For those of us with tight budgets, which vendor offers the best quality? Banana Outlet suits? Brooks outlet suits? Brooks suiting essentials during their sales? Jos A. Bank? I've checked out Filene's Basement and found that I can't afford their deals. A $1200 suit marked down to $800 doesn't help. Any opinions on the Brooks outlet line?
Best of the Worst: Which Cheap Suits to Buy?
tocqueville
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For those of us with tight budgets, which vendor offers the best quality? Banana Outlet suits? Brooks outlet suits? Brooks suiting essentials during their sales? Jos A. Bank? I've checked out Filene's Basement and found that I can't afford their deals. A $1200 suit marked down to $800 doesn't help. Any opinions on the Brooks outlet line?
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You need to provide a definition of "cheap."
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If you know your measurements, and you know the measurements of a jacket that fits you very well, you can usually get some very good deals on the Sale forums here on AAAC or on StyleForum.net. Sometimes you can get some very nice high quality suits for the $400-$500 mark. Also be sure to check EBay and Thrift stores.
Of what you've mentioned, you're probably the best off with Brooks Brothers. I think instead of settling for a cheap and poorly made suit, you should make do with what you already have and save your pennies until you can afford a decent suit. It does you no good to waste money on an ill-fitting poorly constructed suit.
I go with NM Last Call or even a Ralph Lauren outlet - but, you have to be diligent in your search OR develop a relationship with a salesperson (who knows your size, what you are looking for and will contact you when he sees something that fits the bill). I bought a grey pinstriped $1200 Hickey Freeman suit at NM Last Call for $110. It was marked down to $440 less 75%. At Ralph Lauren outlets I bought a navy $1800 RL Blue Label suit for $200. It was marked down to $795 less 75%.
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I would steer clear of the BB Outlet line. They are not worth $300. If you know your size there are some deals to be had online at JAB. They have a clearance section on the site that will sometimes offer their Signature line suits for under $200. I picked up a Signature suit a few months back for $85.
Although I no longer buy them, I regard JAB suits as being entirely serviceable for business dress. I've even seen colleagues wearing JAB suits be complimented on them (not by people I'd consider arbiters of taste, but still...).
They won't last forever, they won't magically make you look thinner or taller, but they will work reasonably well for a period of time. And they go on sale for huge discounts on a frequent basis.
They won't last forever, they won't magically make you look thinner or taller, but they will work reasonably well for a period of time. And they go on sale for huge discounts on a frequent basis.
I made the mistake of purchase a BB outlet suit a few years back. It is a mistake that I wouldn't repeat. The fabric isn't nice, and there is a significant drop from the standard BB suit to the outlet suits.
I think you will get a very decent and serviceable suit from JAB. I don't much care for their suits, but as a starter suit, certainly a good way to go.
I would really recommend waiting until BB's sale. Their semi-annual sale will start the day after Christmas, and if you go early in the morning, they typically offer an additional discount. If you can get an 1818 suit for $500 or under, you will be very pleased. If that is still out of your range, than I would probably consider a suiting essentials suit.
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Agreed. I think this is one of the better options considering that there is none of the "uncertainty" associated with other forms of retail discount. JAB is virtually guaranteed to have an outrageous sale on at any given time and they have a huge stock to draw from. And while many here (including myself) tend to be a little snobby about our suits, JAB stuff is frankly nicer than 75% of the stuff you see in the workplace.
You can consistently get suits from JAB's Executive and Traveller lines for about $300; just don't be so cheap that you don't have it properly tailored b/c then you will simply be wasting what money you spend.
This is sound advice in my opinion. eBay and thrift shops can offer some superb deals, but patience is usually required.
Knowing a good alterations tailor is however key to success, if you want to get a nice, well fitting suit for not that lot of money. I can't really offer any opinion on JAB, as they aren't sold here.
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Go with JAB suits. Most of their goods are not of the highest quality, but for the money, they're a good deal if budget is a concern. It helps to take care of the clothes too. Quite frankly, there are worse things than having your wardrobe come from JAB. You'll still be better attired than most.
Stay away from Perry Ellis clothes...crap.
Stay away from Perry Ellis clothes...crap.
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I couldn't have said this any better myself. Personally, I think JAB suits look, fit, and feel great on me, but that's just my opinion. However, if you go the JAB way...DO NOT purchase a suit at full price. They will always have a promotion going on (buy 1 get one free, buy 1 get 2 free). Right now they have their Executive line on sale for $179-$249, which is good. Some people in the forum stay away from JAB (but only when they compare them to the high end suits). For a price tag around the $150-$300 mark, I doubt you will find better. And yes...stay away from Perry Ellis clothes. I bought a pair of Perry Ellis pants just to play golf in - the threading was loose after one round (luckily I got them on sale for around $20-$25 though...haha).
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I bought a BB Outlet suit in an emergency during a business trip last November, and the suit didn't last a year (worn sparingly). They are made with 3% lycra, but the suit always held wrinkles.
I have a few JAB suits that were less money and have held up much better. JAB gets no love on this forum, but a lot has to due with aggressive marketing and ridiculous "retail" prices.
There is a big jump quality from JAB to the BB 1818 line. You will be well served if you have time to wait for a BB sale and can afford the upgrade to the 1818.
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Why are Perry Ellis' clothing considered bad? Is it the brand as a whole or certain lines?
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I have only experienced the pants in Perry Ellis. However, my brother bought a Perry Ellis suit and said it was GARBAGE. He got it on sale for $150, but said it's not even worth that. The suit seemed almost "rough" to the touch, and wrinkled to an absurd extent. To each their own, but I know I will not purchase anything from that line again. I'm better off going to Walmart to pick up some pants for golf next time, rather than the PE line again.
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By cheap I guess I mean around $200. Certainly below $500.
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For that money, find a Syms and get their Hickey Freeman Ltd (half canvass). You may even find a Hickey Freeman Madison/Vanguard (full canvassed) for that price.
In the alternative, watch the B&S subforum at Styleforum for a while. You are bound to find some killer deals for the price.
Try a local tailor in the DC area. Ask to see finished garments abandoned by other clients (they always have plenty of this stuff)...whether it was bespoke or RTW. See if they fit you, and then haggle. To them, something is better than nothing...naturally bring cash.
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