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October 21, 2023 8:55 AM

What are the best options for purchasing quality business and formal menswear these days? I am in the market for a new tuxedo and need new pants for the office.

In the coming months, I'll need to buy a new tuxedo and a few new pairs of work pants (i.e., not casualwear, but not necessarily "formal" either). I want to get good quality cuts and fabrics (and definitely not anything described as "stretch" or "tech") that I can expect to last for 10 years or more.

For the Tuxedo, I would like to pay $1200 or less for just the tuxedo jacket and pants (I have shirt / studs / cummerbund / tie already), but I'd be willing to go up to $1500 if it means a significant jump in quality. For pants, $100-$150 is ideal.

Online brands are welcome, but ideally I would be able to try things on in-person first, either in eastern Pennsylvania or in NYC.

Thanks!

posted by thecaddy to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (6 answers total)

You may wish to consider made to measure, e.g. make your own jeans dot com. Despite the name, they offer a wide variety of casual, business and formal wear. My partner has used them extensively, and the product is good quality and value for money. Dress pants are right around your price point.
posted by seanmpuckett at 9:55 AM on October 21, 2023

I've had reasonably good luck with Suitsupply for this kind of thing, which is also in the made to order space. Most such companies don't actually make to measure, rather they take measurements, make the closest standard size, then tailor it in advance of delivery. That said, the customizability can be compelling, if also a little overwhelming if you don't have a specific vision in terms of fabric, lapel style, etc. In your case, a "standard" tuxedo has a pretty narrow range of variation, so it shouldn't be too bad. Suitsupply also does custom trousers.

The way Suitsupply and its competitors work, you won't be able to try the suit on as such, although if you're lucky they'll have a few pieces in the style or even fabric that you're interested in that you can try on in the store. There is a certain degree of faith in the process, in that you pay in advance and that's that, although they will do further adjustments and tailoring on-site if necessary. Their process does not involve a mockup for fitting the way a bespoke tailoring process might.

A next level up option would be something like Alan David in NYC. $1500 would be roughly in the middle of their range for a tux.

You may be interested in this Reddit post for a round-up of NYC made to order, made to measure, and bespoke options. The post doesn't distinguish between MTO and MTM, but the less expensive options are generally all MTO.
posted by jedicus at 10:55 AM on October 21, 2023

For the Tuxedo, I would like to pay $1200 or less for just the tuxedo jacket and pants (I have shirt / studs / cummerbund / tie already), but I'd be willing to go up to $1500 if it means a significant jump in quality.

My Brooks Brothers tux is beautiful and fits well, and comes in at your price (and lower if purchased during one of their sales, obviously).
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 11:24 AM on October 21, 2023

Try Spider and Mackay for chinos and the like.
posted by kensington314 at 6:28 PM on October 21, 2023

Ahem. Spier. Not Spider.
posted by kensington314 at 7:46 PM on October 21, 2023

You have no end of options in NYC. The Armoury has 2 locations in the city. You could get something made to measure by Atelier Fugue, based in Brooklyn, which will be more budget-friendly (disclosure: this is a friend of mine and I own multiple suits from him). Here are some photos of a DB tux from him. No Man Walks Alone carries a lot of great trousers — the ones from Rota are worth looking at.
posted by ludwig_van at 4:41 PM on October 23, 2023