Find me a suit for $100 or less

[Jerekson]

Self-explanatory.

I need some help - I'm at the point where I've got about $100 towards a suit.

Now, it doesn't have to be a full suit; even just a nice jacket would do.

Peaked lapels are a must. Double or single-breasted. Vintage-flavored styling.

Color - Anything "normal". I.E., any standard sit colors. No pink suits lol

There's a couple jackets that I have found at Target, etc. from other loungers, but I'd like some more input.

Thanks for any help!

Jerekson

 

[PADDY]

More info would be helpful

Sizing on the jacket and trousers would be helpful when asking the boys to launch their search planes

 

[Tomasso]

Try Ebay. You can use this primer to aid in acquiring a good fitting suit.

 

[Jerekson]

I'm guessing that I'm a 38 - small.

I'll do some more accurate mesasurements tonight

 

[Mike in Seattle]

What I would suggest is this - Go to a local tailor or alteration shop, even a good dry cleaner who does alterations. Tell them you're looking for a suit on a budget on Ebay and need to know your true measurements. Then swear you'll bring whatever you get to them for final alterations. It's so easy to make mistakes if you're unfamiliar with all the different measurements and where to take them.

 

[Jerekson]

Yes, I am still new to suits, so I am very prone to those very mistakes.

Thanks for the advice, I'll give it a shot.

 

[John in Covina]

J C Pennys sometimes has sport coats on sale, then you may be under the C-Note range.

 

[Dr Doran]

Honestly -- a double breasted from mensusa.com cost me one hundred dollars plus shipping and it looks quite good. I got the charcoal one. I have only worn it out once, but it got good comments. It was a lot nicer than I thought.
You WILL have to get the legs hemmed, but that will only cost ten bucks at any tailor.
Yes, and it's 100% wool (how could you ask?)

 

[Jerekson]

I was told previously to avoid mensusa.com...

Do you think I should try it? How was your experience?

 

[Dr Doran]

I was told previously to avoid mensusa.com...

Do you think I should try it? How was your experience?

Yes, I understand. If someone has had a bad experience, you should see what they say. Here is my opinion -- I didn't listen to anyone else because I have to find things out firsthand. The suit I got was well worth a hundred bucks. It is perfect for warm weather. In fact it's fine for most weather. It's a three season suit. I have only worn it a very few times but it got many compliments right away. It came very very fast and it came in perfect condition. There was also no hanky panky with my credit card or anything like that.

I have not anywhere near the connoisseurship or expertise in vintage suits that certain people on this site have. For example there are people on this site who can date stitching. It is possible that they would turn their nose up at this suit. Its light weight might offend them; its narrow legs might annoy them. However, I do have some vintage suits from the 1940s and I wear a different suit every single day. I have over 30 suits. So I am not an expert, but I am not ignorant either.

In my opinion, the suit I got was quite decent. I cannot guarantee that they will all be this decent. But there certainly is a great markup on suits out there, and if these people have good ones for cheap, because they have decided that keeping a low price point works for them (I have also worked in retail and understand pricing decisions) and you need a suit or two, AT LEAST JUST TO FILL OUT YOUR COLLECTION, I say go for it.

In life you do not always get what you pay for. There are bottlenecks and short cuts in the stream of capital and goods that form the economic sphere in which we live. There do exist discount retailers selling the same exact products that expensive retailers sell. I have managed to clothe myself very well and very inexpensively by looking for these side alleys. They do exist. From what I can tell, this is one of them.

Besides, these are so cheap that you can't really go wrong. Even if they were to steal your money, you'd only be out a little over a hundred dollars.

That's my two cents' worth. Others will have other opinions and they are entitled to them.

 

[Tomasso]

I didn't listen to anyone else because I have to find things out firsthand.

Interesting. I would prefer to hear the opinions of current and former customers along with seeing examples of their work (both in progress and completed) before ordering anything from anybody. But then, I'm a stickler for due diligence.[huh]

 

[Dr Doran]

Interesting. I would prefer to hear the opinions of current and former customers along with seeing examples of their work (both in progress and completed) before ordering anything from anybody. But then, I'm a stickler for due diligence.[huh]

That is perfectly fair. In my eyes, 100 dollars is a fair risk, and I took the risk and I was pleased with the results. But your method is sound as well.

 

[PenMan]

I'm a 38 too, and can tell you that being a common size is a real asset on Ebay. I got a NEW peak lapel Joseph Abboud suit for $69. Very nice, but low waisted and narrow legs. At least it had good armholes. I also bought a light gray, 3 button Armand Thierry, new for $49. It is light weight and has no real redeeming qualities except that it looks pretty good, suits the Australian climate, has a nice drape to the trousers, and didn't cost much. I'll be wearing it tomorrow. My more interesting purchases include a really nice glen plaid suit by Hickey Freeman (around $50, don't remember). In other words, if you need a specific set of features tomorrow, you'll need to go elsewhere, but if you patiently monitor what is available, you can get some great stuff for less than $100.

 

[Dr Doran]

I'm a 38 too, and can tell you that being a common size is a real asset on Ebay. I got a NEW peak lapel Joseph Abboud suit for $69. Very nice, but low waisted and narrow legs. At least it had good armholes. I also bought a light gray, 3 button Armand Thierry, new for $49. It is light weight and has no real redeeming qualities except that it looks pretty good, suits the Australian climate, has a nice drape to the trousers, and didn't cost much. I'll be wearing it tomorrow. My more interesting purchases include a really nice glen plaid suit by Hickey Freeman (around $50, don't remember). In other words, if you need a specific set of features tomorrow, you'll need to go elsewhere, but if you patiently monitor what is available, you can get some great stuff for less than $100.

good point.