£500 for an off the peg suit - would I be mad?

[Fun Bus]

I want a new suit, and am willing to spend upto £500. I won't be wearing it daily just as events dictate but I want something that fits really, really well on me. I've seen a lovely one in House of Fraser by Hugo Boss but part of me thinks I could maybe do better and have something less 'obvious' if that makes sense?
I'm aware of Slaters but want to be sure I'm not missing a trick somewhere. It's years since I've bought a new suit as the one I have was expensive and has lasted me well, because of this though I've lost touch with what to look for.

Any advice welcome, thanks in advance.

[4nonymous]

TM Lewin suit + a tailor = excellent fit.

They have a sale on every other hour so get one for around £200, take it to a tailor and he will do all the alterations to make it a proper fitting suit.

[mybrainhurts]

Fun Bus said:

I've lost touch with what to look for.

Look for trousers. You know it makes sense....

[plg101]

Try the Gieves and Hawkes outlet store, or Daks. You have to get lucky on sizes, but I seem to fit the odd size bracket so tend to have some choice. Paid £260 instead of £650 on a very nice suit that feels like it has been made for me - and I know will last - with 2" on waist band adjustable by a tailor, it can always be adjusted!

[johnfm]

There are still massive discounts at Flannels on Paul Smith, Prada, Zegna, D&G, William Hunt etc.

Last week saw a number at sub £300, reduced from £600.

You can get William Hunt stuff at TK Maxx.

Spend £300 in a sale, and another £50 to have your tailor nip the suit in here and there. Job done.

Leaves £150 for a nice pair of shoes.

[plg101]

johnfm said:

There are still massive discounts at Flannels on Paul Smith, Prada, Zegna, D&G, William Hunt etc.

Last week saw a number at sub £300, reduced from £600.

You can get William Hunt stuff at TK Maxx.

Spend £300 in a sale, and another £50 to have your tailor nip the suit in here and there. Job done.

Leaves £150 for a nice pair of shoes.

I forgot... Paul Smith outlet at York had some great deals - if you are a slim or mid-to-slim cut they have some lovely suits at around £400.

[shirt]

was going to suggest ps at york as well, house of fraser were knocking half off recently too. as for shoes, I picked up some fantastic oliver sweeney's in leeds. £80 from £240. bargain.

[carreauchompeur]

£500 return to Bangkok, £100 on suit. Happy days!

[Dupont666]

4nonymous said:

TM Lewin suit + a tailor = excellent fit.

They have a sale on every other hour so get one for around £200, take it to a tailor and he will do all the alterations to make it a proper fitting suit.

Part of the deal is to send it to their tailor if Im not mistaken as all their suits come unadjusted and I cant think that a tailor will be any cheaper than using their own.

Suits are not bad from there... Shirts on the otherhand are crap and keep tearing on the elbows.

[anonymous-user]

I have a TM Lewin suit that's worn really well, still looks fresh, but the trousers seem to crease easier than any other I've ever owned, they can be pressed and crisp when I leave the house but by 11am they look like I've slept in them!

[ascayman]

if your in london pop down to cordings on picidilly. about £500/£600 should get you an off the peg jobbie which will then be altered much better quality than those mentioned above imho.

[W124Bob]

Charity shop and £490 on petrol surely!

[lauda]

There are loads of small independent tailors who will make you a fantastic suit for £500.

Anyone who spends more than £300 on off-the-peg is crazy IMO. As for Hugo Boss, don't even get me started.

[andy400]

4nonymous said:

TM Lewin suit + a tailor = excellent fit.

They have a sale on every other hour so get one for around £200, take it to a tailor and he will do all the alterations to make it a proper fitting suit.

Another vote for Lewins. My most recent suit is from them, £225 including small alterations by their own tailor and it's superb, fits beautifully, seems to be very well made.

Hugo Boss £500 is, IMO, £250 for the suit, £250 for the name. Unlikely to be any better than a Lewin suit.

[Cheeky Jim]

I've bought my last 5 suits from Brook Taverner


Very good quality, but not ridiculous cost. They also offer free delivery, free hemming/alterations and quite honestly, they have the best customer service I've ever come across.

[fieldl]

http://www.kingandallen.co.uk/

[Arese]

lauda said:

There are loads of small independent tailors who will make you a fantastic suit for £500.

Anyone who spends more than £300 on off-the-peg is crazy IMO. As for Hugo Boss, don't even get me started.

Go on, out of curiosity, what is wrong with Hugo Boss?

[lauda]

Arese said:

lauda said:

There are loads of small independent tailors who will make you a fantastic suit for £500.

Anyone who spends more than £300 on off-the-peg is crazy IMO. As for Hugo Boss, don't even get me started.

Go on, out of curiosity, what is wrong with Hugo Boss?

Just poor quality materials and construction for the price. The suggestion above that you are paying £250 for the name and £250 for suit is an insult to most £250 suits. All in my opinion of course

[Cara Van Man]

If you are prepared to pay £500 for off the peg, why not go a little further and get 'made to measure'.

I did, and it's worth it. [loreal] Because I'm worth it.[/loreal]

[Arese]

lauda said:

Arese said:

lauda said:

There are loads of small independent tailors who will make you a fantastic suit for £500.

Anyone who spends more than £300 on off-the-peg is crazy IMO. As for Hugo Boss, don't even get me started.

Go on, out of curiosity, what is wrong with Hugo Boss?

Just poor quality materials and construction for the price. The suggestion above that you are paying £250 for the name and £250 for suit is an insult to most £250 suits. All in my opinion of course

I only ask because I have one, and it seems to be very well made. I'm no expert, but the guy who is providing our wedding suits said it was a nice suit.

But, I must have lost a bit of weight since I bought it as the jacket is a bit too big, and i'm a bit scared to take it to a random tailor in case he breaks it!