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Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:29 pm
by Extension_Cord
I see 2 and 3Ls walking around campus in suits occassionally, I figured its just for OCI, but is there any situations as a 1L when we will need a suit? Im broke and want to put it off as long as possible.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:31 pm
by Helmholtz
Extension_Cord wrote:I see 2 and 3Ls walking around campus in suits occassionally, I figured its just for OCI, but is there any situations as a 1L when we will need a suit? Im broke and want to put it off as long as possible.
Probably will need it when you're trying to line up a 1L summer job, although possibly not. Almost certainly will need it before next summer starts (so yeah, probably need to buy one before 1L ends).

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:33 pm
by Veyron
Extension_Cord wrote:I see 2 and 3Ls walking around campus in suits occassionally, I figured its just for OCI, but is there any situations as a 1L when we will need a suit? Im broke and want to put it off as long as possible.
Firm receptions. But really, what sort of man doesn't own a suit?

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:43 pm
by random5483
You will need a suit when you interview for a summer job (interviews usually start sometime between January and March). So yes, you will need a suit soon.


Suits are also needed for some networking events, but as a 1L, I did not need a suit till early in the second semester for job interviews and informational interviews.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:51 pm
by Renzo
Veyron wrote:
Extension_Cord wrote:I see 2 and 3Ls walking around campus in suits occassionally, I figured its just for OCI, but is there any situations as a 1L when we will need a suit? Im broke and want to put it off as long as possible.
Firm receptions. But really, what sort of man doesn't own a suit?
A young man.

But yes, OP, if you can afford it, get a suit. There may be an occasion or two for wearing it before OCI, and you really ought to have one.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 11:56 pm
by Extension_Cord
Renzo wrote:
Veyron wrote:
Extension_Cord wrote:I see 2 and 3Ls walking around campus in suits occassionally, I figured its just for OCI, but is there any situations as a 1L when we will need a suit? Im broke and want to put it off as long as possible.
Firm receptions. But really, what sort of man doesn't own a suit?
A young man.

But yes, OP, if you can afford it, get a suit. There may be an occasion or two for wearing it before OCI, and you really ought to have one.
Where's the best place to get a suit for a 1L? Macys? How much are they?

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:00 am
by Renzo
Extension_Cord wrote:
Renzo wrote:
Veyron wrote:
Extension_Cord wrote:I see 2 and 3Ls walking around campus in suits occassionally, I figured its just for OCI, but is there any situations as a 1L when we will need a suit? Im broke and want to put it off as long as possible.
Firm receptions. But really, what sort of man doesn't own a suit?
A young man.

But yes, OP, if you can afford it, get a suit. There may be an occasion or two for wearing it before OCI, and you really ought to have one.
Where's the best place to get a suit for a 1L? Macys? How much are they?
Here's 121 pages of everything you could ever want to know.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:28 am
by Bosque
Renzo wrote:
Extension_Cord wrote: Where's the best place to get a suit for a 1L? Macys? How much are they?
Here's 121 pages of everything you could ever want to know.
The short answer though is no, not Macys. JAB on a good sale (a real sale, make sure it is one of their better ones), or Brooks Brothers on sale would be a good choice. Avoid Men's Wearhouse.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:47 am
by Extension_Cord
Bosque wrote:
Renzo wrote:
Extension_Cord wrote: Where's the best place to get a suit for a 1L? Macys? How much are they?
Here's 121 pages of everything you could ever want to know.
The short answer though is no, not Macys. JAB on a good sale (a real sale, make sure it is one of their better ones), or Brooks Brothers on sale would be a good choice. Avoid Men's Wearhouse.
JAB has a sale right now according to their site, buy 1 get 2 free. Sounds like a good deal, no?

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 9:50 am
by morris248
Extension_Cord wrote:
Bosque wrote:
Renzo wrote:
Extension_Cord wrote: Where's the best place to get a suit for a 1L? Macys? How much are they?
Here's 121 pages of everything you could ever want to know.
The short answer though is no, not Macys. JAB on a good sale (a real sale, make sure it is one of their better ones), or Brooks Brothers on sale would be a good choice. Avoid Men's Wearhouse.
JAB has a sale right now according to their site, buy 1 get 2 free. Sounds like a good deal, no?
Only if you need three suits. Wait and you can buy just one usually at clearance. You can sign up for their emails. The signature line is a good middle grade that will last a number of years and yes you need a suit and several good dress shirts.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:05 am
by 03121202698008
Go to the Brooks Brothers Outlet. Decent suit (not the same as retail store) for not a ton of money. JAB suits take a ton of altering to look right on me because they are cut for those that are overweight.

Whatever you do, get it tailored by a real tailor.

Also, we needed one 1L for our oral arguments.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 10:53 am
by dreakol
blowhard wrote:
Whatever you do, get it tailored by a real tailor.
a tailored suit from macys will look a lot better than a suit from the bank and the 1818 series from BB is not worth the money, even if it is on sale.

if you are broke, go to macys and then take it to a tailor. in fact, dont waster money on BB or the bank, they are overpriced trash.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 3:31 pm
by kalvano
If no sales, check out the nice stores outlets...Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack.

Good quality at fairly inexpensive prices.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:28 pm
by SilverE2
kalvano wrote:If no sales, check out the nice stores outlets...Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack.

Good quality at fairly inexpensive prices.
+1 on this.

Depending on the city you live in, some of the cities with bigger fashion markets (NY, Miami, LA) may have really nice stuff at Marshall's. I've picked up a Ralph Lauren blazer, made in Italy by Corneliani, for a little under $200. Full price was about $1300.

Also, Nordstrom Rack has a lot of Hickey Freeman suits at deep discount. Stay away from the Hickey Freeman "Ltd." line (look at the inside pocket tag), but other than than Hickey makes great business trad suits.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:36 pm
by Veyron
SilverE2 wrote:
kalvano wrote:If no sales, check out the nice stores outlets...Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack.

Good quality at fairly inexpensive prices.
+1 on this.

Depending on the city you live in, some of the cities with bigger fashion markets (NY, Miami, LA) may have really nice stuff at Marshall's. I've picked up a Ralph Lauren blazer, made in Italy by Corneliani, for a little under $200. Full price was about $1300.

Also, Nordstrom Rack has a lot of Hickey Freeman suits at deep discount. Stay away from the Hickey Freeman "Ltd." line (look at the inside pocket tag), but other than than Hickey makes great business trad suits.
I just want you to know that I hate you ... I really really hate you.

OP: make sure you know your size before you go shopping. The sales reps at places like Macys often won't size you or will make a show of sizing you but don't know how to properly do it. A suit jacket's shoulders should extend JUST past the end of your shoulders. When buttoned, it should come down to the knuckle on your thumb when your hands rest by your sides (or SLIGHTLY higher).

P.S. Solid Charcoal grey or solid navy blue are the only two acceptable colors.
P.P.S. Notch lapel only. If you don't know what that is ... google it.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:45 pm
by NeighborGuy
Ebay is worth checking out for suits. Seriously. Of course it would be better to drop hundreds of dollars and get a quality new one, but you're probably as poor as I am, so if you can get a suit that works for <$200 or so (tailoring included), why not?

Just make sure you have an accurate measure of your shoulder width and chest width. Sleeves and waist are easy enough to get tailored. Go try on some off-the-rack suit jackets to figure out what size fits you best (40, 42, 44, and so on), then start your search there. Check the item description for exact measurements to make sure shoulder and chest match you. Only problem with ebay is that finding flat-front trousers is damn near impossible for me.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 4:48 pm
by AriGoldButNicer
Over the past few months I've developed a nice wardrobe and have business casual down to a tee. However, my fitness routine that I've done since I've had no stress has actually cut my waist to a 28" from a 32, and my shoulders are actually a bit broader rendering all 4 of my suits clown suits so I'm just gonna see where I am fitness wise by the summer, assume some fat gain and buy 1 nice suit. I don't wanna "fit" back into them as I have twice as much energy, and my excuse for women not talking to me at bars used to be cause I wasn't super rich. Since spending 2 hrs a day at the gym, and the response this gets, I've realized the bar crowd is not quite so future thinking, and refuse to go back to chubby lol.

For cheap suits, paul fredrick at the right times is good.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 7:57 pm
by Extension_Cord
AriGoldButNicer wrote:Over the past few months I've developed a nice wardrobe and have business casual down to a tee. However, my fitness routine that I've done since I've had no stress has actually cut my waist to a 28" from a 32, and my shoulders are actually a bit broader rendering all 4 of my suits clown suits so I'm just gonna see where I am fitness wise by the summer, assume some fat gain and buy 1 nice suit. I don't wanna "fit" back into them as I have twice as much energy, and my excuse for women not talking to me at bars used to be cause I wasn't super rich. Since spending 2 hrs a day at the gym, and the response this gets, I've realized the bar crowd is not quite so future thinking, and refuse to go back to chubby lol.

For cheap suits, paul fredrick at the right times is good.
You were chubby with a size 32 waist?

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 7:58 pm
by crossarmant
I own 7 suits... unfortunately (fortunately) I lost like 50lbs so none of them fit me. I need to find a good tailor to adjust them all for a decent price.
Extension_Cord wrote:You were chubby with a size 32 waist?
As was I. 28" waist now. Damn normal sized suits.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:11 pm
by Army2Law
You haven't been wearing a suit to class everyday? Enjoy median.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:55 pm
by TheFactor
Army2Law wrote:You haven't been wearing a suit to class everyday? Enjoy median.
i lol'd

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:03 pm
by Blessedassurance
Go to a reputable tailor.

Bespoke, Oswald Boateng and shit. Etc. Go out in style, you weary 1L.

I feel your pain. I hate suits myself. So stuffy.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:19 pm
by crossarmant
Army2Law wrote:You haven't been wearing a suit to class everyday? Enjoy median.
+1

I do love the guys who wear a tie to class. Oh, goodness.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:27 pm
by luthersloan
There is no reason to avoid men's warehouse. I often buy my suits there, once the partner who was interviewing me was clearly wearing the same suit. Honestly, no one will care. As long as it does not look really cheap, or really expensive and flashy, no one cares.

By the way, I wore a suit every day to class and am top 10%, so clearly you are hurting yourself by wearing one.

Re: Do I need to buy a suit?

Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:31 pm
by JamMasterJ
SilverE2 wrote:
kalvano wrote:If no sales, check out the nice stores outlets...Saks Off 5th, Nordstrom Rack.

Good quality at fairly inexpensive prices.
+1 on this.

Depending on the city you live in, some of the cities with bigger fashion markets (NY, Miami, LA) may have really nice stuff at Marshall's. I've picked up a Ralph Lauren blazer, made in Italy by Corneliani, for a little under $200. Full price was about $1300.

Also, Nordstrom Rack has a lot of Hickey Freeman suits at deep discount. Stay away from the Hickey Freeman "Ltd." line (look at the inside pocket tag), but other than than Hickey makes great business trad suits.
+1.I was in Chicago this weekend and there was some nice Hickey Freeman for around 300