BigAppleDaddy

Why the suit instead of the khaki and blazer? You know the saying--dress like the next guy up the food chain. Dress like the higher up you wanna be, not like everyone else. Most places I've seen the top guys are not wearing khaki and blazers, but I guess this depends on yr workplace.

doubleplay

Big Daddy,
I'm assuming this question was asked in the context of what a college student needs (especially a freshman). It probably also depends on where you live/go to school.

We live in Florida. We're VERY casual down here, even in the workplace. A person would look like an a** walking around Gainesville in a designer suit. Also, you'd pass out from the heat. You want to wear something that you can take off the jacket most of the time and still look good. I think that's the reason the guys stay away from black pants/white shirt.

doubleplay

About the workplace,
My H works for an engineering company. It's considered a faux pas to get all dolled up, especially if you end up outdressing the customers when they come for a visit. That is, in the engineering and marketing ranks. It might be different in the PR/Human relations/business administration ranks.

UMrunner08

If you're going to buy a suit, you want to get a nice one. This is something your son will have for several years and will be worn to places where he wants to make a statement. I'm 22, and have two suits that I wear to my job. One is a Ralph Lauren suit that was about $490. it's black with some thin, modest pinstripes. The other is from Hugo Boss and was quite a bit more. I'm going to disagree with most of these posts and say that if you're going to spend $300 on a suit, you might as well spend $500 because it will last longer and look MUCH better.

anxiousmom

Wow! You leave for a second and come back to a whole lot of wonderful input! I'll leave it to the boy to decide but will share all this info. My guess is that he will choose a black suit (his first choice - and, since he's paying..). He can always go to Goodwill and find a navy blazer pretty cheap, and he already has khacki's, so he is covered in the formal-yet-casual department. Like I said, there are no frats, and he will be walking around in t-shirts and sandals most of the time. This will be for formal night events, and (sad to say, but Great Grandma is now 103) funerals and such.

doubleplay

anxiousmom,
Some of the longest debates have occurred about dress!!!!
Do you remember/did you ever see the tux/prom thread? Geez, it was...what kind of lapels are acceptable, how many buttons, tails or not...???

Anyway, in light of what you have said, I'd consider whether you think the "investment" is going to survive four years of college. Same reason I wouldn't gift my son (or recommend he invest in) Ethan Allen furniture for his college apartment, I don't recommend he invest in an expensive suit for college. Simply because there is a chance it might get damaged. But you know your son better than I do.

However, I do want him (and he does too!) to look good, which is why we go the department store route and have it tailored to fit. When he is nearing the end of college, that is a different story..

BigAppleDaddy

To suit or not to suit is indeed a function of a particular workplace. Still, I'd say for the first time out be conservative, then see what coworkers and higher ups are wearing before deciding on how much further to go. I realize this is a college student, I'm just thinking of buying as little as possible to do as much as possible--for the dressy college occassion, the funeral, the interview as well as a first step into the working world.

As to the heat, there are plenty of cool blends to choose from and in fact, these might be more within OPs budget.

Still, my biggest piece of advice--make sure it fits well and the kid is used to and comfortable wearing it. Self-confidence and style can often make up for the lack of a designer name.

mom60

For dress pants go to Costco. They have right now some really nice microfiber dress pants. They are under 20 dollars. They also have nice dress shirts. Pair the Khaki color with a navy blazer and he will look nice.
My son has at times worn his Costco pants and shirt with a tie and no jacket. (we are coastal town so that is consider formal wear).
I sew and fabric is important to me. I can spot a cheap suit a mile away. The sheen alone usually gives it away. Alot also depends where you live. You could not find a 200 dollar suit or 50 dollar blazer for miles around in my part of Ca.

cathymee

just a mention of S's freshman yr experience.He owns 2 suits and took one with him down to U S Carolina from NY (yes,black....)Never needed it.
Took two pairs of khaki colored khaki's and one pair of black khaki's (Dockers) never wore the black,wore the other two pairs alot....Every time he worked a department function in Sports Management they needed a provided "branded" polo and those khaki's.When they had guest speakers,or a function from his Honors College or reception from his named scholarship program,they needed the khaki's.
Wants to return next fall with you guessed it...what everyone is saying...a blue blazer.He took a travel class involving meeting baseball management in various locales...the khakis were all he needed with a button down shirt or even a collared polo (in more southern locations).They wear them there with boating type shoes.
The two suits he does own came from Macy's where you can buy seperate pieces,they tailor for you and if you time it right the sales prices can be excellent.We probably paid around 250 for each on sale.They got lots of wear in HS as he was an officer in a state organization that required formal dress.They still look great and will be in style unless he gains a sophomore "15"!!

eli

If you are sure you want a suit:
Don't buy a second hand suit, don't buy a Penney's or Sears suit (sorry if I offend anyone), don't buy a black suit. Buy a new suit ON SALE or at substantially reduced price from a Syms or a Polo outlet store - if there is one in your area - in dark blue or medium to dark grey or a like quality discount store. You want a suit that looks like a Brooks Brothers suit at a lower price. Go for quiet and not unusual looking. A navy blazer and wool grey dress slacks will look almost as good for most occassions - better for informal ones. $200-300 will be a reasonable price for either choice.

ldmom06

anxiousmom - Given that he is paying and it's his choice, it's hard to influence his decision....but I would gently suggest charcoal instead of black. He can get the darkest possible charcoal which will still have the overall dramatic effect of a black suit yet will still serve many purposes including job interviews, where a black suit would not work very well.

And on the work front, I agree with the prior poster...once he is hired for a job or internship, he will find the daily wardrobe requirements much more casual. But engineering firms and departments are notoriously conservative...suits are the norms for the interview phase, but nothing outlandish. According to my dh, black would be considered outlandish.

UMrunner08

lol, black is outlandish for a suit? everyone wears black

mythmom

We have bought quite a few suits. S has always had black suit for musical perfomances. If there is any question of that in son's future would disagree with posters who recommended against black. If not, I see their point. Maybe it's just me, but my budget certainly doesn't allow spending $500.00 for a designer suit for a 17 yr. old kid. I second poster who suggested Macy's. Got suit on sale and it looks great. I do think it only cost $200.00, and we're in metropolitan NYC) and got suit in outrageously expensive, upscale Nassau County neighborhood.

We bought tuxedo in lieu of renting on sale at SYMS for $60.00 for prom (tomorrow night.) Cheaper than renting! Again, projected orchestra wear.

My kid would feel too preppy in blue sport jacket, although he does have gray cordoroy (sic?) casual sport jacket his NYC sister insisted is very in, even to wear to class (in cold NE.)

ldmom06

UM - not to job or internship interviews, especially not in conservative professions or locations. You may like them...and I may like them...but that is not the point. Getting hired takes priority over making a fashion statement. (That is not to say there aren't professions and locations where black would be okay...but engineering internships or jobs in Houston...go with charcoal grey or navy.)

ebeeeee

I really like Men's Wearhouse. The lifetime alteration is great. They have one on the East Coast where DS is in school and one here on the West Coast where we live. The salesmen are very helpful. We also signed up for some kind of rewards program and pretty quickly DS got a $50. coupon so was able to go in and pick up a spare dress shirt.