In need of a suit - where to start?

Charybdia on 04/09/2014 - 00:08
Last edited 04/09/2014 - 14:46

I have a wedding and a number of other formal events squashed in to a single weekend next month. I need a suit but do not know where to start. I did notice there was a sale on at Hallensteins http://www.hallensteins.com/specials. Do you think these are any good? Would it be a good investment to purchase a wool suit? I would be willing to spend around $350 but $300 would be preferred. Your wisdom and advice would be appreciated! Thanks people!

Edit: Sizing isn't an issue, I have a good idea of my size because I already own two suits

General Discussion

Comments

  • GLO on 04/09/2014 - 00:45

    TMLewin have great business shirts and their suits look great too!
    they have a store in King St Sydney

    Plus their online store

  • ethereal88 on 04/09/2014 - 07:23
    -7

    Wear some trackies and a hoody. Pffft, suits.

  • jellykingdom on 04/09/2014 - 11:33
    +1

    I would recommend heading to somewhere like Myers or David Jones, or somewhere that has a good suit section. Get yourself sized up properly so you know what sort of size you actually need. This will give you some flexibility. For e.g since i know my size and i am a fairly average build and height, I am relatively confident in buying suits online from Ozsale etc. Makes them an awful lot cheaper

    Then you can go shopping with a bit of confidence.

    Perhaps also do a bit of research on what suit styles you like, what shape/colour/cut matches your body/skin tone/hair colour etc and it will make looking a little easier

    I would totally recommend just getting a basic navy, black, or charcoal first up, and in a classic style. Those suits will never go out of fashion, and you'll keep them for years to come. Also very versatile

  • angelkulit025 on 04/09/2014 - 11:37
    +1

    Don't forgot to pass by DFO (essendon & South Wharf) if you're in Melbourne. You'll be amazed on the wide selection the stores have.

    • one man clan on 04/09/2014 - 12:30

      DFO is great.

      Avoid myer - they sell garbage in house stuff. David Jones is good during sales - I got a Paul Smith suit for ~$400.

      • Charybdia on 04/09/2014 - 13:44

        Seems like no sales, I am in Sydney and there is a DFO here. Thanks for the suggestion!

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2014 - 11:56

    If you have time for a holiday (and want one), one of the nearby south-east asian countries would be a good option.

  • arislan on 04/09/2014 - 13:18

    If you have a good grasp of your sizing (maybe try a friend or family's suits?), then ASOS is pretty good for suits for the budget challenged. They offer free shipping and returns (free pickup return only in non-rural areas).

    ASOS have sale offers pretty often and also student discounts that can stack on top of it.

    Topman is pretty decent too in terms of pricing, and they have a big store downtown.

  • djones145 on 04/09/2014 - 13:31

    will you be using the suit again in the next 6 months? 1 year ?

    maybe you should considering renting
    if you don't need to use it for a while, just rent, cause chances are you might change weight and then it'll be wasted

    • Charybdia on 04/09/2014 - 14:45

      I doubt I'll change weight, been the same weight/height for some time now. I go to events and appointments requiring formal attire every month to two months so I don't think it'll be wasted money.

  • Charybdia on 04/09/2014 - 13:42

    Some great suggestions that I will take on board, thanks guys. I already have a black suit (single button) and a charcoal suit (two buttons) the thing is I don't want to recycle the same suits for all the events I have that weekend. Also being a wedding I think I can justify the purchase of a new suit.

    @djones145 I will be using the suit in the future for work and other formal events.

    @lolbbq No time for a holiday unfortunately

    I have a reasonable idea of sizing as I have two suits already so that isn't so much of an issue.

    However I am still curious on your opinions on wool suits and also Hallensteins?

    Otherwise would love to continue hear your experiences and recommendations on suit shopping.

  • Annoying Source on 04/09/2014 - 13:46

    Myer.com.au have some pretty cheap suits on sale atm. Problem is sizing tho but if the size is right you can get one from around $150-$200, maybe more maybe less I haven't looked into it.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/09/2014 - 14:30
    +1

    OP, I can tell that you are referring to the purchase of another conventional business suit, but there's formal, and then there's FORMAL.

    To this day, my favourite suit is one I bought specifically for a wedding, but has since had much other use.
    The wedding in question wasn't a full-on frou-frou-city-do, so I wanted to look just a BIT less proper-penguin than my other (all navy) suits would allow.

    The suit I chose (still navy…), is technically an 'unstructured suit' - in that it is slightly looser around the shoulders, made from a lighter wool-blend and has a non-standard lining - but it's also particularly comfortable and still entirely appropriate to wear in any other circumstance.

    What I'm trying to get at (I think), is that whatever suit you buy (be patient, try on many), that suit should not only make you LOOK good, but make you FEEL great.

    If your other suits don't do that for you, and that - even more than the wedding - is the real motivation for buying a new one, keep that in mind.

    Happy shopping…
    Yeah, I know, it's a pain.

    • Charybdia on 04/09/2014 - 14:43

      The wedding doesn't require a tux/isn't black tie. But yeah you are correct, part of my motivation is to have a finer suit than my current two and to use that suit in to the future for other events, but yes will keep in mind what you are saying.

  • altomic on 08/09/2015 - 23:54

    OP shops. seriously.

    you should have a tux for wearing after 6pm, unless you're a farmer.

    Otherwise check out myer and hope they have some cool discounted ones.

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