New suit, shirts and shoes needed

[CWAC]

As per the title really. I'm bored of my boring black suit with pin stripes and boring shirts and boring black shoes.....so I'm after a classy looking suit and shoes for several functions this summer.....weddings, social functions and potentially business occasions...maybe even interviews.

I'm crap at this as I have worn uniform for all of my adult life.

Ideas and suggestions please. (Apart from justayellowbadge because he dresses like Martin Kemp in 1986)

I'm thinking a grey suit, brown shoes..........please don't dress me like Ronald McDonald either.

I don't have a set budget, but I'm not Bill Gates.

The floor is open.

Thanks.

[hungry_hog]

Up to £250 I think M & S is one of the best. Good fabric, they also seem to be more flexible on sizes that the other brands (not restricted to even numbers!) Around £200 should get you a decent one.

Next rung above that I favour Paul Smith. Normally around £550 but should be able to get for £350 at an outlet mall such as Bicester. They will fit you if you are of slim build. For the non pigeon chested I would favour Hugo Boss at a similar price point, again you can get from outlet malls.

For shirts, budget
M & S, Hawes and Curtis
avoid Lewin - used to be good but have changed supplier and quality now crap

pricier:
Paul Smith
Zegna
Turnbull and Asser
avoid Pink for same reasons as Lewin

shoes:
budget: Clarks (don't laugh)
mid range: Loake
top end: Church

Edited by hungry_hog on Wednesday 20th May 21:50

[ipwn]

Avoid M&S suits, I learnt the hard way.....trousers lasted me around 20 wears .....

[Swilly]

wedding - social - business

you need three different suits

business - hugo boss suit, thomas pink shirt, churches shoes

[KingRichard]

Swilly said:

wedding - social - business

you need three different suits

business - hugo boss suit, thomas pink shirt, churches shoes

For social stuff you could look at Vicri. They have some mad linings... You're looking at about £6-800

For work, you can do a lot worse than Ted Baker, not the endurance range because that is the kind of st chavs wear to court and it falls to pieces. iirc they have a different supplier once you rise a price level. Spend £350-400 on a Ted Baker and it'll be a lovely suit. If you are in any kind of real white collar profession you want to be looking at some kind of bespoke, or at least a tailored decent off-the-peg.

Weddings... well I'm not really your man there. Last one I went to, I ended up in my pants and vomited in front of the brides mother

I blame my mate Jack...

[pokethepope]

CWAC said:

I'm thinking a grey suit, brown shoes..........please don't dress me like Ronald McDonald either.

In the last thread on this subject, brown shoes were shunned by the most. The fashionista's will be along soon to explain why, im sure.

Edited by pokethepope on Wednesday 20th May 22:30

[M400 NBL]

Another vote for m&s because you can mix and match the blazer and trousers. Cheap these days too.

[Killer2005]

I recently bought a nice suit from Suits You, I only went in to look for a shirt/cufflinks but came out with a suit for £180

[Olivero]

Right, first what shape are you? Are you built like a fridge, a pole or bouncy castle?

What is your budget? This does make a difference as to where you can shop but not necessarily what you end up with.

For whoever mentioned M&S, err no. Just no. Fine when you are six and mummy is taking you shopping or 76 and just want something 'comfortable' otherwise there is no excuse.

At the cheaper end of the market try Zara for suits, ties and shirts. Russell & Bromley for shoes. Links of London for cufflinks.

Suit, two button single, dark blue. No 'fancy' lining or anything clever. Fitted always loots better but it does take a while to find something that is right for you. Not shiny material or totally matt either.
Shirt, white, French (double) cuffs for weddings or something smart.
Tie, a strong pattern or stripe can look very good otherwise just go for a plain colour. No cartoon, figures or anything funny is allowed unless you are a brain Doctor or Nobel Scientist and even then it is a bit dodgy.
Shoes, black, leather sole, well polished, 3 or 4 eye.
If you really want to go mad wear colourful socks or slightly risque cufflinks. Not both.

[Justayellowbadge]

But I doubt you could carry it off.

80's are so now

Edited by Justayellowbadge on Wednesday 20th May 22:45

[hungry_hog]

Olivero said:

Right, first what shape are you? Are you built like a fridge, a pole or bouncy castle?

What is your budget? This does make a difference as to where you can shop but not necessarily what you end up with.

For whoever mentioned M&S, err no. Just no. Fine when you are six and mummy is taking you shopping or 76 and just want something 'comfortable' otherwise there is no excuse.

At the cheaper end of the market try Zara for suits, ties and shirts. Russell & Bromley for shoes. Links of London for cufflinks.

are you having a giraffe? links of london cheap for cufflinks? I doubt they have many pairs under 100 quid!

[Olivero]

hungry_hog said:

Olivero said:

Right, first what shape are you? Are you built like a fridge, a pole or bouncy castle?

What is your budget? This does make a difference as to where you can shop but not necessarily what you end up with.

For whoever mentioned M&S, err no. Just no. Fine when you are six and mummy is taking you shopping or 76 and just want something 'comfortable' otherwise there is no excuse.

At the cheaper end of the market try Zara for suits, ties and shirts. Russell & Bromley for shoes. Links of London for cufflinks.

are you having a giraffe? links of london cheap for cufflinks? I doubt they have many pairs under 100 quid!

Just had a look on their site and fair enough, I stand corrected. I haven't been in for a while. The woven type are quite presentable and very cheap.

[KingRichard]

Olivero said:

hungry_hog said:

Olivero said:

Right, first what shape are you? Are you built like a fridge, a pole or bouncy castle?

What is your budget? This does make a difference as to where you can shop but not necessarily what you end up with.

For whoever mentioned M&S, err no. Just no. Fine when you are six and mummy is taking you shopping or 76 and just want something 'comfortable' otherwise there is no excuse.

At the cheaper end of the market try Zara for suits, ties and shirts. Russell & Bromley for shoes. Links of London for cufflinks.

are you having a giraffe? links of london cheap for cufflinks? I doubt they have many pairs under 100 quid!

Just had a look on their site and fair enough, I stand corrected. I haven't been in for a while. The woven type are quite presentable and very cheap.

God they are hideous...

Only one thing worse, and that's wearing the plastic ones that come with the shirt

[Shaw Tarse]

[Olivero]

hungry_hog said:

Olivero said:

Right, first what shape are you? Are you built like a fridge, a pole or bouncy castle?

What is your budget? This does make a difference as to where you can shop but not necessarily what you end up with.

For whoever mentioned M&S, err no. Just no. Fine when you are six and mummy is taking you shopping or 76 and just want something 'comfortable' otherwise there is no excuse.

At the cheaper end of the market try Zara for suits, ties and shirts. Russell & Bromley for shoes. Links of London for cufflinks.

are you having a giraffe? links of london cheap for cufflinks? I doubt they have many pairs under 100 quid!

Just had a look on their site and fair enough, I stand corrected. I haven't been in for a while. The woven type are quite presentable and very cheap.

[Olivero]

Odd double post.

I don't personally like them and mostly prefer old sliver cufflinks, but the silk ones are fine if you are on a budget.

[okgo]

Got my first pair of Loake's about a month ago and would fully recommend. Brilliant shoes.

Must have shoe tree's though.

[Strike_J]

Suits you is a good call for a budget, got my first suit at 16 for £90 on sale. Coupled with a pink shirt and tie with either brown or black shoes I thought I looked pretty good for my first job interview.

Here I am in it at 16, please dont laugh it was a few years back




Edited for formatting

Edited by Strike_J on Wednesday 20th May 23:41

[Colonial]

The woven silk cufflinks just scream "this is my first french cuff shirt and I can't afford cufflinks. Just as well these came with the shirt"

I get my suits done at a small tailor. A little more than a brand name off the rack, but having a suit made for you is worth every cent.

I get most of my shirts from Harvie and Hudson.

Trust me. I have stubble, designer glasses and I'm currently wearing a 200 quid cardigan.

[GC8]

KingRichard said:

For work, you can do a lot worse than Ted Baker, not the endurance range because that is the kind of st chavs wear to court and it falls to pieces. iirc they have a different supplier once you rise a price level. Spend £350-400 on a Ted Baker and it'll be a lovely suit. If you are in any kind of real white collar profession you want to be looking at some kind of bespoke, or at least a tailored decent off-the-peg.

If you honestly think that theres a deal of difference bewteen a Ted Baker Endurance and any other unlimted production Ted Baker suit then youre kidding yourself. The remark about charvers and court is foolish in the extreme.