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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 9:54am | IP Logged
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Where do you get it?
Dh has suits he's had for 15-20 years that are classic but finally wearing through, and he needs them replaced.
Now, I'd be a good amount for another suit I thought would last that long, but nothing seems to be made that well anymore. One of dh's best suits was Lands End, but when you read the reviews of their men's dress clothes, you see SO many comments say, "We've bought these pants for years, but we are disappointed that these are not the quality they used to be." Very frustrating.
He bought some things from JC Penny last year, and its a mixed bag with a couple of pants that have been great and others that are falling apart already.
He went last week to JC Penny, and he was SO frustrated trying on suits because the cut was so bad. Why is it that men's clothes are either so baggy, you could fit two legs into one pant leg OR obscenely cut to look effeminate and "metro-sexual"???
Several years ago, Talbots stopped carrying men's clothing altogether and had a killer clearance event. I picked up a lot of stuff for dh then, and it has been THE BEST. But I don't even know where to look anymore? I wouldn't mind paying for slightly higher end products if the quality was in fact better, but it seems you can't even trust what used to be reliable (like Lands End).
Has anyone found a reliable source for men's dress clothes?
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Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 9:59am | IP Logged
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I don't do much shopping but suits can (and often need) to be tailored.
The last time I bought dh a suit (he doesn't use them much <-------understatement  ) I searched on ebay.. lots of guys will buy a suit for an event and then wear it a couple of times and get rid of it. Good way to get a higher end product for less money. But it's been a while and I know I use ebay less these days because the deals are not so great anymore. People are trying to make money off stuff rather than sell to get rid of it.
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Betsy
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 10:10am | IP Logged
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My goto places for dh's work clothes are:
Joseph A Bank
and
Stein Mart
Now, I fully agree that their really isn't good quality suits and business attire to be had....at least at prices that normal people can afford. These two places seem to be about the best of what is out there these days. However, NEVER (I Repeat) NEVER buy anything from either store without a sale or a coupon! :)
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Betsy
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 10:13am | IP Logged
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Sorry to double post! I also agree that for suits must be tailored to fit properly. Joseph A Bank always had a taylor on site to do the work...which is nice.
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When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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JennGM
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 10:34am | IP Logged
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I completely feel your pain, Lindsay. My husband had to replace his suits recently. It's a killer! 
He shops at Joseph A. Bank and Brooks Brothers, but only on sale. I don't like all the sale practices JAB, and their shirts are expensive and not durable -- just dh's experience.
We have done the Outlets for BB, but be aware, they are lesser quality, and you need to try on, and have a good tailor to help. But when you don't have the $$$, it's still better than other places.
We have a really good tailor, and she has explained that suits that are seconds or such can be small things like the way the sleeves are stitched in. Suit sleeves are cut right and left and have a certain shape to the man's arm (not straight). But some of these can be off a little to make the sleeves not hang right.
You also might want to see if you could have a custom made suit -- our tailor has mentioned she does this, which means you get to pick quality material and work. We want to price it to see if it would work. My dh works in a place where he is with high-powered attorneys with their Italian or other expensive suits, so he has to look the part, even if he doesn't pay that much.
Another point, on your metrosexual comment. We cannot stand the European look or fit, with the tighter legs and the lower waist and tighter jacket. You have to find the traditional suits, and make sure you try on the pants. If you read the BB's reviews, they had changed the fit of the pants which made the crotch too short, so it took dh a long time to find the right kind of fitting pants while these bad ones were going through the outlets.
Shirts are the bane of our existence right now. He is going through the elbows of his shirts right and left. I'm planning on making a quilt or two with all the shirts I have -- but it's getting ridiculous. Some of the best we have gotten is the after-Christmas sale at Nordstrom's.
After Christmas sales are the BEST time to get men's stuff. BB has a great sale, but you have to hover online to get right when it starts!
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Mimip
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 11:26am | IP Logged
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When my husband was in the Homicide division he had to wear a suit every day and it was KILLER on the budget! We finally went to buying all shirts from Brooks Brothers. These dress non iron shirts. My ironing skills are pathetic and my husband finally gave in to buying these shirts because he did not have to send them to the dry cleaner. My brother wears these exclusively and they last a few years wearing them several times a week. Sadly that is how long shirts are made to last these days.
Oh and DO NOT buy them at the outlets. Those shirts are inferior and are not non iron!
As for suits, I totally agree with you about the cut. Do you have a Burlington Coat factory anywhere close by? We have had some luck with them. Again, not going to last a long time but the expense is not so much and you can buy several that you can rotate through. We bought my husband a few this past month because his were so worn out and out of style and were able to get a really like suit for $150.
I agree with the tailor though. Sometimes the money for the tailor is worth more that the suit!
Good luck!
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Mimi
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Betsy
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 11:55am | IP Logged
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JennGM wrote:
He shops at Joseph A. Bank and Brooks Brothers, but only on sale. I don't like all the sale practices JAB, and their shirts are expensive and not durable -- just dh's experience. |
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I agree with your sentiments and your dh's opinion of the shirts. I think the chemicals they use on their shirts to make them iron free is so strong that they shirts break down easy.
My dh has been wearing Eagal Shirts for a few years and they have worn well.
Also, I love your advice to look into have a suit custom made. If you found a great taylor I bet this would be an awesome option! i have know people that travel to China to have this done (ETA--they travel to China for business but get suits custom made there by tailors), and they were so pleased with the results.
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When handcrafting my work, I always pray that it will raise your heart to all that is true, modest, just, holy, lovely and good fame!
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SallyT
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 7:44pm | IP Logged
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My husband hasn't had a suit in years -- not that he doesn't "dress" for work, but as a college prof he can get by with the coat-and-tie thing. He has been buying very nice jackets at Goodwill and having a tailor (amazing Chinese lady in our town who makes custom formalwear) alter them. Lately he has been remarking that he really, really, really needs a suit again, and I'm thinking that he'll just have the same lady make it -- she's excellent, and a "bespoke" suit from her would be a good deal in every way, I think, especially in the ratio of quality to cost.
Good luck -- and I'm reading these replies with interest, because truly, at some point, this 50-year-old guy of my very close acquaintance needs some grownup clothes!
Sally
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kingvozzo
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| Posted: Sept 11 2012 at 8:13pm | IP Logged
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DH used to wear suits to work every day. We had very positive experiences with Men's Wearhouse. The prices are reasonable, and the staff seemed very knowledgable. They seemed respectful of our more conservative fashion leanings, too 
As an aside, you all might know this, but I didn't for a long time. It was suggested to us that DH buy 2 pairs of pants with each suit. The pants take so much more abuse, and the jackets last for so much longer.
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: Sept 17 2012 at 2:07pm | IP Logged
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I don't know if you have a Men's Wearhouse in your area? They have men's dress clothes, suits, and tuxedos.
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Topic: Dh's Business Attire
