Post: #26

A family member bought me this watch for XMAS and I've had several people compliment me on it. It's 30 bucks on Amazon.

It's pretty versatile and looks great with anything casual and even more dressy attire.

   

Post: #27

(03-19-2012 03:29 PM)Farmageddon Wrote:  I'm a huge fan of thrift stores. You have to wade through a lot of shit to find something decent, but when you do you can usually pick up a shirt for $5-10.

But you must, must, must have a good tailor on hand. Have the shirt tailored in the body and (most of the time) have the sleeves made thinner. This usually costs between 15-30 dollars depending on how much tailoring needs to be done. This is very important because clothes made for the American market are very billowy and have lots of extra fabric for all the fat asses.

So, your average cost per shirt ends up being about 25 dollars. I have an entire closet full of Nordstrom, Calvin Klein, Brioni, Christian Dior, etc. shirts that have been tailored to fit me perfectly - all from thrift stores. Mind you, these are 200-500 dollar shirts retail. I regularly get compliments from women and men who tell me my clothes fit well or that I look nice.

This is a brand new express shirt before tailoring. Notice how large the body is and how much extra material there is? 99% of American guys just wear there shirts exactly as they bought them.


Even the arms are way too big:


This is a Nordstrom shirt that I had tailored. Notice how the arms are now the perfect length, there is no extra material and the body is snug next to mine. The difference before and after tailoring is night and day. The shirt needs to be pressed and ironed but I think you get the point.



Having a tailor on lock down is a simple and inexpensive tip that I think adds true value to your style and life.

I love what you have done to your shirts. I hate shirts that balloon in the middle. Have you also checked out the Extraslim shirts by Express. The fits great can't say the same about the quality. Another slim fit brand I am a fan of is John Varvatos. You can find a reasonably priced one at the Nordstorms Rack

Post: #28

Target has great stuff (not suits but everything else). VERY affordable.

Post: #29

Van Huesen/Perry Ellis. Looks good, fabric is so-so. Shirts run about 25, pants about 30. Used it everyday for proffesional school. Another plus is that I dont give a f-ck about the clothes. Some girl ripped my shirt in half at the club. Didn't even bat an eyelash.

I get the fitted/slim-fit shirts. TBH, eventually ill make the step over to pricier clothes, but my body-type is still changing. Don't like the idea of shelling out a ton of money for clothes, and for it not to look right in 6 months. (Im in my 20s).

Post: #30

What are some good brands of suits to get on a budget. I'm talking somewhere between 3-500. I have a cheap-o suit from H&M and another from Perry Ellis, but what are some good suggestions for something a couple steps up? Once I get my paper flowing again I plan on investing in some quality clothes. I checked out the site that Basil Ransom posted, and it looks quality. Any suggestions on specific brands though?

Post: #31

You can hit me via PM with measurements and I can help. If you are in shape...

/thread-19104.html

All you need is really arm, shoulders, waist to figure out which brands are good.

Based on the fact that H&M fits you.

Uniclo, Armani exchange prob fit you best. Just figure out if you need shoulder padding or not, if in shape the answer is no.

Post: #32

(05-01-2013 07:40 PM)WestCoast Wrote:  You can hit me via PM with measurements and I can help. If you are in shape...

/thread-19104.html

All you need is really arm, shoulders, waist to figure out which brands are good.

Based on the fact that H&M fits you.

Uniclo, Armani exchange prob fit you best. Just figure out if you need shoulder padding or not, if in shape the answer is no.

Thanks for the advice dude. It will probably be at least a month before I'll be looking. A couple more question. When I'm looking at a piece like this http://us.suitsupply.com/suits/suit-blue...cgid=Suits the pants should be included in the price correct? What are your thoughts on that suite? This site looks like gold. Are these suites pretty quality for the price?

Post: #33

Never tried the site before so not gonna send you down a track of bs.

Suit price should be jacket + slacks.

Basics on off the rack suit... shoulder or no shoulder padding (if you have a large shoulder to waist drop no padding, if you're thin you need padding), under 5'11 get a 2 button, above 6'2" or so three, use a color not for "interviews" ie: would recommend something other than black as a going out suit.

That last part is an opinion, obviously guide is very basic (since we're not going high end), make sure the arms fit, that makes a suit look like crap.

Post: #34

My personal opinion and experience is not to buy cheap. Spend more but buy less. You will save money in the long run.

There is a website named Ask Andy About Clothes. I would recommend it for learning about proper and quality attire.

MC

Post: #35

(05-01-2013 08:40 PM)Monte Cassino Wrote:  My personal opinion and experience is not to buy cheap. Spend more but buy less. You will save money in the long run.

There is a website named Ask Andy About Clothes. I would recommend it for learning about proper and quality attire.

MC

Yeah, eventually I'll get something nice, but I'm still pretty young. Haven't been able to hit the jackpot yet, though I typically don't do bad either, pretty much a medium income. To be quit honest though I think I'd rather have two or three $400 suits rather than one $1200 suit. At least for the time being. Some of those suits on that site look pretty fly if you ask me.

Post: #36

(05-01-2013 09:01 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  Yeah, eventually I'll get something nice, but I'm still pretty young. Haven't been able to hit the jackpot yet, though I typically don't do bad either, pretty much a medium income. To be quit honest though I think I'd rather have two or three $400 suits rather than one $1200 suit. At least for the time being. Some of those suits on that site look pretty fly if you ask me.

A guy with swag can do more with $400 suit than a guy w/ no game wearing a custom suit. The more swag you have, the less you'll want or need to spend on clothing.

Post: #37

(05-01-2013 09:14 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  A guy with swag can do more with $400 suit than a guy w/ no game wearing a custom suit. The more swag you have, the less you'll want or need to spend on clothing.

True. However, I don't believe that was the premise of the OP. It didn't sound like his post was about buying clothing for successful skirt chasing.

The issue with $400 suits is that they are glued. The $1200 suit is sewn. If one buys timeless styled suits, that $1200 suit will outlast several $400 suits, plus it just hangs better. The same is true with shirts, khakis, etc. However, there is a crossover point where one is just throwing money away on expensive clothing. Depending on one's priorities, the issue may be worth studying, hence my referral to Ask Andy.

MC

Post: #38

(05-01-2013 09:47 PM)Monte Cassino Wrote:  

(05-01-2013 09:14 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  A guy with swag can do more with $400 suit than a guy w/ no game wearing a custom suit. The more swag you have, the less you'll want or need to spend on clothing.

True. However, I don't believe that was the premise of the OP. It didn't sound like his post was about buying clothing for successful skirt chasing.

The issue with $400 suits is that they are glued. The $1200 suit is sewn. If one buys timeless styled suits, that $1200 suit will outlast several $400 suits, plus it just hangs better. The same is true with shirts, khakis, etc. However, there is a crossover point where one is just throwing money away on expensive clothing. Depending on one's priorities, the issue may be worth studying, hence my referral to Ask Andy.

MC

I see where you're coming from. I'm thinking rock the 3, $400 suits and I'm hoping they'll last me until I can afford 3, $1200 suits. I mean picking up is a bonus, but overall, I just want to look good period, more for myself than anyone else. When I dress good I feel good. And when I feel good I'm more confident. More confidence= better game. At the end of the day everything comes back full circle. You improve your game without even necessarily meaning to.

I do however drop some decent money on dress shirts. I have several dress shirts that sell for $150-200, though I didn't pay that much for them since a friend of mine worked for the company. Only one of the shirts I've actually paid that kind of money for. I'm interested in investing in a nice Burberry dress shirt though. They look smooth. I'll probably go casual with the white with the plaid Burberry signature cuffs and collar.

Post: #39

(05-01-2013 09:01 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  Yeah, eventually I'll get something nice...To be quit honest though I think I'd rather have two or three $400 suits rather than one $1200 suit. At least for the time being...

Yep. Take it as you can. And as stated above, for skirt chasing it won't have any effect. I started trading up over time as my income levels improved. My $400 suits started coming undone in about their fifth year. What happens is that you will notice them cinching up when they come back from the dry cleaners. You will think that they didn't press them. What happens is that the heat of the dry cleaning starts breaking down the glue where the suit is fused, etc. You will also notice they start losing their 'hang' over time. Again this is because the glue is breaking down.

MC

Post: #40

(05-01-2013 09:54 PM)Monte Cassino Wrote:  

(05-01-2013 09:01 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  Yeah, eventually I'll get something nice...To be quit honest though I think I'd rather have two or three $400 suits rather than one $1200 suit. At least for the time being...

Yep. Take it as you can. And as stated above, for skirt chasing it won't have any effect. I started trading up over time as my income levels improved. My $400 suits started coming undone in about their fifth year. What happens is that you will notice them cinching up when they come back from the dry cleaners. You will think that they didn't press them. What happens is that the heat of the dry cleaning starts breaking down the glue where the suit is fused, etc. You will also notice they start losing their 'hang' over time. Again this is because the glue is breaking down.

MC

That's all good. I think 5 years for a $400 suit is money well invested. Did you take a look over that site that was posted? If so what were your thoughts? Do you have any recommendations for something in my price range? I'm willing to spend up to $500, possibly 6 if the suit is super fly. I was looking at a Ralph Lauren suit the other day, it was super fly. It was in the window and I went in to inquire about it and it was $1800. Way out of my price range, but damn was it nice.

Post: #41

(05-01-2013 10:06 PM)InternationPlayboy Wrote:  That's all good. I think 5 years for a $400 suit is money well invested. Did you take a look over that site that was posted? If so what were your thoughts? Do you have any recommendations for something in my price range? I'm willing to spend up to $500, possibly 6 if the suit is super fly. I was looking at a Ralph Lauren suit the other day, it was super fly. It was in the window and I went in to inquire about it and it was $1800. Way out of my price range, but damn was it nice.

I looked at the site. For suits I would only buy at a real store where I could try them on. For $400-500 you will get a pretty uniform product. Try a Jos. Banks store. They are very good in that price range.

I don't know what 'Super Fly' means other than a movie by the same name I saw when I was a kid. I think he was a pimp or drug dealer, "Freddie's dead..." However, I would not spend $1,800 for Ralph Lauren. In fact I don't buy anything 'lifestyle' branded. For that kind of money you can get yourself a Canali or a Mabro suit with a floating canvas. I like Canali. These are quality hand sewn suits, which will be your next step up.

Again, try Jos. Banks for the economy. And by the way, their 'traveler' series business shirts are great.

MC

Post: #42

where do you live? you can go custom for around $500. i've heard really good things about propersuit.com and they are around $700. if you are in DC there are a few people that do it for under $500

Post: #43

Cool thanks for the advice man.

Superfly, I love Curtis Mayfield. But by super fly, I mean it looks smooth, and nice.

TheBMan, I'm in Colorado at the moment.

Post: #44

(03-19-2012 03:29 PM)Farmageddon Wrote:  This is a brand new express shirt before tailoring. Notice how large the body is and how much extra material there is? 99% of American guys just wear there shirts exactly as they bought them.

Just a heads up for other guys certain brands cut their shirts differently (some are more roomy than others) and most have a slim fit option. If you're a skinny guy you might be better off getting the slim shirts and if you're muscular the slim might be too tight for the shoulders or chest and you're better off getting a regular and tailoring it.

Overall, you'll just have to try on the shirts.

Post: #45

(03-19-2012 03:29 PM)Farmageddon Wrote:  This is a brand new express shirt before tailoring. Notice how large the body is and how much extra material there is? 99% of American guys just wear there shirts exactly as they bought them.

Express makes 3 different sizes of 1MX shirts. I'm thinking you didn't know that when making the purchase. If that is in fact the extra slim fit and you can't fill it out, my sincere suggestion is to hit the gym my friend.

Post: #46

http://www.overstock.com has some nice deals on english laundry shirts sometimes, often under $20. so does amazon for that matter

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_st?keywor...sort=price

Post: #47

(05-08-2013 12:03 AM)master_thespian Wrote:  http://www.overstock.com has some nice deals on english laundry shirts sometimes, often under $20. so does amazon for that matter

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_st?keywor...sort=price

Good call. I bought my mom a Tanzanite ring on Overstock last Christmas and was not disappointed.

Post: #48

Here's a website I found through GQ... http://www.asos.com/Men/Suits-Blazers/Ca...78&via=lhn

Post: #49

Just wanted to share this link from styleforum where they brag about thrift finds. Some dudes have found some nice shit over the years. But this is definitely proof you can dress well for cheap.

http://www.styleforum.net/t/9006/the-off...read/70890

Post: #50

I guess that "on a budget" is a very relative thing, but Pal Zileri, an upper-end italian brand, has a "cheaper" line, LAB. Still quality clothes made in Italy and in the same factory (in Vicenza), but much less pricey than the Pal Zileri line and designed for a younger clientele (suits about 600€ for LAB vs 1500 € for Pal Z, shirts about 100€ for LAB vs 180€ for Pal Z, ect). If I was younger and on a budget, it would be one of the brands that I'd choose.

http://lab.palzileri.com/ss13/ita.html