Is a "good" suit still a thing and what would it cost?

[Runmoreorless]

DS is interviewing for a very traditional old establishment organisation. If successful he will help them meet their quota from state schools/disadvantaged post codes.

My Dad is from a proper old fashioned respectable working class background. Believes in buying good quality and making it last. If he buys a new suit for a wedding he'll buy bespoke and wear it for 20 years.

He thinks this is the kind of suit DS needs both for the interview and thereafter. He's offering to buy it for DS.

DS is quite happy with the £90 suit we bought for his year 11 prom

It's lovely offer from Dad but I'm not sure if it's sensible. Would a decent off the peg suit be better/just as good? Is it necessary at all? DS is a tall skinny 18yo, so his shape is likely to change over the next 5 years, never mind 20!

Where would you go for a "decent" suit and how much would you feel you needed to spend? What would you be looking for?

What "thereafter" scenarios will there be after this interview? I think your dear dad is well intentioned but thinking of a bygone era.

Unless your DS is going to be wearing this suit in the actual job (and that's assuming he gets it, or will be interviewing for other roles that require a suit), or you know for sure there will be lots of weddings and christenings coming up in the next few years, then I'm sure his current prom suit will be fine for a few job interviews. Most workplaces, and lets face it, even weddings and christenings don't require a formal suit anymore.

It’s a lovely gesture but he could get something from John Lewis and have it tailored. He should be able to get at least 10 years worth of weddings, interviews and funerals out of it.

If he's successful hell need a suit for functions approx monthly but not for the day job.

Runmoreorless is spot on. I work in a very corporate environment and suits are only for the interview. After that he'll need some well cut trousers and shirts and some decent shoes. Your dad is better off contributing to a decent watch as men in my large Corp tend to measure shoes and watches more than suits.

A good suit, think £3000. Wouldn't invest for a teenager. Advice as above, his needs will change a lot over the next few years.
Love to see men in good suits, though.

TipseyTorvey good idea, a watch is a much better suggestion.

Obviously I don't know your dad, but is he actually aware how much a bespoke suit costs nowadays? With shirts, tie, shoes etc, it could be the best part of £1k. Even a decent off the peg high street suit will be £300-500. Also, again sadly, fashions change a lot lot faster that 20 odd years ago, no self respecting 18yr old will want to be wearing the same style suit nearing his 30s, styles will have moved on.

DS's 16th birthday present was a custom tailored suit, with weskit and two pairs of trousers, made in a backstreet tailor in Singapore. It's very plain and still fits well enough (3 years later) to look like Savile Row and when he spent a week in the city in work experience, he fitted perfectly. Would probably choose a blue over navy now though. Even if he only wears it for weddings and funerals, it will look/wear better than a high street store, though I should say DS's Top Man alternative also looks good., though it cost about the same. To a casual glance, the two suits are nearly identical but the fabric and finish difference is perceptible four years later.