Looking for an Inexpensive Belt Back Suit

[flat-top]

Hey guys. I may be starting a new job (hopefully) soon, and I am required to wear a black suit EVERYDAY. This will be rough for me, since I usually like to be more diverse with my work wardrobe.
I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive belt back black suit, just to break the monotony. Off the rack is fine.
Any leads, or am I just dreaming?

 

[Orgetorix]

Hey guys. I may be starting a new job (hopefully) soon, and I am required to wear a black suit EVERYDAY. This will be rough for me, since I usually like to be more diverse with my work wardrobe.
I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive belt back black suit, just to break the monotony. Off the rack is fine.
Any leads, or am I just dreaming?

Inexpensive, belt back, black. Pick two.

 

[tonyb]

May I be the first to ask ....

Just what position are you taking that requires you to wear black suits exclusively? No dark grays? I would think that even the local mortuary would allow a bit more variety.

 

[flat-top]

May I be the first to ask ....

Just what position are you taking that requires you to wear black suits exclusively?

Macy's!

 

[Baron Kurtz]

They're unlikely to be happy about a belt back. Too much "individuality".

Cheap and belt back is impossible, i'd think. You could always just buy one suit with two pairs of trousers and create a belt from the spare pair and stitch it in to the back of the jacket. [huh] (seems to be the way most companies are making belt backs these days.

bk

 

[flat-top]

They're unlikely to be happy about a belt back. Too much "individuality".

Cheap and belt back is impossible, i'd think. You could always just buy one suit with two pairs of trousers and create a belt from the spare pair and stitch it in to the back of the jacket. [huh] (seems to be the way most companies are making belt backs these days.

bk

Well, I know some companies make (made) separates with belt back jackets (Claiborne, Perry Ellis), and while they don't look correct, they would work for my purposes.
I did my first two interviews in a belt back jacket, and am actually returning there tomorrow in the same one...it's the only black jacket I have! It's just not part of a suit.

 

[Ryan]

What is in-expensive? Did you look at Indy Magnoli? He has suits with belt backs but for $500. Also has some suits starting at $350, maybe send him an email to see if he can do something for you.

 

[flat-top]

What is in-expensive?

Since I have to invest in several black suits now, I'm looking in more of the $300 or under range. It can be separates. I'm probably not gonna find anything, but I figured I'd run it past the experts before I give up.

 

[Fletch]

Have you looked into making a "cheat suit" of the black belted jacket - ie matching a pair of trou to it? This ought to be especially easy with blacks. I've done it with navy blue, even once with Cambridge grey.

2-trou suits are pretty much unheard of these days, unless one pair of trou is contrasting. You'd do better shopping around for separates of similar or like fabric, and getting an extra pair of trou or material.

 

[flat-top]

Have you looked into making a "cheat suit" of the black belted jacket - ie matching a pair of trou to it? QUOTE]
It's almost like a "soft" looking black...hard to match but I will try regardless.

 

[reetpleat]

It is pretty relative. $300 for a new suit will not get you belted back I suppose. But if you are lucky enough to find a rare black belted back suit, even on ebay, it would most likely be under $300. For all our complaining, vintage is actually a bargain. the custom ones re for people who want something rare or special, or a bigger size.

 

[JimInSoCalif]

It is hard to imagine that they would be happy with a belted suit when their dress code is so strict as to require only black suits.

Cheers, Jim.

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

It is hard to imagine that they would be happy with a belted suit when their dress code is so strict as to require only black suits.

Cheers, Jim.

I've been in Macys, and I doubt they'd have too much trouble with it. They only recently (within the past 2 years, maybe?) switched to an actual uniform - all-black clothing. I don't think the women have to wear suits, but I could be wrong.

I once had to wear all neutral colors for a job. I like neutrals - a lot - but you get positively sick of them after a point.

 

[H.Johnson]

Simple. Hong Kong. Pick one from many tailors.

 

[flat-top]

I've been in Macys, and I doubt they'd have too much trouble with it. They only recently (within the past 2 years, maybe?) switched to an actual uniform - all-black clothing. I don't think the women have to wear suits, but I could be wrong.

I once had to wear all neutral colors for a job. I like neutrals - a lot - but you get positively sick of them after a point.

The women wear all black, but it doesn't have to be a suit.
I mean, you definitely know who works there when you're in a Macy's.
I'm considering a Hong Kong tailor, since I have had luck with them in the past, but I haven't tried something outside of their repertoire. I looked through mysuitshop.com and couldn't find a belt back.

 

[Geesie]

Which Hong Kong tailor?

 

[Feraud]

Hey guys. I may be starting a new job (hopefully) soon, and I am required to wear a black suit EVERYDAY. This will be rough for me, since I usually like to be more diverse with my work wardrobe.
I'm looking for a relatively inexpensive belt back black suit, just to break the monotony. Off the rack is fine.
Any leads, or am I just dreaming?

Hmmm I am not aware of who is making off the rack belt back suits. I have a Brooks Bros. OTR belt back but that is a few years old and not black.

If the company requires monotony, I'd give them that. Maybe you could focus on finding a well made and fitted black suit and get creative with the ties.
Good luck w/the job!

 

[H.Johnson]

Which Hong Kong tailor?

Pick one from many, as I say. I'd go for Sam's personally, but that's just my preference. I called in last week. His turnaround time on a suit is a little longer than some in Nathan Road but his quality is good for the price.

There are a number of shops around TST that will copy an original, make up from photographs or may even have a pattern already (Sam's has a great belted back pattern in a 36").

 

[flat-top]

Which Hong Kong tailor?

I used mysuitshop.com and was impressed with the quality.

 

[Mr. Rover]

Pick one from many, as I say. I'd go for Sam's personally, but that's just my preference. I called in last week. His turnaround time on a suit is a little longer than some in Nathan Road but his quality is good for the price.

There are a number of shops around TST that will copy an original, make up from photographs or may even have a pattern already (Sam's has a great belted back pattern in a 36").

Is he using my pattern from when I had mine made 2 years ago??? haha