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Suits for a Middle Aged guy

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baritone275

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello,

I'm new here, this is my first post. I hope it's not too long.

Health care professional, never needed suits for work, but now am being asked to give presentations to other professionals. I don't think my Dillard's/Macy's sportcoats and slacks will do it.

Fortunate enough to be able to spend relatively freely, but I just don't want to. I'm not able to recognize the cost-value relationship for Brioni, Kiton, etc. Happily married, so I don't need to impress any women with brand names. Not a fan of stuff made in China for various reasons. Italian suits 44L fit well.
I have a Canali and a Lubiam which are aging out stylewise. Canali was too expensive for the quality received, IMHO.

I see all manner of "Italian" suits on various websites. "$2000 suits for only $299 !" Names I never heard of: Natazzi, Nicoletti, Baroni, Georgio Valentino, Manzoni, Mantoni, great looking photos but unbelievable prices. Seems too good to be true...? Are these suits really made in Italy, or are they knockoffs with bogus "Made in Italy" tags?

Can anyone point me to a bona fide, "honest-business" source for a quite nice, compliment-worthy Italian suit? More interested in high quality/reasonable price than in brand names for their own sake. Looking for maximum impact per dollar spent, prefer not to exceed 600 unless the quality/price equation is exceptional.

Looking forward to any and all comments. Thanks so much.

J
 
#3 ·
baritone275 said:
Hello,

I'm new here, this is my first post. I hope it's not too long.

Health care professional, never needed suits for work, but now am being asked to give presentations to other professionals. I don't think my Dillard's/Macy's sportcoats and slacks will do it.

Fortunate enough to be able to spend relatively freely, but I just don't want to. I'm not able to recognize the cost-value relationship for Brioni, Kiton, etc. Happily married, so I don't need to impress any women with brand names. Not a fan of stuff made in China for various reasons. Italian suits 44L fit well.
I have a Canali and a Lubiam which are aging out stylewise. Canali was too expensive for the quality received, IMHO.

I see all manner of "Italian" suits on various websites. "$2000 suits for only $299 !" Names I never heard of: Natazzi, Nicoletti, Baroni, Georgio Valentino, Manzoni, Mantoni, great looking photos but unbelievable prices. Seems too good to be true...? Are these suits really made in Italy, or are they knockoffs with bogus "Made in Italy" tags?

Can anyone point me to a bona fide, "honest-business" source for a quite nice, compliment-worthy Italian suit? More interested in high quality/reasonable price than in brand names for their own sake. Looking for maximum impact per dollar spent, prefer not to exceed 600 unless the quality/price equation is exceptional.

Looking forward to any and all comments. Thanks so much.

J
Click to expand...
Have a look at these links and see if they help any.

https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?67969-Charlotte-NC

https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/showthread.php?t=69309 -- I shop Ben Silver...but I have found a number of their items are somewhat overpriced. But, it might make for a nice weekend trip for you and your wife to visit the coast, and the shop, to view, try on, etc., etc.
 
Discussion starter · #4 · (Edited)
[reply]

Thanks Marcellionheart, I have indeed checked out the Wizard of Aahs. They look nice but are made in China :icon_pale: according to their principal, see below.

In a message dated 5/24/10 10:04:12 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, [baritone 275] writes:
Where are most of the suits made?

Thanks,

J
​
Hey J,

Thank you for your email. Most suits are now made in China nowadays. In fact Warren Buffet and Bill Gates are on our bandwagon! lol! -> https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8262477.stm Thanks again!

Warmest regards,
Jeff
 
#5 ·
^^^^
Jeff's suits may be made in China, but if I had to choose which suits are my favorite, I would definitely say the suits that I got from The Wizard of Aahs(jeff).

:)
 
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Discussion starter · #6 ·
Thanks, cmacey, I'm pretty familiar with the Charlotte stores, and there are some nice ones here as well as in Charleston. Prefer not to pay retail. I have a really good tailor here in Charlotte, would like to purchase something nice online and let my tailor alter it. Any thoughts on the online sites?

Thanks, J
 
Discussion starter · #7 ·
Thanks, Zach. I admit I have an "issue" with Chinese goods for various reasons. What are your second-favorite suits, and/or your favorite Italian or US/Canadian (HSM, Jack Victor) suits? Again, wanting to get a "deal" online and take to my tailor.

Thanks, J
 
#8 ·
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#9 ·
Good italian suits that are made in italy with a particular style will run more than $600 unless you get them on a super deep discount. The Euro has been up to 140 up to just a few days ago. Most stores that bought italian suits paid alot for them. If you want a classic style that really looks good for a good value then I would go to Brooks Brothers. They use alot of ilatian cloth and have a number of styles to choose. They won't go out of style and will be a good value. Jack Victor also makes a nice suit. Fused. Not Canvass but if that is not important you can find alot of inexpensive suits that are fused.
 
#10 ·
baritone275 said:
Thanks, cmacey, I'm pretty familiar with the Charlotte stores, and there are some nice ones here as well as in Charleston. Prefer not to pay retail. I have a really good tailor here in Charlotte, would like to purchase something nice online and let my tailor alter it. Any thoughts on the online sites?

Thanks, J
Click to expand...
The Charlotte stores link was more for dialogue and rationale on stores to shop, clothing, etc. Here are a few store links I use or have been interested in...my suits have to be MTM due to the difference between chest size and waist size...so, if you can wear off the rack suits, here are a couple of links:

https://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatSectionView.process?IWAction=Load&Merchant_Id=1&Section_Id=576 -- three MTM suits and ten MTM shirts made by them.

-- bought a number of sport shirts from them.

-- lots of good press on them but I have not purchased any products from them, yet.

-- interesting, but the jury is still out on this one...

https://shop.oconnellsclothing.com/suits.php -- another interesting option.

https://www.paulstuart.com/category..._template_viewall.cfm?MainCatId=14&ProdCatId=1007&subProdCatId=0&headermenuid=1 -- purchased a number of sport shirts, socks, and dress shirts from them.

https://www.bensilver.com/fs_storefront.asp?root=3&show=39 -- have a number of sport shirts, dress shirts, and socks.
 
#11 ·
If Italian suits truly do fit you well, and that is what you would like to purchase, there are a number of sources for discounted known-maker suits.

Online places like STP and Gilt can have excellent prices on top quality suits, but you need to be sure of your correct size in any particular manufacturer's suits and you will need to be persistent and patient in order to find what you are looking for.
The same can be said for outlets such as Nordstrom's Rack and those of the other high-end retailers. Buying in person will help with getting a good fit, however the same persistence and patience are required to find true values at outlets. (Beware of "made for outlet" merchandise. You want to find items that have originally come via the parent company's retail stores.)

Personally, Eremengdlio Zegna suits fit me well. I know my sizing well enough that I can safely purchase online, and I know well enough what to look for, so I can find exceptional values at outlets... I need only be patient.. which is fine with me. Since I have a very good variety of suits as it is, I am only tempted to purchase if something exceptional comes along.

If you are not in too big of a hurry, that will work in your favor.
 
#13 ·
ZachGranstrom said:
Online stores to buy some nice(inexpensive) suits:

Overstock
https://www.overstock.com/Clothing-Shoes/Suits/3414/cat.html

Sierra Trading Post
Click to expand...
If you work in health care, just having suits that have been to an alterations tailor (plus a clean and polished pair of lace up shoes) will put you well ahead of the game. After that, regardless of how much money you've put into a wardrobe, it'll be what comes out of your mouth that counts. This is not to say having a higher standard of clothes hurts, only that if you're going to be spending more money make sure you're spending it for the right reasons (i.e. you) and not your prospective audience, who almost certainly won't notice.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
I really appreciate everyone's input. I've spent a little time on Sierra Trading Post and they sure look like a good source. Perhaps my $600 amount was a bit low.

Does anyone know about the suits on polishedthreads.com, or suits4menonline.com? The latter one was the one whose pricing seemed almost unbelievable.

Medhat, you hit the nail on the head. I want to look as good as I can without spending a fortune, just wanting to know what's real quality and what's masquerading as something it may not be.
 
#16 ·
I'm in health care, and most of my day-to-day is from STP (I like Arnold Brandt). That doesn't stop me from sporting Brooks Bros MTM or my bespoke suit, but I get more compliments on my "beater" dark blue suit from STP than my far higher quality bespoke grey suit. Anything I own costing more than $500 I realize I'm wearing only for my own sense of style (of course compliments are welcome!). I am, admittedly, and Allen Edmonds groupie, and have more pair than I realized. I wear those daily, and with the recrafting service they have been a very comfortable and cost-effective strategy. Most of my work shirts are non-iron (just too much easier, and I keep my cell phone in the shirt pocket), and my ties are a mish-mash of mid-priced ties from Brooks Bros, 346 (BB outlet), and Andrew's ties (no relation to the forum). Works for me, but I think I'm in a more casual locale than anywhere in the South.
 
#19 ·
STP is a very good source for Isaia or Corneliani or Belvest. I did get a beautiful Isaia year round weight with a special AAAC discount for about $675 2 years ago. Generally you will find Isaia around $1000. They are great suits and I own several. Full Canvas great construction and beautiful fabrics. Belvest are even better but you will pay alot more.
 
#20 ·
Have a look at giltman.com, it's kind of a netaporter for men. They move a large amount of merchandise. Not sure where it comes from, but it appears to be slight overstocks. Most offerings sell out within a day or two. Although most of the inventory is small label neuvo vintage type stuff for the skinny man, they do get Hickey Freeman and other more traditional brands in, and a fair amount of Italian designers. The return policy is not what you get buying retail, in most cases you are limited to in store credit. But they offer good markdowns, at least it seems that way. It is an interesting site to follow also just to see where men's fashion is heading.
 
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baritone275
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