[ozshadow]

I am looking for brands/retailers for classic fit suits for daily office wear. These need to be under $500. These will be updates for me, so solid navy, solid charcoal, - the basics again. Think conservative American law practice.

I am considering the classic fit, wool Hickey Freeman suits from places like Saks Off 5th, Neiman Marcus Last Call, etc. I'm not sure how these compare to places like BB, MW and JAB, but I wasn't a big fan of those 10 years ago.

In the past, my preferred suits were HSM Gold Trumpeter (older ones, newer one changed) and HF Boardroom, but I'm not going for the equivalent today necessarily, just close.

I have no idea about current brands and models other than most online only retailers offer suits far too slim fitting. For build/fit, think of Emmitt Smith today (no, not the muscled guy of the past, but Emmitt today).

What brands would you look at and where?

 

[215339]

I'd look at Spier and Mackay. Though I'd say their pants are sort of slim fitting.

@mlstein had a good post about a year ago showcasing their usual cut, and I managed to find it

https://askandyaboutclothes.com/community/threads/spier-mackay-suit-for-300.239580/#post-1874657

 

[YukonCornelius21]

I am looking for brands/retailers for classic fit suits for daily office wear. These need to be under $500. These will be updates for me, so solid navy, solid charcoal, - the basics again. Think conservative American law practice.

I am considering the classic fit, wool Hickey Freeman suits from places like Saks Off 5th, Neiman Marcus Last Call, etc. I'm not sure how these compare to places like BB, MW and JAB, but I wasn't a big fan of those 10 years ago.

In the past, my preferred suits were HSM Gold Trumpeter (older ones, newer one changed) and HF Boardroom, but I'm not going for the equivalent today necessarily, just close.

I have no idea about current brands and models other than most online only retailers offer suits far too slim fitting. For build/fit, think of Emmitt Smith today (no, not the muscled guy of the past, but Emmitt today).

What brands would you look at and where?

The O'Connell's house brand suits are a good value. Basic materials start at $595 but I believe go on sale from time to time. When you consider no sales tax outside of New York and $10 flat rate shipping that can get you to the same ballpark as a $500ish suit from a brick and mortar retailer that you buy from in person.

 

[medhat]

Sounds like you have a solid idea of fit and style that works for you, so I'd suggest Nordy's Rack. Albeit hit or miss at times, there can be solid deals to be found. You can take advantage of the wholesale shift towards too short and too tight suiting by snagging what no one else wants right now.

 

[Adriel Rowley]

How about preowned? Can get some super amazing deals and have money left to have a tailor get the fit bang on.

I just bet you for $500 for one new suit, you could get five suits for each day of the week (have paid as little as $10 for a quality suit).

Just a thought. :beer:

 

[TerryM]

I am looking for brands/retailers for classic fit suits for daily office wear. These need to be under $500. These will be updates for me, so solid navy, solid charcoal, - the basics again. Think conservative American law practice.

I am considering the classic fit, wool Hickey Freeman suits from places like Saks Off 5th, Neiman Marcus Last Call, etc. I'm not sure how these compare to places like BB, MW and JAB, but I wasn't a big fan of those 10 years ago.

In the past, my preferred suits were HSM Gold Trumpeter (older ones, newer one changed) and HF Boardroom, but I'm not going for the equivalent today necessarily, just close.

I have no idea about current brands and models other than most online only retailers offer suits far too slim fitting. For build/fit, think of Emmitt Smith today (no, not the muscled guy of the past, but Emmitt today).

What brands would you look at and where?

Suits are getting expensive. Keep your eye out for sales to get a good suit at that price. Nordstrom is having their half Yearly sale now. They have a few Samuelsohns for $475. That's a solid deal. Also have good prices on HSM and Hickey mainline.

 

[Dhaller]

^^^ If you can get Samuelsohns at $500ish, do that.

Next best I'd say is Hickey Freeman.

Not a fan of HSM myself, but I defer to others who may have had better luck with them (their fabrics feel cheap to me.)

Once you've climbed a rung or two and can flirt with $1000-$1500, Samuelsohn is going to be the best value.

DH

 

[winghus]

Suits are getting expensive. Keep your eye out for sales to get a good suit at that price. Nordstrom is having their half Yearly sale now. They have a few Samuelsohns for $475. That's a solid deal. Also have good prices on HSM and Hickey mainline.

The Samuelsohns I see right now at their website are 50% off and $747, not $475.

 

[SG_67]

While I realize the need to keep to a specific budget, the $500 price point is pretty unrealistic.

You have specific demands as to fit and color. From what I’ve see, such basics are not that easy to find at off prices retailers. In addition, options at such retailers are often not “classic fit” as you clearly want.

I would recommend JAB as a starting point. Cheap, oatmeal like in plainness, yet you’ll find what you’re looking for.

I suppose there are some online options but I’ll leave it to others to guide you on that.

Good luck.

 

[Hebrew Barrister]

While I realize the need to keep to a specific budget, the $500 price point is pretty unrealistic.

You have specific demands as to fit and color. From what I've see, such basics are not that easy to find at off prices retailers. In addition, options at such retailers are often not "classic fit" as you clearly want.

I would recommend JAB as a starting point. Cheap, oatmeal like in plainness, yet you'll find what you're looking for.

I suppose there are some online options but I'll leave it to others to guide you on that.

Good luck.

People have different definitions of classic fit. Do they mean a sack? Start stalking JPress and BB sales.

 

[Fading Fast]

J.Crew offers good value and there is alway a sale or promo code on or around the corner.

They are on the slim side, but not anywhere near as skinny as shown on the models. I own a 40L and, while the lapels are narrow, the overall fit is not skinny and the length not short. The pant's rise is short though - works for me, but you should be aware.

They are good, not great, suits, but very good value for <$500. I've had mine, going on, (at least) five years and it's held up well. I own one very similar to this one:

https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens_catego...n-italian-wool/28130?color_name=hthr-charcoal

 

[Mike Petrik]

People have different definitions of classic fit. Do they mean a sack?

For me it starts with trousers with a proper rise and a jacket with proper length.

 

[ozshadow]

People have different definitions of classic fit. Do they mean a sack? Start stalking JPress and BB sales.

Think of the typical suit you see any of the last 5 or 6 Presidents wearing. That is a classic suit to me.

 

[Big T]

Wherever/whatever bought, it will always look better if properly fitted/altered to our unique body shapes.

 

[Mathematicus]

Wherever/whatever bought, it will always look better if properly fitted/altered to our unique body shapes.

There's llittle any tailor can do if the garment is too tight and short to start with.

 

[Big T]

There's llittle any tailor can do if the garment is too tight and short to start with.

Agreed, and the tailor, if worth his/her salt, will tell you there's little that can be done. At that point, if bought used, you donate the suit to the Salvation Army. If looking at new OTR, you look at different sizes (afterall we are talking of suits under $500).

 

[medhat]

Think of the typical suit you see any of the last 5 or 6 Presidents wearing. That is a classic suit to me.

Although this is likely not the site for this particular recommendation, I'd not completely discount a general department store (Macys, Penneys, etc...). As others have mentioned, a well-fitting suit will trump a poorly-fitted but more expensive suit. And department stores in my experience typically have suits cut in a more generous, traditional fit than are the suits you'd find at J Crew or Banana Republic. If it starts by fitting though the shoulders and the length is fine, then you're off to a good start. My primary beef with dept. store suits are that the armholes are way too big, but maybe that's an issue specific to me.

 

[Hebrew Barrister]

Although this is likely not the site for this particular recommendation, I'd not completely discount a general department store (Macys, Penneys, etc...). As others have mentioned, a well-fitting suit will trump a poorly-fitted but more expensive suit. And department stores in my experience typically have suits cut in a more generous, traditional fit than are the suits you'd find at J Crew or Banana Republic. If it starts by fitting though the shoulders and the length is fine, then you're off to a good start. My primary beef with dept. store suits are that the armholes are way too big, but maybe that's an issue specific to me.

The JCrew "classic" cuts have a 3.5in lapel and are cut very similar to a BB regent fit. They are also of proper length.

Their slim is, however, slim, although the length is still proper.

 

[Dcr5468]

Find a menswear store that carries Jack Victor as their store label. You can easily find off-season items in your price range and a summer suit I just purchased appears as well constructed as my Samuelsons.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[jc1305us]

Get on Ebay and find a pre owned suit of high quality. It may take a little time, but you can do well. Good Luck