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I've got to go to a wedding this year and I probably need a new suit anyway. I'm not a suit person, it's for weddings, funerals and court appearances (lol). I'm thinking classic rather than trendy as it won't be getting much use and I'd like to have it a while but I don't want to spend lots on a suit when I could spend the money on more fun and pointless stuff. So where would one look for that kind of clobber? I've got 4 months before the wedding so feel free to waste your time with daft suggestions too.
Without making the usual "birthday suit" comment, and acknowledging that I haven't bought a suit for a decade: 🙂
On the high street:
Next
Marks and Spencers
John Lewis
Get a wool / wool blend one. Try some on. Pick the one you like.
work out what size you are. CHeck vinted. LOADS of suits that have presumably been bought for a specific event and will thus likely not be worn again, usually at significantly lower prices then new
I would take a look in M & S. They do a good range including cheaper options and are fairly classic so will not go out of fashion unlike some of the trendier places. Otherwise maybe take a trip to an outlet centre and have a root around there.
M&S are good. Their staff are also good at helping you get a decent fit, head to a bigger store to get a range of options and (usually) more experienced staff
Get thee to your local Slaters.
Pick up a relatively plain charcoal or navy suit made with a wool blend. Make sure it is single breasted and has 2 buttons on the jacket.
Make sure it's a regular fit, and get the fine folk from Slaters to make some minor adjustments to get it well fitted (this service is free). If in doubt, err on the side of it being bit generous and get it taken in, it can then be taken out if/when you expand.
This style and fit will be versatile enough to be worn for pretty much any occasion.
Whilst you're in Town go to Charles Thrywitt and get measured for a shirt, buy a white one with a standard (not cut away) collar and your choice of cuff (I like a double cuff, others will disagree). Make sure it does not have a breast pocket.
Pair with a clean pair of black shoes and a tie of suitable colour (darker for a funeral, brighter for a wedding) and you'll be sorted.
I'd check your local TKMaxx first, I've had some absolute steals from there.
You could also have a look on Asos. There are so many styles and prices there that there will be something that fits your taste and budget. It's mail-order, so you cannot try it on of course, but I've found some really well priced stuff on there then had it adjusted locally - as you've got months this shouldn't be an issue.
... in fact I think I've got you sorted. Great price, and nobody will forget you:
Are you near an outlet shopping village type place, they always have at least 2 suit shops.
But as above, Vinted can be great, high street places like Next and M&S are perfectly good for reasonably priced suits. You just might be stood next to someone at the bar wearing the same thing. For that reason you should always buy a non high street funky shirt to pair it with!
Marks and Spencers.
Had to get one for a funeral last year and they had by far the best choice. Tried Next as well, but they were too far to the trendy side for a 50 year old. Slaters can be good if your top matches your bottom half, but a lot of their suits are sold as a set and for the trousers always swamp me compared to the size of jacket I need. Slaters will tailor adjustments for free, but for me they've never been quite right. M&S do loads of mix and match jackets and trousers.
You thought about just hiring one? Saves a lot of hassle if you don't need one very often. I only bought as my family are all getting older, so more funerals on the horizon.
feel free to waste your time with daft suggestions too.
If you're not a suit person, don't wear a suit. A wedding in June, the first thing you'll be doing is taking your jacket off and you'll be counting down the minutes to the evening do where the tie can (ahem) follow suit.
For a one-off event if you really must, I'd be down to Moss Bros to hire one.
If you're not a suit person, don't wear a suit. A wedding in June, the first thing you'll be doing is taking your jacket off and you'll be counting down the minutes to the evening do where the tie can (ahem) follow suit.
I've got the impression for a while that weddings have become less formal, but the last few I've been to have been as formal as they were 30 years ago with absolutely everyone wearing suits and ties. I was the only one not wearing a tie at a couple of recent weddings, and these were for couple in their 20s/30s.
So, use Cougar's advice if you want to stand out like a sore thumb. Yes, you'll be taking your jacket off later, but in the pics, at the ceremony, meeting the wedding party you'll be the only one wearing a Mr Grumpy tee shirt and flip flops. 😀
Kilt.
Good for weddings and funerals and probably court.
Re June wedding, cougars point is valid. I went to a wedding and the weather was beautiful but my god it was literally "i do" a quick kiss and everyone made a dash for shade. It was horrendous, would have killed for a floaty summer dress or failing that a linen suit.
I'm not a kilt person so that's not going to happen. When I say I'm not a suit person, I don't mind wearing one I just don't have a reason to very often. I've worn my old suit to summer weddings, it's not exactly a hardship if you're used to physical work under the blazing sun. My last suit came from a designer outlet but the last time I looked they seemed to be home to the weird and wonderful or the cheap and nasty. I'll check out Next and M&S.
Pop to your nearest Slaters. They have suits for all budgets and free alterations.
I own quite a few including a shiny Paul Smith wedding special but can't remember the last time I actually wore suit, but then I see my lads who unlike me are in a wedding going demographic (actually it may have been at a funeral I last wore one) do dress smartly...
Anyway - and I should be getting paid for this - there's no need to m&s or next or heaven help us txmax, when you can go with the qlo: simple, modern, lightweight, stretchy, and above all, cheap: https://www.uniqlo.com/uk/en/products/E468671-000/00?colorDisplayCode=05&sizeDisplayCode=004
Second hand Paul Smith on eBay.
They used to do a sample sale in Nottingham. The members of staff got 4 tickets to hand out to friends and family.
My house mate worked for them, she got me into 3 of the sales.
I struggled to walk out with bags of stuff I then mostly sold on eBay. Bit cheeky but it paid for the stuff I kept.
I can't remember what time of year it is (it was cold, very helpful) but a saved search might bring up some amazing stuff.
I still have a suit and a couple of jackets. There is no way on earth I'd be paying £1000 for a suit and £600 for a jacket. They seem to be starting from £120 on eBay.
Picked one up for a wedding last year from Primark for not much money.
Slaters
Slaters in Brum. Proper suit shop.
I have been buying suits from Slaters for 30 years, they have a great range and prices. As others have said they do any alterations in the price of the suit, oh and you can buy an extra pair of pants if you want as well (good if its an every day suit and the arse goes)
If you still wear 32" reg jeans you may get your ego deflated a wee bit when you have to go up a couple of sizes, suits tend to be a bit tight and unless you are just going to stand and watch from the sidelines and nae dancing it will be a 36" waist
Got my last suit from moss bros at the Castleford outlet village...
Ended up spending about £400, but it's a nice multi purpose suit, and that's including a shirt, tie and a new belt too, so the 'extras' made up a fair chunk of that £400. I think the shirt was about £40 and the belt not much less.. But it's a reversible dress belt so it's black on one side and a kind of tan brown on the other.
Good service as well from the shop staff... They even laughed at my joke when I told them thier sizes were out and I was deffinatley a 36" waist rather than a 40.