Need a suit in a hurry
Need a suit in a hurry
Author
Discussion

GiantCardboardPlato

Original Poster:

5,974 posts

45 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
Job interview in two weeks.

I work in what we may as well call a ‘creative industry’.
Don’t wear a lot of (any) suits at work.
I don’t have any that fit that well, and what’s worse, they are all a bit ‘slick’/business like. If I show up wearing a very ‘traditional’ suit, made of finer wool basically, I will look like a businessperson, like an executive, like I’ve sold out, like I am not a suitable fit. I need a suit, to look professional, but it can’t be a city-type bankers thing.
I think the difference is best communicated in texture/material/small details of fit/cut.

But I need it in 2 weeks.
Not enough time for bespoke, or even for mtm
So ideally I’d need to get something from a place that will do proper alterations - not just a shop, but a tailors or similar.
Any ideas?


Nickbrapp

5,277 posts

154 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
This is the single most south east/London question I’ve ever read.

Just go to M&S or next or TM Lewin and get a off the peg suit, maybe you can get a shiny one to make you look like a estate agent from next or something

Scrump

23,799 posts

182 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
I have had a few suits from slaters and have found them to be good. I recall they took about a week for the alterations (the price of which are included in the suit price).

Newc

2,173 posts

206 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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Richard James.

Prisoner 24601

645 posts

72 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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David Neville

agent006

12,058 posts

288 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
Scrump said:
I have had a few suits from slaters and have found them to be good. I recall they took about a week for the alterations (the price of which are included in the suit price).
My local Slaters (Cheltenham) will do basic alterations same day if you're buying anything before mid afternoon usually. Service is very good and there's no raised eyebrows even if you want the trousers to finish 3" above your shoes.

p.s. You don't necessarily need MTM or bespoke, or even much in the way of alterations if the place you're buying from knows how to size you and has enough options in stock. Unless you're a really strange shape, that is. By all means buy bespoke if you want to, but don't be talked into thinking you need it.

Edited by agent006 on Saturday 29th April 21:44

57Ford

5,749 posts

158 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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agent006 said:
…there's no raised eyebrows even if you want the trousers to finish 3" above your shoes.
Jesus wept! I’m bloody glad I’m not a slave to fashion if that’s now a thing. You’re just asking for arthritis.

agent006

12,058 posts

288 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
It's making awkward gangly teenage nerds suddenly feel fashionable in their slightly-too-short school uniform trousers, so it's not all bad.

Louis Balfour

28,176 posts

246 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
Newc said:
Richard James.
Their Clifford St shop has access to several alterations tailors, so this is a good call.

Reiss RTW suits aren't awful and any branch of Reiss will have access to alts tailors.


Sheepshanks

39,444 posts

143 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
GiantCardboardPlato said:
Job interview in two weeks.

I work in what we may as well call a ‘creative industry’.
Don’t wear a lot of (any) suits at work.
Won't you look a bit odd if you turn up in a suit?

GiantCardboardPlato

Original Poster:

5,974 posts

45 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
No… i think suit is more appropriate than trousers/jacket but it need to be something a bit more interesting texture wise than a normal worsted wool thing.

People do wear suits, i dont like it, too impersonal.

GiantCardboardPlato

Original Poster:

5,974 posts

45 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all
Louis Balfour said:
Their Clifford St shop has access to several alterations tailors, so this is a good call.

Reiss RTW suits aren't awful and any branch of Reiss will have access to alts tailors.
If the shoulders fit, the chest doesn’t, if the chest fits, the shoulders are too big, for me, with Reiss.
Will probably and check them anyway.

languagetimothy

1,660 posts

186 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
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Zara? I had several from them over the years, quite well made and last. They also do more casual looking suits than just business type. Edit to add.. I was a “city-type. Banker “ .. oh. Have a look at Zara anyway..

Edited by languagetimothy on Saturday 29th April 22:59

klootzak

683 posts

240 months

Saturday 29th April 2023
quotequote all

Ex copywriter, CD, strategist and ad agency-owner here.

Depends on the nature of the role you're interviewing for, but maybe try Timothy Everest. He has some unstructured ready to wear suits in merino twill that might be suitable. The cut definitely takes you out of traditional business-wear, and the texture is different too. Burgundy is his colour for the season, which may be a bit much for you, but there are probably other options.

Otherwise maybe look for something in linen. Go a size too big and match with white sneakers and untucked shirt if you're a creative, a size too small and match with sockless loafers if you're a suit. Only wear a T-shirt if you're a senior strategist.

k

gotoPzero

20,101 posts

213 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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Why not wear what you normally wear? It sounds like you are over thinking things..

sherman

14,951 posts

239 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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Slaters is where I would be going for choice of interesting suits in a rush.

I did buy a very nice suit from Hawes and Curtis last year for my wedding. They had a deal (free) with a local tailors round the corner from the shop for the alterations. All done within a few days.

GilletteFan

672 posts

55 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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Sounds like you need a modern Italian suit. Not going to name makers, but they have been churning out what they call "travel suits" for years now. These are unstructured, made from stretch wool usually and come with elastic waistband trousers. Best thing is if you aren't going to interviews, you wear the trousers and jacket separately for smart casual wear. I personally find it hard to find structured suits that fit me as my shoulders are too wide.

sociopath

3,433 posts

90 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
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Nickbrapp said:
This is the single most south east/London question I’ve ever read.

Just go to M&S or next or TM Lewin and get a off the peg suit, maybe you can get a shiny one to make you look like a estate agent from next or something
Over the years I interviewed thousands of people, not once did I question the texture of their suit.

Maybe that's where I went wrong
getmecoat


Edited by sociopath on Sunday 30th April 08:08

GiantCardboardPlato

Original Poster:

5,974 posts

45 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
quotequote all
gotoPzero said:
Why not wear what you normally wear? It sounds like you are over thinking things..
Cause if I wear 3 year old raw denim washed twice and a big woolly fisherman jumper covered in cat hair to a job interview I’ll look as unprofessional as I actually am.

Edited by GiantCardboardPlato on Sunday 30th April 08:30

GiantCardboardPlato

Original Poster:

5,974 posts

45 months

Sunday 30th April 2023
quotequote all
sociopath said:
Over the years I interviewed thousands of. Pople, not once did I question the texture of their suit.

Maybe that's where I went wrong
getmecoat
I don’t expect anyone would consciously, but you are also sending messages unconsciously in these situations. Most of the panel interviewing me would likely have a bit of a distrust of ‘corporate types’ who do exist at higher levels in my industry (not all leaders are ‘corporate types’ however). But by dressing like them you’d be associating yourself with them. I need to look formal and smart but not like them.