How much for a decent suit?

[mcecm]

I'm in the market to get a suit because i've got a few things coming up that require me to wear one. Question is, how much for a decent one? I'm not wanting to break the bank on a designer one just because it's a designer one. Neither do I want a Tesco job for £30. Also, where to get it? I'm thinking that a decent one could be bought on the high street but I don't really know. I'll be looking in Edinburgh if anyone has any specific ideas.
Cheers all.

[wedge girl]

Fit is more important than label, so go for a retailer that sells the jacket and trousers seperately, also this means you can buy two pairs of trousers to one jacket, given that trousers wear quicker than jackets.

I'm still a big fan of Next if you are on a budget.

[pmanson]

Next or Burtons.

[anonymous-user]

i normally buy a new suit every six months and spend around £200 as i seem to wear them out quickly.

i usually just use one of the places like "Suits you" or similar high street chain. they have always measured me up and gone through styles and colours etc. i have found their customer service to be quite good and the suits themselves are a good enough quality to last 18 months or so and whilst i accept they are not designer, theyare functional, the suits cover my back and make me look presentable!

[dick dastardly]

£1300, it's in Gucci and it makes you feel like a king!

Otherwise, as mentioned Next have a few with a good cut

[jimothy]

Have to agree there, Suits you are a good bunch in my experience. Walked in there, said i wanted 2 suits for a new job in teh city. Got 1 to £200, 1 for £150 and they helped with selection of shirts/ties, arranged colours, got me to try loads on, then when I bought they did the slight adjustments (trouser length and the like). Spent about an hour in there getting excellent service. Would highly recommend them.

[jvaughan]

Moss Bros ... £80 - £200.
If your buying in bulk, you can normally negotiate a discount too

[slikk]

Go to an oufitters / hire shop, they will fit a stock item to you or order you a new one, and it will be a fairly "good" suit compared to the majority of off the peg types. You should also get change from £500.00

kim

[minimax]

I always get mine made. before you all go saying 'flash git', wait a second...they cost £180 a pop. and before you all go 'cheapass' they are a good quality bespoke suits made by an actual tailor, in newcastle and they take about 9-11 weeks depending on hoe busy he is. IMHO that is the way forward - they fit beautifully. and if you weren't looking to spend that much on a suit then I would say either save up or use mr plastic because IMHO a suit is a business weapon as well as something that keeps your modesty intact

[RobDickinson]

minimax said:

IMHO a suit is a business weapon as well as something that keeps your modesty intact

lol thats sooo 80's, big shoulder pads, champers and turbo porkas eh?

Personaly I dont give a stuff what business associates wear so long as they do their job.

Edit :- saying that...

Most of my (few)suits are off the peg stuff, but I try on some Armani once and it did fit extreemly well and did feel like it was worth the extra over next etc.

>> Edited by RobDickinson on Friday 4th February 14:03

[Mr E]

Errr. Armarni black label in my wardrobe.....

Someone gave it to me. I never wear it.

Seems a crying shame.

[minimax]

RobDickinson said:

minimax said: IMHO a suit is a business weapon as well as something that keeps your modesty intact lol thats sooo 80's, big shoulder pads, champers and turbo porkas eh? Personaly I dont give a stuff what business associates wear so long as they do their job.

that's ok, I don't mind if you think that

I tell you what though, a good suit says a lot about the wearer - they've made an effort, they care about their impression - showing respect for you when they visit your company, perhaps that they like to do things in the proper manner...and perhaps this will be reflected in their work. it's all about perception

If someone turned up to my office to meet with me in jeans and sweats i'd think he probably didn't give a shit and i'd probably be right. can we open this to the floor?

[wedge girl]

Mr E said:

Errr. Armarni black label in my wardrobe..... Someone gave it to me. I never wear it. Seems a crying shame.

I don't have the opportunity to wear mine anymore, can't part with it though.

[JonRB]

I must confess that I bought my last suit in Marks & Spencers.

[ErnestM]

Armani and Brioni are two of the best. Excellent fit and finish. That being said, there is no substitute for good tailoring, even with "off the peg" stuff. If you are buying from a large department store, do yourself a favour and don't have them do the alterations. They are not tailors, they are retailers.

I've found myself a nice Chinese tailor here locally (ex-Hong Kong, moved out when the city was turned over) and he does a fantastic job.


ErnestM

[JonRB]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

To be honest, the paper bag was more down to people's perceptions and preconceptions of M&S.

Shopping in M&S is very much like buying a Skoda. Everybody knows that it's really good these days, but the stigma from past perceptions remains.

[deckster]

minimax said:

If someone turned up to my office to meet with me in jeans and sweats i'd think he probably didn't give a shit and i'd probably be right. can we open this to the floor?

What a quaint 19th century attitude! Personally I'd rather judge them on what they said and did rather than what they wear. I know many people who wear a suit to work every day who can scarely stop drooling long enough to button the shirt, whereas those who turn up in jeans and t-shirt are generally the same people who you'll find there at midnight picking up the pieces when things go tits-up. YMMV, of course.

[mutt k]

minimax said:

I tell you what though, a good suit says a lot about the wearer - they've made an effort, they care about their impression - showing respect for you when they visit your company, perhaps that they like to do things in the proper manner...and perhaps this will be reflected in their work. it's all about perception If someone turned up to my office to meet with me in jeans and sweats i'd think he probably didn't give a shit and i'd probably be right. can we open this to the floor?

I'm a commercial property agent - which is nothing like an estate agent so that's alright then he says defensively - so when I go to meet clients, and especially potential new clients, I am always turned out in a suit, white shirt and plain tie. If I was to turn up dirty, scruffy, smelly and unshaved, I don't think I would get too much work.

[chim_girl]

minimax said:

If someone turned up to my office to meet with me in jeans and sweats i'd think he probably didn't give a shit and i'd probably be right. can we open this to the floor?

Wholeheartedly agree, shiny shoes are a must too, IMHO.

However, I understand that some people don't wear suits, such as some creatives, designers, IT etc etc. Smart casual if perfectly acceptable, so long as it's well ironed and if its a bloke they've taken the time to shave! IMHO jeans and t-shirts are a no-no in any business to business context, unless you're a tradesman.

>> Edited by chim_girl on Friday 4th February 14:25

[chim_girl]

PS: Anyone know where I can get a flameproof suit? ......fairly quickly too!