[Badandy]

Hey guys. So I went out shopping today for a suit and was unsuccessful. I went to a lot of places and I found that there's a huge gap in what I was looking at. I either found $200 suits with uninspired cuts or some amazing (for my standards) suits that were $900-1200. Those two were a Zegna and a Hugo Boss.

As I'm a student, I want something in between those two prices. I know a lot of people here prefer more expensive suits, either in MTM or Bespoke, but I have neither the time nor the money to accommodate those desires of mine.

From reading this forum for a few months I know many of you guys either put up some great suits on eBay for good prices or know of some reputable eBayers who sell suits for really good prices.

So here's what I'm looking for

-Less than $450
-A suit with a trimmer fit and nice fabric (which in my mind equals Hugo Boss or Zegna quality. If this isn't possible, I'll just go for the best suit I can at the above quoted price.)
-Midnight blue (or equivalent), Dark Charcoal, or Black.

If any of you have some tips on where to find this online (it doesn't necessarily have to be eBay), please let me know. Thanks all for the help in advance.

 

[GreenPlastic]

"Boxy" is a reflection of two things: the manufacturer's overall style, and the fit of the suit on your body. If you want a slimmer fitting suit, go for a slimmer fitting manufacturer rather than trying to buy a "size too small" in hopes of getting something tighter around the edges (as tends to be a common rookie mistake).

Zegna makes slim fitting suits but does tend to be pricey. You might be able to find some Zegna suits on sale, though, if you're willing to visit a higher end department store. You won't always find the best deals online. Sometimes it takes walking into a Barney's or a Neiman Marcus or what have you, asking the salesperson what he recommends in your price range, and seeing if there's anything for you. It's not altogether unheard of to find brand new Zegna (or similar) suits at deep discounts this way. Often it's because the suits are out of season or whatever, but if you're buying something in a classic style in a classic color, the "out of season" bit shouldn't really bother you.

Now, if you're looking to buy suits on the cheap, you can do a lot worse than Banana Republic. I may get some flak for suggesting BR, which I'm reasonably sure has never made a fully canvassed suit in its history. But BR makes very nice suits that can be had in the $200 to $300 price range. They tend to be slim fitting, somewhat modern in styling, and come in a range of fabric choices from the "Mad Men"-esque to the conservative.

And then there's eBay. A lot of people here swear by eBay, but I've found it to be extremely hit or miss when it comes to suits. Oftentimes you'll get someone else's tailored suit, which has been cut and fitted to the point where it can't be fitted again. Unless you're a perfect match to the original owner's body, this is a dicey proposition. Sure, you can find "new" and unaltered suits on eBay. But there's usually a good reason why brand new suits are being sold at discount on eBay. Typically it's because they are slightly flawed, were department store floor models, or something of that nature. If you're fine with such a provenance, then go for it.

 

[ksinc]

Except for price ($575-$650), it sounds like the cut of Jack Victor

https://thehubltd.com/Mens-Shop-Jac...id-Suits-Standard-and-Athletic-Cut-869-1.aspx

https://thehubltd.com/Mens-Suits-Jackets-1.aspx?refine=true&brand=Jack%20Victor

At $600+ you can go Hickey Freeman at Blue Fly, HF might fall into "boxy"

 

[RyanD]

Manzoni is a reasonably priced Italian suit. I have seen them for $300-400 online. Maybe you can find one locally to try.

 

[Mad Hatter]

Agree with the previous posters, but I will also add the outlet route. Slim-fitting suits I've seen are BB "Fitzgerald", HF "Barrett" and Corneliani "Spencer".

Outlet availability is always varied, and generally off-season, past-year stock, or unpopular style/color/cut. And I found some nice stuff, too. But recently, you could find those three types above for your price-point at Saks Off-5th, HF outlet, BB "346" outlet, and NMLC.

 

[rgrossicone]

Hey guys. So I went out shopping today for a suit and was unsuccessful. I went to a lot of places and I found that there's a huge gap in what I was looking at. I either found $200 suits with uninspired cuts or some amazing (for my standards) suits that were $900-1200. Those two were a Zegna and a Hugo Boss.

As I'm a student, I want something in between those two prices. I know a lot of people here prefer more expensive suits, either in MTM or Bespoke, but I have neither the time nor the money to accommodate those desires of mine.

From reading this forum for a few months I know many of you guys either put up some great suits on eBay for good prices or know of some reputable eBayers who sell suits for really good prices.

So here's what I'm looking for

-Less than $450
-A suit with a trimmer fit and nice fabric (which in my mind equals Hugo Boss or Zegna quality. If this isn't possible, I'll just go for the best suit I can at the above quoted price.)
-Midnight blue (or equivalent), Dark Charcoal, or Black.

If any of you have some tips on where to find this online (it doesn't necessarily have to be eBay), please let me know. Thanks all for the help in advance.

If you do a search at Style Forum on the BS thread I have some Armand Basi suits that fit what you're looking for at significantly less. (my moniker there is newyorkranger). There's a grey "mohair" like fabric that sold in grey, and I have the exact same suit in Navy. Worth a look at other sellers too.

 

[Holdfast]

To the OP: just beware one thing - slim-fitting doesn't necessarily mean "unboxy".

Boss and mainline Zegna will both fairly boxy if YOU are a boxy person in terms of build, even if you get a model that's fairly slim-fitting. Thom Browne is the extreme example of this - very slim-fitting but also a very boxy cut due to the highly closed quarters, and totally dependent on the wearer's body to give it shape.

If your want "unboxy", I suggest looking at the overall cut rather than just looking for slim-fitting items, unless you happen to have a massive drop. For instance, many English suits at the more military end of the spectrum have strong-ish shoulders, combined with dramatic waist suppression and a flared skirt, which definitely creates an "unboxy" silhouette. (caution: some would find them too histrionic a cut; I like them for their drama). Of course, they should fit reasonable closely but these days don't depend on a skin-tight fit for shaping (I say these days, because some older military uniforms had much more figure-hugging looks).

 

[ksinc]

Check here as well. I think the HSMs start at 40, but there seemed to be plenty of 38Rs in other brands.

https://shopsyms.com/suits.aspx

 

[TMMKC]

Except for price ($575-$650), it sounds like the cut of Jack Victor

^+1 on Jack Victor. I have a couple JV suits and really like them.

 

[dlloyd]

In that price range I've been pretty pleased with a "Marco Valentino" (no relation to any other Valentino) sold by the Wizard of Aahs on eBay. Decent fabrics, nice slim cut and good value for the price. While it's certainly no Zegna, for the $280-ish (if you contact him and tell him you're an AAAC member) it's hard to go wrong. I've actually just ordered a solid charcoal that's scheduled to be delivered tomorrow. I've actually gotten more compliments on the one I have already than pretty much any other suit. Goes to show that you're better off with a cheap suit that fits perfectly rather than an expensive one that doesn't ...

 

[rbstc123]

Get a Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald. Wait until the Semi Annual sale. Get it for $600. Perfet fit on me. 5'10" 150lbs

 

[medhat]

Sorry, contrarian opinion. If you're still in school (college), I'd go with Banana Republic (only on sale). Yes, it's not of the same workmanship as BB, etc... but if money's tight, the suits are serviceable and slim-cut. Again, only on a significant sale (30-50%).

 

[Mute]

You should have no problem on Ebay if you're patient. I see 38R items at decent prices all the time. However, if you're willing to reconsider the MTM option, go with Thick As Thieves. The owner can measure you himself (he's in Pasadena) and get you a full canvas suit for around $500.

The owner is a poster here and over at Style Forum. You should checkout his suits and contact him to see if he can give you what you're looking for.

 

[clee1982]

Where are you located? In NYC you can find plenty discount and sample sales for Italian brands that usually cut rather slim. If you up your budget from 450 to 500 you might be able to find some good surprise.

A few one that might be in your budget on "heavy" discount

Z-Zegna - the ones made in Mexico, I could find them just under 500 on heavy discount

Lower end Versace - the ones made in Croatia, can fetch them close to 500 on heavy discount

Lower end Ferre - the ones made in Romania, again, base on luck you might find something desirable. Their cut is slim, but sometimes rather strange too, just got to be careful. Completely different designer after Ferre passed away himself.

D&G Dolce and Gabbana - Yes, when they're on heavy discount, you can fetch it for 500ish.

Ralph Lauren - black label is the truly slim cut on in Ralph Lauren, but don't think you can ever find that for 500 unless you got lucky on ebay. The ones you might be able to find around 500/600 on heavy discount is Polo Ralph Lauren. They're slim enough for most cases, ignore Lauren for Ralph Lauren all together if you want slim cut (they're also much cheaper).

Look at this one for example: (and I think you can actually still find this one on sale in store)

Emporio Armani - again, for 500, only happen on heavy discount, but possible.

As far as fitting goes, I would say try quite a few different brands. For example for most Italian brands I am a 36 (Gucci/Versace/Ferre/Armani/Canali/Zegna), but for Ralph Lauren Black I am a 38 (it's Italian). For other Italain brand I am again 38 (Isaia/Corneliani/Brioni/Valentino).

For Richard James/Burberry I am a 38 (people tell me they run large, but guess not the one I bought). Remember slim cut is not tight cut. The suit should should not start showing strain and weird cutting lines when you close the button. I will try to get someone who is more use to wear suit to shop with you to get you to see what the fit should be.

In general it's a good thing to know your size for various brand, once you're comfortable with the brand, you can go online shopping on suit. You can find some good stuff online, just got to be careful and know what you're buying.

Another thing you could do is if you have a trust worthy tailor, buy something with ok fabric, like Sarar (on 60% or more discount only, please), then have your tailor tight it in (shoulder is the part that can't be compromised though, waist and other what not can be altered, depends on how it is constructed in the first place). This is quite risky though, wouldn't suggest you to do it with your first suit.

As far as mass American brand... well, personally I don't like Banana Republic or Kenneth Cole, never found anything I like there. Once a while I do run into interesting things in Calvin Klein. Good luck on buying your first suit, it's a fun experience:icon_smile_big: (except the spending a fortune part:devil:, all relative our on income:icon_smile_wink.

 

[clee1982]

By the way Saks and Fifth is having a huge sale in NYC (up to 75% off in total, on suits I have seen 50% at least as well), not sure about other location. If you want US 38, better grab it quick, US 38 do seem to run out fairly quick.

Bloomingdale/Barneys New York/Bergdorf Goodman were all on sale not too long ago as well. I also remember seeing sale for Neiman Marcus, not sure if that is still going on.