How to Buy a Suit
Get in the Game
Buying a suit shouldn’t be hard, but it is. In a perfect world you’d go to a trusted store, talk to a wise old-timer, and get a well-made suit at a fair price. We know that’s rarely the case. Yet a suit remains the most expensive thing in your closet. That can infuriate you or you can accept it. But since every time you wear a suit is a serious occasion shouldn’t it should show you in the best light?
Still, it’s hard to know where to start. You have stores blindly following trends or gimmick websites, and neither works well. Then you see sartorial adventurers on Instagram (many who are my friends!) but you can’t imitate what they’re doing unless you live and breathe these things every day—leave the double pleats to the Italians! We have to be tactical, savvy and self-aware.
The equation changes if you need a suit every day for work or for your wedding. I’m going to write about suits—assessing them and acquiring them—more over the next few months. But let’s start with the fundamentals.