Young man needs to buy suits in NYC - Page 2

hmom5 · 07-02-2009, 07:22 AM

I'd need to know where the son has a job, but the first year associates in Wall Street firms are buying on sale at Paul Stuart. They get generous salaries and are expected to dress well, even if the prices initially shock them. It's a necessary investment. On Wall Street there's no such thing as cheap suits for the first few years if you're hoping for a future there. Unfortunate, but fact.

As oldfort points out, go to the top stores for an education. I like Barney's best. When you know exactly what you look good in and can recognize quality, you'll do well at sales. Most of these young men find a salesman at a place like Stuart and have them put together a look.

You also can't compare the quality of tailoring at a discount store to what you'd get at Barney's or Stuart and this is key.

In all honesty, if someone survives a few years on Wall Street, within 4 or 5 years they will never buy an off the rack suit again. No Wall Street taunts please, it's just the way it is.

cbreeze · 07-02-2009, 02:25 PM

My son (mid 20's) works in finance and buys Brooks Bros no-iron shirts exclusively. He also bought this style suit in several dark colors from BB. He has them altered instore. If the store doesn't have the colors he wants, he can order them online.

Brooks Brothers | Men | 1818 Collection | Fitzgerald

dmd77 · 07-02-2009, 06:45 PM

Right now Brooks Bros shirts are on summer sale. Much cheaper than usual. Sale ends 7/7.

lizard · 07-03-2009, 11:34 AM

Here's a photo of Florida governor Charlie Crist with Prince Charles. Guess who's wearing a $5000 suit and who's wearing a $500 suit.

http://www.flgov.com/images/trade_20.jpg

ec1234 · 07-03-2009, 11:42 AM

Hugo Boss tends to be cut relatively thin-- there's one at the time warner center. It's expensive, but as everyone has been saying, clothes matter on wall street. Its worth the investment, especially since you wear them so often.

Consolation · 07-03-2009, 12:44 PM

There used to be a place called Gorsart down around lower Manhattan that had good prices and a selection suitable for the financial industry. I don't know if it is still there.

lizard · 07-03-2009, 01:25 PM

Gorsart's could have used your recommendation about 9 years ago before they closed down. Last Sale at Gorsart Clothes, Once Clothier to Wall Street - The New York Times

cbreeze · 07-03-2009, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Here's a photo of Florida governor Charlie Crist with Prince Charles. Guess who's wearing a $5000 suit and who's wearing a $500 suit.

The prince is wearing a 3 button suit while Crist has a 2 button jacket. However, I don't necessarily blame the price difference; Crist's tailor (or the one who does the alterations) should have known better and shorten his jacket's sleeves.

I agree that Hugo Boss is a good place for more European cut suits.

lizard · 07-03-2009, 08:26 PM

^^ The Brooks Bros. suits you described above on sale for $500 are perfectly acceptable for business. I kinda trust a businessman wearing a pressed, well fitted $500 suit more than one wearing a $5000 custom suit who looks like a shark with sharp teeth .

Hunt · 07-03-2009, 08:50 PM

He might want to look up when Barney's has its warehouse sale.

You can still get some nice suits on the Lower East Side, but it's not for the faint of heart.

Pizzagirl · 07-03-2009, 09:01 PM

I know this thread is about a young man, but for young women in similar circumstances, corporette is a good blog with fashion advice relevant for professionals in professions where conservative dress is expected. (just google it)

jrpar · 07-03-2009, 10:28 PM

A young woman in this position should go to Barneys, Bergdorfs or Saks. And after that, sample sales.

futurenyustudent · 07-04-2009, 04:16 AM

Or you can go to Hong Kong and have them tailored lol.

Pizzagirl · 07-04-2009, 10:17 AM

This young man is also better off buying a few good suits than more, not-as-good quality suits.
If he's to go to Syms, he should still look at the finer stores first to get an idea what look he wants to project and what the details are that set better suits apart from not-so-good ones. He may want to talk to salesmen at the better stores, too, just to see what they'd recommend / put together for him.

notherner · 07-06-2009, 07:56 AM

Thank you very much for all the useful responses. He has bought one suit from Syms and one from Rothmans (several other stores said they had nothing which would fit him) and starts work tomorrow. My next thread may be "Middle-aged woman visiting NYC--where to buy conservative business outfit at non-fainting price". This is a great community.