Quote: (09-08-2012 03:35 PM)chakri Wrote:
Why is black not acceptable for business environments? What situations is it for then?
Also, is it better to buy it in a set or buy each item separately and put it all together?
FYI I'm looking for a suit for business networking events in NYC.
Read a book, i'd recommend something by Alan Flusser. I've heard good things about this one,
http://www.amazon.com/The-Suit-Machiavel...0060891866
Usually a suit meant to do everything isn't good at anything.
An evening suit should be cut more modern (fits like a second skin) and have more flare (peak lapels, narrow lapels, odd colored button holes), the exact things that aren't good for interview suits/work suits, unless you're in sales or in creative.
And like i've said before, if you're at a bar or a club, having some chick spill her fruity drink on your expensive suit will get you out of the mood. Believe me, i've been there.
- black is not acceptable for business. In the light of day and in contrast to grey and navy, it looks really severe. This rule does not apply to women.
- black is for evenings, night weddings, late dinners, and night life (and wait staff, valets, and butlers)
- buy things separately.
I suggest you start with a dress shirt that fits you perfectly. This is much harder than most people think, but most folks don't care that much about how they look.
When you buy your suit, you will at least need to have the jacket cuffs altered. Ideally, you only show 1/4 inch of your sleeve. After that, you can finish the look with tie, belt/shoes/wallet/watch band, hat, tie bar, cuff links, whatever floats your boat.
- If you're in NY, it depends on your budget
1) Century 21 or Daffy's or any of the other discounters.
2) Mr Ned's if you want to spend a small amount on a custom suit. I think you can get out of there for less than a G and pretty much blow any other suit out of the order.
Keep in mind most easily available bespoke suits are 4-10G's, 3 fittings, and 3 months to construct. (and the stuff made in South East Asia doesn't compare. HK yes, Thailand, no)
NYC is lucky to have a lot of West Indian tailors who trained on Savile Row, but if you're not Jamaican or Caribbean, you'll have a tough time finding them.
3) But given what you've said in this thread so far, your ideal is more of a GQ/Esquire, not one of a serious dandy or someone with a job where everyone else wears a suit. I'd try SuitSupply if you're dead set on being "cool". It's on Broome in Soho.
I wouldn't do an Indochino or any of the internet/mail order suit companies until you actually know what fits you and what you like.
4) If you want to wear a suit to work,or to an interview, stay the fuck away from Zara, H&M, Banana Republic, or J. Crew. You can get a much higher quality Calvin Klein/Ralph Lauren/Hugo Boss @ Macy's. (also avoid K&G, Jos A. Banks, and Menswearhouse). And you can't go wrong with a business suit from Brooks Brothers. But if you're rocking Brooks, skinny eastern european chicks aren't going to check for you.
WIA