Buying a new suit WWSTD?

Slaters if you have one near

^^^what he said, I like the free alterations so they fit just right.

John Lewis

You don't need to spend 500 quid to get a decent suit if you're only wearing it occasionally, 300 is more than enough.

Just budget for suitable accompanying shoes as rubbish shoes will stick out like a sore thumb.

I like the fact that slaters will do alterations, but some of the models on the website just look really wrong, as in big jackets and skinny trousers.

The 'chartlon' stuff looks ok at best I think... but it's not making me want to buy it.

Nearest outlet place (McArthur Glen at bridgend for me, for example) and have a good dig around.
I got a full tux for £120 (from Skopes) a couple of months back, mad to spend lots on something that's going to come out maybe once or twice a year.

Moss bros are a bit shit imo, not great quality for the money.
That said, I have to wear suits most days for work, I can honestly say that the overall quality has deteriorated over the last fifteen years or so, from most high street outlets, basically since manufacture went out to far east etc.

If it’s for rare occasions, hire?

All the above if you need one like tomorrow.

However....and especially if you don't need/want to look too corporate.....keep an eye on fb market place, ebay or the local charity places. Look out for stuff that's not too much of a apprentice bank teller special or worn and bagged out to hell. Quirky stuff comes up all the time. Or named brands and actual quality wool. And buy big for you. Then take it to a local corner shop independent tailor for some root and branch major surgery.

I bought a jacket and waistcoat last year like this. Unworn and ticket price new from the same named tailor is £600. I paid £150 on fb market place. £60 to the lovely Turkish lad in town who opened it up on 3 seams and shortened the arms and did the same to the lining too. I'm a silly shape with broad shoulders and suit jackets look like tents on me. This thing is awesome now.

Slaters, M&S, moss bros, skopes are generally tat.
I agree, upto a point, with convert; ebay and charity shops with convert's caveats.
I'll be getting rid of some suits soon - 40 chest, 32/34 waist, 31 leg; barely worn; 100% wool; crombie, daks, gieves and hawkes.
All destined for charity shop.
Find a good alteration tailor.
Not a stealth add - going, going...

If it’s for rare occasions, hire?

's what I came here to say.

My newest suit was probably fashionable(*) when I bought it, maybe 20 years ago. I don't know how often I've worn it but if it's into double figures I'd be shocked. An absolute waste of money for something whose only purpose is to meet other people's expectations.

If I needed a new suit tomorrow I'd either try to hire one or come up with an alternative.

(* - truth be told, it probably wasn't)

I'm not disagreeing with any advice above but agree most with defblade.

If you aren't wearing it loads just get something that fits well. Last suits I got I think can't from Cheshire oaks outlet, cerrutti, 2 suits cost £225 iirc. They fit well but yes the wool was thin and less than 2 years use every other day in the office and the trousers were shagged. The other suit I was alternating with was Austin Reed iirc and that is still going strong years later. No idea what that cost though, it was free to me.

If you do decide to spend more then don't do as I did for my one and only made to measure from one of Bangkok's top tailored.... And go for slim fit. If looks great.... But I've worn it about twice and will never fit it again, ever.

Next Signature (wool) suits are decent for work. Range of fits/colours etc and are good quality for the price. Their tailored cut fits me bang on off the shelf. Only c.£230 or so.

Making sure it fits well is the main thing, even a cheaper suit that fits really well will look better than a more expensive but poorly fitting one.

Loose some weight you fat bastard*

*tongue in cheek obvs.

Thanks everyone,

So I guess what I'm looking for is a Sport/Utility suit. (to use a car analogy) Drab enough for weddings and funerals, but sexy enough for job interviews.

I’m probably in the minority, but I no longer bother with suits, even for interviews. Smart chinos with sports jacket/blazer, nice shirt and tie with smart brogue boots. I can then wear this outfit as day to day office wear, weddings etc.

(I’m an IT director for a large US investment bank if that matters)

Charles Tyrwritt for the chinos and shirt and tie, Jackets from Hackett and boots from Grenson, but Charles Tyrwritt also sell similar boots for a lot less price wise. I get all of the above from Ellesmere Port Outlet stores (Apart from the boots)

Magee do mix and match suits within your budget. Great quality.

M&S.

Unlike most of the other options they do 4 cuts of jacket from emaciated to Greggs Ambassador, 3 lengths, umpteen different chest sizes, 3 styles of trouser waists, 4 different cuts like the jackets again, and all the lengths and waist sizes. If you can't find a suit that fits from all those options then you're probably out of the range of altering anyone elses suit either.

"Free alterations" at other places just meant they'd take the hem up on the trousers if needed. They weren't going to start unpicking the whole jacket if you weren't built like their model.

Had to go through this palaver for my brothers wedding a couple of years ago, everyone needed the same suit but were all different sizes and shapes, and after traipsing round everywhere on the list ended up in M&S.

Slaters are to be avoided- how can one use a tailor that displays blacktie with a wing collar?

Slaters if you have one. The free alterations are good and they're usually well priced too.
Plus, they'll have a good selection to try on in store, which M&S/Next/etc. won't as they've mostly stopped selling them in person.

M&S are pretty good imo.
I mean when I was younger and more 'athletic' in build, I thought they were badly fitting and targeted at old duffers. Fast forward 25 years and they seem to fit well. They must have made some big improvements in the fit..

Got my wedding suit from Moss.

They gave me a free consultation to measure up and try a few styles on.
Once it arrived they said i could make a few adjustments at no extra cost.
I didn't need to and it fit perfectly.

Probably the best fitting clothes I've ever bought.

Had a couple of suits from Slaters in the past, totally fine for what they cost (cheap).

Few years of parenthood and idleness meant they no longer fitted when I needed one at the end of last year so tried the local-ish outfitters ( https://www.glivingston.co.uk/ <-- these guys in Castle Douglas) and they were brilliant.

Mix n match (short legs / big body = no problem), free alterations done in-house and all ready in a couple of days.

Couldn't fault them at all, really nice to deal with.

Charles Tyrwhitt are good and often have sales: https://www.charlestyrwhitt.com/uk/clearance/mens-suits/

Bought (what I imagine to be) a great fitting suit from JL for 75 quid early in COVID...

Having a decent alterations place at hand is invaluable for all sorts.

TM Lewin has been my choice for a few years now.