<p>i think im gonna be joining a frat, and from the previous threads, ive noticed that i should have at least one. what kind should i get? should i spend around 200$ or 2000$?</p>
<p>$200.</p>
<p>Seriously, get a nice suit (ie, not from JC Penny's) but it doesn't have to be big deal.</p>
<p>You'll get the most value for your money if you get a conservative, classic style. If you have no other suits, go with either Black or a dark navy. Something that won't be out of style when you're interviewing for jobs as a senior.</p>
<p>Don't know how your parents dress, or if your dad or mom know a lot about suits (my friend, whose dad who was an air traffic controller and never wore a suit to work, was pretty much helpless when he needed to get a suit for job interviews, so I ask), but if you actually get a tailor to do the alterations you should be fine. </p>
<p>Get either a two or three button, and personally I don't necessarily like vents (the slits in the back of the jacket) but a center vent is classic. Also remember that a verticle line off the edge of the shoulder pads should just graze the outside of your upper arm, and that the length should allow you to cup your fingers under the edge of the jacket. For the pants, you'll probably want a full break (how the pants hit at the ankle). If you think that is too long/baggy go for a half break, but I think no break looks dumb. </p>
<p>The last thing is whether flat fronts or pleats. I personally hate pleats (at the moment) but both my suits have them, even though now I only buy flat front dress pants. I think that it's kind of personal preference, but flat front is very in style at the moment. It's possible that it might change, and pleats are more traditional. </p>
<p>If you're unsure, see if you can't pick up an issue of GQ either from last fall/winter, or one later this summer (when they start showcasing fall clothes because you want to be looking at dark colors, not summer suits) just keep in mind that they are going to be showing the "height" of fashion stuff and you're trying to get a classic style (very thin, slim suits with slooping soft shoulders are being made by many of the designers right now, remember you're thinking CLASSIC).</p>
<p>Finally, make sure you get some properly fitting dress shirts, at least a nice white one and a nice blue one, and some ties. Look for your ties to be versatile with either shirt (don't buy one tie that only looks good with the blue, or only the white). Personally, I absolutely despise the monochromatic "Regis Philbin" look, so I look for ties that are bright and create some contrast from suit which is going to be rather neutral. But that's really just a matter of personal style, something that hopefully you'll kind of pay attention to and develop over the next couple of years. One last thing about dress shirts. Spread collars and french cuffs (which require cuff links) are growing in popularity right now, and will be all over the place. Stick with the standard stuff for now and gradually grow your wardrobe to fit your needs. Also if you have a rather narrow face or a particularly wide face, spread collars tend to accentuate those extremes giving you either a pinhead look, or like your neck stretched the shirt out of sorts.</p>
<p>Where are you going to school?</p>
<p>pleats are (gasp!) coming back into style. i dont know why and i dont care. theyre horrible, horrible things.</p>
<p>along the lines of the previous post, my recommendation would be to wait for a good department store sale (somewhere like macys). youll probably be able to get a very high quality, good fitting suit for $300-$400. take it to a taylor and itll look like you spent a lot more... and unlike a $200 suit, will look good and last for years.</p>
<p>also, all the above advice on fitting/color is good, though i wouldnt rule out a nice charcoal suit as far as color (im personally not a fan of black). oh, and learn how to tie a tie REALLY well. find a knot that works well with your shirts/face and practice it to perfection. it makes a huge difference.</p>
<p>try a brooks brothers outlet.</p>
<p>If you have Men's Wearhouse in your area go there. They carry a bunch of makes (I think my suit is Jones New York, not sure...I do know my regular blazer is Botany) and have nearly any color/style you're looking for. The people are really good at matching shirts and ties too--stuff they also carry.</p>
<p>I've bought my suit, my blazer, a tie, and two bowties there and all have been of really good quality. Prices aren't bad either.</p>
<p>The tailoring is so good I had a pair of pants I bought elsewhere done at Men's Wearhouse. I believe alterations on a new suit/blazer/pants bought there are free, but prices are pretty reasonable and comprable to the local tailor when bringing in outside stuff.</p>
<p>I also heard they will press your suit off if you bought it there in a radio ad once. Not sure if this is true anymore, since I heard it a while back when I got my first blazer there in 2002, but that's always a good thing for college students who don't have much time.</p>
<p>Not sure where you're located...I'm in Pittsburgh and there's a few stores, usually in malls, though the one in Youngstown OH is free-standing.</p>
<p>Haha..yeah, my dad is 50 and he still goes to men's warehouse so they can match his ties for him. </p>
<p>And, get a really nice suit. Us girls LOVE them, so don't be surprised if you get a couple of looks on your way to an interview.</p>
<p>Great advice from BigRedMed. </p>
<p>My father wears suits every day, could certainly afford to spend a lot, but never spends more than $200 on them. They also last a long time. I would suggest:
*Jos. A Bank
*Brooks Brothers outlet
*if you have time & energy, a Marshalls or Filenes Basement</p>
<p>Black or navy is a must. Pinstripe optional - might be too much for a college student. </p>
<p>Brooks Brothers has some great no-iron shirts for about $60. I found them on sale for $25 in January and should have gotten a zillion of them. You wash them, throw them in the dryer, and they come out loooking like they were professionally pressed. </p>
<p>If you are going to a preppy school, you can't go wrong with a Vineyards Vines tie or bowtie. Bowtie only works with nicely cut black suit and white shirt.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Pinstripe optional - might be too much for a college student.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Certainly too much. I tried one on and my parents broke down laughing.</p>
<p>Not a good sign.</p>
<p>;)</p>
<p>Depends on who you are - I happen to save my pinstripes for the best occasions because they can impress ;)</p>
<p>Haha yeah.. Pinstripes can definately be a plus at times...More casual events.</p>
<p>Go to Men's Wearhouse. My brother just got a really nice charcoal gray suit there for a reasonable price and with a good tailoring deal to boot.</p>
<p>A suit for a college student:</p>
<p>In theory you should have two suits: one medium or dark (think charcoal) grey and one blue (or black). If you cant afford two, go for the grey. A point no one has mentioned is shoes. With a grey suit, get a pair of brown dress shoes (in a medium brown color not dark brown). Its very British. A wing tip or cap toe oxford will work well. Buy shoes with a leather sole. Do not buy dress shoes with composite (plastic) or rubberized soles. Typically, non leather soles will make your feet sweat. As long as they are properly shined, men dont seem to care much about shoes, but women will definitely notice a good pair of shoes. I like Allan Edmonds, but theyre expensive ($250+). With care, they will last a life-time and can be sent back to the factory and re-finished. </p>
<p>Depending on your height and weight, two or three button suits are your choices. If you have a thick body, youd be better off in a two button suit. With a thick mid section, you need to have more dress shirt showing to draw your eyes away from your waistline. Depending on the cut, a three button suit may make you look bigger than you are And no David Letterman double breasted suits. Pinstripe suits are great, but not if you only have one suit to your name. </p>
<p>Material: 100% Wool or a mix of wool and cashmere. Stir clear of wool and polyester blends. They feel cheap. If you feel the material, it will feel stiff and plastic-icky. </p>
<p>Fit: Suits typically come in short, regular and long sizes. Go to a good mens store and ask the salesman or tailor what your size is. Once you know your size, try a suit on to see what it looks like on you in the mirror. A suit coat should cover your butt and no more. Using your hands as a guide, cup them at your sides and the bottom of the suit jacket should match your cupped hand. This is a rough measure. If your jacket looks too long or short, ask to try on the same suit size in the remaining lengths. </p>
<p>Sleeve length: A suit jacket should show a quarter inch or so of cuff. When shopping for a suit, always wear a long sleeve dress shirt that has your correct sleeve length. While in front of the mirror, bend your arm in a 90 degree angle to see how much extra material your sleeve has. Too much material just looks bad.</p>
<p>While being fitted, check in the mirror to see if the back of the jacket is puckered below the collar. If it is, it means that the collar needs to be adjusted by having the tailor pull up the material. A lot of tailors and stores dont like doing this because its time consuming and costly. The tailor needs to disassemble the collar to make the adjustment. That costs money. You can spend a lot of money on an off the rack suit, but if it doesnt fit smoothly across your back, it will look like a cheap suit. And a cheap suit can look like a really expensive suit if you get it fitted properly. Your call If you need to pay extra for this service, it is worth it.</p>
<p>Trousers: Full or half break? If youre tall, a full break may work. Trousers (cuffed or not) are finished at an angle from front to back. Wear a decent pair of shoes when being fitted so the tailor has an idea of where to make the break. A full break starts at the front covering your laces and angles back to your shoes heel (almost dragging on the ground). This tends to bunch up a lot of material at the base of your feet. Great if youre tall, but for the rest of us, a half break will do. Both start at the front, but the half break rises higher than your heel by about an inch. </p>
<p>Side vents, center vent or no vents: Most two button suits have a center vent; three button suits will have no vents or side vents. If you have a big butt, go for a center vent or side vents. No vents work with a slender build. The big problem with a no vent suit is when you have your hand or hands in your pockets. The suit coat will bunch up over your butt. If you have a no vent suit, practice your Prince Charles hands behind your back moves. </p>
<p>Pleats or no pleats: If your waist size is no more than 32 and you have no tummy bulge, a plain front trouser will work for you. For the vast majority of men, a single or double pleated pair of trouser will be more flattering (and comfortable).</p>
<p>Dress shirts: White, blue or pink work best. Guys think that a pink dress shirt is less than manly. Trust me, women love a good pink dress shirt. If you're on a dinner date at a nice restaurant, you will have a very nice glow because of the shirt. No button down collared dress shirts. Everybody wears them badly. All cotton medium spread point collars works for most men. Avoid a wide spread collar shirt. These shirts were designed for double breasted suits and Windsor knotted ties. Cuff links? Way too dressy and fussy at your age. A simple barrel cuff will do. Stay away from stripes and multi colored strip shirts. Very hard to match up color wise with a tie and suit </p>
<p>Good luck!</p>
<p>i second the men's warehouse idea. they have good tailored suits at pretty decent prices and lots of different designer brands.</p>
<p>and it is true that girls love a guy in a suit. in the library today i saw this guy in a suit and i almost had a heart attack. he looked amazing. he was short (just my height) but i was ---this--- close to falling in love. :P</p>