Recommend me a suit
Discussion
Apologies if this is in the wrong forum, toss up between here, The Lounge and Jobs + Employment (mods please move if necessary)
Anyhow, I would like to purchase a suit for work, chances are it will come out on average once a month throughout the year, certainly not a daily.
I don't really want to spend more than £300, I'm thinking blue but not 'look at me blue'. I'm slim/average build but my shoulders are broad compared to my waist. So I would like a suit that cuts into the torso, otherwise I would just look square....
I'm based in London.
Thanks, and sorry if this sort of thread has been done to death.
Anyhow, I would like to purchase a suit for work, chances are it will come out on average once a month throughout the year, certainly not a daily.
I don't really want to spend more than £300, I'm thinking blue but not 'look at me blue'. I'm slim/average build but my shoulders are broad compared to my waist. So I would like a suit that cuts into the torso, otherwise I would just look square....
I'm based in London.
Thanks, and sorry if this sort of thread has been done to death.
hajaba123 said:
1.TM lewin, £200 get something that fits your shoulders.
2. Local tailor, c£100 make it fit and look amazing
Certainly No.1 but their tailoring service is also pretty good and very reasonable too. If you aren't happy with it when it comes back just tell them and they will fix it for you. 2. Local tailor, c£100 make it fit and look amazing
M and S has a few price points so difficult to give a direct comparison. The advantage of M and S is that you can buy the jacket and trousers separately meaning you should get a better fit. In your case you may find that a suit that fits your shoulders has trousers that are to big around the waist at TM Lewin so they have to be altered. At M and S you just buy some smaller trousers. If you are close to a TKMaxx they are worth a look. It is a bit hit and miss but if they have something that you like and fits you will save a lot.
Dicky Knee said:
M and S has a few price points so difficult to give a direct comparison. The advantage of M and S is that you can buy the jacket and trousers separately meaning you should get a better fit. In your case you may find that a suit that fits your shoulders has trousers that are to big around the waist at TM Lewin so they have to be altered. At M and S you just buy some smaller trousers. If you are close to a TKMaxx they are worth a look. It is a bit hit and miss but if they have something that you like and fits you will save a lot.
Not online you don't, I've bought a few suits from there and pick the jacket and trousers that fit. They can also hem the trousers for you, whereas in store you have to buy unfinished or wait for the in store tailor to visit. Having used M&S for the past 5 years, I'm really impressed with the last few TM ones, I hope they'll hold up as well.
Edited by matc on Wednesday 29th October 12:16
I had a surprisingly good experience buying a suit in Reiss - the amount of time they spent with me, considering different options, and then altering what I picked (quite significantly) was far more than I would have expected from a High St store. They even brought their in-store tailor out from his garret to meet me. It was impressive enough that I wrote to their HO to offer my thanks. This was in the King's Rd branch, 4 or 5 years ago now.
Also add Charles Tyrwhitt to this, similar set up to TM Lewin but seem to have a few more 'quality styke' quirks in their suits.
Haven't had a CT one yet but tried a few on and was impressed with the off the peg fit. I did have a TM suit years ago and it lasted very well.
On a budget, worth having a look at Austin Reed in the sale, I've bought lots of these but generally need a fair bit of alterations as most fits are geared towards the larger gent. Big range of styles though and some bargains to be had - sub £60 suits that they do actually sell in stores for £400+
Haven't had a CT one yet but tried a few on and was impressed with the off the peg fit. I did have a TM suit years ago and it lasted very well.
On a budget, worth having a look at Austin Reed in the sale, I've bought lots of these but generally need a fair bit of alterations as most fits are geared towards the larger gent. Big range of styles though and some bargains to be had - sub £60 suits that they do actually sell in stores for £400+
davepoth said:
Regardless of where it comes from, be sure to get it tailored, it really does make the difference.
this ... I don't wear whistles that much these days, but living in Asia now i do have the luxury of being able to get fully tailored suits ... the difference between that and off the peg is huge .... and getting a good off the peg tailored to you makes will make a significant improvement also ....
it also makes it a much nicer thing to wear!!
I've really struggles with finding a decent suit over the years. In the past decade I've bought a few dozen and none have fitted well. These range from Next and M&S in the early broke days to having a number of 'tailored' ones from places like A Suit That Fits and even some from Armani and Gucci over the past couple of years.
The Next ones went to feel shabby after a few wears, whereas the M&S ones were better quality but the fit was never good. The designer ones were a better fit but probably not worth the money, so that's why I went to A Suit That Fits and a couple of other places that tailor make them, including a few when in Thailiand on my honeymoon. ASTF quality has been pretty dire and despite tailoring them, not one has come out fitting right - some too tight, some too loose, some with trousers inches too short, which is very frustrating seeing as they use the same measurements. The others I've outgrown (i.e. gotten a bit fat for) which is the big downside in a tight tailored suit.
Recently a tip from a friend on Boss worked out to be just right - their standard off the peg suits fit me quite well and with a few alterations, look better than any of the others. I'll be sticking with these in the future.
The Next ones went to feel shabby after a few wears, whereas the M&S ones were better quality but the fit was never good. The designer ones were a better fit but probably not worth the money, so that's why I went to A Suit That Fits and a couple of other places that tailor make them, including a few when in Thailiand on my honeymoon. ASTF quality has been pretty dire and despite tailoring them, not one has come out fitting right - some too tight, some too loose, some with trousers inches too short, which is very frustrating seeing as they use the same measurements. The others I've outgrown (i.e. gotten a bit fat for) which is the big downside in a tight tailored suit.
Recently a tip from a friend on Boss worked out to be just right - their standard off the peg suits fit me quite well and with a few alterations, look better than any of the others. I'll be sticking with these in the future.
snowley said:
At that price point, you can't really beat TM Lewin, should last you (especially if only wearing once a month) and it will be semi tailored.
Plenty of stores in London to visit too.
I beg to differ: I think that Jaeger are better (and can be cheaper if you get one of their loyalty cards). I bought a couple of suits from their Leadenhall Market outlet shop and they're very good and £c.200 each. If you sign up for one of their loyalty cards they become even more reasonable!Plenty of stores in London to visit too.
Another shout for Charles Tyrwhitt here.
Bought 2 suits from them at the start of September and have been very impressed.
I originally plumped for a "look at me" blue but after thinking it over a weekend took it back and swapped for charcoal
Bought the slim fit jacket and normal fit trousers so you can mix & match.
Their shirts are also pretty good quality.
Bought 2 suits from them at the start of September and have been very impressed.
I originally plumped for a "look at me" blue but after thinking it over a weekend took it back and swapped for charcoal
Bought the slim fit jacket and normal fit trousers so you can mix & match.
Their shirts are also pretty good quality.
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