Ask Angie (et al): opinions on Express suits for men?

Sveta

My hubby needs a new suit as his old one is over 10 years old and looks quite old fashioned to me.
We were looking at suits at Express today. I like the women trousers from them and hoped men suiting is as good. Men suits are quite more expensive than ladies though. We tried this navy one in a slim fit and it was quite a good fit for him. It is on sale now but still comes over $300 for the suit and I am not sure if this is a good deal for the quality.
Anybody has an opinion on Express suiting? Worth getting or are we better keep looking?

For a background: he does not need this suit for work. It is more for special occasions and functions from which the most immediate is a Christmas Gala Dance at the Ballroom Dance Club we are members of and which is in 2 weeks

Thanks in advance!

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Navy Micro Twill Photographer Suit Jacket

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11 years ago

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13 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

Inge

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I have no idea, Sveta, but I hope other Fabbers will chime in.

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

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In my experience (son and fiance), most men's suits need to be tailored regardless of brand. That takes initial fit out of the equation with the exception of the shoulder fit. I shopped with my son a few weeks ago and he tried on about a dozen suit jackets directly from the rack and we screened them in or out based on shoulder fit. He then tried the full suit of the contenders on. He bought two and I believe one was calvin Klein and don't recall the other. He picked the slim cut suits only and still took them to have the pants narrowed to a more modern fit. Tailoring on men's suits is even more a necessity than for women.

I am fairly sure express suits for women are not made of wool but could be wrong. I check to see fabric mix on the suits for the men in my life. I think a nice weight of wool that can be worn all year round in a mid-range color with subtle pattern (usually grey) is most versatile.

I am not sure if that helps at all Sveta. The other option is custom made. Both my son and fiance have two or three custom made suits in super 130 or 140 wool. The fit was perfect and they were able to select the pocket detail, preferred vent, collar shape and width, and lining fabric.

11 years ago

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

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I've not interacted with the Express men's suits. For occasional evening events they might be a good option.

Do you have Men's Warehouse in Canada? Their name sounds low end but with my DH I've been pleased at the depth of their inventory. Not to mention that tailoring is included with the purchase of all suits, if I recall.

11 years ago

thimblelina

(website)

Veteran

My husband wears NPS uniforms, (there's even a dressy one!) so he only buys a suit every 5-6 years. He's pretty loyal to Macy's/Nordstrom; they include tailoring too. And yes, he always looks for some thing very wool rich because nobody wants to be caught sweltering at an outdoor event in a polyester death trap.

11 years ago

Dana

(website)

Veteran

I don't know much about the men's Express quality, but I'd guess its on par with the women's store. I'll second Laura's comment about Men's Warehouse. You could probably get a suit for even less than $300. They have excellent customer service.

11 years ago

Sveta

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Veteran

Thanks for your responses. We have Moore's in Canada which I believe was bought out by Men' Warehouse. We have been there and unfortunately what they have on sale now is not a good fit for my hubby.
We may need to get there again to try on more suits. I was thinking about this over the weekend and it just does not feel right to me to make such an expensive purchase in a rush for the event - this is something we need to explore more and make a decision on.
The fabric content on Express suit is what stopping me: for this price I would expect to see more wool than 60%. I also looked up reviewes online and they are not very good so I think we will pass.
Dianthus, as you are also in Canada - where did you buy suits for your son?
My son was smart enough to have 3 suits custom made for him while he was in Hong Kong last year: i wish my habby has the same option

11 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

The major department stores have regular sales on fine men's suits and you can usually get 50% off. That's where being able to plan ahead comes in, though, so it won't help if it's not sale time.
But, depending on your access to similar stores, a key issue is to find what brands have the type of fit closest to what DH needs, look at fabrics, and so maybe get a kind of inspiration/aspirational suit in mind and go from there.

11 years ago

cheryle (Dianthus)

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Veteran

Sveta, my son was looking for fairly inexpensive suits since he needed 3 or 4. He chose to go to Moores because they had buy one get one free and most were in the $600-700 range. Both of the suits we bought were 100% wool and reasonably well constructed. One had subtle pick stitching on the lapels.

The poor boy has champagne taste but a beer budget. He went to harry rosen first. LOL

11 years ago

Gaylene

Veteran

If you are in Toronto, I wouldn't dismiss Harry Rosen too quickly. Both my husband and sons have bought suits there and had superb results with the tailoring that is included in the purchase price. HR does have different price points as well as a discount/warehouse outlet at another location. I'd also suggest checking out Brooks Brothers next to the Royal York. Again, different price points, excellent quality, frequent sales, and some modern cuts mixed mixed into their traditional offerings.

ETA: if your husband likes a very modern, slim fit, J Crew's Ludlow suits might also be worth looking at. The downtown location seems to have the best selection in men's clothing.

11 years ago

gryffin

Veteran

Sveta - Sorry can't be helpful about express, I've never shopped there. I am interested to hear you thoughts on this style suit itself. Is your husband very tall and slender? This european cut is the only thing most of the stores carry and IMHO it only flatters the slender. Very elegant, very modern but unforgiving to my cuddly 5'11" sweetie who looked like an oversized upholstered bellhop. We have a store called "Sams" I don't know if they are a chain but they carry traditional and modern cuts with tailoring included for the most part. Anyhow they had a variety of styles. But Nordies, Bloomies, Niemans only have that cut, Macy's had a long which was a "regular" length jacket. BB runs too narrow through the body as my belovedest needs a roomy cut. So my question is what are your thoughts on longevity of this jacket/suit style? Is this here to stay? Since men buy good suits infrequently I think it's more of an issue for them. Also if this cut really flatters your husband it's immaterial - then it's stock up for the fashion famine to come. But very curious on your thoughts (but then you know I am a long jacket girl!!

11 years ago

Sveta

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Veteran

Thanks again ladies.
Dianthus, so it was Moore's. This is where we bought the suit for him - ahem - 11 years ago (or was it 12? ) We have been there. They had a good sale on Black Friday ($169 selected suits) but none of them was a good for him. They also have buy 1 get 1 free and this was a better option but he does not really need 2 suits. I also find that men suit cannot last "for decades" as fashion and style changes - his current 11-year old suit is a good example of it. I think we will go to the store again on the weekend, they have a new promotion - maybe it will be better?
Gaylene, we are not in Toronto and the selection in our city is limited. After trying suits with him in the store I can see that online shopping is out of the question - too hard to get the fit right.
griffin, He is not too tall at 6' but very slender with wide shoulders. This slim cut was definitely the best looking on him.

11 years ago

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

My husband likes the J Crew Ludlow suits for their slim cut. He has several of them, because he wears a suit every day to work. It's hard for me to get him to buy anything else. Also he likes the option to buy the jackets and pants separately and to get the pants with waist and inseam already hemmed.

11 years ago

Angie

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Fashion Stylist

Sorry for the late reply, Sveta. Are you sorted? May I suggest a BR or J.Crew suit for hubs (on sale hopefully), instead of an Express one.

11 years ago

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