DS 19 wants a suit(s)

[Penelope1703]

Student DS wants a suit for internships; maybe also smart enough for smart parties/ sober enough for weddings and funerals. Or perhaps a day suit and a dress suit. Budget: high street I guess.
Are M&S and Next good places to look? Anywhere else?

There are a few formals at his university and I remember mostly in my day people hired once or twice a year for black tie but maybe it's worth having one of his own.

Where did you buy your DS's first suit?

We bought DS 18 a first suit from Next. Sadly, for the funeral of one of his friends last year.

It's come in for interviews since then. And prom.

Moss Brothers, as DS's waist was too small for what M and S and Debenham (few years, back now) had in store. He also has a dinner suit, he had formals a couple of times a term so was worth buying.

Oh how sad, I'm so sorry for your son. No young person should have to go through that.
I suppose a black day suit could also be used for black tie with a good shirt and bow tie?

My DS 17 got one from river island

Ah that's a good call. Thanks.
Yes his university has aspirations so there are some formals which he's keen to experience. Lots of his flatmates are public school so they're all much better kitted out!

I wouldn't have thought about River Island and they have a student discount too IIRC. Thank you.

I'm in the US and had to get a suit for DS for his HS graduation. My advice on where to get one won't work for you unless you can get to the US and go to a Nordstrom Rack, where they will tailor any suit you buy there.

What I will say, and I think it will hold true, is do get your DS a good quality suit in a dark colour. I got DS a very dark gray suit in very fine wool - it worked really well for interviews, for formal wear (with the right tie) and for occasions like GParent funerals.

You / he should invest in a good quality tie or two as well.

Yes M&S is fine or JL just make sure it's not polyester

This is good advice. Thanks. A selection of nice ties will make birthday and Xmas presents easier for every more 😊

Noted

We took DS to Slaters

Have you got a Slaters anywhere near? That’s where all the boys get their suits from here and they’re great- will measure up and advise on styles / do basic alterations. I thought they were just Scottish but quick google reveals stores in England too.

DS has Next smart wear. We were able to get longer trs when he grew out of them. First suit he had was 15 for a wedding, needed new trs for it for prom. Bought a second suit for a different look because 2 GP funerals and he just fancied an alternative to that particular suit. The Next ones are good for the price and there’s a separates approach meaning you can get different styles for each item that still go together. Their shirts are good to.

I know slaters as I'm originally from Glasgow. I'll search to see if there's one near me here. 😊

I like the idea of being able to mix and match. Thanks

I would have thought of Matalan 😊

Austin Reed. A beautiful navy single breasted suit which has done for funerals, weddings and graduations.

Goodness knows where I'd look now. Men's high street tailoring was bad enough pre-Covid. I doubt it'll have got much better.

You can go to a local tailor to get it fitted perfectly if need be

But tbh most will fit our young men pretty well

Something like this from JL

These are wool

My ds always buys any smart work wear, including suits, from Vinted or Ebay, sometimes charity shops. He's a fairly standard size which helps.

Ideally you'd get a fitted made to measure suit but that's £1000's from Saville Row

If you have a slaters menswear anywhere near, I would recommend them. They have a wide range and they alter the suits to fit for no extra cost. They'll then deliver them to you.

My DS had a three piece suit from there for £120 and it was fitted perfectly.

I'm not sure how old your son is but, if there's any chance he might still be growing then I'd be careful about how much to spend. We bought our son's first suit in Asda and by the end of that year he's grown out of it.