Buying suits on a college student budget

There's a fair chance I'll be spending the summer in Washington, D.C. interning at a federal agency, and the standard attire there is, no doubt, strictly business. If I'm offered a position, I'll be tasked with attending congressional hearings, so if there was any doubt about dress, this erases it: a suit seems mandatory.

I have one suit currently, but it's a bit too 'trendy' for the workplace, I think. I can't spend too much money ($200 max for each suit), and I was thinking about getting 3 of them. I know that a good suit is well worth the money, but as a college student I simply cannot afford more than that.

Where should I go? Men's Warehouse? And what styles of suits would you recommend? Three button? Two button? I definitely won't get double-breasted as I'm pretty thin and I think that would only accentuate my thinness. I have a dark complexion and my best color is blue.

Thanks.

EDIT: also, could I get by on most days with a dress shirt, tie and slacks, or is a full-suit the norm? I'm thinking that it could get very, very hot in D.C. wearing a wool suit each day.

 

[NoReserve]

I could have sworn I saw an ad on TV the other day for S&K having some 2 for 1 deal on like $250 suits. Could be a local thing, but it might be worth checking on.

 

[Ausm]

My brother just got back from China and had a full silk suit made for 200 bucks U.S They made the suit for him overnight and the quality was astounding.

Ausm

 

Originally posted by: Ausm
My brother just got back from China and had a full silk suit made for 200 bucks U.S They made the suit for him overnight and the quality was astounding.

Ausm

Cool, well I'll just head to China for the weekend and I'll be all set.

 

[spidey07]

you can get decent suits at men's warehouse for 200 bucks

black, charcoal and maybe a brown or olive.

three button is just fine.

two pairs of shoes - black and brown

shirts - three white, blue and brown

all set.

 

[Drakkon]

i would think as a congressional assistant you would probobly be able to get by on just the shirt/tie and not have to have the jacket as well...but as with most jobs depends on your boss and depends on just how dressed up the people there are and not something a buncha forum nerds might think

I know jcpenny offers OK suits at a resonable price a lot of the time, just they aren't tailored to fit. I know back in college i got a full suit + 2 ties + 2 dress shirts + shoes for right around 200 there.

 

Originally posted by: spidey07
you can get decent suits at men's warehouse for 200 bucks

black, charcoal and maybe a brown or olive.

three button is just fine.

two pairs of shoes - black and brown

shirts - three white, blue and brown

all set.

Yup, that's what I was thinking. I'll be able to mix and match shirts and ties with the suits, so I think three is all I'll need.

 

[CptObvious]

I got a pair of suits (navy blue and charcoal) from Brooks Brothers outlet for $300 each. The department store/Mens Wearhouse suits might be OK if you wear suits once in a blue moon, but not for everyday use. Especially not if you're trying to look professional in D.C.

 

Originally posted by: Drakkon
i would think as a congressional assistant you would probobly be able to get by on just the shirt/tie and not have to have the jacket as well...but as with most jobs depends on your boss and depends on just how dressed up the people there are and not something a buncha forum nerds might think

I know jcpenny offers OK suits at a resonable price a lot of the time, just they aren't tailored to fit. I know back in college i got a full suit + 2 ties + 2 dress shirts + shoes for right around 200 there.

It's not working for a member of Congress, it's at a federal agency. If I get the formal offer from them, I'll be sure to ask what type of attire is appropriate.

 

[RagingBITCH]

Drakkon has good advice - JCPenny has full suits under $200. SO does K&G - check both of those out

 

[Reel]

If you end up going to men's wearhouse, they try to sell you extra stuff like shoes or ties that you might get cheaper elsewhere. So keep an eye on their pushing tactics.

 

[no0b]

salvation army cheapest by far, just give enough time to try on a bunch of suits

 

[Gibson486]

$200 is not really a low budget for a suit......that is not really a collge budget for a suit...

Anyways, I do not know the name of thr store, but i remember seeing commercials for it. The commercial has a guy in a suit with a bat (or big hammer) smashing a window. I have never been to that store, but I think there is one in newton, Ma. Anyone know the name of the store? I kind of want to go to that store and chcek it out.....

 

[0roo0roo]

if its a summer thing, i don't think you'd have to dress up that much. your position wouldn't justify it

 

[Red Dawn]

Here in Boston there are plenty of places that sell used suits on consignment. You can get Designer Suits for pennies on the dollar. To get them fitted just right you can always go to a tailor. I know a guy who does that all the time he has has the best wardrobe of anybody I know (has more clothes that Emelda Marcos has shoes)

 

Originally posted by: Red Dawn
Here in Boston there are plenty of places that sell used suits on consignment. You can get Designer Suits for pennies on the dollar. To get them fitted just right you can always go to a tailor. I know a guy who does that all the time he has has the best wardrobe of anybody I know (has more clothes that Emelda Marcos has shoes)

Interesting...I'll look into that.

 

[Caesar]

I don't see any recommendation for SYMS. Check it out, I am sure u will get nice suits for well under 200 each. I have bought a couple of suits for a frnd (in B school) and they were like 170 and 120. Yeah I know it depends on fabric and stuff but SYMS has good brand suits for very less.

 

[brigden]

You're going to have a hard time finding decent suits on a $200 budget. Despite what you're being told, $200 is about half what one should spend on a suit when on a budget. However, you've established that as your budget, so that's what I'll offer advice with.

I suggest single-brested, three button jackets. (Remember, when it comes to buttoning your suit, from top button to bottom: sometimes, always, never.)

I'd look for flat-front pants with no cuff, but that's personal preference.

There are many different materials to choose from, but keep in mind what you're going to be doing while in the suit. Linen creases easily, so if you're sitting all day you may wish to avoid it. I recommend at least one 100% wool suit for cooler days and durability.

As for colours, I'd recommend staying away from black. Black is inappropriate for your workplace. I suggest navy, grey, and brown and variations of. Pinstripes are OK if subtle.

When picking shirts, stick with subtle stripes and patterns. You're can't go wrong with several good-quality white shirts. If you're going to go cheap on the suits, try to spend some money on the shirts and ties. Have a look through GQ for inspiration.

If you're going to buy used designer suits, check them over very carefully and make sure they fit. Don't buy something because of the label.

Good luck. If you need more advice, just PM me.

 

Originally posted by: brigden
You're going to have a hard time finding decent suits on a $200 budget. Despite what you're being told, $200 is about half what one should spend on a suit when on a budget. However, you've established that as your budget, so that's what I'll offer advice with.

I suggest single-brested, three button jackets. (Remember, when it comes to buttoning your suit, from top button to bottom: sometimes, always, never.)

I'd look for flat-front pants with no cuff, but that's personal preference.

There are many different materials to choose from, but keep in mind what you're going to be doing while in the suit. Linen creases easily, so if you're sitting all day you may wish to avoid it. I recommend at least one 100% wool suit for cooler days and durability.

As for colours, I'd recommend staying away from black. Black is inappropriate for your workplace. I suggest navy, grey, and brown and variations of. Pinstripes are OK if subtle.

When picking shirts, stick with subtle stripes and patterns. You're can't go wrong with several good-quality white shirts. If you're going to go cheap on the suits, try to spend some money on the shirts and ties. Have a look through GQ for inspiration.

If you're going to buy used designer suits, check them over very carefully and make sure they fit. Don't buy something because of the label.

Good luck. If you need more advice, just PM me.

Good stuff, thanks. Yeah, the suit I have is black, and like I said, I just don't think it'll work for an occupational setting.

Linen = $$, so probably not. But the recommendation for pants (flat front, no cuff) is exactly what I was thinking.

 

[b0mbrman]

Originally posted by: jumpr

Originally posted by: Ausm
My brother just got back from China and had a full silk suit made for 200 bucks U.S They made the suit for him overnight and the quality was astounding.

Ausm

Cool, well I'll just head to China for the weekend and I'll be all set.

:laugh:

And in high school, I also went the Men's Wearhouse route...should be fine for your purposes too...

 

[ghostman]

I bought a polyester suit once for $150 at the end of HS. Sure, it's crappy, but it looks decent enough and no one really cares.

When I got my job, I found a rather nice wool/cashmere suit at Macy's department store for about $75. I found the jacket portion for $50 because it was missing the complete set. Coincidentally, I found the matching pants portion for $25 because it was also missing the complete set. The crossed out tag showed that the complete set consisted of one jacket and two pants with a cost of about $350.

I also bought a full RL wool suit and a rain jacket for some other ungodly price. The full bill came out to about $800 (it's amazing the type of attention you get when they see you're a big ticket buyer). I then got some cash back when my sis signed up for a Macy's CC.

I've worn the rain jacket 5 times and haven't touched the RL suit. I've only worn my $75 suit.

 

[Mo0o]

JC Penny has very affordable suits. Take a look there if you're trying to save some money

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: brigden
You're going to have a hard time finding decent suits on a $200 budget. Despite what you're being told, $200 is about half what one should spend on a suit when on a budget. However, you've established that as your budget, so that's what I'll offer advice with.

geezes, what job requires $400 as the budget suit??? I only have one suit (don't really need it), and it was $230 from hechts, perry ellis. I'm sure it's not the best, but it's nice and simple. that said, the OP said its for summer.

I'd say w/ a $200 budget, with a little flexibility, you can find what you need no problem.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: lnguyen

Originally posted by: brigden
You're going to have a hard time finding decent suits on a $200 budget. Despite what you're being told, $200 is about half what one should spend on a suit when on a budget. However, you've established that as your budget, so that's what I'll offer advice with.

geezes, what job requires $400 as the budget suit??? I only have one suit (don't really need it), and it was $230 from hechts, perry ellis. I'm sure it's not the best, but it's nice and simple. that said, the OP said its for summer.

I'd say w/ a $200 budget, with a little flexibility, you can find what you need no problem.

Exactly, not everyone can afford 40 dollar haircuts and 80 dollar dress shirts. A 200 dollar suit is more than adequate for a summer internship. They're judging on performance, not looks.

Also Jumpr, have you checked into the dress code of where you're working? It could be alot more casual than you think and a dress shirt + slacks is more than enough for it

 

[digitalsm]

Originally posted by: lnguyen

Originally posted by: brigden
You're going to have a hard time finding decent suits on a $200 budget. Despite what you're being told, $200 is about half what one should spend on a suit when on a budget. However, you've established that as your budget, so that's what I'll offer advice with.

geezes, what job requires $400 as the budget suit??? I only have one suit (don't really need it), and it was $230 from hechts, perry ellis. I'm sure it's not the best, but it's nice and simple. that said, the OP said its for summer.

I'd say w/ a $200 budget, with a little flexibility, you can find what you need no problem.

Dont listen to brigden. You can get some nice suits for $400. Its pointless to spend $800+ on a suit. $400 is not a budget suit. Its what most 9-5 working business stiffs wear.

As for flat front and no cuff, thats what people trying to be "trendy" wear, everyone else wears the traditional pleated front and 1" cuffs.