Buying a suit in London

November 23, 2006 3:58 PM

Can you recommend any good places to buy a suit in London for work/interviews?

I'm pretty clueless about this, so any advice/suggestions very much welcome. Hoping to spend no more than £200-250. I know Marks&Spencer, Zara and Next do suits for men, but that's about all I know. And if it matters, I'm 24. Thanks!

posted by Ira.metafilter to clothing, beauty, & fashion (18 comments total)

You might be interested in this opinion, from a bespoke tailor on Saville Row:

1. A totally machine made, off-the-peg suit.

These cost around £100 to £600. The production systems for these is so slick, a suit is literally made in minutes. My first boss, Mike Wigglesworth of Redmayne once very kindly took me to visit a clothing factory to witness this mechanization. What sticks in my mind the most about that day, apart from the disconcerting efficiency of the machines, was the fact that designer-label brands were coming off the same production line as the “apparently” far less exclusive makes, such as Marks & Spencer [For the money, the British high street retailer, Marks & Spencer makes as good a suit as anyone. I rate them highly].

With machine-made, all manufacturers have pattern designers who create a basic pattern which, in “their” interpretation, would fit most people. So what you’ve got to do is be guided by the fit and the feel of a jacket around the neck and shoulders. Make this your priority.

If you’re in-between sizes, get the larger size and pay a high street alteration tailor £20-£30 to have it taken in or whatever. Don’t fool yourself that just because it's a Hugo Boss or Armani it’s a better fit than than the Marks & Spencer. Doesn't work that way. Forget the cost, just be honest with yourself. Like I said, pay attention round the neck and shoulders.

Plenty more good advice on that page, and on his blog generally.
posted by robcorr at 4:34 PM on November 23, 2006

Ugh, Savile Row...
posted by robcorr at 4:36 PM on November 23, 2006

Worth your while looking at the massive range at M&S in Marble Arch.I bought a really quite attractive 'weddings and funerals' black linen suit for £120.
posted by Dr.Pill at 4:37 PM on November 23, 2006

Yes, Marks & Sparks is great. Check out their website to whet your appetite before you go.
posted by randomstriker at 4:42 PM on November 23, 2006

Avoid a Next suit, they somehow always manage to look cheap.
posted by patricio at 4:50 PM on November 23, 2006

4thing M&S - range of fits means you can get something that looks great.

Zara, Next, forget it. Also don't be taken in by the "deals" at so-called specialist suit shops. You'll generally overpay for rubbish.
posted by TrashyRambo at 5:44 PM on November 23, 2006

When I lived in London, I bought by entire wardrobe here - there's one on the 8th Dec. Forget getting the picks if you're not there at opening time on the first day though. Oh, and they have communal changing rooms, so don't go wearing embarrassing underwear....
posted by forallmankind at 5:47 PM on November 23, 2006

Check out H&M. From what I've seen, their range of men's clothing - including suits - is fashionable without being outre, and is very reasonable priced. A friend of mine wore an H&M suit to my wedding recently; he looked very snazzy, and if he'd told me his suit cost £400, I'd have believed him. Turns out it was under £150.
posted by hot soup girl at 6:14 PM on November 23, 2006

I got a great suit at Top Shop on Oxford Street about 3 years ago.
posted by bruceyeah at 7:14 PM on November 23, 2006

How about River Island?
posted by JakeWalker at 7:25 PM on November 23, 2006

I don't wish to be dogmatic but: Go to M&S in Moorgate opposite the Tube Stop. Buy a dark grey 3 button single breasted suit. Get someone in the menswear department to help you make sure it fits. Dont ask the bozo in the changing room what he thinks (if he thought he wouldn't be in the changing room). I have interviewed people for 15 years and if I notice what you are wearing it is always a negative; either wrong cheap or wrong flash. If you are a fat bloke you may buy a double breasted dark grey suit. Wear a regular white or blue shirt, and a silk tie, dark long socks and black shoes. Shave what you normally shave, and make sure your glasses are clean. Have a clean handkerchief and a pental black pen, extra copies of your CV and a few plain postcards to take notes on. Switch off your mobile. Make sure your watch doesn't beep on the hour.Think about some questions to ask. If you have no ideas ask about the firm's competitive advantage.
posted by priorpark17 at 8:52 PM on November 23, 2006 [2 favorites has favorites]

M&S at Marble Arch is good, as others have said - or try the big Moss Bros in Covent Garden. It has a range of own-brand and off-the-peg label suits (Hugo Boss, Aquascutum, Pierre Cardin etc) which aren't too expensive. There is also a second-hand department in the basement which has some good, ex-hire stuff.
posted by greycap at 11:09 PM on November 23, 2006

try house of hanover for end of line designer suits
posted by londongeezer at 2:07 AM on November 24, 2006

Previously. And I still heartily recommend Volpe in Pimlico.
posted by jim.christian at 3:22 AM on November 24, 2006

TK Maxx carry end of year/season suits that are heavily discounted. Somehow, I don't think you'll find an Oswald Boateng suit in there, but they've normally got some good stuff. £600 suits for £200, that kind of thing.
posted by xpermanentx at 3:57 AM on November 24, 2006

John Lewis? There is a big one in Oxford Street or one in Sloane Square (called "Peter Jones").

I wouldn't get one from Zara, Next or River Island personally.
posted by mr_silver at 4:16 AM on November 24, 2006

I got a great suit from John Lewis. took me nearly 2 hours to find it, but it was worth it. It was a JL brand and it looks great and the price was right.
posted by Frasermoo at 3:32 PM on November 24, 2006

Thanks everyone for the great recommendations!
posted by Ira.metafilter at 1:25 AM on November 25, 2006