I’m looking to buy a suit but don’t have any idea what the general price ranges are. How can I know if I’m paying too much?
Community Answers
282
3-22-12
Geoffrey says:
Tough question. You can always pay more than you are; the question is whether or not it will get you anything worthwhile.
For a decent off-the-rack suit, unused, you could be looking at anywhere from $100 to $600 depending on sales. That won’t get you a brilliant piece of custom clothing but it should work for something functional.
Made-to-measure will be more expensive, partly because they’re usually using a nicer fabric than many off-the-rack options, and of course because of the labor. $400-800 or even higher wouldn’t be unexpected.
True bespoke suits where you and a tailor are personally customizing every aspect will be hard to find for less than $750, more likely up in the $1000+ range. Fabric choice will affect that cost somewhat.
With all of these the important thing to ask is if you could be getting something better for the price you’re paying. If you’re thinking about an off-the-rack suit somewhere like Jos. A. Banks or Men’s Wearhouse and it’s up around $600, can you have a better-fitted suit made-to-measure for the same money?
Similarly, if you’re already planning on spending $1000+ for a suit, consider if it’s worth your while to find a good tailor and have one custom-made. It’s likely to be in a comparable price range and be a better finished product.
Of course, if you’re willing to compromise on fit you can go the opposite direction — thrift stores often have good men’s suits for under $100, and with a few adjustments you can get a decent, if not perfect, fit. It depends more on luck, but it’s a good way to save.
So how much is too much? Depends on what you want. But if you could find a similar suit made more specifically for you for the same price, you’re paying too much.
Tough question. You can always pay more than you are; the question is whether or not it will get you anything worthwhile.
For a decent off-the-rack suit, unused, you could be looking at anywhere from $100 to $600 depending on sales. That won’t get you a brilliant piece of custom clothing but it should work for something functional.
Made-to-measure will be more expensive, partly because they’re usually using a nicer fabric than many off-the-rack options, and of course because of the labor. $400-800 or even higher wouldn’t be unexpected.
True bespoke suits where you and a tailor are personally customizing every aspect will be hard to find for less than $750, more likely up in the $1000+ range. Fabric choice will affect that cost somewhat.
With all of these the important thing to ask is if you could be getting something better for the price you’re paying. If you’re thinking about an off-the-rack suit somewhere like Jos. A. Banks or Men’s Wearhouse and it’s up around $600, can you have a better-fitted suit made-to-measure for the same money?
Similarly, if you’re already planning on spending $1000+ for a suit, consider if it’s worth your while to find a good tailor and have one custom-made. It’s likely to be in a comparable price range and be a better finished product.
Of course, if you’re willing to compromise on fit you can go the opposite direction — thrift stores often have good men’s suits for under $100, and with a few adjustments you can get a decent, if not perfect, fit. It depends more on luck, but it’s a good way to save.
So how much is too much? Depends on what you want. But if you could find a similar suit made more specifically for you for the same price, you’re paying too much.
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