I am in desperate need for fashion advice

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Oh, and trust me, a man in a suit makes me week in the knees.

That's not a $200 suit. Hell, the shirt in that pic was probably $200 by itself.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by WPOZZZ

A new suit is $200?

Sure from the clearance rack at TJ Maxx...

I think the folks thinking that you get get a good suit for $200 are buying them in Hong Kong or the Philippines or are having flashbacks to 1995.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Paul T

I’m one of those weirdos who misses the days when we used to wear suits and ties to the office….idk, I felt good looking good I guess. Anyway, I’d buy a new suit if it were me.

I've never worn a suit to work. I've worn them to interviews or weddings or events, but never to work. I'd have to be paid A LOT to wear a suit to work every day.

I do enjoy feeling like I'm really well dressed, but being really well dressed is hot, and not as comfortable as being dressed more casually. For several years, I had a pretty nice wardrobe, lots of great pants, shirts that fit and looked great, probably 7-10 different pairs of dress shoes with matching belts. It was great to feel great. Having nice cloths that actually fit right makes a huge difference in how you look and how comfortable you are, but it's still not as comfy as something light and comfortable.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

Asking a bunch of um, mature men about fashion is likely not the best source of fashion ideas.

We actually have quite a few guys here that have lots of experience dressing fashionably (there's a term for it that I can't remember).

I think the term that I was thinking of is "clotheshorse"

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/728480-any-clotheshorses-here.html

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Dixie

I can't argue this as I've never bought a suit, but I present, as evidence, Exhibit A.

doesn't that say "jacket"? Maybe I'm wrong, but how I read that ad is that you can buy a suit in pieces, and that's the Jacket, then you have to buy the pants. Still, I'm betting it looks far better in the photo than on a real person that's alive and in motion.

[wildthing]

Try one of those newfangled Internet/Instagram/Facebook advertisers - Suit Supply (has stores), Indochino (has stores), Sene (I think internet only), Proper Cloth (Internet only)...

I personally have Bonobos (now owned by Walmart) and J.Crew. YMMV.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

^If TABS were here, he'd laugh in the face of that suit, mocking it, bragging about some Cesare Attolini he pulled out of a dumpster behind KFC! I miss the guy!

No, he bought 9 Brioni suits for $8.47, 11 pairs of Italian loafers for $14.64, and 4 pairs of dragon-azz jeans for $9.35.

Or you can see the example of him crapping all over a clothes thread below (with references about all of the stuff he has and how much he paid for it). (I think he had a buddy at a funeral home that used to sell him clothes off of cadavers cheap)
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/836389-nice-clothes-really-fit.html

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Dixie

You forget I live in Florida. The last guy I dated said, "I'm gonna take ya someplace really fancy. Like, with table clothes." So I put on a dress. He picked me up wearing a fishing shirt, jorts, and clogs.

Score! Since he was wearing "shoes" they let you both in!

[masraum]

Originally Posted by wildthing

Try one of those newfangled Internet/Instagram/Facebook advertisers - Suit Supply (has stores), Indochino (has stores), Sene (I think internet only), Proper Cloth (Internet only)...

I personally have Bonobos (now owned by Walmart) and J.Crew. YMMV.

I had some Bonobos and they were great, but I don't think I'll be buying any more...

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by masraum

doesn't that say "jacket"? Maybe I'm wrong, but how I read that ad is that you can buy a suit in pieces, and that's the Jacket, then you have to buy the pants. Still, I'm betting it looks far better in the photo than on a real person that's alive and in motion.

You are correct. I went to the Mens Warehouse site at lunch and looking up that jacket. (yup... I have an exciting lunch life!)

The pants are $79.00. There were two variations. One by waist and length, and one by waist only (which would need altering).

The matching vest was something like 60? ish dollars.
Looking further, shirts were rather cheap- between 30-50 bucks.
Ties- 30-50$
Shoes - about $120 for dress (and probably total junk).

In the end, I was totalling the full outfit to around 400-500 ish depending on choices. (go easy- I'm doing this all from memory)

This thread has got me into a rabbit hole of father's day clothing sales and whatnot!!!!

Back to the OP's topic, I think the advice of contacting the bride and groom is tops for their input.
In the meantime,
it might not be a bad idea to check out some sales this weekend. Take the wife, and try some stuff on. Ask upfront about tailoring lag times. State your intentions clearly when walking in. There is no substitute for trying stuff on. Alot of clothes have been "upsized" to make people feel thin, so some pants that state 32 really run 34. Some "thin fit" is more tailored, and some tailored is more tent size, but then again, some brands run true to size. You just never know.

For that matter, I'd totally avoid any internet shopping purchases for your situation. You have got to try it on in person.

Fit is king. I'd rather have a vintage suit that fit than a new one that doesn't any day of the week.

I've had some good success buying from Charles Tyrwhitt online, but the process took me buying some shirts that didn't fit before I found the size combination that did. You don't have the time for that.

Get a feel for the salesperson. How are they dressed? Are they pushing the sale? Go with your gut instinct.

If you can find a good tailor, run by there with your suit to get their opinion. Pants are easy to alter. I've got a sewing machine and do it myself. Some 90's pants have so much drop you can delete the cuffs if you want. Jackets are more complex- if the jacket isn't fitting right in the shoulders (a lot of my 90's jackets are too big in the shoulders by today's standards)- it really might be easier to buy new. You can always put some darts into a jacket, but it has to be subtle, or otherwise, you are overhauling a jacket- hence- it might ( does) make more sense to go new if the fit is really off.

Unless you have some weird build, New jackets are pretty easy to get close off the shelf. I would like to run 38 regular length, tailored, or slim fit (depending on the brand)- but that's me, and it depends on the brand.

Also, realize that just about anything you try on might feel like a winner because you haven't tried on a lot of other stuff. Kind of like going into a bar and falling head over heals over the first girl you meet as the love of your life. Don't do that. Even if you like something, step away, try some other stores and come back if it still right in your head a day or two later.

On the other hand, all this cheaper new stuff if not going to hold up like that 1988 green shirt.
Now THAT thing is badass!

[masraum]

About 10 years ago, I had one of the threads that I linked above. I bought a suit for my wedding, and ended up buying 2 other suits (that I've never worn) and a ton of other clothes (mostly for work). I think the 2 suits that I bought were in the $500-750 dollar range.

[LEAKYSEALS951]

Originally Posted by masraum

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/836389-nice-clothes-really-fit.html

This thread is gold. It's like the Mullholland thread of fashion, and Tabs is in top form!
Love it!

Tabs: "So far the correspondents on this Thread have not expressed a complete understanding of either high fashion nor good what good clothing is."

I mean, who needs TV, Cable, or YT, when you've got stuff like that?

[fintstone]

I wore a suit to work for the last 15 years or so. I have quite a few Men's Wearhouse suits. Most were around $200-$250. They always do a good job altering them to make the fit perfectly. I always bought conservative suits with dark colors...and often found them on sale. Always a fresh white shirt. You can wear the same suit to work, to a wedding...or a funeral. Most of my ties were less than $20...but I was pretty picky.

See the photo below (don't have many with me in them). I am in the middle. The slim, younger guy on one side is wearing a really expensive suit (as he was wont to do) ...and the guy on my right was dressed up about as much as he ever was. The $200 Men's Whorehouse suit looked about as good as a short old guy like me can look after being at work for 12 hours. I often bought an extra pair of pants or two as they did not last as long as the jacket. I generally wore black Florsheim shoes, black socks and a black belt. I was often complimented on my clothes. Especially by women (even younger ones) who seem to notice/care more than guys.

Pick carefully and you can do well. Avoid trendy stuff if possible.

[fintstone]

Wedding with a rented outfit (so everyone matches). Same guy (for comparison). Same Men's Wearhouse.

[LWJ]

Bought one today. It will do.

I can’t spend in men’s wearhouse. Bought some stuff there years back that was absolutely awful.

Thanks all! Great wisdom. I appreciate it.

[fintstone]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Bought one today. It will do.

I can’t spend in men’s wearhouse. Bought some stuff there years back that was absolutely awful.

Thanks all! Great wisdom. I appreciate it.

LOL. Yes. They have some awful stuff. They also have some nice stuff. You just have to differentiate.

Glad you found what you needed. Enjoy the wedding.

[WPOZZZ]

I think this would look fantastic!

[WPOZZZ]

Originally Posted by Dixie

Oh, and trust me, a man in a suit makes me week in the knees.

That guy wears it well, but it gives me cartel vibes.

[otto_kretschmer]

A suit helps

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by LWJ

Bought one today. It will do.

You're welcome. Your commitment to making the event the best it can be will be appreciated by all. Good job.