Help teenage son needs a suit!

[java]

My still growing 16 year old needs a blue blazer as well as a suit(he has 3 days of events next weekend) last year he just wore dh's suits. This year he's too tall and too thin. So any advice on where to get the best deal on these items? We live in western nj. I have a 20% off at Macy's but have never suit shopped there.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I would check Goodwill or other thrift shops first. Suits can be tough because sometimes the pants are worn out, but it's worth a try. Just the blazer should be easier. Might have to try a couple different stores to find one, but alot cheaper than anywhere else (esp if he doesn't wear it often/might outgrow it at any second!)

 

[Cindy B]

With a tall and thin son, I hear you loud and clear.

I have bought nicer separates at Kohls for my son. They have suits there (off the rack, no tailoring) and because he is tall and skinny he can get the smaller jacket and the longer pants. Scour around for a Kohls coupon--I used one on the 31st for 20% off.

They also have sportcoats you might find the blazer there. I have also seen sportcoats at JC Penneys.

Other thoughts:

Mens Warehouse
K & G
Syms

When my son was younger, I did buy a suit at goodwill for him. It was in September and it looked like someones Easter suit

 

[Eastern]

You can try Burlington coat factory; they usually put out a 10% coupon in those fundraising discount books. I have also had good luck at Men's Wearhouse. They often run sales so check online to see before you go.

 

[Sadie22]

Goodwill may or may not have something decent that will fit that you will just have to have cleaned.

We usually go the separates route. Macy's is good with a lot of sizes available. Our Macy's does not have an in-store tailor anymore but I've always hemmed pants myself anyway. One employee in the men's department still remembers selling my youngest a sport coat and slacks for his first homecoming dance and later fitting him for his first suit.

 

[Darcy03231]

We've had the best luck at Kohl's or JC Penney. Like a PP said, you can buy them as separates in both places.

 

[powellrj]

My DS joined a fraturnity at college last year so he needed a couple of suits to wear to meetings and such. We have had really good luck at Goodwill stores. You need to find a Goodwill in an area with lots of young professionals. Our local Goodwill have lots of senior type clothes, but we found the ones in a neighboring town was gold!

 

[3boymthr]

Marshall's and TJ Maxx carry really nice separates (jackets/blazers & dress pants). I've put together some nice suits for DH this way. I've also gotten some nice ones for not too much money at JC Penney.

I will say that if you need tailoring and need it quickly Men's Wearhouse is a great place to try. A few years ago, my cousin was here (lives in FL) for vacation when my grandmother unexpectedly passed away on July 3rd. He was able to buy and get two suits and have them tailored in time for the wake on the 5th and funeral on the 6th. I think is great service especially considering there was a holiday.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

JC Penney often has nice quality suits on sale for very good prices.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

Men's Wearhouse would be a good place to start. My DS may need a tux next month so I was looking on their website. They had a bunch of options in both rental and purchase.

Keep in mind that if you have to have alterations done they can be as much (or more) than the cost of the suit.

Nordstrom will alter for free, but their prices on suits are kind of scary.

 

[SILLYANDI]

I was at Wal Mart yesterday and they had racks and racks of blue and black suits on clearance- If it's not for Prom of something, I am sure the quality will be good enough. I just happened to walk by them!

 

[shortbun]

Good advice here. My tall, skinny son shops Plato's closet, goodwill and volunteers regulary for some of his clothes. When he has a performance and needs a one shot sports jacket or suit, we definitely try the used stores first. A bit of dry cleaning and a hem or let out is cheaper than an new suit that will be too small soon, eh?

 

[Mickey527]

I 2nd Burlington.
A few years ago when my mom died I had to get suits for all 3 of my boys Quickly.
I went to Burlington and found nice suits that were really inexpensive. I think I paid about $50 each for 3 piece suits. All 3 of my boys were adults, not young children.
They all had to be fitted since two are 5'10" and thin (123 lbs) and the 3rd is 6'4" and was about 250lbs.
I bought the suits on Friday morning and picked them up Saturday night.

 

[whois figment]

K and G has had the best prices for suits I have found. I just checked their site and they have the 2 suits for 149 sale running.

 

[momofrrr]

When my DS needed a suite quickly I had really good luck at Kohls as well. He wore it several times, then just used the jacket with Khakis on a cruise.

 

[mousebymarriage]

You can try Burlington coat factory; they usually put out a 10% coupon in those fundraising discount books. I have also had good luck at Men's Wearhouse. They often run sales so check online to see before you go.

I agree. At Burlington Coat factory you can get a great suit and/or blazer that won't break the bank. Oh, and they do alterations too.

 

[Danemom]

We got my DS pants, jacket, tie and shirt at Kohls for just under $100. I was pretty happy with that.

 

[williamson_ja]

I have to say that I totally lucked out when I needed one recently. My ds is also very tall and thin for his age (he just turned 14 and is 6'2" already). He really wanted to go to an etiquette ball and needed either a suit or slacks and a blazer. We went to a consignment shop not even looking for him, but for a formal for my daughter to wear to the ball. We didn't find a formal for her, but lucked out and found a blazer just his size for.... $3! It was in perfect condition and exactly his size. I totally couldn't believe it! We paired with with a nice pair of slacks and he looked very handsome. As for my daughter's needed formal- my friend had a $300 dress that her daughter only wore once that looked like it was tailored just for my tall thin daughter that she let us borrow for free. Couldn't have turned out any better. What great luck! Hope you find what you need for a reasonable price. Keep your eyes open. You never know what you might find. Ask around to friends. See if any of them can help you out.

 

[talulabelle]

I get my son's at Kohl's. Good quality for the price. He is still growing and I refuse to pay too much when he won't be in them long. When he stops growing I will invest in some better ones else where, but he won't be in these long enough to wear them out, so he doesn't need the best quality right now anyway. They always have some sale, especially right now.

 

[java]

Thanks for all the tips. We ended up with a blue blazer,pair of dress pants2 shirts, a tie and a belt for around $250. Not great but not terrible either. We ended up finding it all at the Brooks brothers outlet. First stop we hit and when he found stuff he liked we went with it.

I figure we'll do a suit in the spring for jr. Prom(if he goes)