ISO: Reasonably priced, well fitting suit
March 27, 2012 12:05 PM Subscribe
I have to attend a wedding at the end of April. Upon taking my suit out of storage at my parent's house, and finding a hole eaten through the shoulder, I no longer have a suit. I'm looking at this suit from Indochino, but was curious if there'd be anything at cost or cheaper in the DC area, and any general advice when ordering from Indochino.
A few specifics:
A few specifics:
- I need to get measurements taken to order the suit, but would have no intention of buying the suit at the tailor that took the measurements. Do they charge for this, or is it a free service?
- The wedding is "black tie preferred". If I paired this with a black tie, then would that be socially acceptable in most cases? Or would I be better off renting a black suit? I have no intentions of buying a black suit, since I think they're sort of tacky.
- Is herringbone a good all-purpose look for job interviews, weddings, etc, or should I go with something darker?
- Have you had any experience with Indochino, and could you recommend something better within the same price range? Everything I've heard about them has been positive.
Response by poster: Would this be better? It seems like the darkest grey that Indochino has.
posted by codacorolla at 12:18 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by codacorolla at 12:18 PM on March 27, 2012
If you care about being black tie buy a tux, but a light gray herringbone suit is on the less formal end of appropriate for interviews et al. I.e. it is totally appropriate but is not totally down the line the way navy or charcoal would be. I would not buy it as my only suit.
That said, that suit plus a solid textured tie of some sort? why not.
posted by JPD at 12:18 PM on March 27, 2012
That said, that suit plus a solid textured tie of some sort? why not.
posted by JPD at 12:18 PM on March 27, 2012
No - this is the grey to get
I would not buy the suit you just linked for anything like a job interview or a formal event.
posted by JPD at 12:19 PM on March 27, 2012
I would not buy the suit you just linked for anything like a job interview or a formal event.
posted by JPD at 12:19 PM on March 27, 2012
"Black tie" means "dinner jacket and evening trousers a/k/a tuxedo" not "wearing a black four-in-hand tie."
It is always acceptable to wear a dark gray, navy, or black business suit to a black tie event, because not everyone can afford or wants to invest in formal evening wear.
Agree that you should go for the charcoal gray suit, not the light gray suit.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:23 PM on March 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
It is always acceptable to wear a dark gray, navy, or black business suit to a black tie event, because not everyone can afford or wants to invest in formal evening wear.
Agree that you should go for the charcoal gray suit, not the light gray suit.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:23 PM on March 27, 2012 [1 favorite]
Traditional wisdom is that if its going to your first/only suit, you're best going for something a bit darker. You want something you can wear to a wedding, a job interview, or a funeral.
Also, the shipping dates on Indochino suggest you'll get the suit by April 17 - that doesn't leave a lot of time for alterations in the best scenario, or an entirely new suit in the worst scenario. You might be better going for a brick-and-mortar store here. Jos. A Banks will do you a perfectly decent suit in that price range (assuming you catch them when they're doing 50% off rather than two-for-one - they are pretty much always doing one or the other). I'm not sure if there are any better alternatives in the DC area specifically.
In summary, yes, ideally you would be wearing a tuxedo for black tie, but a dark gray suit would be the best alternative for you.
posted by JerryCornelius at 12:27 PM on March 27, 2012
Also, the shipping dates on Indochino suggest you'll get the suit by April 17 - that doesn't leave a lot of time for alterations in the best scenario, or an entirely new suit in the worst scenario. You might be better going for a brick-and-mortar store here. Jos. A Banks will do you a perfectly decent suit in that price range (assuming you catch them when they're doing 50% off rather than two-for-one - they are pretty much always doing one or the other). I'm not sure if there are any better alternatives in the DC area specifically.
In summary, yes, ideally you would be wearing a tuxedo for black tie, but a dark gray suit would be the best alternative for you.
posted by JerryCornelius at 12:27 PM on March 27, 2012
Response by poster: What's the best place to get measurements taken, if I do go the Indochino route?
posted by codacorolla at 12:28 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by codacorolla at 12:28 PM on March 27, 2012
I would check out the suit stores on Wisconsin Avenue and M Street in Georgetown just to see if they have anything you like for less. My brother-in-law got an amazing jacket for cheap at one of the stores there.
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:30 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by Sidhedevil at 12:30 PM on March 27, 2012
If it's black tie, consider their Tuxedo. Disclaimer: I'm one of those people who agree's with the statement that every adult male should own a tux.
posted by Runes at 12:33 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by Runes at 12:33 PM on March 27, 2012
What's the best place to get measurements taken, if I do go the Indochino route?
You go in to basically any place that sells suits, and you fib a little.
You tell them that you need your measurements taken because you've got a wedding coming up. You let them believe that you need measured because you're in the wedding party and they will need to order tuxes. You ask up front how much they charge, since getting measured by a tailor is a service that you are consuming. They will quote you a figure probably no greater than $25.00. They will write down the relevant measurements on a card for you.
Because this seems like it will be your only suit, it is totally worth it to get a suit at one of these places instead of ordering one online. You're going to be wearing the suit at times when you need to feel comfortable (i.e., weddings and funerals and other formal events; job interviews; when giving presentations). It's worth spending a little more (and probably not much more if any, if you can find a sale) to try the thing on there, sit down in it, stand up in it, wander around the store catching your reflection and making sure this is the suit for you.
posted by gauche at 12:35 PM on March 27, 2012
You go in to basically any place that sells suits, and you fib a little.
You tell them that you need your measurements taken because you've got a wedding coming up. You let them believe that you need measured because you're in the wedding party and they will need to order tuxes. You ask up front how much they charge, since getting measured by a tailor is a service that you are consuming. They will quote you a figure probably no greater than $25.00. They will write down the relevant measurements on a card for you.
Because this seems like it will be your only suit, it is totally worth it to get a suit at one of these places instead of ordering one online. You're going to be wearing the suit at times when you need to feel comfortable (i.e., weddings and funerals and other formal events; job interviews; when giving presentations). It's worth spending a little more (and probably not much more if any, if you can find a sale) to try the thing on there, sit down in it, stand up in it, wander around the store catching your reflection and making sure this is the suit for you.
posted by gauche at 12:35 PM on March 27, 2012
Honestly, you can probably do a whole lot better than that at Men's Wearhouse, with the added bonus that you can shop local and see what the suit looks like on you before you buy it. They'll fit you and alter it for you on premises.
posted by General Malaise at 12:40 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by General Malaise at 12:40 PM on March 27, 2012
Response by poster: Every suit I've ever tried on at any off-the-rack place has always had a terrible fit on me. I tend to be swimming in everything. My last suit was from Macy's, and even after alterations it was still way too big.
posted by codacorolla at 12:42 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by codacorolla at 12:42 PM on March 27, 2012
I bought a suit from Indochino last year and I've been very happy with it. Their customer service was great. Make sure you make a list of all necessary measurements required by Indochino before you visit a tailor or brick and mortar shop to get measured.
posted by hilaritas at 12:50 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by hilaritas at 12:50 PM on March 27, 2012
If you are smaller than a 28 inch waist of or so I can see how you might have a problem getting a suit - but realistically the only think that isn't fixable on a suit (Within reason) is the shoulders. I'd be really surprised if you can't find a suit that doesn't fit your shoulders.
The problem could have been that your Macy's suit had a really boxy silhouette. Maybe try a bunch of suits on at a nicer suit store before you decide you must have MTM. Not because MTM is bad or anything, but that rather you are cutting it very close for an April wedding.
posted by JPD at 1:01 PM on March 27, 2012
The problem could have been that your Macy's suit had a really boxy silhouette. Maybe try a bunch of suits on at a nicer suit store before you decide you must have MTM. Not because MTM is bad or anything, but that rather you are cutting it very close for an April wedding.
posted by JPD at 1:01 PM on March 27, 2012
Not related to a new suit, but you might go to Nordstrom or Georges de Paris (downtown at 14th and G) for reweaving the one the moth snacked on.
posted by jgirl at 1:06 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by jgirl at 1:06 PM on March 27, 2012
Try Nordstrom (Pentagon City, Tysons) for the measurements - they have a whole alterations department. I'd go in to the suit department, tell them what you're looking for and what your budget is, and if they don't have what you need I'd ask the salesperson if the alterations department can come measure you so you can buy a suit you saw online. They may charge you some, $20?, but they may not. I wouldn't be embarrassed to do that - you're giving them a shot at the commission, and if they don't have what you need then it's okay to ask for the measurements - and they just may have something for you, that you'd be able to try on, get altered there, then try on again post-alterations and make adjustments if you need to.
posted by mrs. taters at 1:25 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by mrs. taters at 1:25 PM on March 27, 2012
If it's black tie, consider their Tuxedo.
A notched-lapel tuxedo is the tux equivalent of a four-button suit. Peak lapel or shawl collar. It sounds like you're leaning against actually buying a tux to go black-tie, but I just wanted to put that out there.
posted by supercres at 2:14 PM on March 27, 2012
A notched-lapel tuxedo is the tux equivalent of a four-button suit. Peak lapel or shawl collar. It sounds like you're leaning against actually buying a tux to go black-tie, but I just wanted to put that out there.
posted by supercres at 2:14 PM on March 27, 2012
Most tailors will charge you if all you're asking is for them to take your measurement so that you can buy a suit somewhere else.
If you want to pay less than $379 in the DC area, my husband has had good luck at Men's Wearhouse and Macy's.
As for black tie preferred, yes, that means they prefer a tuxedo and a gray suit will not be formal enough. But before he owned a tux, my husband wore a black suit with a white shirt and black tie, one of our friends was wearing the same exact thing, everyone else was wearing a tux or black suit with another colored tie. No one (male) at the black tie optional wedding was wearing anything other than black. A lighter color will not be formal enough.
posted by echo0720 at 3:33 PM on March 27, 2012
If you want to pay less than $379 in the DC area, my husband has had good luck at Men's Wearhouse and Macy's.
As for black tie preferred, yes, that means they prefer a tuxedo and a gray suit will not be formal enough. But before he owned a tux, my husband wore a black suit with a white shirt and black tie, one of our friends was wearing the same exact thing, everyone else was wearing a tux or black suit with another colored tie. No one (male) at the black tie optional wedding was wearing anything other than black. A lighter color will not be formal enough.
posted by echo0720 at 3:33 PM on March 27, 2012
Oh, I didn't see where you thought a black suit was "tacky". Black suits are very versatile and can be worn for anything, I truly don't understand why you think they are tacky. But, in your case, I would just buy or rent a tux for the black tie wedding rather than show up in a gray suit.
posted by echo0720 at 3:37 PM on March 27, 2012
posted by echo0720 at 3:37 PM on March 27, 2012
Response by poster: Pretty much everything I've ever read about buying a suit has recommended against black for an all-purpose suit, and I'm certainly not buying a suit that can't be worn for multiple occasions.
I'm leaning towards renting a tux at this point, instead of rushing in to buying a suit that I either won't really like or won't arrive on time.
posted by codacorolla at 4:33 PM on March 27, 2012
I'm leaning towards renting a tux at this point, instead of rushing in to buying a suit that I either won't really like or won't arrive on time.
posted by codacorolla at 4:33 PM on March 27, 2012
If you are only going to own one suit, then I would suggest a good quality charcoal or navy suit, preferably in wool. A general rule of thumb with menswear is that lighter or more pattern = less formal. I would call a black suit somewhat "severe", rather than tacky, but deep charcoal grays are much, much more standard than the light grays you appear to be gravitating towards.
My fiance recently purchased a new suit from Nordstrom during their half-yearly men's sale, and we found their sales staff to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful. My fiance is a slim, difficult to fit size, but the salesman helping us was able to accurately size him pretty much just by looking at him. We told him he was looking for a slimmer, modern-cut suit, suitable for weddings, job interviews, and funerals, and he found him a great, very serviceable charcoal suit. It wasn't exactly cheap (but much cheaper than if he'd bought it full price), but after the in-house alterations, the suit fit him beautifully. If you do decide to buy, I would recommend visiting a place like Nordstrom and telling them exactly what you're looking for and also what you're trying to avoid. Even if you don't end up buying from there, it might give you a clearer picture of exactly which qualities you do and don't want in a suit.
posted by Diagonalize at 5:10 PM on March 27, 2012
My fiance recently purchased a new suit from Nordstrom during their half-yearly men's sale, and we found their sales staff to be extremely knowledgeable and helpful. My fiance is a slim, difficult to fit size, but the salesman helping us was able to accurately size him pretty much just by looking at him. We told him he was looking for a slimmer, modern-cut suit, suitable for weddings, job interviews, and funerals, and he found him a great, very serviceable charcoal suit. It wasn't exactly cheap (but much cheaper than if he'd bought it full price), but after the in-house alterations, the suit fit him beautifully. If you do decide to buy, I would recommend visiting a place like Nordstrom and telling them exactly what you're looking for and also what you're trying to avoid. Even if you don't end up buying from there, it might give you a clearer picture of exactly which qualities you do and don't want in a suit.
posted by Diagonalize at 5:10 PM on March 27, 2012
a gray suit will not be formal enough
A charcoal gray or navy suit is formal enough for a black-tie event. As is a black suit, which is not "tacky", but which is probably a poor choice (because less versatile) for someone who only wants to buy one suit, which sounds like the OP's position.
Renting evening clothes for this event would certainly solve the problem and give you a chance to find the right suit at the right price, codacorolla! However, you should do that ASAP because this is peak formalwear rental season.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:20 PM on March 27, 2012
A charcoal gray or navy suit is formal enough for a black-tie event. As is a black suit, which is not "tacky", but which is probably a poor choice (because less versatile) for someone who only wants to buy one suit, which sounds like the OP's position.
Renting evening clothes for this event would certainly solve the problem and give you a chance to find the right suit at the right price, codacorolla! However, you should do that ASAP because this is peak formalwear rental season.
posted by Sidhedevil at 5:20 PM on March 27, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
If you only have one suit this would not be the color I'd pick. Go with a nice dark grey, either solid or with a very subtle pattern. You can pair that with a white shirt and black tie for this wedding, and you can pair it with almost anything for future events and interviews.
posted by 2bucksplus at 12:16 PM on March 27, 2012