[endag]

eBay is starting to fail me. I've bought roughly 30 clothing items off there now and while most of them fit (after I learned how to use a sewing machine), the suits have not. From 38r's to 40's to 42's... nothing fits. However, every and I mean every suit in retail stores in 40r fits quite well.

I've just learned my chest measurements but now I'm so defeated; Different cuts result in different fits. Shipping fees piling up. Deadline to "suit-wearing day" getting closer. The stress compiling. Buying shoes in the meantime decreasing my overhead. Willingness to go to Macy's increasing. Tears overflowing. Someone find me a suit.

 

[SG_67]

Sorry, what?

 

[derum]

 

[FLMike]

Remember what I said about the roastiness......

 

[Woofa]

Online shopping, especially on eBay is not an easy task. It is made more complicated when dealing with suits and sportcoats, many of which have already been altered by the original owner at purchase. When the quality of the garment is very high, say like an oxxford suit, the chances it has been altered go up drastically.
The best way to buy used clothing on eBay is to:
1. Know your base measurements and where you can deviate;
2. Know the basic cuts and styles of the maker;
3. Only buy from proven sellers with large amounts of positive feedback so you can trust their measurements;
4. Only buy from sellers that allow returns for a minimal fee or just return shipping;
5. Only buy from sellers with extensive photos and measurements.
Even following these rules you will have a percentage of problems.
Yes, there are great deals out there on eBay.
Yes, you can put in your due diligence and expand your wardrobe for a fraction of the cost of new/retail.
But, it is easy to get annoyed when things don't turn out perfect. Truth is that high level shoes are the same. One edward green shoe made on last "a" can fit quite a bit differently then one made on last "b"
For most people, buying local at a b&m where you can be fitted is the smarter option even if the cost is higher. Unless you will be buying many suits over a long period of time eBay is not always the best answer.

 

[Charles Dana]

Tears overflowing. Someone find me a suit.

FIND ME A SUIT
(Sung to the tune of "Sweet Caroline" by Neil Diamond)

Shopped on eBay.
Thought I'd find me a good deal.
But now I'm really feeling screwed.

I need a suit
So I'll look like a grown-up.
I'd prefer not to show up nude.

Size. Where's my size? 40-r.
Trim of coat.
Trim of pants.

Find me a suit!
Boo hoo hoo!
Charcoal gray or navy blue.
I've not much loot.
Boo hoo hoo!
Gents, I'm reaching out to you.

Tonight I
Tried to relax
By lighting up a stogie.
That thing gave me a foggy head.
I'm at wit's end.
Shipping charges I've racked up.
And my toilet is backed up, too.

Suit. Where's my suit?
40-r.
Not too old.
Not too used.

Find me a suit!
Boo hoo hoo!
Macy's is my last resort.

End my pursuit.
Boo hoo hoo!
Guys, I need your kind support.

Please help me....

Find me a suit!
Boo hoo hoo!
Please don't send me to the mall.

Find me a suit!
Boo hoo hoo!
Keep in mind I'm thin and tall.

Find me a suit!
Boo hoo hoo!
Malls don't work for me at all.

Find me a suit!
Boo hoo hoo!
Thanks a lot. I think that's all.

 

[endag]

Just bought a Golden Fleece in the wrong size; gonna see if it fits when it gets here.

 

[HanEyeAm]

Just bought a Golden Fleece in the wrong size; gonna see if it fits when it gets here.

If you're on a deadline, just buy a fused $200-300 wool suit that fits well at a brick-and-mortar like Macy's, Nordstrom Rack, or even Kohls. Or try on suits at JAB and if you find a cut and size that fits you, and if they don't have a sale, go online and buy a clearance model for little cash. Leave 3 weeks for alterations. THEN spend your free time on eBay looking for a sweet deal on a top-quality suit.

 

[FLMike]

Han- As David Byrne said it best, stop making sense.

You can’t bring that sound logic into bizarro world.

 

[jts287]

What about that Canali suit? The one with the fox in the background, I think

 

[endag]

What about that Canali suit? The one with the fox in the background, I think

I since realized that the shoulders were 2 inches too wide.

However I have another one here, a Corneliani Linea Sartoria 3 piece in brown, charcoal nailhead that is now 1 inch too wide in the shoulders. Thinking about getting it re-cut.

Just ordered Golden Fleece in 41r with 17.5 shoulders however the trousers are not the same as the jacket...

The cost of learning? Who knows...

 

[never behind]

If you're on a deadline, just buy a fused $200-300 wool suit that fits well at a brick-and-mortar like Macy's, Nordstrom Rack, or even Kohls. Or try on suits at JAB and if you find a cut and size that fits you, and if they don't have a sale, go online and buy a clearance model for little cash. Leave 3 weeks for alterations. THEN spend your free time on eBay looking for a sweet deal on a top-quality suit.

Nordstrom's annual sale is going on. HSM suits are a little under $500.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[phyrpowr]

However, every and I mean every suit in retail stores in 40r fits quite well.

Someone find me a suit.

Sounds like someone already has. I know you WANT to be an eBay champ, but.....

 

[endag]

Sounds like someone already has. I know you WANT to be an eBay champ, but.....

Considering the occasion in which I'll be required to wear a suit, the prospect of shopping off eBay is much too rich and I'd more well-off to avoid going retail as a resort. As determined as I currently am, I have found a nice, quaint little selection; here's a nice little number...

I could find only so much on Cornelianis' "Vogue" line -- assuredly it's of its' mainline...?

 

[Dhaller]

That Corneliani has "mid-90s" written all over it. The problem with "thrifting" is that you need to be able to replace "money" with "time", and it doesn't seem as though you have "time".

No, don't go to Macy's.

I'm going to tell you exactly what you need to do.

You call the Claymore Shop, in Birmingham, MI (metro Detroit area) at 248-642-7755, and tell them you'd like to make an appointment to discuss Samuelsohn suits (which is what you need to get). Go there and select a swatch (or swatches), and say you need the suit(s) sooner than the usual turnaround time, and can they hook you up? If they can't, ask them for a recommendation, but probably they can.

And then just pay for it. Maybe it's over your budget, but that's fine, because credit cards. You just economize elsewhere.

Solved! You now have a current suit, all yours, which fits beautifully! It will pay for itself because confident, beautiful YOU will land the big contract. Seriously.

tl;dr: Claymore Shop, Samuelsohn.

Post pictures please.

DH

 

[endag]

90's? Credit cards?! :icon_peaceplease:

 

[Charles Dana]

You call the Claymore Shop, in Birmingham, MI (metro Detroit area) at 248-642-7755, and tell them you'd like to make an appointment to discuss Samuelsohn suits (which is what you need to get). Go there and select a swatch (or swatches)....

tl;dr: Claymore Shop, Samuelsohn.

I didn't know Claymore had diversified into suits. Interesting. Are they armored?

 

[Dhaller]

I didn't know Claymore had diversified into suits. Interesting. Are they armored?

It's a well-regarded men's store in Detroit (it hits the usual igent check marks: Bill's Khakis, etc. Should be a good pick for an AAACer.)

Check out the founder (who ran the store for 50 years) - if that's not the run of the mill AAACer's fantasy life, what is?

There's also a good tailor in Grosse Point, but my impression is that would be well beyond the OP's means, so I didn't mention it.

 

[FLMike]

Considering the occasion in which I'll be required to wear a suit, the prospect of shopping off eBay is much too rich and I'd more well-off to avoid going retail as a resort.

Wut?

 

[Charles Dana]

It's a well-regarded men's store in Detroit.

Thank you for clarifying that. I knew it was too good to be true: a place where I could fulfill my business suit and ordnance needs under one roof.

The main question now is whether endag can get to the Claymore Shop by bus (assuming he ever finds his bus pass, which is probably either in his gym bag or in one of the pockets of the jeans that are crumpled on his laundry room floor).