Mentality of buying a suit

Sorry for the delay, but been working a lot lately.  This post is a continuance of the buying a suit series.

    I heard this comparison at work the other day and it has been stuck in my head on how to write it out effectively.  "Buying a suit is like buying a car."  How is this?  A suit isn't just a garment you wear to look nice; there is a reason a good suit costs a couple hundred dollars or more.  You want something made with good quality that will last a long time and give you the most versatility and use.  The same thing is with a car.  Now unless you are loaded and money is of no concern in your life, this article can prove to be helpful.

    Let's be real, as cool as it sounds, your first car isn't going to be a Bugatti (1.6 million dollar car). It is more likely your first car will be a used Ford Escort.  Now you don't want to buy a used suit for your first but there is a chance that's possible (my first suit was from a friend).  Point is it's probably going to be something bland, basic, not flashy yet extremely practical. Once again Navy and Grey.

    Later down the road you've gotten some good use out of your basic starter suit and it is time to upgrade.  Time to buy that BMW (nicer suit).  The cool thing is unlike a is if you have taken good care of your suits and they still fit, there is no reason to get rid of them, plus they are easier to store than a car.  This suit can be a little more expensive and flashy if you'd like.  Make a powerful statement with some bold pinstripes or a less traditional color like blue (not navy) or light grey or brown or light blue.  Also choose a nicer fabric suck as a Super 130s or 140s.  This time around you could also go with a seasonal fabric such as Linen or Cotton for warm months or Pure wool or even Tweed if you are daring.

    Now you've filled your closet with all sorts of awesome suits. That BMW has lasted you and will for some time, but you need something more exciting.  It is time to buy that Ferrari.  These are going to be your Made to Measure suits that are your pride and joy.  These suits have bold patterns (or conservative) and just look sharp.  Go with the less traditional options on this bad boy.  5 sleeve buttons, slanting ticket pockets, gratuitously colored lining.  Avoid the contrasting colored button holes and boutonniere.  This suit should be made from some really fine fabric, so Super 150s and above, or Silk Wool blend.

Hope this helps you out in your endeavors.


-7daysuit

Buying a suit (locations)

So I already discussed color and fit for buying your first basic suit. Now it is time for, where to buy your suit.
I understand not everyone has wads of cash to blow but definitely set a price range, but let's not get too cheap. A nice suit will start at 350 (not sale price) and go on from there. So what I am saying is avoid JC Penny, Sears, and Target. Pretty much avoid anywhere that doesn't have trained employees who know suiting and things of that nature. Basically I am going to break down the basic locations to buy a new suit, the target customer and the rough price range.

Men's Wearhouse-200.00-800.00-For the everyday man. Styles of all sorts and sizes. Make sure your sales person knows their stuff. (See my buddy Jeffrey in Brighton)

Suitsupply-400.00-1000.00-For the more contemporary gent who likes things a little more modern and slim. Many different fits and styles as well as a Made to Measure department!

Macys-300.00-900.00-Everyday man once again, but with a little more designer name behind it. Sales can be quite awesome, especially on their occasional 1 day sales!

Nordstrom-500.00-1200.00-For the higher class man who likes to spend more on his appearance. Granted, these suits are on the higher end of the line, and their sales team have years of experience.

Note Jos. A Banks is not on this list. That is because it is a terrible company with poorly made suits.

 In the end if you really wanna drop cash, go Made to Measure (custom made suits.) Very pricey, but you get a suit made exactly to your liking.

More to come, and I hope this helps.

-7daysuit

A guide to buying a suit. (The basic colors)

    In my last post I discussed how some men prefer loser fits as opposed to a more modern slimmer fit etc.  Today and throughout the week, I shall talk about the basics on buying a suit.  To start you will need to ask yourself a few questions yet again.

    First question being..Is this my first suit?  If so then it can make things a bit easier.  However if it is not your first suit, then ask yourself..What am I looking for in a new suit and what am I buying it for?  Practicality? Leisure?  Just because?

    If you are buying your first suit then here is what you need to know.  The 2 basic colors every man should own  are grey/charcoal, and navy.  Not black.  Black is used more for formal settings such as funerals, black tie events, performances if you are a performer.  The reason grey/charcoal and navy are the most basic is due to their timeless look and versatility.

    Now if you wanna change it up a bit, get the 2 basics but have one be solid and the other some form of pattern whether it be pinstripes, glen-check, windowpane or something of the sort.  However, if you choose to do that, make sure the pattern doesn't consume the suit itself.  Subtlety is better than a punch in the face.  Once you have the 2 basics or at least 1 of the basics, feel free to get a little adventurous.  Go for a seasonal color or fabric.  Maybe a little bit more bold pattern.  More on this later!

-7daysuit

Suits. Too tight? Too baggy? Just right.

    Hello everyone.  It has been a long time and I do apologize.  However I would like to start off this blog series with suits.  Yesterday as I was standing on the sidewalk, a man saw me an took it upon himself to tell me "your suit looks a little skimpy."  I merely and politely replied "Actually it fits just right."  He then came back at me with "No! it's too tight and doesn't fit!"  Because I was working (I am a Brand Ambassador for Suitsupply in Chicago) I once again replied "Nope, it fits me just fine", and that was the end of it.  Granted this man is entitled to his own opinion of how a suit should fit, as we all are, but who asked him in the first place and what gave him the inclination to tell me this gem of an insight?

    This got me thinking, how should a suit fit.  Most men over 40 think it should be roomy enough to it a second person or simply don't know or care, they just need to buy a suit.  Men under 28 and avid readers of GQ believe that suits should fit like saran wrap.  Here's the word that is huge in the world of clothing, politics and all sorts of things.  MODERATION!!  Each person has their preference and every brand has it's own cut.  A suit is made up of many different details that distinguish how it fits, feels, looks etc.  But what a man should know when buying a suit is this.  Does it fit in the shoulders and do the pants fit to where you can ask yourself "Can I sit in these even after eating a lot of food?" That's your basic goal. After that we can get into styles, cuts, patterns blah blah blah. 

    This concludes my first post of my re-launch.  Throughout the week I will discuss the different types of suits and how they fit and styles.  Tune in for more.

-7daysuit

Matthew Kosin: 7 days of suits.

Spring is here...which means there is much to be said about men's fashion.  Spring is a season of colors, patterns, and great combination of the two.  New posts and pictures will be up soon.

New Image. Updated Blog. More Posts.

7 days of suits is back and with more on men's fashion and lifestyle.  This "comeback" will include advice, personal opinion, and photos to help/ spark the interest of how to become a well-dressed man and not a "try hard" pretentious asshole. 

No Iron

    I find it entertaining that some Men take the term "No Iron" so seriously. Granted if a company is going to say "No Iron" on their clothes you'd expect to never have to iron your clothes. But the fact is no matter what, if your clothes are a tad wrinkled, you should probably slick them off real quick with your handy iron.
    There are some brands however, in which the"No Iron" statement is pretty damn close to true.  Lands End has the No Iron Pinpoint Oxford, and let me tell you, these shirts are amazing. http://www.landsend.com/pp/mens-tailored-fit-pattern-no-iron-supima-pinpoint-buttondown-dress-shirt~242783_59.html?bcc=y&action=order_more&sku_0=::S95&CM_MERCH=IDX_men-_-dress-shirts-ties-_-dress-shirts&origin=index  You can literally throw them in the laundry, wash and dry with minimal to zero shrinkage and you essentially don't have to iron it.  I however will iron anything if it looks too wrinkled in my book (thank you Mom.)
    To conclude this post, I will say no matter what, if its wrinkled and sloppy, iron it! It looks a million times better crisp and pressed than wrinkled.  Wrinkles happen, especially in the sleeves and where you tuck in your shirt, which is fine, but still if the whole of the shirt is wrinkled, press it.  Same with pants, if they are wrinkled, press it. I can't say it enough.  Well that is all for today.  Happy Reading.


7daysuit.