I feel like I have been neglecting to write on wardrobe topics for all my male clients. I recently came across an article on Sound Money Tips that is extremely helping in helping men buy a new suit. As we all know, suits can be really expensive yet on the other hand, there is nothing worse than a man in a cheap suit as it totally stands out-and you don’t want to stand out for that kind of suit. So, in this case, as in most, knowledge equals power..for the next time you are out shopping for a men’s suit.
1. Beware the Sales Guy – He’ll tell you whatever you want to hear – that everything looks great on you, that the store’s tailor can fix any suit, and that it’s a great deal. For all these reasons, you have to know as much as possible about how a suit should fit and what kind of suit you’re looking for before you walk through the retail store door.
2. Fabrics - Each fabric is different in terms of quality, durability, feel, and price. There are non-wools: linens, polyesters, microfibers and teflon. Stay away from all of these, and stick to the wools (tweed, flannel, tropical and worsted) instead. They are natural, breathe well, are durable, and stylish. They can be a little lighter or heavier, depending on the weave. With shirts and ties, one great suit can go a long way, if you can wear it year-round.
3. Style - Suits come in many different styles: American cut, full cut, and European cut; jackets with certain collars, shoulder pads, lapels, arms and sleeves, buttons, and different types of vents. Pants have different waist styles, and can be pleated and/or have cuffs. Shirts and ties vary greatly too. In general, it’s a good idea to keep it simple. You can use a suit for years if you opt for classic over trendy.
4. What’s In Store – When you’re ready to start shopping, grab a friend who will make his opinion known. It’s best to start with at a department store, where you can check out lots of different kinds of suits with different labels and a range of prices. Or, bring along a personal shopper! It’s a good idea to wear a dress shirt and shoes to the store so you’ll get an accurate idea of how it will look when worn properly.
5. Budget – Whether you end up at Hugo Boss or That Suit Place really depends on your budget. You don't have to spend a lot of money to get a good suit. As a general rule, be prepared to spend a minimum of $300 on a suit. There are certain grades of quality that will factor into the price, such as invisible stitching, fine or higher twist yarn, tailoring that just looks sharp, and lining in the pants.
6. Get Fitted Properly - Just because you're shopping "off the rack" doesn't mean you shouldn't have a well-fitting suit. This is extremely important, because if your suit doesn't fit right, your money (and effort) will be completely wasted. Expect the salesperson to take all your measurements, and make sure they measure you first, and show you suits second. They should alter any part of the suit that doesn't fit exactly right. That said, there are some things that a tailor just can’t do. For instance, if your suit doesn’t fit in the shoulders, that’s a deal breaker. Salesmen may tell you they can reduce or reshape the shoulder pads, but don’t listen to them. If the pants are an inch or so too tight or too large in the waist, a tailor can usually fix them, but if it’s more than an inch, they probably can’t.
7. Not Off the Rack – Don’t rule out custom tailoring. There is nothing like the fit of a custom suit, because it was made to fit only you. Phone around for quotes, and compare prices. Ballpark, you’re looking at a minimum of $500, including the material.
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