<p>Nothing like waiting until the last minute…need advice on a buying a suit for a tall man. Does not need one for work. This is for a wedding and to have on hand if a job presents the need. Tips so far include buying all wool or wool/polyester blend/all season fabric. Charcoal is a good color. 3 buttons or 2 buttons if stomach is large? Any considerations with lapels?
Thanks for all advice!</p>
<p>My H likes all weather wool, which can last for a long time through all seasons. I do not like polyester blend material. The thing with lapels and buttons is that styles change although somewhat narrow lapels will be more of a lasting style. Also consider if there should be a vent in the back, two vents, or none. This is impacted by the person’s frame, and must be tried on to see which is best.</p>
<p>My husband would tell you to get a light weight wool. They last forever. His suits are well over 25 years old. Some are even older having come from his dad. His favorite is actually a very light grey with a small pinstripe…that can be worn year round.</p>
<p>all weather wool, unless you live in a warm climate (Florida) where summer wool would last.</p>
<p>For fitting try Brooks Brothers – their older guys know how to fit. 3 or 2 button is up to you, but three is in style. Navy is the standard go-to for any occasion. For a large stomach, you’ll want a back vent (not side).</p>
<p>Be sure that you buy a Long suit for someone over 6 feet. Suits come in R and L.</p>
<p>I would recommend three buttons if he is tall. And get a suit with only one vent.
Two vents work best on a double breasted jacket–and if this is his only suit, you need a
more traditional suit. </p>
<p>Go with a tropical weight wool and be sure to have it tailored. Not just the pants…the sleeves or jacket might need it.</p>
<p>I actually love a double breasted suit on a man that has a stomach, it seems to me that they look slimmer. I would also do navy, maybe with a pinstripe, just because charcoal gray seems to wash people out, whereas navy doesn’t. </p>
<p>Brooks Brothers is great, but incredibly expensive. I would buy for there if they wore it everyday for work, but not if you might not wear it frequently. Their button down shirts cost close to $90 a piece.</p>
<p>I would go to Macy’s buy a nice suit, and then get a shirt with cufflinks to snazz it up, and a fashion foward tie (lavendar, light lime green). My favorite look on men right now is a navy suit with one of those colors, it is very shrap looking compared to the traditional white shirt red tie. Even a pale yellow tie is better. Macy’s has a tailor on site and their men’s dept is typically filled with professionals, long time sales associates.</p>
<p>I also like S & K, they have great suits like Jones at decent prices.</p>
<p>You may also consider doing a unique blazer and dress slacks. Bullet has a taupe ultra-suede blazer that he wears with black slacks, and a striped cufflink shirt, and it is just as classic as a two piece suit, just more GQ style.</p>
<p>Try JoS A Bank also, their suits are pretty good. They have incredible sales, and seem to have them all the time in this economy.</p>
<p>Note: He will likely outgrow it very soon. Having said that; 3 button for a business/semi formal suit. (Two buttons are for Blazers) And make sure he knows to leave the bottom button unbuttoned. Navy blue is always in style and conveys sincerity of purpose. Pant cuffs add the air of maturity. White starched shirt with a well tied tie. Good BLACK shoes with a shine, but never patten leather. Black belt, an otherwise nice suit with suspenders (on a young man) conveys an immature arrogance. </p>
<p>I’ve interviewed hundreds.</p>
<p>toblin- can a fat middle aged man get away with suspenders?</p>
<p>Suspenders are made for middle aged men. They look good on them, as long as they need them. Something about sporting suspenders when you don’t actually need them comes across as a fashion conceit. </p>
<p>Suspenders are made for men with bellies. Men don’t have the necessary hips (or the rear ends) to allow their pants to stay up. Women have both (sometimes to excess). The use of suspenders for any other purpose is just a fashion accessory.</p>
<p>Go to a good, traditional menswear store if this suit is something that the wearer will want to keep for a number of years. Wool, wool, wool. 3-season, or tropical, depending on the likely climate. A charcoal grey with a little bit of a pattern, like herringbone, can be used in many situations. Where will this purchase be taking place? If you can give a city, we may be able to make recommendations.</p>
<p>Suspenders are indeed a fashion statement. (I like them, especially with a real bow tie, but you have to have flair.) A good black belt and good black shoes are a safe bet, with a good starched white shirt. No short sleeves. Button down is fine for work, but a fine oxford is dressier and therefore more flexible.</p>
<p>Go to Burberry and they will make you a tailored suit. It’s awesome!</p>
<p>Thanks for the advice. With the time and budget constraints I believe we did okay meeting most of the criteria. Bought a nice shade of charcoal gray, all season wool, 2 buttons, Perry Ellis at Menswearhouse. My only regret was the 2 vents instead of center one. Not because it looked bad only that I really studied the attire of MANY men at the wedding and elsewhere. Saw like 1 person with a 3 button suit jacket and 1 with the side vents. The suits were on both young college graduates, some who live in million dollar homes, and everything in between. Thanks again.</p>
<p>I’m sorry I didn’t see your thread earlier. I buy my suits at Jos A Banks. I like their Business Express line because you can buy extra pants when you need them (jackets have lasted for 6+ years). Buy whatever color looks best on the person. Charcoal Grey looks better on me than Navy.</p>
<p>My son needed a suit, and Men’s Warehouse had a good price so we bought him one there. Big mistake (sort of). The suit only lasted a year or so of infrequent wear before it began piling. It is only a sort of mistake because he is outgrowing it anyway. If it were my suit, I would be ticked.</p>
<p>^Sorry I didn’t see this thread earlier, because I would have steered you to Jos A Bank also. I am a big fan of their “Signature” line of suits – very good quality 100% Italian merino wool, traditional styling, a nice selection of colors and patterns, and they come in both 2 and 3 button styles. They wear very well and can usually be had for about $320 when on sale. I’m love Brooks Brothers suits also, but it’s tough to find one for less than $550, even when on sale.</p>
<p>My son just told me he got a new black suit at K and G. I have no idea what he got but he seemed pleased with the suit and the price…and they must do tailoring because that was done also.</p>