A Suit For All Ocassions

[MattMoore]

Evening all,
I will be in need of a suit within the next month, I have a wedding and 2 imminent funerals that I will need to attend.
I dont own a suit currently, so have very little idea about what would be best, and if it would be possible to buy one suit that would be acceptable at both of these events.
I am 6ft 2 and I will a doorway very well. With this in mind I have done some research to find what type of suit would be best, all sorts of terminology about 1,2 or 3 buttons, pocket squares, weave counted material, pleat or flat front trousers etc, and I am a little over my depth.
Any advice on what style, colour, shirt & shoe combinations will be greatly received.
I dont want to spend a huge amount, but something up to £250 will be fine,

Over to the masses


Thanks

Matt

[Jasandjules]

Off the peg then. Dark Grey/Black will be acceptable for wedding as well as the funerals IMHO. For the funeral a black tie and white shirt whereas for the wedding you can be more flexible on the shirt/tie combo, perhaps pink (or even if you want to be sad/flash, match the colour of the bridesmaid's dresses).

Black socks and black shoes for both to match with the suit IMHO.

[anonymous-user]

Jasandjules said:

Off the peg then. Dark Grey/Black will be acceptable for wedding as well as the funerals IMHO. For the funeral a black tie and white shirt whereas for the wedding you can be more flexible on the shirt/tie combo, perhaps pink (or even if you want to be sad/flash, match the colour of the bridesmaid's dresses).

Black socks and black shoes for both to match with the suit IMHO.

[Mobile Chicane]

Try Florence & Fred at Tesco. (Seriously.)

To cover both the 'wedding' and 'funeral' bases I'd go for something in a dark charcoal grey, rather than black.

Then spend the money you've saved on an ok-but-fundamentally-overpriced-suit on a good pair of shoes.

[theironduke]

snowy slopes said:

Jasandjules said:

Off the peg then. Dark Grey/Black will be acceptable for wedding as well as the funerals IMHO. For the funeral a black tie and white shirt whereas for the wedding you can be more flexible on the shirt/tie combo, perhaps pink (or even if you want to be sad/flash, match the colour of the bridesmaid's dresses).

Black socks and black shoes for both to match with the suit IMHO.

Sound words.

Shoes...please, please invest in a good pair of proper welted shoes. You don't need to spend £400 on a pair of Trickers, Loakes are fantastic and you can pick them up for around the £80-100 mark. Proper, quality shoes make the man

Theres no excuse for spakker "estate agent specials" shoes.

[shirt]

I'm not up on my southern geography, but you should find something suitable at bicester village.

[MattMoore]

Thanks for the replies so far guys, Bicester village is only 45 mins away so that's possible.
Im not too sure they will do my size there though, my chest is approx 50 inches.
Any of you knwo what shops go upto this size?

Matt

[shirt]

MattMoore said:

Thanks for the replies so far guys, Bicester village is only 45 mins away so that's possible.
Im not too sure they will do my size there though, my chest is approx 50 inches.
Any of you knwo what shops go upto this size?

Matt

most should, and at an outlet there is often more choice at each extreme of the size range. austin reed maybe worth a look.

[Famous Graham]

Do Slaters exist south of Hadrians Wall?

Top place - experienced tailors yet prices ranging from 150 -> AreYoufkingSerious

[theironduke]

Famous Graham said:

Do Slaters exist south of Hadrians Wall?

Top place - experienced tailors yet prices ranging from 150 -> AreYoufkingSerious

Yep, there is one in my hometown (Worcester) and there is one in Cheltenham too.

[Mobile Chicane]

MattMoore said:

Thanks for the replies so far guys, Bicester village is only 45 mins away so that's possible.
Im not too sure they will do my size there though, my chest is approx 50 inches.
Any of you knwo what shops go upto this size?

Matt

Choose a jacket like this if you're a bit of a fat knacker:



Anything with more than one button / double-breasted will merely accentuate the deformity.

No skinny ties.

Outlets should cater for the 'extremes' of sizing, as suggested. My ex (6ft 5 and 20 stone) would get amazing deals at Acquascutum.

[Dibble]

theironduke said:

Famous Graham said:

Do Slaters exist south of Hadrians Wall?

Top place - experienced tailors yet prices ranging from 150 -> AreYoufkingSerious

Yep, there is one in my hometown (Worcester) and there is one in Cheltenham too.

I get my work suits from Slaters, and they go above a 50" jacket. Adjustments are free, and there's usually plenty of choice.

I'd go for a plain charcoal grey suit which can be dressed up/down as required.

[speedster986]

Difficult to get above a size 48 at Bicester. However the Gieves and Hawkes store have black suits off the peg at £220 and same day tailoring at fairly decent rates.

[monthefish]

Famous Graham said:

Do Slaters exist south of Hadrians Wall?

Top place - experienced tailors yet prices ranging from 150 -> AreYoufkingSerious

Definitely get yourself down to Slaters if there is one even slightly close to you.

Although the sales people can be a bit forward/pushy at times so you may have to be firm with them. The signs state they're not on commission, but the salesman are certainly keen to accompany you to the till for some reason..... (and claim sales were 'theirs' even with goods you have found yourself)

[SystemParanoia]

get a 5 button one

[shirt]

that's just for sales targets, used to be the same in my saturday job selling trainers.

[Silent1]

This:



or this:

[captainzep]

Jasandjules said:

For the funeral a black tie and white shirt

OP, be aware that sometimes the family are quite firm about not wearing black.

edited for typus spazus

Edited by captainzep on Wednesday 11th August 15:30

[monthefish]

captainzep said:

Jasandjules said:

For the funeral a black tie and white shirt

OP, be aware that sometimes the family are quite firm about [not wearing black.

It happens, but very rarely.

[Jasandjules]

SystemParanoia said:

get a 5 button one

Not if you are anything other than "svelt" in terms of shape. Fewer buttons to, uh, bulge...