[suitsyousir]

I do believe that what you get out of something largely depends on what you put in. Every person’s reasons for buying clothes are different. In my case, I decided to treat clothes like a long-term investment and I’m willing to take a short-term financial hit for them.

About two months ago, I realized that I finally had the opportunity to buy a decent wardrobe. I’d moved to the U.S. from the U.K four years ago, and all my good clothes had been lost in a moving box (they resurfaced this year - after I gained three waist sizes). Since then, I’d spent minimally on clothes. Now I went through the following chain of thoughts:

1. I’m going back into a very professional environment, which requires that I dress well at all times.
2. I’m going back to the UK. The UK is hideously expensive.
3. The U.S. is dirt cheap right now.
4. I want to wear every major item I buy for the next ten years (until my 36th birthday), which requires
a. alterability.
b. a larger wardrobe to reduce wear and tear.
5. Every item I buy will be on sale or second-hand.

Here are my results:

New suits: 3 J. Press, 1 Southwick
Used suits: 1 Paul Stuart, 1 Brooks Brothers
Used sport coats: 2 Brioni, 1 Canali, 1 Brooks Brothers
Used blazers: 1 J. Press, 1 Brooks Brothers
Used tuxedo: 1 Oxxford
Used overcoats: 1 J. Press, 1 London Fog
New shirts: 6 Tyrwhitt, 4 Lewin, 2 MTM (for formal occasions and interviews), 1 J. Press
New shoes: 2 J. Press
Used shoes: 2 Allen Edmonds
New and used ties: 20+
Used cufflinks: 20
New silk knots: 15

Everything I bought is in excellent condition and fits beautifully thanks to my outstanding tailor. The primary caveat is that I have a very average 42L shape, which makes it easy for me to buy on ebay and OTR.

The total of this spree ran to $5,000, which I put on my low-rate credit card and will pay off through a part-time job while finishing the final year of my degree.

But the bottom line is that I expect this to be my wardrobe for the next next years (except for the cheap shirts).

Has anyone else done a complete overhaul like this? How much did you spend for what results? Do you think I just threw away a lot of money? I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this.

 

[rgrossicone]

Congrats!

I do believe that what you get out of something largely depends on what you put in. Every person's reasons for buying clothes are different. In my case, I decided to treat clothes like a long-term investment and I'm willing to take a short-term financial hit for them.

About two months ago, I realized that I finally had the opportunity to buy a decent wardrobe. I'd moved to the U.S. from the U.K four years ago, and all my good clothes had been lost in a moving box (they resurfaced this year - after I gained three waist sizes). Since then, I'd spent minimally on clothes. Now I went through the following chain of thoughts:

1. I'm going back into a very professional environment, which requires that I dress well at all times.
2. I'm going back to the UK. The UK is hideously expensive.
3. The U.S. is dirt cheap right now.
4. I want to wear every major item I buy for the next ten years (until my 36th birthday), which requires
a. alterability.
b. a larger wardrobe to reduce wear and tear.
5. Every item I buy will be on sale or second-hand.

Here are my results:

New suits: 3 J. Press, 1 Southwick
Used suits: 1 Paul Stuart, 1 Brooks Brothers
Used sport coats: 2 Brioni, 1 Canali, 1 Brooks Brothers
Used blazers: 1 J. Press, 1 Brooks Brothers
Used tuxedo: 1 Oxxford
Used overcoats: 1 J. Press, 1 London Fog
New shirts: 6 Tyrwhitt, 4 Lewin, 2 MTM (for formal occasions and interviews), 1 J. Press
New shoes: 2 J. Press
Used shoes: 2 Allen Edmonds
New and used ties: 20+
Used cufflinks: 20
New silk knots: 15

Everything I bought is in excellent condition and fits beautifully thanks to my outstanding tailor. The primary caveat is that I have a very average 42L shape, which makes it easy for me to buy on ebay and OTR.

The total of this spree ran to $5,000, which I put on my low-rate credit card and will pay off through a part-time job while finishing the final year of my degree.

But the bottom line is that I expect this to be my wardrobe for the next next years (except for the cheap shirts).

Has anyone else done a complete overhaul like this? How much did you spend for what results? Do you think I just threw away a lot of money? I'd love to hear people's thoughts on this.

Dude, awesome!

I went through a period of greaqt weight loss 3 years ago...went from a 44 to a 37 chest, and from a 37 waist to a 30. I wound up spending, on tailoring the large items down as far as they could, around $25,000. Thats a very conservative estimate as well. I also don't have much self control...I see something I like, I buy it.

Great job spending minimal money and still looking good (I'll take you at your word).

 

[Pipps]

I would like to commend you on taking such control of your wardrobe, and taking advantage of the good currency exchange rate under your circumstances.

It would be interesting to read an update from you in, say, three years time, as to whether you are still happily wearing all of your business items as intended.

I truly hope you are, because it is a brilliant way to take care of your wardrobe and then forget about it. Something that I know I wish I could do!

 

[eagle2250]

Very impressive and congratulations on a splendid effort. You will only be a fool (seems a rather harsh term!), if you allow your weight to fluctuate to the point you are unable to properly capitalize on your wardrobe planning and procurement efforts!

 

[Orsini]

I do believe that what you get out of something largely depends on what you put in...
New shoes: 2 J. Press
Used shoes: 2 Allen Edmonds...

Very nice, although I would recommend more shoes.

Once you go back home, you will then be an Britisher in the UK dressed like a Yankee. I wonder what will that will be like?

 

[PedanticTurkey]

You bought $5000 worth of clothes on a credit card? Bleh.

 

[dfloyd]

I did about the same thing you did,

only I spent about $10,000. I used a credit card also. What some people don't realize is that credit cards just a few months ago were giving an apr of 1.99% for the life of the loan.

I'm glad you bought some English shirts though. The Jermyn St shirts are not matched in quality or price by US makers. Also, while the exchange rate has been bad, The English clothiers have more sales and many more values than American companies. Especially if you live where you can't shop at N-M, Bergdorf, Paul Stuart et al. I bought the bulk of my clothing on sale and on the web as follows:

Suits and sport coats, odd trousers at Brooks Bros

Shoes C&J and Peel BB

Socks cotton and wool otc at Ben Silver

Shirts on sale at H&H and Duchamp

Ties on sale at Duchamp & Robert Talbott at Maus & Hoffman

Pocket squares on sale Robert Talbott

Braces on sale at Bromley's

Sport shirts on sale at Maus & Hoffman

Belts Maus &Hoffman

Microfiber and sea island cotton trousers at maus and Hoffman and Tuttle golf

 

[suitsyousir]

Cheers for the feedback!

It would be interesting to read an update from you in, say, three years time, as to whether you are still happily wearing all of your business items as intended.

I truly hope you are, because it is a brilliant way to take care of your wardrobe and then forget about it. Something that I know I wish I could do!

Agreed. I want to see if I'll show the necessary spending discipline. Chances are, I'll indeed forget about it. I last updated my wardrobe in 2003 and really hadn't felt the urge until now.

You bought $5000 worth of clothes on a credit card? Bleh.

Absolutely agree. Not usually good form. I had the cash, but my Navy Federal credit has such a low rate that I chose to pay it off that way and keep my cash flow steady. Plus, it was easier to sell to my wife that way.

I went through a period of greaqt weight loss 3 years ago...went from a 44 to a 37 chest, and from a 37 waist to a 30. I wound up spending, on tailoring the large items down as far as they could, around $25,000. Thats a very conservative estimate as well. I also don't have much self control...I see something I like, I buy it.

Blimey, you must have an expensive tailor, but I suppose that was for your entire wardrobe which you just outlined in another thread! Did you have trouble with functional buttonholes? I can imagine with that size drop, the jackets would sit completely differently.

Very nice, although I would recommend more shoes.

Once you go back home, you will then be an Britisher in the UK dressed like a Yankee. I wonder what will that will be like?

Agreed. I've decided to be patient on the shoe front. I got one pair of AE penny loafers for $5.95, so I learned just what bargains can be had. I still want 3 or so pairs.

My main concern with American suits was single vents. Most people I know in the UK are sticklers for side vents, but upon closer inspection of my derriere in a J Press suit, I've become convinced that single suits me better (although my two favourite new items are dual). I now have a mixture of styles that'll make things interesting. Several sack suits, some two-button, some three-button, Italian sports coats, etc.

I did the same thing you did, only I spent about $10,000. I used a credit card also. What some people don't realize is that credit cards just a few months ago were giving an apr of 1.99% for the life of the loan.

I'd love to know just how many suits and other major items you got for that price.

Agreed with the British shirts. At $30 a shot, Tyrwhitt was still much cheaper than BB. I went to BB's Newbury Street store and it was impossible to find yes-iron, no-button collar shirts. I only picked up the J. Press shirt when I tried one on for fit and discovered a smudge - got 25% off on the spot.

The TM Lewin shirt I bought then has been utterly abused since then and holds up like a champ, so I got some more in the mail today. I believe that with proper care, weight control and undershirts even cheap Jermyn St. shirts can hold up well.

In retrospect though, I should have perhaps gone for more H&H instead of CT.

 

[brokencycle]

My only comment is that I have never and hopefully will never put anything on my credit card that I won't pay off at the end of the month.

 

[Orsini]

My only comment is that I have never and hopefully will never put anything on my credit card that I won't pay off at the end of the month.

That is a good policy.

Once you get a good-sized balance on a credit card it is a real slippery slope...

 

[Orsini]

...My main concern with American suits was single vents...

Yes, I favor side-vent myself.

You could leave the center-vent hooked and treat it like a ventless. When you stick you hands in your pockets just be sure to sweep the jacket quarters back, "Henry Higgins-style." It does not look near as bad that way.

 

[DocD]

As per many of my previous posts, as a doctor specializing in surgery of the foot/ankle for over 23 years, I NEVER consider purchasing "used" shoes a bargain.

I congratulate you on your purchases, however my professional recommendation in the future would be to always purchase NEW foot wear, and cut costs elsewhere.

 

[Orsini]

...I NEVER consider purchasing "used" shoes a bargain...

Thank you, doctor.

Me neither. Gives me the creeps.

 

[a tailor]

you gained three waist sizes. in four years you have become an american.

 

[suitsyousir]

As per many of my previous posts, as a doctor specializing in surgery of the foot/ankle for over 23 years, I NEVER consider purchasing "used" shoes a bargain.

I congratulate you on your purchases, however my professional recommendation in the future would be to always purchase NEW foot wear, and cut costs elsewhere.

For $20 combined, I couldn't say no! That said, one pair ($5 AE penny loafers) looked and felt like they'd never been worn before. The other I'm not so sure about and may give to a thrift store.