Hubby Needs a New Suit

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lwc

Active Member

Where should we go to find one?

What brands should we try?

What color should he start with?

What other accents do we need to give him a good start and options?

He is 5'8", slim, muscular, 28" waist, with skinny legs.

Clothes shopping is the bane of his existence, and he lives at the tailor's. I have a feeling that we're gonna have to throw down some serious cash for a decent cut, if not a custom suit. We plan to go shopping for him early next week.

Oh, and the suit would be his only one, and the first he's purchased in ages. It's primarily for professional purposes, interviews and such.

TIA!

17 years ago

Shopping

9 replies

Latest reply was from lwc

Maya

Veteran

One of my best friends is also a 28 (only much taller, which actually makes life even harder). I can ask him next time I talk to him (which will probably be soon).

Banana Republic has the male equivalent of a 00 sold only online, so if you go to a store you won't find it. Unfortunately their suiting seems to start at a 29.

http://bananarepublic.gap.com/.....?cid=43620

I know my VSF (very skinny friend) is a big fan of H&M. Their men's clothing is cut a lot like their women's: tiny. He also told me he shops in some Japanese store, because their clothes tend to run quite small, but I don't know what it is or if they would have one near you (it isn't Uniqlo but something else, so I'll ask him about it). Basically, if you have any Euro retailers near by (H&M, Zara, Esprit) off the top of my head, try there. I don't think they're necessarily good suit places, though.

Does Club Monaco sell men's clothing? I know they run small in women's so it might be worth it to look around there.

J Crew has an XS section as well, and they actually have suits, unlike silly BR.

http://www.jcrew.com/AST/Brows...../suits.jsp

I believe Brooks Brothers can make a custom suit, which while pricey, would be pretty killer to have. Sizing and alteration info is here:

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/.....g.tem#size

Wow, I really want to try that digital alteration thingy!

I'm sure people with significant others and husbands will probably have more detailed input.

17 years ago

Eva

Active Member

My husband has a 28 inch waist as well. He is short with very broad shoulders. (He has over a 10 inch drop so can't buy off the rack.) You mentioned that your hubby is muscular, are his shoulders broad in proportion to his waist? My hubby has a difficult time with sizing because he has to buy for his coat size, then have the pants altered to fit. He used to buy his suits at Norstrom then have them tailored. You might want to check prices on tailoring to consider the full cost of the suit.

Since it will be your husband's only suit, you might want to spend the money to get a good one. My hubby now gets "measured to wear" suits . Some people think it is the same as custom suits, but it is different because there are less fittings. The sales person takes many measurements (20 or more) to get the cut right. Then they build the suit based on the measurements. Custom suits are fitted at each stage of building the suit. Measure to wear is slightly less expensive, but you get to pick your cuts, details, fabrics, etc.

With regard to color, I think charcoal or navy are good colors. They work for interview, wedding, and more formal occasions and works for winter and summer.

17 years ago

Steph

Veteran

Did you have an idea of price range? Hugo Boss might be a good brand to try. They tend to be cut broader in the shoulders and chest and narrow through the waist and legs. It's definitely a more European cut, which might work for your husband. The quality is great, so it should wear well as a primary suit over a long period of time.

17 years ago

Anonymous

If you're interested in custom or bespoke suits, this link is helpful to understanding what to look for:

http://www.omiru.com/index.php.....poke-suit/

Colors and patterns or fabrics will be up to the style and comfort level of your husband!

Everyone else has made great comments - Best of luck!

17 years ago

Anonymous

Whoops! double post.

17 years ago

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

If you're not looking for super high-end suits, my husband is very fond of Men's Wearhouse. They're great for starter suits, and they're designed to help men who can't put outfits together figure out what shirt, tie and suit combo works. Also, they do alterations, and once you get something altered, any new alterations after that are free. As is any dry cleaning. DH had to rush in and buy a black blazer last month for his father's funeral, and a month later he took it back because he'd gone down another size again and needed it taken in. They took care of all of it quickly and inexpensively.

17 years ago

Eva

Active Member

Kristen, thanks for the advice on Men's Wearhouse. I didn't know that they did additional aterations for free. My hubby got his tux (long story) there because they had "$200" tuxes, but in the end the cost was significantly higher due to the alteration he had to have. It is nice to know we can get adjustments for free.

17 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

You are sweet to be helping hubby out like this. What would our spouses do without us?

Such great advice! Lesley, it really depends on how much you are willing to spend. I’d whisk hubby straight off to regular Hugo Boss (not couture Boss). A regular HB suit will cost around $500. Opt for dark navy or charcoal – not black. If he’s funky consider a pinstripe suit. Where possible, boys need to buy better. You might find these posts helpful:

http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....-them-all/

http://youlookfab.com/2006/05/.....uy-better/

17 years ago

lwc

Active Member

Thanks so much for your responses, ladies!

Indeed, what would our spouses do without us? Walk around looking "tore up from the floor up," in my case. And I'm not having that!!!

We'll be hitting the stores early next week. I'm thinking Hugo Boss, Nordstrom, BR, and maybe a couple of other stores. I wanted to make sure that we were focused, and not just running around randomly.

Now, I have to psyche myself up to spend a day shopping with someone who hates shopping. LOL.

17 years ago

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