Where do I find a suit that fits me?

July 1, 2009 12:45 PM

I need a really nice suit for upcoming law firm interviews. Where do I go for one that actually fits me?

I'm 6'1.5", 180 pounds, in my mid-20's. I work out quite often, so I have a thin, fairly athletic physique, though obviously not "jacked" at 180 pounds. I've had a series of suits over the years that I've picked up at various department stores, none of which have fit me very well. Typically the pants are too big for my chest size (I'm a 39 or 40 in the chest, with a 31 waist), and even when altered, the legs are too baggy. I'm tired of lame suits and want a really nice, well-fitting one that I can wear for years to come.

I've found most that American suits don't fit me well. I do like the way British and the slim Italian suits seem to fit on people of my body type -- fairly unstructured jacket (minimal padding), high arm holes, high rise on the pants, etc. What are some designers I should be looking at, and what stores would carry these (ideally, at a somewhat discounted price)? I'm in the NYC and DC areas. I'm willing to spend around $1,000, though I would of course prefer less. Obviously I need a fairly conservative suit for firm interviews, so no crazy high-fashion makes, but rather, just something elegant that actually fits my body type (i.e., no Brooks Brothers "sack" suits).

Note that I'm already pretty well-versed in things like vents, collar style, colors, etc., so I'm really just looking for advice on particular makes and stores, not the whole rundown on what a proper "interview suit" should be.

posted by decoherence to clothing, beauty, & fashion (13 comments total)

Mr. Ned's and LS Men's Clothing seem to be well-liked among the people on the Ask Andy and Style forums. They both do made-to-measure (not quite bespoke) suits for under $1000.
posted by mullacc at 12:52 PM on July 1

(both in NYC)
posted by mullacc at 12:52 PM on July 1

I was in a similar situation as you several years ago, and at around the same size (6'5", 170 lbs.) am similarly unflattered by American suits. In your price range, I'd definitely recommend Ted Baker; nice slim British suits at very reasonable prices.
posted by saladin at 12:52 PM on July 1

If you are willing to spend that much, have you thought about talking to a tailor and getting one made? Granted this may not be possible at that rate in NYC or DC.
posted by wocka wocka wocka at 12:55 PM on July 1 [1 favorite has favorites]

What I would do is buy off the rack from somewhere that sells high quality brands at reasonable prices. An example of this might be an outlet for a major retailer or somewhere like Nordstrom's Rack. Then you go and get the suit fitted at a tailor. That is the only way you will get a suit that fit's properly. You will likely have to spend three to four hundred dollars to have a suit totally properly fitted. So budget that in to your overall expense when buying the suit at the retailer.

Many retailers will fit you properly as well. However, you will pay for that premium and most likely will not get exactly what you want for under your budget. If you want to try Nordstrom's and Saks Fifth Avenue may be good choices for you.
posted by skewedoracle at 12:55 PM on July 1 [1 favorite has favorites]

double your budget and you could have a suit done bespoke at freemans sporting club—they make wonderfully crafted, stylish but timeless suits, and do it all locally in nyc. considering the state of the economy it's worth asking if they can work with you on the price; last time i was in there they offered a friend a good discount on a pair of pants he was considering.

for shirts and ties to match, check out 20 peacocks, which does both off the rack and bespoke.
posted by lia at 12:57 PM on July 1

Jos. A. Banks has served my attorney boyfriend very well over the years.
they do tailoring on site. i believe they are a chain on the east coast.

he is tall and athletic, and about your build it seems. he also prefers a more conservative, traditional style suit.

they often have great sales too, with ties, shirts etc on discount.

i realize they are not british, but his anglophile father who is also tall and thin has used them as well.
posted by sio42 at 1:04 PM on July 1

Brooks Brothers offers slim cut, high rise, minimally padded suits for men, in addition to the boxier, more padded style. You might check it out, even if you don't think they'll have what you want. Also, Brooks Brothers made to measure is generally not significantly more expensive than Brooks Brothers ready-to-wear, and they have an annual bespoke sale.

Most slim boys I know really look nice in Kenneth Cole.
posted by crush-onastick at 1:15 PM on July 1

My BigLaw cousin bought a great suit from a Brooks Brothers outlet in Connecticut. They are all over. It was not outrageous - a few hundred dollars.

But wocka wocka wocka is right in saying you should really be focused on the tailoring issue. "Ready to wear" is a misnomer.
posted by greekphilosophy at 1:54 PM on July 1

Funny, I overheard a conversation about this on a flight the other day. Next time you're in the DC area, go down to Virginia Beach and hit up the mens stores there - especially Jos. A. Banks. They're very good at helping because they're often selling to the SEALs in the area, who typically don't fit well in a standard, off-the-rack suit.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 2:38 PM on July 1

You want a Brooks Brothers Fitzgerald suit. You can get 2 for $1500. get navy and charcoal gray.

Don't get a BB Outlet suit or a Jos. A Banks suit. They are inferior in quality, especially for the price you pay (they're fused, as opposed to canvas).

You should also look at Ralph Lauren Black Label suits, but they might be too stylish for a law school interview.
posted by unexpected at 3:39 PM on July 1

Also, let me suggest that you get at least two suits for law firm interviews, particularly if you are in law school & will soon be going through the weeklong grind of on-campus interviews, followed by callbacks. You always want a backup for the next day, and if you are doing the typical five or ten interviews a day at an OCI, you may wind up sweating quite a bit.
posted by Conrad Cornelius o'Donald o'Dell at 9:40 PM on July 1

All of the partners in law firms that I ever worked at got suits from Brooks Brothers. One of the partners I worked for was one of the best dressed men I've ever met. I wouldn't go anywhere else. Tailoring is free.
posted by bananafish at 9:23 AM on July 5