My shopping experience

[dog20]

I just wanna be that guy who all the ladies notice.

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[Mike in Seattle]

You mentioned the suits you saw were lightweight. You're in Florida...I'm pretty sure that's the weight you'll find since your in a tropical climate, and that's all that anyone will buy there. There's probably not as big a demand for heavyweight wool suits down there as you would find in Boston, NY or Chicago where the winters are colder and snow's not uncommon and the temperatures are in the 30's or below. I'm sure in Florida, when the temperature plunges to 60, that's a cold snap.

As others have said - don't be intimidated - ask the salespeople for help. That's what they're there for. How well did your gameplan work? You poked around on your own, you didn't find the right sizes and you went home frustrated and emptyhanded. Asking for some help from the staff would've cured most if not all of those problems. They're not going to laugh or tell you to get lost or be annoyed with you (and if any ever are - ask for a supervisor or manager - that's they type of employee they DON'T want)

Reading some books is good...but you still won't know what your size is or what the properly fit item should feel and look like. Big changes in what you're used to wearing and new styles or types of clothes are going to take a little getting used to. Trust the salesman's eye and advice when venturing into new styles. Ask the opinions of people you know who dress well. Don't get angry with them or yourself if you try something that just doesn't work. That's life. There are loads of things I've bought over the years that I thought were just the bee's knees and some tried to warn me, and now I think back or see an old photo and think "What in the world was I thinking when I bought THAT?!?!?" But it's a learning process. You're honing some new skills. Mistakes will be made. (Rope sandals...a nifty, beachy idea...rustic looking...how artsy...how stylish. That is - until you wear them a few hours and stray threads have poked into your ankles and instep and sole...and then you wake up the next day with a rash.)

Suits and sport coat sizes are basically chest size x torso type/length. 38R would be 38 regular. Torso types are short, regular, long & extra long. And unless you're extremely lucky, suits will have to be altered - sleeves shortened or lengthened, perhaps have the shoulders or waist adjusted, pants cuffed or hemmed, waist taken in or let out a bit. In the better shops, that's included in the purchase price. At other stores you may have to take it elsewhere for altering - a tailor or even some dry cleaners will do that sort of work. If the latter doesn't alter, they probably know those nearby who do.

 

[mannySpaghetti]

As mentioned before, you do seem quite touchy with sales associates. I am too.....if they're trying to sell me a car! lol But as a former salesman of suits in such places as Dillard's and Hecht's, The approach is just part of good customer service, not just to peddle our wares. Aside from that, I'm one of those guys that liked to see and help men dress nice like it used to be in "the olden days". I always took pride in doing so and these associates you came across may well have been thinking the same thing. If they're obviously pushy, you'll know it, but if they do have a genuine concern about their customers and helping you find what you need or desire, that's easily spotted as well. If being stand-offish is just your way, that's Ok, but if you give them a chance, you may be pleasantly surprised and walk out with a few bags.

 

[Paisley]

I just wanna be that guy who all the ladies notice.

Check out my post on glamor, and read the whole article that there is a link to:
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=35276

 

[celtic]

Now, I'm not super tall, super short, super fat, or super skinny. I am 5'7", 175lbs, and I have a 36" waist.

I would take a wild guess and say that you are a or a 42 Short or a 44 Short.

If you don't have the whereforall to measure yourself like mentioned earlier, and you are still afraid of salespeople, grab a 42S and a 44S and try them on in the dressing room.

usually in modern suits there is a 6" difference between the jacket and the pants. (called a "six inch drop")

Therefore if you are a 36" waist and you're not fat or athletic, you'd probably be a 42" chest.

And if a size Medium sweater is too long, you're probably a size Short suit.

Good Luck.

 

[dog20]

Thanks everybody, I should have done my homework before I entered the store or I could have just talked to one of the associates lol. I should check out those books too so I can shop with confidence and direction.

 

[Ryan]

FL is a great place as you can see from the advice given. I would also look at the Ask Andy site.