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How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 7:05:42 AM

SomethingCatchy

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While this isn't for BDSM, I figured I'd ask the lovely ladies here since a lot of them enjoy a well dressed man. Tink and I enjoy going shopping for nice clothes for him, and I almost always pick out what he's going to get. I'd like to get him a light weight suit, but I've never shopped for one.

If you have picked out a suit for your boys, how did you do it? Is there a certain store that is more helpful than others when it comes to picking something out? A website?
My eye for dress/casual is pretty good, but I have trouble finding things that flatter my body, much less a man who's 6'4" and 220 lbs.

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 7:27:49 AM

SolangeRichards

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If you Google something like "How to buy a suit", you will find reams of information from a number of sites.

Now, I've owned a few suits, it's not all high heels in my life, and here's a few things I look for in the stores I might shop for a suit in.

I like independents versus chains for the most part.

I like places that employ real suit salespeople who work on commission. They need your guy to look good. So good in fact that he will want to return to buy more suits, and the extras like shirts, ties, cufflinks etc etc. A sales type who is paid a salary just does not always do the work with the same mindset....

You want a place where the tailor is on the premises rather than the place that sends the suits out to a central tailoring facility. It's better if the tailor is older I think as lengthy experience counts for plenty. It's best of all when his/her clothing is cut and finished to a high standard as it shows the type of work they do.

When you are there, if you think whatever suit your guy is trying on is too trendy, too young, too foppish or too anything....it is!

Good luck!

(in reply to SomethingCatchy)

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 7:33:49 AM

SomethingCatchy

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Good advice. I'll check google, I can't believe I didn't think of that before.

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Post #: 3

RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 1:18:58 PM

heavenatlast

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The build of your boy will very much influence the style of suit you should choose. Slender boys suit doublebreasted styles and more burly boys may look less 'wide' in single breasted styles. The other thing to consider is the length of the jacket. Your boy is tall and therefore he could carry off a stylish longer line jacket - something which would swamp a shorter boy. You're lucky you've got a nice sized boy to suit up!

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 1:35:39 PM

Jeffff

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A Quality Mens store is the way to go. Or something like Nordstrom's or brooks brothers. They know what they are doing and they will fit it so it looks right.

I am 6 ft 165lbs. I am not an off the rack guy...:). Fit is everything. A suit that fits right looks good no matter how much it cost and an ill fitting suit looks like crap even if you drooped big dough on it.

Brooks Brothers , while not cheap are rather timeless. A quality suit will last forever.

Jeff

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 2:12:20 PM

Kaiel

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeffff

A Quality Mens store is the way to go. Or something like Nordstrom's or brooks brothers. They know what they are doing and they will fit it so it looks right.

I am 6 ft 165lbs. I am not an off the rack guy...:). Fit is everything. A suit that fits right looks good no matter how much it cost and an ill fitting suit looks like crap even if you drooped big dough on it.

Brooks Brothers , while not cheap are rather timeless. A quality suit will last forever.

Jeff

Exactly- Nordstroms or Brooks Brothers, but you want him with you, so it can be tailored to fit him....

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 2:19:47 PM

Vendaval

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You should have a tailor do all the measuring and keep a record. Also have him measured wearing the shoes he will have on with the suit to see how the cuffs fall.

People have an array of body types and because one area is longer, say the arms and legs, that does not necessarily equal other parts being constructed the same. A guy can be tall and skinny in general but still have a pot belly, shoulders can be narrow, standard or wide, etc.

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 3:12:02 PM

LafayetteLady

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From: Northern New Jersey
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quote:

ORIGINAL: SomethingCatchy

While this isn't for BDSM, I figured I'd ask the lovely ladies here since a lot of them enjoy a well dressed man. Tink and I enjoy going shopping for nice clothes for him, and I almost always pick out what he's going to get. I'd like to get him a light weight suit, but I've never shopped for one.

If you have picked out a suit for your boys, how did you do it? Is there a certain store that is more helpful than others when it comes to picking something out? A website?
My eye for dress/casual is pretty good, but I have trouble finding things that flatter my body, much less a man who's 6'4" and 220 lbs.

Jeff offered the best advice (go figure, he's a guy). First be prepared to spend a few hundred dollars easy.

If he has a flat belly, go for the pleated pants. The waistline should fall about 1 inch below his belly button. The length of the pants should hit the top of the shoe with just the smallest "bend" at the instep (so when he sits they are not "floods). A tailor will want to know which side he "dresses" on so as to leave extra room on that side.

A double breasted jacket will make the shoulder look broader. If your guy has a larger butt, double pleats in the back are a bad idea. The sleeves of the jacket should come to just below the wrist. The jacket should not be snug across the back and allow the freedom of movement of the arms. Likewise it should not be so loose it looks like a little boy wearing daddy's clothes.

For a light weight suit, look for linen, but know that it will be wrinkled just from sitting in the car on the way to dinner.

(in reply to SomethingCatchy)

Post #: 8

RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 4:01:22 PM

Tantriqu

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Agree as above, especially what a good tailor can do for him:

Plus:
For light weight with a bit of flash I like gun-metal blue [Armani if you can!]. Otherwise, a very dark blue or charcoal with or without a very faint pinstripe is timeless:
Ties can dress it up or down;
Longsleeve shirts only underneath with the cuffs showing one centimetre /half-inch,
Pocket squares and handkerchiefs are coming back.

I hope it's enjoyable for you both. I loveloveLOVE taking a good man suit-shopping! Very arousing, especially when we 'christen' his new suit!

(in reply to LafayetteLady)

Post #: 9

RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 4:17:17 PM

LadyAngelika

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quote:

I am not an off the rack guy...:). Fit is everything. A suit that fits right looks good no matter how much it cost and an ill fitting suit looks like crap even if you drooped big dough on it.

Nothing like a man in a well fitted Italian suit. Excuse me while I wipe a little drool off my chin ;-)

Jeff is on the nose. I'm a huge fan of Harry Rosen - http://www.harryrosen.com/eng/Suits/suits.cfm (A Canadian Co) but it's got the basics - BOSS, Armani et al.

I actually love to go watch a man find a suit, get fitted, etc. Something kind of sexy about it for me. I think part of it is watching his body language change as he sees the transformation.

I also have this fetish for neckties - I love tying a man up with his own tie - and usually the men I date end up with a pretty big neck tie collection from me ;-)

- LA

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 4:34:24 PM

LadyAngelika

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Tantriqu

Agree as above, especially what a good tailor can do for him:

Plus:
For light weight with a bit of flash I like gun-metal blue [Armani if you can!]. Otherwise, a very dark blue or charcoal with or without a very faint pinstripe is timeless:
Ties can dress it up or down;
Longsleeve shirts only underneath with the cuffs showing one centimetre /half-inch,
Pocket squares and handkerchiefs are coming back.

I hope it's enjoyable for you both. I loveloveLOVE taking a good man suit-shopping! Very arousing, especially when we 'christen' his new suit!

All very fabulous suggestions! Made me realise I forgot one of my favorite finishing touches: cufflinks.

Today there are so many you have have so much fun with them: http://www.cufflinksman.com/

Though I recommend staying with a classic style, you can go a little fun with them. Just not too much bling!

[image]http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/yhst-33021441641232_2093_1166837[/image]

And consider the engrave-able ones... could be some kind of a collar symbol if he has to wear a suit to work everyday ;-)

- LA

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Post #: 11

RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 5:16:42 PM

lizi

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Jos A Banks was awesome when I took my sons there. The salesman was extremely knowledgeable about cut, fit, and current trends. It's not cheap but sign up with them for mailings and you'll get cards in the mail for certain customer sale days- shoot....we even got a 50% off during the holidays. They have a tailor on the premises that works fairly quickly and the salesman knew enough to make the chalk marks for the tailor on the suits himself. Plus the salemen that work there work in a suit, nice to see them strut their own stuff so to speak and have their own business cards to pass out so you'll come back. I was very impressed and would go back in a heartbeat. My sons are Jeff's size and they were dressed to kill

I'm sure any other quality men's store would be the same.

(in reply to SomethingCatchy)

Post #: 12

RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 5:22:03 PM

TermsConditions

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I truly dislike shopping for a suit. If your boy can wear a suit off the rack, he is doubly blessed.

I have a small waist and a big butt so nothing off the rack fits right. it takes days or weeks to find something close and then it doesn't fit. tack on 50-100 for alterations.... and it still does not fit exactly.

So i just get them made.

I use John H. Danile & Co located in Knoxville, Tennessee. http://www.johnhdaniel.com

Business, family and leasure take me through East Tennessee occasionally and i work a visit in if i need something. If you wish, Knoxville is super easy and inexpensive to fly into. There is one concorse and like, 20 gates. The rental car counter is at the end of the concorse (down the escalator) and the cars are right outside.

They may be the last custom tailor in the US where you can walk in, get measured, pick a fabric, style, buttons etc. and have the suite made onsite. In a couple of weeks they will send you the finished product fedx or you can come back and pick it up and confirm the fit. I just get my stuff delivered.

Call for an appointment. Have your boy wear the shoes and sock he'll wear with it as well as a long sleeve dress shirt.

I've had a dozen suits and sports coats made there over the last 25 years. The price is not much more than i pay for a suit plus alterations and even their non sale price is no more than expensive dept. store suits.

I had two suits made last year when things got tough at work (gotta look good to interview) and a navy blue sport coat to replace the old which was finnaly looking tired after two decades + of steady serevice. While i was there a gentleman joining the obama administration in some capacity was getting measured for a couple of suits. He was spending a LOT more money than I lol.

Nothing feels better than clothes that fit.

tnc

< Message edited by TermsConditions -- 3/22/2010 5:24:13 PM >

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 6:20:57 PM

BoiJen

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I love the antearter.

He's right..Brooks Brothers is the way to go. They're pricey but their product is amazing. They will fit the suit to him and help you find the perfect look you want.

I love Brooks Brothers and I love my Brooks Brothers suit.

boi

PS. Brooks Brothers will have "ready to wear" business shirts (designed for the business man who flies) that are pre-startched as to not wrinkle or stain as easily. And I would recommend wool.And taupe is a very good up or down color (dark gray close to charcoal) but not so serious. It's often got hints of brown in it so he can accessorize with black or brown. And as always, I'll recommend silver or white gold cuff links or jewelry when wearing them. It makes for a very "clean" look.

Oh!...and these are always fun!!
http://www.cufflinksman.com/shop-cufflinks-by-material-silk.html

< Message edited by BoiJen -- 3/22/2010 6:36:18 PM >

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 6:21:07 PM

LafayetteLady

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From: Northern New Jersey
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quote:

ORIGINAL: lizi

Jos A Banks was awesome when I took my sons there. The salesman was extremely knowledgeable about cut, fit, and current trends. It's not cheap but sign up with them for mailings and you'll get cards in the mail for certain customer sale days- shoot....we even got a 50% off during the holidays. They have a tailor on the premises that works fairly quickly and the salesman knew enough to make the chalk marks for the tailor on the suits himself. Plus the salemen that work there work in a suit, nice to see them strut their own stuff so to speak and have their own business cards to pass out so you'll come back. I was very impressed and would go back in a heartbeat. My sons are Jeff's size and they were dressed to kill I'm sure any other quality men's store would be the same.

Honestly, I would stay away from anything "trendy" unless there is money to blow on something that can't be worn until the "trend" comes back.

Classic NEVER goes out of style, and a good, well made suit will last a very long time.

I do feel a need to comment though.....the fact that a man can buy two or three suits and wear them over and over, simply changing the shirt, tie, etc. without anyone every thinking anything bad while if a woman were to do the same thing, there would be all kinds of talk, just sucks!

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 6:59:49 PM

ordinary

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deleted

< Message edited by ordinary -- 3/22/2010 7:01:15 PM >

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/22/2010 9:09:45 PM

Aynne88

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A well tailored custom shirt is the way to start. Giorgenti is the best, you take your measurements, they advise you on colors based on eye color, build, skin tone, etc. You can choose french cuffs, (yum) different plackets, all your own fabrics, and I have been using them for a decade. The difference in a custom made shirt versus even a high end dep't store one is huge. They are not that pricey either. I love white collar and cuffs, with some elegant cufflinks. They also do gorgeous custom suits.

http://clothesforsuccess.com/

I have to disagree re: pleats. I find them on any man, no matter what physique, outdated and very 80's. Double breasted blazers are also rather out, clean lines are much more flattering.

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/23/2010 7:38:46 AM

Kaiel

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Joined: 4/17/2007
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: LadyAngelika

quote:

I am not an off the rack guy...:). Fit is everything. A suit that fits right looks good no matter how much it cost and an ill fitting suit looks like crap even if you drooped big dough on it.

Nothing like a man in a well fitted Italian suit. Excuse me while I wipe a little drool off my chin ;-)

Jeff is on the nose. I'm a huge fan of Harry Rosen - http://www.harryrosen.com/eng/Suits/suits.cfm (A Canadian Co) but it's got the basics - BOSS, Armani et al.

I actually love to go watch a man find a suit, get fitted, etc. Something kind of sexy about it for me. I think part of it is watching his body language change as he sees the transformation.

I also have this fetish for neckties - I love tying a man up with his own tie - and usually the men I date end up with a pretty big neck tie collection from me ;-)

- LA

Ha! We have something in common, I love watching a man tie his tie, with the perfect little dimple at the top!! Yum... I am also a fan of tailored shirts w/ cufflinks!!!! There is nothing sexier in My opinion than a man in a well tailored suit, perfectly tied tie, and nice cufflinks!

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/23/2010 8:21:39 AM

LanceHughes

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And now, what you've all been waiting for....... the Gay Dom perspective. LOL!

Born and raised in Chiago, I bought ALL my suits at K & G Men's store - at the time it was a chain, but formed from Mom-and-Pop places. As above, salesmen wearing KG suits, all were trained in chalking, on-site tailor took about three or four days.

Nobody has yet said, when buying suit, buy shirts and ties to be worn with that suit! Color/texture/pattern of a shirt can be closely matched/designed at that point. Salesmen are trained for up-sell on these items and will rarely steer you wrong. Then wear those combos ONLY. What's fun is to get two/three shirts and two/three ties ANY combo of which "works."

AND listen to the salesman!!! Not just on current product but for life-long hints. One thing I always remember is that pattern must "book" at back. Let's say you've got a pinstripe. Turn over on flat surface. Check how the stripes come together on back, central seam. They MUST look like mirror image or pages of a book...... TOTALLY easy to check and a clear indicator of quality. (I got a booked suit at a thrift for $7.50 - perfect fit! - I go back, trying to see if donor might have donated something similar.)

Lightweight for summer? Seersucker is unusual, SUPER-classy, classic. Pink is difficult to pull-off. Blue-eyed blonds get blue, brown-eyed men get green. Pale, pale shirt to match. Tie has always been difficult....... classic is solid color HAND-TIED bow tie..... Oh, and BTW, a bow tie is tied JUST like you tie your shoes. Black shoes/socks with blue seersucker, both brown with green......

Hats? Nobody has said a word about hats - yes they ARE coming back - leading edge of fashion, actually!

DAMN! It's getting warm in here. Lance must excuse himself to go take care of some..... er, personal business.......

< Message edited by LanceHughes -- 3/23/2010 8:28:31 AM >

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RE: How to buy a suit - 3/23/2010 10:53:20 AM

thetammyjo

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I reviewed a good book on this subject a while back. Let me see if I can find it....

"Dressing the Man You Love: A Woman’s Guide to Purchasing, Coordinating, and Caring for His Classic Wardrobe" by Betsy Durkin Matthes

Initially I thought this was another "let's mommy him book" but it isn't. There is absolutely no reason why a man can't learn from this book and put it into action. It is a few years old now.

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Post #: 20

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