Suits

[RickyBubbles01]

Not sure if there's already a thread on this but I'm looking for some solid places to buy suits and/or formal wear. I haven't bought a suit since my grade 12 grad and I really need some suggestions. 

[luckycharm]

Harry Rosen- 

[Pecan Boy]

If you're not looking to break the bank, I think RW&Co works well. 

[LMP]

I ended up having one made. I found a fairly reasonable price and decided that it was worth the investment. 

If that's not in your price range or wheelhouse I'd recommend buying off the rack and having alterations made to make it fit you better. 

When it comes to specific off the rack locations, it varies depending on where you live. An online search is likely to yield some good local results. 

[RickyBubbles01]

@LMP@Pecan Boy@luckycharm Thanks for the recommendations! Any thoughts on suit supply? Their suits look nice but they're pretty expensive and their recent ad campaign is pretty tacky. 

Edited June 24, 2021 by RickyBubbles01

[LMP]

4 minutes ago, RickyBubbles01 said:

@LMP@Pecan Boy@luckycharm Thanks for the recommendations! Any thoughts on suit supply? Their suits look nice but they're pretty expensive and their recent ad campaign is pretty tacky. 

Suitsupply can be good. Just know what you are looking for. They have a lot of options so knowing what style and cut you want is helpful.

[luckycharm]

1 hour ago, LMP said:

Suitsupply can be good. Just know what you are looking for. They have a lot of options so knowing what style and cut you want is helpful.

You should not be dressed dressier than your boss

[LMP]

1 hour ago, luckycharm said:

You should not be dressed dressier than your boss

Thanks, I'll just go spy on them before the interview. Maybe go through their closet. Build a lil peephole in their office.

[luckycharm]

10 hours ago, LMP said:

Thanks, I'll just go spy on them before the interview. Maybe go through their closet. Build a lil peephole in their office.

Good idea.

Edited June 24, 2021 by luckycharm

[MapleLeafs]

We don't have a Suits thread so thought I would ask here. During OCIs, is it better to be conservative and stick to wearing only solid coloured ties (no stripes, polka dots)? 

[SlytherinLLP]

23 minutes ago, MapleLeafs said:

We don't have a Suits thread so thought I would ask here. During OCIs, is it better to be conservative and stick to wearing only solid coloured ties (no stripes, polka dots)? 

Wear whatever pattern you prefer as long as it is professional ie. not one with little Darth Vadars on it or something.

[Chief Keef]

Wait for the monthly 50% off sale at Banana Republic. Thank me later.

[ZineZ]

On 6/23/2021 at 6:06 PM, RickyBubbles01 said:

@LMP@Pecan Boy@luckycharm Thanks for the recommendations! Any thoughts on suit supply? Their suits look nice but they're pretty expensive and their recent ad campaign is pretty tacky. 

I think that I'm about to give the opposite advice from @LMP.  Interesting how this differs!  OP, I notice that you're a law school admit - so I'm going to address this point with OCIs in mind.

Suitsupply can be excellent if you're still figuring out what kind of suit you need. I went in there when I was going through the OCI process and snagged something that I liked specifically with the recruit in mind. I had a great experience - they deal with a number of law students/lawyers and were able to give me something that I still wear regularly now. The material/fit was great and they can assist if you're still not sure what you should be getting. The only awkward part was walking into OCIs and realizing that there was someone else wearing the exact same suit with the exact same tie. 

That being said, you don't need to buy something that expensive right away. The places mentioned above are all excellent and will give you what you need right now (Don't buy your first suit from Harry Rosen. You do not need to spend that much cash). You can figure out if you need a SuitSupply suit next summer/over boxing day. They do a huge sale around December where they seriously price down their suits. I was able to get something for about ~250 that would be 700ish regularly. 

 

[LMP]

2 hours ago, ZineZ said:

I think that I'm about to give the opposite advice from @LMP.  Interesting how this differs!  OP, I notice that you're a law school admit - so I'm going to address this point with OCIs in mind.

SuitSupply can be excellent if you're still figuring out what kind of suit you need. I went in there when I was going through the OCI process and snagged something that I liked specifically with the recruit in mind. I had a great experience - they deal with a number of law students/lawyers and were able to give me something that I still wear regularly now. The material/fit was great and they can assist if you're still not sure what you should be getting. The only awkward part was walking into OCIs and realizing that there was someone else wearing the exact same suit with the exact same tie. 

That being said, you don't need to buy something that expensive right away. The places mentioned above are all excellent and will give you what you need right now (Don't buy your first suit from Harry Rosen. You do not need to spend that much cash). You can figure out if you need a SuitSupply suit next summer/over boxing day. They do a huge sale around December where they seriously price down their suits. I was able to get something for about ~250 that would be 700ish regularly. 

 

@RickyBubbles01 I'd listen to this info. My advice is coming from a different industry and seeing as @ZineZ is a lawyer they likely know best.

[goodisgood]

Hi all, I'm looking to get a new suit so I have at least one that fits properly. I've read mixed reviews about Indochino and SuitSupply. I'm looking for something ideally under $600, fitted. Not sure if anyone has any ideas other than the two I already mentioned?

[ZineZ]

3 hours ago, goodisgood said:

Hi all, I'm looking to get a new suit so I have at least one that fits properly. I've read mixed reviews about Indochino and SuitSupply. I'm looking for something ideally under $600, fitted. Not sure if anyone has any ideas other than the two I already mentioned?

Merged your topic into this one, OP. Going to eventually see if there's a better home for the entire conversation - but this one works for now. 

[efrefgg]

There's plenty of Suits on Netflix, which is pretty cheap.

[Whist]

I started binging Suits recently - it's bad. And yet I just keep going. I'm on season six already. 

As for being on-topic, I found a suit at RW&Co on clearance for $100-ish. (Normally $250-$300, can't recall exactly.) It needs to be tailored but looks perfectly serviceable otherwise. Although I've never actually had to wear a suit before, so my judgement may be off by a lot.

[Hegdis]

General high points from the last suit thread:

1. Men, avoid black. It can look green under some lights. What you want instead is a very dark navy. Belt and shoes should match e.g brown/brown. Ties are a matter of personal taste - emphasis on the need for actual taste to be involved - and purple is a TOTALLY ACCEPTABLE COLOUR TO WEAR. Cufflinks, Pocket squares - these accessories are also a matter of taste but an interview should not be the very first time you wear either. You want to be comfortable in your skin, not posing.

2. Women, for you black seems to be ok. We never figured out why this is, but I don't make the sartorial rules. To head off two of the most common questions: You can wear a skirt or pants, you can wear heels or flats. Just make sure you look polished rather than casual. Wearing nylons with a skirt appeared to be up for debate but most women seem to go with them at least for the interview.

3. Everyone: Pick a white or blue shirt if you want to play it safe and aren't really sure of yourself yet. Your first suit should be navy or dark grey. Fit the biggest / broadest part of you, paying attention to what the sale associate says, and then visit a tailor and shell out the extra bucks to get the rest of your suit fitted - this is a HUGE confidence booster and you'll be glad you did, I promise. You will also learn a lot from this experience.

4. Everyone: During an interview, your top and bottom pieces should be part of the same suit. A mismatched jacket over dark bottoms looks far too casual barring some very, very rare exceptions. And be careful about this: seldom will two navy suits actually match in terms of weave and colour - "close enough" is not good enough.

5. You only need one suit during school. You need at least two for summer /articles. From there you'll figure it out.

6. Visible tattoos, piercings, unnatural hair colours, these are all legitimate expressions of who you are. However, you need to temper this against what employers are looking for: "fit" often describes not just the office but also the clients. So tone down the more extreme parts of your self-expression for the interview and if you get the job you can get a feel for what's actually permitted. The first impression is seldom the right time to make a bold fashion statement.

[Hegdis]

My personal advice to anyone is this: do not wait until the interview to wear your suit.

Buy your suit and get it tailored.

While you're waiting to get it back, go to a really nice hotel and sit at the bar and order a drink (this can be a perrier if you want; the point is the exercise).

Pick up your suit and make sure you have appropriate shoes. Then put on the whole ensemble and go order a drink at that same bar. Now pay attention to how differently you are treated by the staff and the other customers.  Pay attention to things like where you can comfortably fit your wallet and phone, or if your purse works with your outfit. Pay attention to how it feels to sit, stand up, use the hotel washroom. Women, when you are in front of a mirror check to see if your shirt drops too much away from your body when you lean forward to wash your hands. Leaning forward to shakes hands with some one seated at their desk is the same angle. Men, see how the knot in your tie holds up after an hour or so - have you been fidgeting with it? Is it still centered? Is it coming loose?

This is kind of a fun, low stress adventure you can go on that will get you used to this new skin. You want to be aware of what works and what doesn't, how you feel, where to put your stuff, if you picked the right shirt, if your shoes need breaking in. You want to figure all that out before you're in the midst of OCIs. Try it. Have fun.

 

[MapleLeafs]

OCIs are virtual this year! 

Edited June 30, 2021 by MapleLeafs

[Ben]

15 minutes ago, MapleLeafs said:

OCIs are virtual this year! 

Where did you hear that?

[MapleLeafs]

12 minutes ago, Ben said:

Where did you hear that?

I've heard that from multiple recruiters at the big firms in Toronto. not sure about in firms 

[Ben]

9 minutes ago, MapleLeafs said:

I've heard that from multiple recruiters at the big firms in Toronto. not sure about in firms 

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

Edited June 30, 2021 by Ben

[efrefgg]

21 hours ago, Hegdis said:

snip

 

suit buying CYOA when?