What is it with men's suits!?!?!?!?!?

[RadioFanatic]

I HATE THEM! We just spent $600 to get dh two new suits - he has to wear them everyday so they were desperately needed. And now one we already have to get repaired, after two weeks, as his seam ripped during work! Now I know it's a mistake; but it just seems to me that for $300 for a suit, they should be made A LOT better. Now the jackets are lined, but why not the pants? and the material seems so thin. and I'm not just talking about this suit, we have bought many, many suits over the years, many different brands, and they just seem to be made the same. And why the heck do they cost so darn much? I have to wear suits every day as well, my suits cost $150 AT MOST (and most I get for about $100), and the whole thing is lined, including either the pants or jacket and seem to be made of a tougher material.

One more market where we are stuck buying them and they can still stick it to us!

edited to say - he wears them everyday this month (busiest time of year) but as I explained in a post, six months of the year, he doesn't wear them and the other 5 months, only 3 days a week - I know, weird schedule.

 

[Nancy]

Wow! makes me glad DH wears jeans and a sweathirt to work (t shirt in the summer) and I get to wear a uniform. I haven't bought DH a suit in so long I didn't realize they were so expensive!

As for falling apart? I think there is just shoddy workmanship now. Everything is rushed and workers probably aren't paid enough to care if the work is done correctly....not saying that is how it is everywhere, just a generalization.

 

[RadioFanatic]

mistake - double post

 

[RadioFanatic]

I know, it's crazy - I hate them!

 

[Cosmic_Charlie]

If you are only going to spend $300 on a suit, Lands End makes a pretty durable suit for about that price.

 

[golfgal]

A $300 suit just isn't that great of quality, sorry. Men's suits are designed to last for years, thus the higher price. Women change their wardrobes more frequently although a nice woman's suit is going to be more then $300, too. If he wears them every day, you might want to start investing in some higher quality suits that will hold up longer.

 

[RadioFanatic]

see, and that's exactly what I'm saying. At $300, it should be AMAZING quality. That's a lot of money for one outfit. And, I have NEVER spent $300 on a woman's suit and never would. And I wear Kasper, Jones New York, etc.

 

[FreshTressa]

All of DH's suits are used. I thought it was a waste at the prices they are.

However, he does not have to wear them to work....just to funerals and on cruises.

 

[AMcaptured]

see, and that's exactly what I'm saying. At $300, it should be AMAZING quality. That's a lot of money for one outfit. And, I have NEVER spent $300 on a woman's suit and never would. And I wear Kasper, Jones New York, etc.

You're right, it should be of decent quality for $300 but unfortunately with the way menswear runs, it isn't.

I personally have found that you have to get to about $500 before you get something that is sort of good.

Also, does your husband really have to wear a suit?? It might be better to get a few sports coats and nice trousers that way he can mix and match, change things around a bit. If he has to wear a suit every day, what good will two suits do him? I can't imagine wearing the same suit 2.5 times a week.

Good Luck.

 

[golfgal]

see, and that's exactly what I'm saying. At $300, it should be AMAZING quality. That's a lot of money for one outfit. And, I have NEVER spent $300 on a woman's suit and never would. And I wear Kasper, Jones New York, etc.

To me a $300 mens suit is about KMart quality, sorry. DH's suits are more in the $800-1000/range and they last. They are tailored to fit and we have never had a seam rip out or had to repair anything on them. We usually get them at Nordstrom because of the quality and the service. DH doesn't have to wear his suits every day anymore, but he did. He has had some of his suits for 10 years and they still look new.

 

[Bob Slydell]

To me a $300 mens suit is about KMart quality, sorry.

I have a number of very good quality suits that I paid $300-$400 for and I can tell you none of them were "K-Mart" quality. You can find good deals on quality suits out there, trust me.

 

[Crankyshank]

Granted I don't have any sort of first hand experience with K-Mart clothes (refuse to shop there) and I had no idea they even made suits, but we're suit shopping for DH currently and we have several options of good quality for under $400. Including one in the same style and from the same place my Father bought his favorite suit 5yrs ago and it still holds up well with frequent wear.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

I agree with Golfgal 100%. Remarkably, $300 is on the low end when it comes to men's suits. I own quite a few and spend typically $800-$1200 per suit, however, they last for many years. I am partial to Hugo Boss, as they fit me better than all others, and the quality is outstanding. I'd rather pay $1200 for a great, stylish cut that lasts then pay $300 for a suit that has to be replaced often.

 

[Michie]

I agree with Golfgal 100%. Remarkably, $300 is on the low end when it comes to men's suits. I own quite a few and spend typically $800-$1200 per suit, however, they last for many years. I am partial to Hugo Boss, as they fit me better than all others, and the quality is outstanding. I'd rather pay $1200 for a great, stylish cut that lasts then pay $300 for a suit that has to be replaced often.

Have to agree with Laugh and golfgal. There is a BIG difference between a $300 suit and one that costs in the $800 range. The Dh pays about $800 for his suits. If a man can not afford a decent suit, I would rather him not wear one.

 

[RadioFanatic]

You're right, it should be of decent quality for $300 but unfortunately with the way menswear runs, it isn't.

I personally have found that you have to get to about $500 before you get something that is sort of good.

Also, does your husband really have to wear a suit?? It might be better to get a few sports coats and nice trousers that way he can mix and match, change things around a bit. If he has to wear a suit every day, what good will two suits do him? I can't imagine wearing the same suit 2.5 times a week.

Good Luck.

my husband works in a job where he only has to wear a suit 3 days a week for the first six months of the year. so for the other six month and the two days a week during the first six months he can wear whatever he wants. so he has these two new suits and 3 older ones that he rotates. I don't know what we would do if he had to wear a suit everyday. BTW, he picked the suits out, not me. but I will say I was impressed with myself b/c he loved this one suit and I kept saying it was a smidgin too tight in the shoulders. The store manager kept saying, no that's his size and it looks good. Well, guess what? the store manager made a mistake and got a size smaller than his size - how's that for my eyes?

 

[RadioFanatic]

I have a number of very good quality suits that I paid $300-$400 for and I can tell you none of them were "K-Mart" quality. You can find good deals on quality suits out there, trust me.

thank you bob, I agree. I'm not complaining about these suits, and this is the first time there was a problem, I'm just saying the expense is ridiculous for what you get. Yes, I can pay $500+ for a suit, but why should we have to? If I pay $1000 for a suit, that's more than a month's rent. And that is crazy to me!

 

[Bob Slydell]

thank you bob, I agree. I'm not complaining about these suits, and this is the first time there was a problem, I'm just saying the expense is ridiculous for what you get. Yes, I can pay $500+ for a suit, but why should we have to? If I pay $1000 for a suit, that's more than a month's rent. And that is crazy to me!

If you have a Men's Warehouse nearby you, try there. They've got some pretty good prices on good suits. I've had good luck there before.