You get what you pay for...!!

Splurge on Men’s Fashion: Suits

Men’s fashion: the term alone inspires images of the very elite and very, very wealthy. Style, however, need not be a privilege for a select few. Some of those items may be priced very steeply, it’s true, but there are pieces worth their astronomical price tags. Splurging carefully and selectively is the secret to getting exactly those clothes that matter the most to your wardrobe – and maybe even your career.

Why is it a splurge? Good style costs money, and you have to be willing to spend at least a few greenbacks if you wish to look truly impressive. In men’s fashion, you most often get what you pay for, and it’s not unheard of for quality to hurt the wallet.

The Suit Splurge
Few items are as ubiquitous – necessary, even – in the male wardrobe as the suit. It’s the go-to outfit for anything that’s above smart casual, whether it’s an interview or a funeral. Not everything with a necktie, however, will look good and formal. The suit is one of the first things that people see when they want to measure you up. Is your suit up to measure?

If you haven’t done it before, it’s relatively easy to spot a bad suit. There will simply be something off about it, even if the smart necktie, designer brand and shiny shoes are all there. The shoulders might be too droopy, the fabric might be hugging the chest wrong, or the length is shot. Whatever the element, the wrongness of the suit is more sensed than simply seen – and usually by others to boot.

Going by the same logic, finding a good suit is also pretty straightforward. It’s the one that makes your chest and shoulders seem fuller, your waist seem trimmer and your body a little longer. If it makes you feel like a whole new man, it’s probably a good suit.

Off from Off-the-Rack
Suits were meant to be tailored. Just ask your dad or his dad before him, and they likely went to a tailor for their own suit at one point or another. Unlike generic t-shirts and jeans that are mass produced, the suit is at its best when it’s made for the one who’ll wear it.

Reasonable as the store rack prices might be, chances are good that you’re not going to find a suit that’ll suit you there. Most people’s bodies have a quirk or two, like a slight curvature of the back or an uneven pair of limbs. These are things that a tailor would be able to compensate for, but only because he’d be working on your measurements.

If you must buy off the rack, then at least take the extra expense of having it fitted and altered. Most men’s stores offer cutting and hemming services for a small fee, and it’s sure to fit better than the stock suit. In most cases, though, the total expense very nearly equals going to the tailor, so you may as well go for that.

Tales of Tailors
Believe it or not, going to a tailor typically costs you just around 20% more than buying from the store. For that extra 20% (and maybe three weeks of your time), you get a suit that’s uniquely, undeniably yours in every measurement.

The best part about going to an honest-to-goodness tailor is that he can offer you advice as well. If you’re not as fashion-savvy as you’d like yourself to be, trust the tailor to help you solve that little dilemma. You won’t just be paying for costly services; you’re paying for the priceless expertise.