Hey Snappy Dressers: I need my first suit, help?

**mitch buchannon** · 10-02-2007, 12:07 PM

With your double breasted suit you can rock your brick phone

**Twoplanker** · 10-02-2007, 12:12 PM

Not a whole lot to add here, lots of good advice. I take exception to a few things that were said though:

1) Black suits are not just for funerals. Black is a bit more formal, but for a nice evening out a black suit with a white shirt looks great.

2) Your socks should always match your pants.

3) You should probably wear pleated pants. They're more comfortable and will look OK with a 'less than trim' build.

4) Wearing a suit without a tie was once a no-no but is no longer.

5) European, trim-cut suits are for trim people. Wearing one with a gut will not look good.

Also, find a nice suit store and get to know the manager or knowledgable employee. Spend some time shopping with him/her - their job is to make you look good. Once you find this person, shop with them a lot. Offer a healthy tip for their service. Take their card and call them when you have a question.

Finally, enjoy yourself! Wearing a nice suit you'll walk a a bit taller, you'll get better treatment from just about everyone, and you'll feel great.

**GoldMember** · 10-02-2007, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by mitch buchannon

^^ Seconded on the shoes. Those are pretty much identical to what I wear.

**The Reverend Floater** · 10-02-2007, 12:22 PM

This is the one time that at TGR that I'm glad to know nothing on the subject.

BLOOD SWEAT STEEL · 10-02-2007, 12:27 PM

Oh, and never button the bottom button on a 3 button jacket.

**Twoplanker** · 10-02-2007, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by BLOOD SWEAT STEEL

Oh, and never button the bottom button on a 3 button jacket.

Never button the bottom button of any suit or sports jacket.

**telepariah** · 10-02-2007, 12:36 PM

So I showed up for work one time wearing the most garish lime green and orange plaid suit with a Jerry Garcia tie. My boss confronted me about it and I had to confess, "I told my wife to go to Cox's and get me a searsucker suit. But she went to Sears and got me a cocksucker suit."

BadumBUMP!

I think that one was by Rodney RIP

**Odin** · 10-02-2007, 12:37 PM

NEVER button your pants.

Makes it harder for the secretary.

**Spats** · 10-02-2007, 12:38 PM

2 vs. 3 button: yes, 2 button is safer. 3-button can work if the buttons are lower and closer together...it's the ones that button waaaaay up high that go in and out of fashion. Mostly it's tall guys who can do 3-button, but don't rule it completely out if it makes you look good. Odin makes a good point that the extra-low 2-button is bad, too (unless you're astoundingly short). Basically you don't want anything extreme or "stylish" on either end.

Buzz: No square toe shoes like those in the picture. The shoe on top is not a business shoe and says "I am a security guard, ignore me". The bottom shoe is OK if you have several pairs and can choose appropriate to the occasion, but for your only shoe, mitch is absolutely correct -- a classic cap toe oxford will never go out of style. Ditto for Allen-Edmonds (expensive) or Johnston and Murphy (a bit cheaper but still legit).

For shirts, don't just get multiple white shirts. Light blue and/or French blue are always legit. Other patterns and shades tend to go in and out every few years, like ties. If you need to wear a suit often enough to need more than a couple dress shirts, you may have to resign yourself to buying shirts and ties every few years.

Get the sleeves and body of your dress shirts tapered to fit you. This costs about $15 at Nordstrom and will make you look good.

**Buzzworthy** · 10-02-2007, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by The Reverend Floater

This is the one time that at TGR that I'm glad to know nothing on the subject.

Why do you think I am posting this??? I don't know much either. But now you will know.

With my narrow feet and heel, I think this style is what really will end up working:

I think the second ones I posted look nice and "stylish" but again, I am not putting several hundreds down on shoes that go out of style, I need long lasting, comfortable dress shoes.

I hope Allen Edmonds fit well, I am really liking what I see online.

Thanks 2P. Your honest opinion of my less than trim body is what I need to get the suit style right. I already knew no Yurp style for me.

Honestly, I am looking forward to looking super sharp. Work is changing and they want me in front of more customers and not just at my desk monkeying with software code. I had a "this is what we want to potentially do with you" meeting and it was all good.

And this will be the first suit of about 2-3 more that I will aquire over the next 6-12 months. So all your help and opinions are very appreciated.

**Stu Gotz** · 10-02-2007, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by Spats

Get the sleeves and body of your dress shirts tapered to fit you. This costs about $15 at Nordstrom and will make you look good.

I second this emotion. Too much shirt material makes good suit look bad.

I have recently become a fan of the Brooks Brothers "trim fit" shirts of the non-iron variety. No tailoring needed, suits slide on and button nicely. No expensive laundering needed.

**runethechamp** · 10-02-2007, 12:58 PM

If this is going to be your standard outfit for a while, don't skimp on the shoes. A good pair can last you more or less forever. I have a black pair of dress shoes that are 11 years old, were resoled once, need another resoling and still look fantastic, and they are comfortable, especially now when they have formed well to my feet. I spent about $200 back when I bought them, I think they're about 400 now, and I never regretted getting them.

Really, you should have 2 pairs of shoes so they get to rest a little bit, but that can come later.

And get a good pair of cedar shoe trees for the dress shoes. It helps getting the stink and moisture out of your shoes at the end of the day, and it helps them retain their shape.

**irul&ublo** · 10-02-2007, 12:58 PM

Land's End has very nice shirts, well priced. Check out their dressware specialty catalog. They also offer semi-custom shirts at very reasonable prices.

**Odin** · 10-02-2007, 01:00 PM

Oh yes, and have your tailor give you your exact shirt measurements. This way you don't have to figure out in the store if you are a 16 or 15 1/2 or whatever you might be.

**Buzzworthy** · 10-02-2007, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Twoplanker

Never button the bottom button of any suit or sports jacket.

Did not know this either, why?

**Odin** · 10-02-2007, 01:28 PM

It's a look factor.

Clearly you would never just button the bottom of the jacket and leave the top undone, the jacket would blouse out creating the impression of two things.

1. a larger v from your chin down making your chest look fat and expansive
2. a closed pencil look at the bottom.

**GoldMember** · 10-02-2007, 01:34 PM

While we're on it, with a two-button jacket, button only the top button while standing and when it's appropriate. When you sit down, undue the button. The jacket bunches up too much otherwise and having it unbuttoned is the accepted norm. Also, if you're standing and the discussion gets more casual, having the jacket unbuttoned is appropriate.

Jesus, I can't believe this thread's still alive. And that I'm in the middle of it. I need to examine my priorities.

**Buzzworthy** · 10-02-2007, 01:36 PM

Originally Posted by Stu Gotz

I second this emotion. Too much shirt material makes good suit look bad.

I have recently become a fan of the Brooks Brothers "trim fit" shirts of the non-iron variety. No tailoring needed, suits slide on and button nicely. No expensive laundering needed.

Yep, I third this. Thanks Spats and the man who got me back on skis a few years ago!!

Odin, explanation sounds good, I'll buy that. And yes, going to get all measurements. Well, not ALL, but you know...

Rune, good call on the cedar thingy. I remember pops having these too now. Especially if my $175 shoe budget ends up more a $300+ budget.

**Odin** · 10-02-2007, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by Buzzworthy

Well, not ALL, but you know...

.

D00d C0ck measurements are VITAL to a good suit.

Just remember,

If you aren't showin', the deal aint goin.

**Buzzworthy** · 10-02-2007, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by GoldMember

Jesus, I can't believe this thread's still alive. And that I'm in the middle of it. I need to examine my priorities.

Know what it is? I asked snappy dressers to post here. Apparently you all are full of yourselves.

Odin: Thought that was only for thin slacks at strip clubs.

**GoldMember** · 10-02-2007, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by Buzzworthy

Know what it is? I asked snappy dressers to post here. Apparently you all are full of yourselves.

nah, we're just a bunch of working stiffs, stuck in office jobs having to deal with customers, etc... Welcome to our world, sucka!

**Buzzworthy** · 10-02-2007, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by GoldMember

nah, we're just a bunch of working stiffs, stuck in office jobs having to deal with customers, etc... Welcome to our world, sucka!

I have been in your world for many years now. Just always was able to squeak by with nice slacks and shirt and tie (company logo shirt). Now they pay me the big bucks so I gotta look it.

Originally Posted by release

And buy a decent suit.You can't come in here looking like this.
Go to Morty Sills. Tell him I sent you.
Yes, sir. Thank you, Mr Gekko. Thank you for the chance. You will not regret this.
You're with a winner.

Wall Street. Took me a bit.

**Odin** · 10-02-2007, 02:06 PM

Originally Posted by Buzzworthy

Odin: Thought that was only for thin slacks at strip clubs.

I prefer slacks with wicking capability, that way the moisture gets shed....

**SKISC** · 10-02-2007, 02:09 PM

I hope Allen Edmonds fit well, I am really liking what I see online.

Another good thing about the Allen Edmonds is that once you find a size that you like you can order anything and the fit is always the same. Great shoes.

**MrClean** · 10-02-2007, 02:18 PM

One suggestion about where to shop: I found a great suit at the Hugo boss outlet store. Men's Warehouse tried to fit me into something way too big and have it altered (as many have stated, the majority of their salesmen don't have a clue). But the Nordstrom's (sp?) fitting, shop elsewhere (factory stores) worked well for me.