me.
When you put on an awesome suit you become king of the world. You know you look good and because of that you will reek of confidence and that demands respect. You'll be cool and comfortable, your posture will improve, you'll sit chest out shoulders back and be fluid because you know you don't have a bad side rather than guarded and unsure.
When you feel that way about yourself others will feel that way about you. If you can only afford to buy one suit and one shirt then fine, just get one but make sure that when you put it on you feel like you've got a big "S" on the front because that is what it's for. You're making a statement about how you feel about yourself and you can't expect anyone to feel better about you that you do. If you show up like the King of Spades then for that time, at least until you f**k it up, you are "the man". The suit projects confidence and self assurance inward and you, in turn, project it outward to those you are with by looking, acting and sounding like you know WTF you are talking about.
Don't forget about the rest of the package. The hair is critical. Get a proper haircut and get a manicure.
The clothes make the man and your $299 suit is fooling nobody, least of all yourself and that's the most important part.