How much would you spend on a suit?

Bren1609

I have to buy 4 suits for work that can take a bit of general day to day wear and tear.

I was looking at suits in M&S today which vary from €200 - €300 but I was also in Louis Copeland looking at a few Strellson suits which were very nice but they're twice the price, multiply that by four and it's close to 2 grand.

How much would you spend on suit or any suggestions where to buy them?

BankMan

I like "next" suits. Around the €200 mark and fairly durable. I also like bertoni (best for slim builds), but probably closer to the €300 mark, and heavier.

Otis Driftwood

Defo shop around.There are alot of places with half price sales.I recently picked a gorgeous suit,shirt and tie for 180 quids.

thunderdan

Shop around alright, but why dont you buy 2-3 generic, and then 1-2 good quality suits? Always good to have 1 suit that makes you feel great...

Keano

I spent nearly €400 on my current suit. It fits like a glove and makes me feel good.

If I had to wear ones for work I would be going to place like Debenhams and Next to get some good everyday suits.

Fajitas!

I'd idealy spend 500ish on a work suit with the money availible, though I'd prefer to be spending the 1500 mark. I'm hard on clothes, so I know I'd fly through the suit though, bespoke or not.

helimachoptor

Depends, got myself a couple of suits from best menswear 2-300. Got one in Dun Laoghaire beside bloomfields, my very first suit for €400 but got myself 4 CK suits in NY for $700 last october, most likely will go back

Khannie

How much would I spend? As much as I could afford. If you're in a job where a suit is a requirement then looking good is a requirement and a good suit makes a difference IMO.

Stheno

Khannie wrote: »

How much would I spend? As much as I could afford. If you're in a job where a suit is a requirement then looking good is a requirement and a good suit makes a difference IMO.

+1 I have to wear either suits or dresses for work and I've found that spending money on well fitting suits/dresses means they last longer, fit better, and I feel good in them.

Generally a good suit will last me the best part of three years, and whilst I might spend up to €500 initially, given that I'll wear it approx. 150 times in those three years, that's €3.33 per wear. If I buy a Dunnes/Next suit, I'll get far less wear out of them albeit for a much lower price (maybe 30 wears?) and cost wise it will be the same.

Now I'm a funny size and leg length and I find it easier to buy more expensive suits as they fit better, but imo they are worth the investment.

Gillo

I'd go with Debenham's or M&S. Debenhams have a sale on this weekend also. Arnotts can also be good if you are in Dublin.

My advice because I'm guessing at the moment you don't wear a suit, spend between two and three hundred each at the moment and try Louis Copeland at a later stage, they have nice stuff be you do pay that bit extra.

--amadeus--

Self employed now so don't have to wear a suit every day anymore but anyhoo.

Buy 2 suits, in "grown up" colours - dark blue and charcoal grey are the best, black can look like a funeral. Then buy a range of shirts and ties, with 8 or 9 ties and a range of different shirts styles no one will notice you are cycling through the same two suits. Go for simple, classical styling, single breasted, no turnups, aim for style not fashion. Some people buy 2 pairs of trousers with each jacket as trousers often wear faster than jackets.

For white shirts you might as well go cheap - I can never get them to stay that sharp bright white. Most of my shirts are blue/white, small check or gingham style looks well with a dark suit. Look here for some ideas. Always go double cuff, never short sleved or with a pocket.

Ties you can buy a bundle cheaply and add a really nice classicly styled designer tie every couple of months. And don't forget the polished shoes!

I bought a YSL suit for the equivalent of a week and a bits wages when I first started working and - over a decade later - it's still in the wardrobe and (as teh only black suit I own!) it gets puled out for funerals and looks fine. Last buy was a Boss suit from BT. I can't remember how much I paid but it was a lot, but its a really simple style and won't go out of fashion so I can see myself wearing it for years.

Cheap suits *always* look cheap and cheap suits never buy credibility. You want the people you deal with to think of you as on the ball and professional - if your trouser knees are shiny and the elbow on your jacket is threadbare then you won't project the right image. Spend as much on 2 good suits as you would 3 cheaper ones and put the rest into quality shirts, ties, shoes and cufflinks. Get a couple of quality bits and pad out with cheaper and buy a really good item every couple of months and you will be grand

CDfm

I am not a fan of Bests.

I am with those who say 300 plus.

I have a few CK suits and they are hard wearing and good.I would buy in Louis Copeland rather than M&S.

Look out for Bertoni sales and special offers you can pick up a decent suit for 150 in their sale. I have lots of good shirts and tend to avoid M&S, Dunnes and vPenneys for shirts.

anonymous_joe

As much as I possibly could is my answer.

Shallow or not I hold with my old man's theory that the clothes maketh the man. People respect a good suit.

Places like Ted Baker, etc, can do nice cheap suits if you're young. Also, a good option is buying them abroad if possible. Certain countries do 'em for much cheaper.

Creamy Goodness

i only wear zegna suits, you get what you pay for.

CoachBoone

I'd spend €40 on a no brand, no name, very well fitting suit before Id spend €400+ on some brand name where the shoulders are too big or the ass sags.

What im trying to say is, spend as much as is needed to get a suit with a great fit, EVERYTHING else is secondary.

PCPhoto

why not get a suit tailor made .... so .... it will actually fit properly..... know a couple of guys who set up an online business (I dont know if its still running or not - I guess so) ....but they were measuring and getting suits tailored.

Cant remember the website name - but should have one of the lads business cards somewhere.... will post the details (website name) ...if I find it.

OldGoat

I'm a bit weird in that I wear jeans to work and get changed into a suit when I get home or go out. I like a suit.
I pay a minimum of €500 for a suit because that is the cheapest bespoke suit I've managed to find (An Online tailor). Off the rail and altered dosen't work for me, I end up with a suit that looks likes it's been altered to make it fit...if that makes sense.
For a proper working wardrobe I have always figured that you need 5 suits and a handful of jackets to mix it up a bit. What --amadeus-- said in his post makes lots of sense, re-read his post and use it.
Remember that you don't have to buy all your suits at once. Get two suits now and get another one every few months after that, and in a year you'll have 5 suits.
Don't skimp on accessories. Shoes , ties, cufflinks, belts, braces. Don't make a good suit look cheap by using a plastic belt or scruffy, worn, down at heel shoes.
Always think classic before fashionalbe. When you have a base wardrobe built then you can go mad with fashion suits.
Don't get hung up on labels! Very few people can tell an Armani from a generic Bests suit tbh. When you have the basics then you can go for lables if you want to.

Finally, remember to ask questions in F&A. Lots of good suit discussions there.:)

Will

My da bought a boss suit a few years back. It is amazing and still looks stylish. I've tried it on and love it. Really want my own.

Great advice here lads

CDfm

There is some great value out there but you have to know where to buy and what to shop for.

Amadeus is right - accessorise correctly -shoes, belts and cuff links. I dont really like Next but their shirts are great in my size.

Shoes - I have spent 200 on a pair a few years back which were a fantastic buy.I bought a Hugo Boss wool coat and its the business.

Suits - I have a Dax that I love. I can be hard on suits and will buy 5 every year or so. I go for a fashionable cut so M & S are not for me ever.

A suit should sit right and pay particular attention to the shoulders and their finish. On a jacket pick the style you like. I dont like double breasted. A suit jacket should button up. A 4 button jacket all the way or leave it open - 3 button only the centre button. So see how it looks the way it is intended to be worn.

The same with the trousers - how is the seat -you dont want a saggy arse but its important that the feel right if you "dress" from the right or left (ballroom).So funtionality too -if you wear a suit in an office see what it feels like sitting down.

Bren1609

nedtheshed wrote: »

Defo shop around.There are alot of places with half price sales.I recently picked a gorgeous suit,shirt and tie for 180 quids.

Where was that?

Bren1609

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Self employed now so don't have to wear a suit every day anymore but anyhoo.

Buy 2 suits, in "grown up" colours - dark blue and charcoal grey are the best, black can look like a funeral. Then buy a range of shirts and ties, with 8 or 9 ties and a range of different shirts styles no one will notice you are cycling through the same two suits. Go for simple, classical styling, single breasted, no turnups, aim for style not fashion. Some people buy 2 pairs of trousers with each jacket as trousers often wear faster than jackets.

For white shirts you might as well go cheap - I can never get them to stay that sharp bright white. Most of my shirts are blue/white, small check or gingham style looks well with a dark suit. Look here for some ideas. Always go double cuff, never short sleved or with a pocket.

Ties you can buy a bundle cheaply and add a really nice classicly styled designer tie every couple of months. And don't forget the polished shoes!

I bought a YSL suit for the equivalent of a week and a bits wages when I first started working and - over a decade later - it's still in the wardrobe and (as teh only black suit I own!) it gets puled out for funerals and looks fine. Last buy was a Boss suit from BT. I can't remember how much I paid but it was a lot, but its a really simple style and won't go out of fashion so I can see myself wearing it for years.

Cheap suits *always* look cheap and cheap suits never buy credibility. You want the people you deal with to think of you as on the ball and professional - if your trouser knees are shiny and the elbow on your jacket is threadbare then you won't project the right image. Spend as much on 2 good suits as you would 3 cheaper ones and put the rest into quality shirts, ties, shoes and cufflinks. Get a couple of quality bits and pad out with cheaper and buy a really good item every couple of months and you will be grand

Good stuff here, why no pockets on the shirts tho?

Also, I'm not a big fan of the double cuffs and links, it's too celtic tiger nouveau riche for my taste. I can see them now, thirty something males wearing pink shirts with white cuffs and collars, no tie, 2 shirt buttons open and to top it off a pair of brown Italian leather shoes.

Spot on about the polished shoes and belt. The real reason I like the shirt pocket is because I like to keep a pen in there and the cuffs are not practicle for me as I like to roll up my sleeves in the afternoon.

Creamy Goodness

Bren1609 wrote: »

Where was that?

frewyn and aleward (spelling) in dun laoghaire have some suits at 50% off at the moment.

CDfm

If you are going to go for cuff-links then double cuffs are really nice. You really shouldn't be afraid of looking well.

Be practical.Pockets are for casual shirts etc where you don't wear a jacket- when I worked in sales I had lots of sleeveless white shirts with pockets and wore them with suits. The reason being cuffs got dirty and sleeves got in the way.

A doctor or dentist with a tie and shirt sleeves is a health hazard.
No use wearing Armani if you are visiting a building site.

Also - look out for standard suits that a worn in your occupation. Chartered accountants often wear blue pinstripe and lawyers grey/charcoal pinstripe.They do so out of professional image.

--amadeus--

Bren1609 wrote: »

Good stuff here, why no pockets on the shirts tho?

It depends on who you want to look like this or this

I suppose it depends on circumstances and where you work. I began work in the City so I've always liked classical English styling but comfort is important. If you feel uncomfortable or self concious in something then no matter how good it looks on the hanger you won't look good in it.

Good advice from CD & Old Goat there as well. We should set up "forum eye for the scruffy guy"...

Red Sleeping Beauty

Bargain bin in Arnotts (or somwhere like Pennys/Dunnes) or charity shop only.

CDfm

Alan Rouge wrote: »

Bargain bin in Arnotts (or somwhere like Pennys/Dunnes) or charity shop only.

This would merit a Troll Alert in F&A .........as in dresses like a

Bren1609

Anyone ever bought a Suit in TW Lewin on South Ann Street? They're doing some good deals at the moment.

LegacyUser

On the slighlty upper end of the scale ...

I recently spent E900 on a Gieves and Hawkes :O I don't recommend it ... you feel good for the few hours a year you wear it, but dirty and wasteful the rest of the time.

There is (or recently was) an amazing 3 piece in Ted Baker on Grafton St. for E500, but it really is a very nice suit.

Abrahams told me you could get one made at the moment for about E600 because the material is so cheap.

the_syco

CDfm wrote: »

Also - look out for standard suits that a worn in your occupation. Chartered accountants often wear blue pinstripe and lawyers grey/charcoal pinstripe.They do so out of professional image.

Interesting. Never looked at it that way. Got a suit maybe 5 years ago in River Island for €150'ish. Have worn the same one since. Only wear it at weddings, interviews, etc. Have gone through a few shirts, though.

CDfm

the_syco wrote: »

Interesting. Never looked at it that way. Got a suit maybe 5 years ago in River Island for €150'ish. Have worn the same one since. Only wear it at weddings, interviews, etc. Have gone through a few shirts, though.

In some occupations going for interviews it may not matter( a technical interview) but in others it will. If you are trying to give an image that you are successful in your current role and will fit in /blend in your next one it can be important - like will you scrub up well to meet a major client.

Zulu

I spent a fair whack on an armani last year. Could claim part of it back which is why I went the extra yard mile.

It looks class. Worth it imho.

CDfm

What do you mean by claiming part of it back?

Zulu

I'm self-employed, so as a buisness expense (ie: I require a suit for business meetings/generating new business/site visits) I can claim an element of the overall cost back against my gross earnings.

Red Sleeping Beauty

CDfm wrote: »

This would merit a Troll Alert in F&A .........as in dresses like a

Fashion and Appearance forum ?
Do people wear the price tag on the lapels or something ?

CDfm

Alan Rouge wrote: »

Fashion and Appearance forum ?
Do people wear the price tag on the lapels or something ?

You dont have too. You cant put a price on style;)

--amadeus--

Alan Rouge wrote: »

Do people wear the price tag on the lapels or something ?

Probably the biggest misconception of them all. I buy quality suits because they last longer and so are cheaper in the long run. And designer suits usually look better, so you get better value.

Deliberately skimping on the money you spend on clothes is a false economy, they wear out faster, look a lot worse a lot sooner and (in a professional context) can do you more harm than good.

The flip side is also true - spending money won't automatically make you look good (have you seen the price of English Premiership football jerseys? :eek:)

Nor will just buying designer gear automatically make you sophisticated - walking round bedecked in logo's is soooo last season

dotzy

i would say pennys, good spread of cheap suits there

enda1

Hey OP what type work are you getting into that you need suits? Everything depends on the image you are trying to put across.

Layer,
sales,
accountancy,
engineering,
etc.

Red Sleeping Beauty

--amadeus-- wrote: »

Probably the biggest misconception of them all. I buy quality suits because they last longer and so are cheaper in the long run. And designer suits usually look better, so you get better value.

Deliberately skimping on the money you spend on clothes is a false economy, they wear out faster, look a lot worse a lot sooner and (in a professional context) can do you more harm than good.

The flip side is also true - spending money won't automatically make you look good (have you seen the price of English Premiership football jerseys? :eek:)

Nor will just buying designer gear automatically make you sophisticated - walking round bedecked in logo's is soooo last season

6 years later and I still have the €100 bargain bin suit from Arnotts. I also have fabulous €15 jeans frmo Pennys last me years.

CDfm

Alan Rouge wrote: »

6 years later and I still have the €100 bargain bin suit from Arnotts. I also have fabulous €15 jeans frmo Pennys last me years.

What type of work do you do and do you wear a suit for work? Do you meet clients on behalf of a business?

Red Sleeping Beauty

If I was meeting clients I'd wear my bargain bin suit

Gran Hermano

Horses for courses is all I have to say

CDfm

Alan Rouge wrote: »

If I was meeting clients I'd wear my bargain bin suit

Which goes to show you have an eye for a bargain. Boyer's used to sell Magee's in their basement and an ex colleague of mine shopped there. He also wore bicycle clips:p

There is nothing wrong with going to the sales and end of sales for bargains.

enda1

Just a quick anecdote to mull over...

A guy I know is a multi-millionaire developer (still is by the way).

What he always drove was a Merc S320CDi elegance range bought second hand about 6-9 years old then he'd trade up.

He does not do this because he was a frugal guy, he throws his money around when he wants to, but did it for the following reason.

If you wanna make a business deal which involves money and haggling and you get driven in in your Maybach, walk out in with your rolex and armani suit, about how much bargaining power do you think you have?

This lad always plays the family business, successful but good hard worker card. Where money goes into the business and not his pocket so profits are small he's not trying to screw them type game.

Appearance is crucial and entirely dependent on what impression you want to leave.

Sometimes also the best impression to leave is those of your words and not of your label.

Zulu

Enda, you're making a good few assumptions there.
For one: the lable is inside the jacket, in order for someone to see it they'd need x-ray eyes, or you'd have to show it to them. Either of them options are so bizarre they don't warrant comment.
Secondly: depending on the industry you work in the suit/car doesn't matter. In my industry is dosen't matter.
Thirdly: you're making assumptions on who you meeting. You could have the flash car because it's a company car, or you could be on a salary. Generally speaking you'd be representing a business, not yourself, so the funds wouldn't be personal. As such the suit & car would have nothing to do with bargaining power.

...just things to consider.

enda1

Zulu wrote: »

Enda, you're making a good few assumptions there.
For one: the lable is inside the jacket, in order for someone to see it they'd need x-ray eyes, or you'd have to show it to them. Either of them options are so bizarre they don't warrant comment.
Secondly: depending on the industry you work in the suit/car doesn't matter. In my industry is doesn't matter.
Thirdly: you're making assumptions on who you meeting. You could have the flash car because it's a company car, or you could be on a salary. Generally speaking you'd be representing a business, not yourself, so the funds wouldn't be personal. As such the suit & car would have nothing to do with bargaining power.

...just things to consider.

I didn't assume anything - I gave an anecdote related to one situation.

My point was that it depends on industry!

Why do you say that generally speaking you are representing a business? Many people are self employed and thus representing themselves, and even if there is a business in between it will be theirs.

Humans base a lot on first impressions and visual impressions. If I sit in a meeting with a supplier for a number of hours, we will have coffee breaks and probably lunch together and over the course of this I will have ascertained a lot about them including but not limited to their clothing, family life, car they drive, where they went on holiday etc. For a lot of these they can lie or downplay, buy the facts in front of me in their clothing and mode of transport can not be hidden!

Zulu

IMO nice cars mean nice car loans.
A suit is a suit, I couldn't tell if you were wearing a Hugo Boss or a Pennys. All I'm saying is, I don't mind spending a frw €€€ if it looks class, fits suberbly and I look bloody good in it. I don't think anybody can tell how much an individual suit costs by looking at it.

Rocking up to a meeting in a suit thats hanging off me isn't something I'd like to do.

enda1

Zulu wrote: »

IMO nice cars mean nice car loans.
A suit is a suit, I couldn't tell if you were wearing a Hugo Boss or a Pennys. All I'm saying is, I don't mind spending a frw €€€ if it looks class, fits suberbly and I look bloody good in it. I don't think anybody can tell how much an individual suit costs by looking at it.

Rocking up to a meeting in a suit thats hanging off me isn't something I'd like to do.

The world is not black and white, it doesn't have to be a choice between spending loads of money and a sh!t fitting suit.
You don't have to pay an enormous sum of money for a suit that fits well.

And I'm not saying there is anything wrong will looking well or wearing "class looking" suits! Hell if for example you are a lawyer then please go ahead and wear a very nice suit and look the business because the image you should portray is that of power, perfection and attention to detail. Whereas if you are the manager of GM don't go taking the company jet to the senate with your cap in hand looking for a bail out!

A bit of an extreme example maybe but you catch my drift

OldGoat

Bren1609 wrote: »

Anyone ever bought a Suit in TW Lewin on South Ann Street? They're doing some good deals at the moment.

Never bought a suit there but they are my first stop for everyday shirts. Good quality at a reasonable price. I just wish that they would do another collar type.

This would merit a Troll Alert in F&A .........as in dresses like a

Fashion and Appearance forum ?
Do people wear the price tag on the lapels or something ?

I think there is some serious underestimation of the F&A forum going on here. There is nothing in this thread that hasn't been discussed on numerous occasions there.

As for bargain basement and charity shops, I for one love them. I've scored some wonderful items in both places over the years. Also in car-boot sales, garage sales, house cleareances, auctions. Not always for clothes but for accessories, briefcases, spectacle frames, walking sticks, hats... Wandering around second hand shops is a favourite pastime.

tribulus

OldGoat this is the image I have of you right now:

OldGoat

I wish! Sadly I'm more like this only with less hair on top.