Suit Wearers - Advice Please

[rab.s]

I am starting a new role whereby I will need to wear a suit daily. I have a couple of off the peg suits that have been tailored to my prehistoric frame to get me started. Having never worn a suit daily, only for the odd work or social occasion, I am looking for some tips and advice from the daily wearers.

How many suits are needed in order to rotate sensibly?
How often should a suit be dry cleaned?
If I spend more on a suit, will it last longer ( off the peg, bespoke is not an option at the moment.)

Any other tips?

Thanks

[Raddors]

When I buy off the peg for work, I always get 2 pairs of trousers for every jacket as they wear out faster.

[RizzoTheRat]

Same here, and I still always end up binning perfectly good jackets because I've worn through the seat of both pairs of trousers.

[DavidJG]

Always, always, always, rotate what you wear. I never wear the same suit two days in a row, the cloth needs time to rest between wearings.

I'd recommend that if you wear for one day, allow to rest for two or more days. If you don't have a trouser press, invest in one - will save you a lot of time ironing (or ruining) trousers too.

Also, get suits made in the best quality cloth that your budget will stretch to (you don't mention a budget, which makes it difficult to make any firm recommendations).

How much were you thinking of spending per suit??

[rab.s]

Thanks guys, I have always gotten 2 pairs of trousers in the past. Great minds and all that.

As to budget, I was thinking around £250 per suit - plus my usual alterations. If I spend more, am I likely to get longer wear from a suit? Or is it better to spend less and buy more often?

[Du1point8]

rab.s said:

Thanks guys, I have always gotten 2 pairs of trousers in the past. Great minds and all that.

As to budget, I was thinking around £250 per suit - plus my usual alterations. If I spend more, am I likely to get longer wear from a suit? Or is it better to spend less and buy more often?

I know people on massive salaries, yet go to Marks and Sparks for their suits... tells you something no?

[Theophany]

I swear by Charles Tyrwhitt for dailies. Get them fitted exactly as you like, well made, wear well, don't go shiny, competitively priced and look smart. Usually a voucher code or deal on that's good for 10% off your basket too. I'd work on 3 - 5 suits for a 5 day working week.

Means I can keep the 'spensive ones for when I really need them.

[iphonedyou]

Du1point8 said:

I know people on massive salaries, yet go to Marks and Sparks for their suits... tells you something no?

That they've spread around the middle?

[Thankyou4calling]

DavidJG said:

Always, always, always, rotate what you wear. I never wear the same suit two days in a row, the cloth needs time to rest between wearings.

I'd recommend that if you wear for one day, allow to rest for two or more days. If you don't have a trouser press, invest in one - will save you a lot of time ironing (or ruining) trousers too.

Also, get suits made in the best quality cloth that your budget will stretch to (you don't mention a budget, which makes it difficult to make any firm recommendations).

How much were you thinking of spending per suit??

"The cloth needs time to rest"

This has to rank as an all time great quote surely?

[DavidJG]

Thankyou4calling said:

DavidJG said:

Always, always, always, rotate what you wear. I never wear the same suit two days in a row, the cloth needs time to rest between wearings.

I'd recommend that if you wear for one day, allow to rest for two or more days. If you don't have a trouser press, invest in one - will save you a lot of time ironing (or ruining) trousers too.

Also, get suits made in the best quality cloth that your budget will stretch to (you don't mention a budget, which makes it difficult to make any firm recommendations).

How much were you thinking of spending per suit??

"The cloth needs time to rest"

This has to rank as an all time great quote surely?

Call it what you will - suits & shoes will last far longer if treated this way.

[Zod]

Du1point8 said:

rab.s said:

Thanks guys, I have always gotten 2 pairs of trousers in the past. Great minds and all that.

As to budget, I was thinking around £250 per suit - plus my usual alterations. If I spend more, am I likely to get longer wear from a suit? Or is it better to spend less and buy more often?

I know people on massive salaries, yet go to Marks and Sparks for their suits... tells you something no?

They don't care about their appearance. That's all it tells me.

[Robbo 27]

Slaters have some good suits and reasonably priced.

They carry a German make, something like Baumer, very well made and good material.



http://www.slaters.co.uk/

[Konrod]

Another shout for Slaters - they will also do alterations e.g. sleeve and trouser length. Also strongly agree with rotation - I have four suits which are all three years old and still look good enough to wear in front of senior customers e.g. CEO, CFO

Look at the labels - many suit trousers don't have to be dry cleaned, they can go in the washing machine on a gentle wash. Press them using a damp handkerchief between iron and trousers which protects the cloth.

HTH

[rab.s]

I have always been put off by places like Slaters as they stock paired suits.
Due to a freak of genetics I have a 10" differential between chest 46" and waist 36". I am in no way a body builder, just barrel chested. When I have been in stores such as Slaters, the jackets always fit whilst the trousers are like clown pants. As such I tend to go for retail where I can purchase trousers and jacket as separates.

[DonkeyApple]

rab.s said:

Thanks guys, I have always gotten 2 pairs of trousers in the past. Great minds and all that.

As to budget, I was thinking around £250 per suit - plus my usual alterations. If I spend more, am I likely to get longer wear from a suit? Or is it better to spend less and buy more often?

Price doesn't really equate to quality or durability these days. The better it fits the less it wears but ultimately, you need to pay attention to the fabric quality which is quite difficult. Durability also stems from how well you look after it, sitting around in the jacket, getting it wet will age a suit very quickly.

It is probably most logical to buy at the cheaper end to start with, make sure it fits, look after it and see how long it lasts.

[The Beaver King]

rab.s said:

I have always been put off by places like Slaters as they stock paired suits.
Due to a freak of genetics I have a 10" differential between chest 46" and waist 36". I am in no way a body builder, just barrel chested. When I have been in stores such as Slaters, the jackets always fit whilst the trousers are like clown pants. As such I tend to go for retail where I can purchase trousers and jacket as separates.

You have the same issue as me (44" chest, 36" waist).

I use Slaters for most of my suits; try a tailored or slim fit cut to fit your frame better. Debenhams also stock a decent range of sensibly priced suits that fit me quite well.

[DonkeyApple]

Du1point8 said:

rab.s said:

Thanks guys, I have always gotten 2 pairs of trousers in the past. Great minds and all that.

As to budget, I was thinking around £250 per suit - plus my usual alterations. If I spend more, am I likely to get longer wear from a suit? Or is it better to spend less and buy more often?

I know people on massive salaries, yet go to Marks and Sparks for their suits... tells you something no?

They work in IT or the Civil Service?

[Alex_225]

All I would say is don't bother with machine washable suits.

I've always had to wear a shirt/trousers to work but not a full on suite until I started a roll about 2 1/2 months ago. I headed to M&S as I'm not one for designer clothing but am aware their suits are decent enough. Ended up buying two jackets and three pairs of suit trousers that I could rotate and opted for machine washable.

Well the jacket started to bobble where I put a bag on my shoulder and the trousers started to do the same. In the end I took the lot back and was advised that due to the lycra content in the machine washable range they're not suitable for daily wearing. Bit pointless considering that the beauty of them being machine washable is not having to faff about down at the dry cleaners but there you go.

Opted for a normal suite and so far so good.

[Davey S2]

DonkeyApple said:

Du1point8 said:

rab.s said:

Thanks guys, I have always gotten 2 pairs of trousers in the past. Great minds and all that.

As to budget, I was thinking around £250 per suit - plus my usual alterations. If I spend more, am I likely to get longer wear from a suit? Or is it better to spend less and buy more often?

I know people on massive salaries, yet go to Marks and Sparks for their suits... tells you something no?

They work in IT or the Civil Service?

Or they realise that what you wear isn't an indication of how good or successful you are?

[malks222]

I've been surprised with quality/ fit of suits/ trousers from next (normal/slim fit/ skinny fit same in trousers). you can mix and match trousers/jackets to get a decent fit and easily pick up 2 trousers for the same jacket. and at only £100 not breaking the bank.

ok they have some dreadful patterns/ colours/ levels of shiney-ness, but at least worth a look