Choosing a man's suit

[bastich]

Even though I dislike (read hate) wearing a shirt & tie, I need to wear them for work most of the week, and given the weather is warming up slightly, I think I may try and get used to wearing a suit for work.

However, I don't actually know what you are meant to look for in terms of fit.
I don't intend to spend massive money on it either, since I don't believe that equates with quality anymore (if it ever did!).

So, what should I look for in a suit?

[TheStifster]

As someone who wears a suit every day, believe me you pays for what you get and it is worth spending money (at least €300) on a good suit.

The suit company 9top of Grafton St) have a good selection starying at that price, i got a Cerrutti 18something or other at christmas and i am well pleased with it.

Avoid the likes of Next or any of the other british chain stores.

And get yourself a nice pair of shoes while you're at it.

Right so Ted (Baker)

[wolfbag]

Stifster's right, a cheap suit might look OK on the hanger and when you try it on, but once you wear it a few times and especially if you stand beside someone wearing a decent suit it will look...eeehm...cheap. I don't wear one for work, and normally avoid like the plague, but I splashed out on a Cerrutti one a while back and it actually makes me want to wear one more. Make sure the jacket isn't too big, I always used to make this mistake as I wasn't used to wearing a suit and tried to go for the same fit I'd expect from a denim jacket. Though you don't want to look like a TV3 news presenter either who has been poured into the yoke. Probably best off spending a reasonable amount on shirts & ties as well as they'll spoil the overall effect otherwise.

Before you listen to my fashion advice though you should know that any day that I'm not wearing an old pair of German combats and a t-shirt out of Dunnes is a strange day indeed.

[DNS]

Look to spead at least €250 - €300 as said. Suit co is good - so would be 'Arnotts' or even 'Bests' (I kid you not). some places might have sales soon so check out Copelands or any of the places in the upper tiers of the Stephens Green centre to see whats going on.

M&S do good shirts & ties without being too dear. With it coming into Summer be sure you either go for a colour that won't show sweat or you go for a material that won't show it.

Buy new shoes - not patent leather pointy things & NOTHING with a silver buckle across it. Seriously - have a goo in Clarkes, they last forever.

[bastich]

Ok, I get the point about accessorising, but the problem I have is with the actual fit of a suit.
How can you tell if it's hanging right? Other than asking somebody on a commission.

I mean that I can easily see if it's too tight, in the Norman Wisdom sense, but if you buy a suit with a 42 inch chest, it's usually paired with a 36 inch trousers (way too big for me), and I'd assume that the jacket has an allowance built in for the beer belly!

So, if you are standing in front of the shop mirror what are the signs you look for?

[SonicVee]

Choose a practical colour, charcoals or chalk-stripe greys are good. Also, if you've got the build for it, go for flat front trousers (pleats are strange looking) and a 3 or 4 button single-breasted jacket. Its a much sleeker look.

[Sparks]

Now me, I'd be off to Louis Copeland on Wicklow St., but I'm dead classy, I am...

[TheStifster]

John Taylor on Baggot St beside the Waterloo/Searson's are good too.

When I was in the SuitCompany there was a blonde bird there with a fantastic rack, she was helpful enough too. Any decent shop will alter the pants and jackets.

Sonic is spot on (imho!) with the style, don't go for a collarlesss suit or a three piece Ford Super Sunday style

[SonicVee]

Originally posted by bastich
So, if you are standing in front of the shop mirror what are the signs you look for?

Try on the suit with a proper dress shirt, belt, tie and shoes. You'll know if it fits comfortably and check the mirror to make sure there's no bunching across the back and shoulders when the jackets buttoned. Trouser should fall over your shoes laces.

Don't buy anything that will require major alterations like your 36in example. It can be done but will ruin the shape. Rather spend the extra and get something that fits well in the first place.

[bastich]

Originally posted by Sparks
Now me, I'd be off to Louis Copeland on Wicklow St., but I'm dead classy, I am...
A student in a suit??
That's just weird! :p

[jdf]

As an occasional suit wearer I look at it like this - on any given day when you are in casuals you'll probably be wearing about €500 worth of clothes (when you cost your shoes*, jeans, shirt, jumper / jacket) so you should budget a similar amount for your suit.

A classic suit in a good colour and cut will be timeless and so can be worn occasionally for years without looking dated. A good suit is something people notice. As time passes you can update the shirt and tie to whatever the prevailing trends are.

If you are worried about what style suits you then I would advise a trip to a propper shop where the salesmen can show you different styles and advise you on what would be best on you. I would recommend a trip to Coplands or FX Kellys. Arnotts would be a good bet also. The summer sales will be here shortly so if you can wait I'd drop in then and you will get a serious suit for relatively small money.

*Good shoes are important also. I would always have a good pair of "suit" shoes that I don't wear casually. They are all leather and, as with the suit a classic style.

[bastich]

Originally posted by jdf
on any given day when you are in casuals you'll probably be wearing about €500 worth of clothes (when you cost your shoes*, jeans, shirt, jumper / jacket) so you should budget a similar amount for your suit.
Not a fucking hope in hell! :mad:
I don't wear "labels" so at a push my total replacement cost would be under the € 200 mark. ;)

Originally posted by jdf
If you are worried about what style suits you then I would advise a trip to a propper shop where the salesmen can show you different styles and advise you on what would be best on you.

The summer sales will be here shortly so if you can wait I'd drop in then and you will get a serious suit for relatively small money.
I'll probably have to do this, even though the "can I help you" aspect of those shops creeps me out. :(
I much prefer walking in checking the rails for my size, trying it on if I need to, paying, then walking out!

[murph2]

Originally posted by bastich



I'll probably have to do this, even though the "can I help you" aspect of those shops creeps me out. :(
I much prefer walking in checking the rails for my size, trying it on if I need to, paying, then walking out! You can't do that with a suit. It's just the way it is fella.

[julia]

Do NOT buy tapered trousers, they make your legs look short. Pleated trousers make you look tubby around the waist.

Single breasted jacket is best if you're broad-chested. Double-breasted looks a bit gangster-ish, in a Sopranos kind of way, on anyone who isn't thin.

Don't go for anything too trendy, classic is always best.

Ask someone who works in the shop to help you with sizes. You should be able to buy a jacket seperate from trousers.

Jazz it up. You can mix patterns, but make sure the colours blend.

And get it tailored if you need to. A man in an ill-fitting suit looks silly.

[damnnamething2001]

Gotta go with the group here....nothing in a cheap suit looks good for long, if it ever does. Never been much for single breasted, and in spite of the occasional opinion of a gangster look, a well fitted double breasted can look pretty sweet. . Not sure they always look so good on overly large (chubby) fellas, but I've always been fortunate enough to be fairly slender (though a slight paunch creeps in on occasion).
My favorite suit ever was a Hugo Boss double breasted in an outrageously rich black. My second favorite was a Hugo Boss silk number in off white.

Anyway, the trick is to find something that fits you well, suits your build, and that you feel flatters you. Don't go cheap, get something you will always be proud to wear.

[BB]

couldn't agree more... men looking sharp in good suits... mmm :D

[Robbie]

do suits add an extra edge then?

[Krissanth]

I bought my boyfriend the BEST suit, custom tailored for less than 400.00 Very high quality work. They take about 10000000 measurements, then take your picture from the front and side profiles to cut your jacket for your posture. The name is Raja Fashions (Cheesy name, but he's from Hong Kong), and they come to Dublin about once a month or so. They take a room at the Four Seasons, and you make a fitting appointment there and he posts the suit to you in a few weeks. There's adds in the papers advertising the dates of his fittings. HIGHLY recommended. Very class work.

[BB]

no not really... i just meant that sometimes its good to see a nice looking man in a sharp suit

[Robbie]

did you miss the pun or play on words?

you said "men looking sharp in good suits"

i said do suits add an extra edge then

Sharp edge??????????

[BB]

thats crap

[Robbie]

ho i thou it was quiet clever.

*goes off to sulk* last time i try a joke

[aken]

The suit master has arriveed!

Dont but cheep suits, they make you look cheap.

Its really important to spend some money ona good suit, if you are in any way shrange shape/sizeed I'd recommend you get one tailored. Think of it was an investment!

and look after your suits, propper hangers and for gos sake get them dry cleaned!

[BB]

**swoons over aken**

ha ha ! :D

he's back! i know you were yesterday but i was a bit under the influence :)

[Robbie]

a bit under the influance are you sure it was only a bit??????????

[aken]

I'm leaving again on monday Bunnie.

Abu Dhabi can't do without me for more than a few days!

I am "under the influence" at the moment.

[aken]

Go on ribbie boy, spill teh beans what was the nasty little how trying to get you to do? ;)

[Robbie]

Originally posted by aken
Go on ribbie boy, spill teh beans what was the nasty little how trying to get you to do? ;)

What are you under the infulance of aken????

cause by your post it seems like some good shit, where do you get it?

[aken]

Strictly alcohol Robbie!

[Robbie]

ahhh on the liquid stuff, whats your tipple at the moment?

[BB]

Originally posted by aken
Go on ribbie boy, spill teh beans what was the nasty little how trying to get you to do? ;)

:divil:

[aken]

at the moment its a Fara Cornagging Riserva, jusr a bit nasty. I;ve been on the berr all day though!

[Robbie]

what the fuck is Fara Cornagging Riserva???

[aken]

WIne, Italian wine.

[BB]

ahh wine. makes me whine

:D

[aken]

makes me sick/

[BB]

its cos you're gay

:D

[Robbie]

Originally posted by aken
WIne, Italian wine.

Just goes to show you learn someting new everyday

[aken]

With what I drink tpday I thinkl I've fortog most thingfs!

[Robbie]

even your typing :D

[BB]

Originally posted by Robbie
even your typing :D

hey kettle boy... leave those pots alone!!

:p


**legs it**

[aken]

Originally posted by aken
With what I driank today I thinkl I'll forget most things!

[Robbie]

Ho so sorry

*puts down kettle gently* :D

[aken]

AH i wanted to edit and I quoted!

[Robbie]

stop drinking before you do some real damage :D

[RainyDay]

Originally posted by Krissanth
The name is Raja Fashions (Cheesy name, but he's from Hong Kong), and they come to Dublin about once a month or so. They take a room at the Four Seasons, and you make a fitting appointment there and he posts the suit to you in a few weeks. There's adds in the papers advertising the dates of his fittings.

But isn't it funny how Mr Raja always seems to have just run out of the material used for the 'special price' suits that he quotes in his adverts?

[harveythewonderhorse]

any other opinions one of those suits from him??

[Krissanth]

interesting - I didn't know about that, but then, I didn't buy the special priced suits...I went to him on the recommendation of a friend, and both myself and the S.O are very happy with the results...I feel the price paid was worth the product. Much better care taken than one off the rack :)

[CookieMonster]

Sounds like a scam to me!