The time has finally come to buy a new suit, and while shopping in person can be less risky for some, there are a lot of perks to buying a suit from an online retailer. Buying a suit online entails a lot of considerations, thanks to the seemingly endless options available, but we’re here to make the whole process a tad less intimidating. Before you start browsing, you need to make sure your measurements are correct, first and foremost. Even the smallest discrepancy can affect how a suit looks on you, which can then distort your true size range on the retail site or result in an ill-fitting made-to-measure suit. Second, determine what dress code your suit needs to comply with. Are you shopping for a suit to wear to a beach wedding, or are you dressing up for a fancy dinner? These considerations and more can determine the entire makeup of your suit, from material and color to fit and style. Once these details are nailed down, you can start your search online. Keep reading for Brides’ picks for the best places to buy suits, as well as expertise from menswear stylist and fashion expert Peter Nguyen. Meet the Expert Peter Nguyen is an NYC-based private personal stylist and writer of The Essential Man. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Jump to Review Runner-Up, Best Overall: Jump to Review Best Size Range: Jump to Review Best Made-to-Measure: Jump to Review Best Budget: Jump to Review Best High-End: Jump to Review Best European-Style: Jump to Review Best for Groups: Jump to Review We crowned Nordstrom for the top spot on our list for a few reasons. Not only does the retailer carry a wide array of suit styles and colors, it also offers a range of price points, from more budget-friendly options like Topman, River Island, and Asos to high-end suiting such as Canali, BOSS, and Emporio Armani. The site is fast and easy to navigate, and you can filter your search by size, color, brand, fit, price, and even material. The retailer is also known for its generous return policy and even offers free tailoring. So if you order a suit online and it ends up needing a bit of tweaking, you can take it to your local Nordstrom free of charge. Price Range: $-$$$ | Size Range: 34R-56R, 35S-46S, 38L-54L, 44XL-52XL | Shipping: Free shipping within the United States and Puerto Rico | Return Policy: “We handle returns on a case-by-case basis with the ultimate goal of making our customers happy.” While shopping for clothes on Amazon may feel overwhelming at times, there are a lot of reasons why the site is great for this category specifically. Not only does Amazon have over 2,000 options for suits, but the site makes it easy to narrow down your options based on your size. It also lets you filter via specific brands, colors, and even reviews if you’re worried about quality. The most valuable perks, however, are for Prime members. This is where the free shipping and easy returns come into play, as well as Amazon’s free Try Before You Buy offering, which allows customers to select up to six different items for a seven-day try-on period, where you only get charged for what keep. This is a great avenue if you’re wanting the convenience of Amazon but don’t want to shell out for a custom suit, ensuring one that fits well without much effort. Price Range: $-$$ | Size Range: 26-44 (standard), 42-66 (big and tall) | Shipping: Free two-day shipping on eligible items for Prime members; non-Prime items vary in shipping times and prices | Return Policy: Free returns on most items within 30 days SuitSupply is usually the first place Nguyen looks when finding a suit for a client. “They have a huge variety of styles, from classic suits to more contemporary, casual suit styles,” he says. “They also offer a ton of different sizes so you can find a suit for your body type, whether you're tall and lanky or short and stocky.” Their sizing range extends from XXS to 4XL in short, long, and regular pant lengths. Not sure what inseam to order? The site clearly marks what length you need based on your height. In some cases, delivery can be as quick as one business day for non-custom suits. If you’re wanting something especially unique and tailored to you, SuitSupply offers customization on nearly every suit style. Price Range: $$$ | Size Range: XXS-4XL (short, regular, tall); custom sizes available | Shipping: Free shipping | Return Policy: Free returns within 30 days of delivery (including custom-made items) Grooms and Guests, These Are The 15 Best Leather Belts for Every Wedding Style Also recommended by Nguyen, Proper Cloth is a made-to-order suit brand that offers virtual consultations, which means a specialist on their team can walk you through how to measure yourself for a suit. “From there, they build a fit profile for you, allowing you to order a suit in your exact size,” he explains. “If anything needs tweaking, they'll alter the measurements and reorder it for you free of charge.” However, it’s worth noting that made-to-measure orders can take longer than pre-made suits. “The only con is that it does take four to six weeks for the custom items to come in, so only use this option if you're not in a rush,” Nguyen says. Price Range: $$-$$$ | Size Range: Custom | Shipping: Free shipping on all orders over $200; items take an average of one to four weeks for delivery | Return Policy: Must be returned within 90 days of the purchase date for a full refund to original payment method and within 120 days for store credit; each customer is entitled to two remakes per item, free of charge iTailor is the best option if you’re looking for a custom suit on a budget. Nowhere else can you order a hand-made custom suit online for $199—an insanely great value for something that’s made specifically for your body. The choices are yours, from fabric and cut to colors and any accents that suit your style, like elbow patches or contrasting lapels and pockets. The catch here is that the brand does not accept returns—unless there is a production error, the sale is final. Price Range: $-$$ | Size Range: Custom | Shipping: Dependent on order | Return Policy: No returns or refunds unless a production error has been made The 16 Best Dress Shoes for Putting Your Best Foot Forward Black Lapel offers really sharp-looking suits, which are custom-made with the measurements you provide. The site makes suit shopping less intimidating, laying out details about each style so you don’t have to question things like a specific suit’s seasonality or breathability. Once you choose your style, the site seamlessly takes you through custom design details to make your creation exactly what you want. One caveat is that you need to have an account with the brand (which is free to set up) before seeing the prices and customization options. Price Range: $$$-$$$$ | Size Range: Custom | Shipping: Free shipping; delivery within 4-6 weeks of purchase | Return Policy: No returns as custom garment sales are final; however, the brand offers alteration reimbursements for your local tailor or free alterations at its NYC store The 16 Best Skinny Ties for Completing a Modern, Tailored Look European suits are typically more tailored and slim-fitting than American suits. If this is the style you’re looking for, we recommend Charles Tyrwhitt, a London-based brand that’s been on the scene for more than three decades. The brand aims to bring timeless suiting to the masses at approachable price points, great customer service, and “a pinch of British charm.” You can first select suits based on utility (for example, occasion, tuxedos, or business suits), and from there browse the available options. While the brand doesn’t offer custom suits, it does allow you to select a custom inside leg for the pants (also known as an "inseam"), although that adds an extra four business days to the delivery timeline and means you won’t be able to return it, since it’s customized, unless there was a manufacturing defect. Price Range: $$-$$$ | Size Range: 30-44 inches (waist), 36-50 inches (chest) | Shipping: $14.95 for basic shipping (8-10 business days) | Return Policy: Free exchanges; $8.95 return shipping charge for returns within six months of purchase date If you are part of a group looking for matching suits (a wedding party, perhaps?), consider Bonobos for a generous group discount. If you are able to book an appointment at one of the Guideshop locations, your group can get a 20 percent discount on the entire order, which can save you some serious cash. During the appointment, you’ll get fitted by an expert, as well. If you’d rather go the online route, Bonobos offers 15 percent off of your first order. Price Range: $$-$$$ | Jacket Size Range: 34R-60R, 38L-60L, 36S-60S (slim, standard, athletic) | Waist Size Range: 28-48 inches | Shipping: Free shipping | Return Policy: Free domestic returns within 45 days of purchase; free exchanges within 90 days The 17 Best Dress Socks for Your Next Formal Outing Retailers that have a decent selection are more likely to offer exactly the type of suit you’re looking for. However, if one offers a large selection of suits but doesn’t have an easy way to filter them, it could make the shopping experience more difficult and overwhelming. Look for retailers that have both a deep selection and easy filtering tools for that online shopping sweet spot. It’s important to choose a retailer with a reasonable return policy in case it does come down to needing to send back your suit. However, one tricky thing about buying custom clothing online is that most places won’t let you return your item if it’s been made specifically for you. We did find several custom suit retailers that offer free returns, which are included on this list, of course. One way to prevent returns altogether is through a "Try Before You Buy" program, which is something Amazon offers to its Prime members. Some retailers offer free alterations or remakes if the custom suit you receive doesn’t fit properly. (However, if you’re on a tighter timeline, that might not be a viable option, since it can add weeks to your schedule.) Additionally, others may offer free virtual consultations to help you measure yourself (like Proper Cloth) or even free alterations in their brick-and-mortar stores (such as Nordstrom and Black Lapel). “It's vital that a brand also has different sizing for different body types,” Nguyen says. “If a brand doesn't offer tall or short sizing, I would steer clear. A well-fitting suit is all about proportions. If you're on the shorter side and get a regular-length suit, the sleeves and body will be too long. You'll end up looking like a boy wearing his dad's hand-me-down.” FAQ What is the best way to measure yourself for a suit at home? If you need to measure yourself for a suit at home, Nguyen recommends watching a tutorial on YouTube and having someone help you measure yourself. “It'll be very challenging to try to measure areas like your shoulders or arm length properly, which are important for suits,” he explains. “If you can, I would even go to a local tailor and have them measure you to get accurate.” How can you tell whether a suit fits you well or not? “The first place I look is the shoulders,” says Nguyen. “You want the shoulder seams to line up as close as possible with the peak of your shoulder bone. If it's falling off, it's a sign that the jacket is too big. If your suit is too small and tight, you'll start seeing stress/pull lines along areas like the buttons, arms, and thighs.” Nguyen also mentions that it should be tailored enough “to allow for you to have comfortable movement without you swimming in fabric.” How much should you spend on a suit? According to Nguyen, you can get a solid suit for a few hundred dollars online. “I probably wouldn't go lower than $400,” he advises. “As you go lower, you lose a lot in terms of fabric and fit, which are especially important when it comes to suiting. It's better to have one great $500 suit than two mediocre $250 suits.” Erika Reals is the associate fashion commerce editor for Brides. For this article, she spent hours researching the various suit retailers and judged them based on five criteria: variety of styles, quality of products, range of size offerings, shipping and return policies, and ease of purchase. She also consulted fashion expert Peter Nguyen, men's fashion writer and personal stylist, for his suiting recommendations and styling tips. The 15 Best Places to Buy Tuxedos of 2023Best Made-to-Measure
Proper Cloth
Best European-Style
Charles Tyrwhitt
What to Look for When Buying Suits
Selection
Return Policy
Additional Services
Sizing for Different Body Types
Why Trust Brides
FAQs
Is it good to buy suits online? ›
Buying clothing online can be a gamble unless you know your exact measurements, and with something so precise as a suit, you'll usually be better off going right to the shop and trying on the various options they have to offer. That way, you won't waste money on a suit that doesn't fit you.
How much does a decent suit cost? ›If you are on a budget, there are good-looking suits for $600-$999 that you can tailor to make look higher-priced. There are also great suits that you can find in the $300-$599 range that would get the job done.
What color suits should a man own? ›Common Questions: What 5 suits should a man own? Everyman should own a black suit, a navy suit, a grey suit, a brown suit and a tan suit with white, powder blue or cream shirts. These can be mixed and matched to create 75 different combinations!
How long does it take to get a suit tailored? ›Firstly, being that you're a new client to your tailor, a tailored suit will typically take a bit longer than usual. Hence, you may anticipate at least 2 to 4 weeks in total since your placement of order. Besides, unless you opt for a high-end tailor, you can easily get your suit jacket in a matter of 2-3 days at max.
Who wears the best suits? ›- Fred Astaire. ...
- JFK. ...
- The Duke of Windsor. ...
- Cary Grant. ...
- George Clooney.
A cheap suit is made of Polyester or Rayon and shines in the sunlight. It has a blend of cotton, recycled wool, and synthetic blends. However, an expensive suit is made of 100% virgin wool, well-made details, fine luster, and super wool quality.
How many suits should a man own? ›No matter how you like to dress or what you do for work, sometimes only a suit will do. But how many suits does a man need? For us, the magic number is three. Whether you're at a wedding, job interview or business event, these are the men's suits that will never let you down.
What color suit is most attractive? ›We recommend sticking with dark-colored suits, like black, navy, or charcoal gray for a formal event. For a day at the office, an all black men's suit is way too formal. Instead, we recommend wearing a gray or navy blue men's suit to work.
What is the most attractive color a man can wear? ›According to research by the University of Rochester, women find men wearing the colour red more sexually attractive than other colours. The colour's charm ultimately lies in its ability to make men appear more powerful.
What color suit to wear to a wedding? ›The most appropriate suit colors for a formal wedding include charcoal grey, black, and midnight blue. A good rule of thumb, a dark suit is always the safest choice. If you're looking to add a bit of personality to your formal suit, consider your accessories.
Can a suit be tailored in 2 days? ›
A suit can be tailored in a few days, even in a few hours if the store has the bandwidth. However, typically there is some wait and you should expect to wait 2 days all the way up to 2 weeks if the store is busy.
How tight should a tailored suit be? ›The shoulders of a suit jacket should feel comfortably snug, with the end of the shoulder seam meeting the tip of your own shoulders. The shoulder should sit flat, without any rumpling, with the top of the sleeve hanging beautifully straight from the shoulder point, with no wrinkling at the top.
How far in advance should you buy a suit for a wedding? ›The best time to order a wedding suit is usually two or three months before the big day. This will give you plenty of time to find the perfect outfit and make any necessary adjustments. Be sure to start shopping early so that you can find the perfect suit for your big day!
Do girls like guys in suits? ›80% of the women surveyed found the man in the suit more attractive. Moreover, they found the man, on average, 6% more attractive in his suit than in his casual clothes. But the results didn't stop there. We analysed the data further to identify which women found the men in suits most attractive.
What is the most popular suit fit? ›You can go for the notch lapel because it is the most popular suit. A notch lapel is a classic and formal option and it fits perfectly every body type.
Why are suits no longer popular? ›Now, the “suit” has become casual-looking and has taken a back seat to more causal clothing styles like t-shirts and jeans. With globalization, American clothing standards have caused many other countries to emulate the same causal dressing styles, causing a decline in the “traditional” suit's use in daily life.
Who sells suits online? ›- Best Overall: Nordstrom at Nordstrom. ...
- Runner-Up, Best Overall: Amazon at Amazon. ...
- Best Size Range: Suitsupply at Suitsupply.com. ...
- Best Made-to-Measure: Proper Cloth at Propercloth.com. ...
- Best Budget: iTailor at Itailor.com. ...
- Best High-End: Black Lapel at Blacklapel.com. ...
- Best European-Style: ...
- Best for Groups:
- Replace the buttons: Instead of the existing plastic buttons, replace the buttons with something just a little bit fancier and more your style. ...
- Avoid shiny fabrics & always check the sale section. ...
- Take in the sleeves: If you're going to tailor anything, let it be the sleeves.
The most common definition of a five-piece suit centres around the idea of a traditional three-piece suit (that is, a suit jacket, trousers and a waistcoat) as well as a dress shirt and a necktie. This is in line with how a four-piece suit is sometimes (albeit rarely) defined, but featuring a tie as well.
Can you negotiate suit prices? ›But if you're shopping for higher-end apparel or business attire, you have more room to negotiate than you might realize. Stores that sell men's suits, for example, are always running enticing deals to get you into the store, and their price points are very flexible.
How long does a good suit last? ›
The average lifespan of a good bespoke suit should last for 5 – 10 years. This also depends on the frequency of wear. The number above is based on a weekly wear. We also recommend that you should wear a specific Suit once a week and have a rotation of 5 Suits within that week.
What is the cheapest suit fabric? ›A higher-end option would be silk, sometimes you also see cotton, but very cheap suits have polyester lining or blends with polyester. By law, manufacturers are required to tell you what material the lining is made of, so look for tags inside the suit to tell you what the lining is made of.
What are the three types of suit? ›There are three basic types of suits: the two-piece, the three-piece, and the tuxedo. Within those suit styles, there are endless variations on the material (wool, cotton, polyester), button style (two- vs. three-button and double-breasted), pocket arrangement, venting, and cut (slim-fit, classic fit, and more).
How often should you change suits? ›Since suits are an expensive investment, the general rule on adding a new suit to your wardrobe or retiring an old one depends on how often and gently you wear it. On an average, if you wear a suit to work regularly, then consider updating your wardrobe every three years.
What is the average suit size for a man? ›Suit Size | Trousers Size | Body Shape |
---|---|---|
40 R | 34 Waist | Average Build-Quiete Tall |
40 L | 34 Waist | Average Build-Very Tall |
42 S | 36 Waist | Bordering on stocky-Low Sized |
42 R | 36 Waist | Just above average Height and Build |
The veteran men's wear designer, Alan Flusser, stated in his book Style & The Man that “most suits are constructed to provide at least several years of wear.” That's true whether the suit costs $500.00 or $2000.00.
What suit color goes with everything? ›Not everyone can wear a suit of every color, and for that reason, it's important to know what colors suit you best. Black and grey suits look great on everyone, although they can be a bit formal. Navy and light grey are perfect for weekends and when you want to be casual.
What is the most fashionable suit color in 2023? ›Red/Burgundy Suit – Not a new trend I know.
However 2023 is the year! This colour is very, very hot for the 2023 wedding cycle. A dark red or burgundy suit for the groom will be one of the standout looks for a groom on trend in 2023. 4 – Green Suit – Green wedding suits have been the real surprise for 2022.
According to the study, the color blue, followed by blue-purple, were seen as the most trustworthy. "Those who wear blue and purple clothes get higher trust evaluations," the researchers wrote.
What color turns woman on? ›The Color Red
In a series of seven experiments conducted at the University of Rochester and published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, women were more sexually attracted to men who were wearing red or were pictured against a red background.
What hair color is the most attractive? ›
Which hair colour do women think is the sexiest? Most women think brunette hair is the sexiest, as 25% of those polled favoured this option. Womens' second preference is blonde, which was voted as the sexiest hair colour by 19.6% of women. Again, red took third spot, accounting for 11.8% of womens' votes.
What color do girls like guys to wear? ›In a 2010 study on the psychology of color, women were more sexually attracted to men wearing red than blue or green. The University of Rochester's breakdown of a study backs that up and explains that the preference for red is a biological and cultural response.
What color suits not to wear to a wedding? ›You may choose to wear any color except black or white. The guest's goal should be to blend in with the surroundings and let the bride shine. As her guest, you should avoid attire that could be considered informal or in bad taste. Pastels, jewel tones and earth tones are excellent choices, as are most primary colors.
What color suit should man wear for wedding guest? ›Wear a dark suit or tuxedo.
For a Formal wedding, dark suits (ex. black, charcoal grey, midnight blue) are most appropriate.
Charcoal, grey, or navy suit. Button-down dress shirt. Smart tie or bow tie (not black) Elegant accessories including cufflinks and an elegant watch.
How long does it take to make a suit in hours? ›The cloth and trimmings that go into the suit are then set aside ( said to be 'bespoken for'), and the team of craftsmen and women begin the 50+ hours of work that go into the creation of your suit.
How long is too long for a suit? ›The hem of the jacket should hit right around the middle of your hand — at or just past where the fingers meet the palm. If the hem of the jacket is sitting on top of the butt, with a small little flare in the back, it's too short. If it falls past the bottom entirely, longer than the arms, it's too long.
How many times can you wear a suit before? ›You can wear a suit as many times as you want, so long that it is still in good condition and fits well. A good tip is to mix and match your suits so you can get more wear out of them, as well as creating a completely different look each time.
Is it better to get a suit too big or too small? ›The rule of thumb is that you can go down two sizes at a maximum, but a suit jacket or blazer only one size too large is a safer option. The problem is always that jackets that are too large can also be too large in the shoulders, which is a more challenging thing to alter.
Where should sleeves fall on a suit? ›The jacket sleeve should end just above the large bone on the wrist. The sleeve length can be changed by a tailor. Bare in mind that if the suit has working buttonholes the length will need adjustment from the shoulder, rather than from the bottom of the sleeve, which is more expensive.
How long should sleeves be on a suit? ›
Your suit jacket/blazer sleeve should end right above the top of your wrist bone (or the hinge of your wrist).
How long does a suit take to tailor? ›Simple alterations shouldn't take more than 48 hours unless your tailor is particularly busy and some even offer a same-day turnaround. So if you need some quick fixes to look presentable at, for example, a funeral, you should be good inside a week. More complex alterations can take up to two weeks.
Who goes suit shopping with the groom? ›“The bride should be with the groom to select his tuxedo style and groomsmen styles. Unless of course, the tuxedo will be a surprise for the bride. In that case, the groom should include someone with whom he values their opinion.”
Is it OK to wear same suit at a wedding? ›As a rule, you should complement the groom. This means wearing an ensemble of similar formality and color but not exactly the same thing that the groom is wearing. An exception to this would be if you're all wearing tuxedos, in which case it's perfectly appropriate to dress identically.
How far in advance should I buy a suit? ›Grooms should consider ordering their suits six months before the wedding date. This will give them time to do wedding planning to make any necessary alterations and ensure that they look sharp on the wedding date.
When should you order a suit? ›Ideally, your suit should be ordered with enough time for you to get it to try on 4 months before your wedding date. For example- if you're getting married in June, order just after the first of the year, so you have it by February.
How to save money on suits? ›Buying the suit pants separately from the suit jacket can sometimes save you a lot of money. In addition, by purchasing two completely different jackets and only one pair of pants, you'll have two different looks for a significantly lower price.
Should a suit be tight or loose? ›The shoulders of a suit jacket should feel comfortably snug, with the end of the shoulder seam meeting the tip of your own shoulders. The shoulder should sit flat, without any rumpling, with the top of the sleeve hanging beautifully straight from the shoulder point, with no wrinkling at the top.
What is the difference between expensive and cheap suits? ›A cheap suit is made of Polyester or Rayon and shines in the sunlight. It has a blend of cotton, recycled wool, and synthetic blends. However, an expensive suit is made of 100% virgin wool, well-made details, fine luster, and super wool quality.
Should I buy a suit a size up? ›The rule of thumb is that you can go down two sizes at a maximum, but a suit jacket or blazer only one size too large is a safer option. The problem is always that jackets that are too large can also be too large in the shoulders, which is a more challenging thing to alter.
How many wears should a suit last? ›
The average lifespan of a good bespoke suit should last for 5 – 10 years. This also depends on the frequency of wear. The number above is based on a weekly wear. We also recommend that you should wear a specific Suit once a week and have a rotation of 5 Suits within that week.
What color suit should I buy first? ›For your first suit, go for one in navy or charcoal.
Walking into an interview in a black suit suggests a level of formality you're probably not looking to get across (unless you're applying for a job as a waiter, maybe? or a funeral home worker..), while lighter colored suits can look too casual.
- Rule #1) Avoid Off-the-Rack Suits. ...
- Rule #2) Choose Fabric by Season. ...
- Rule #3) Check the Shoulders. ...
- Rule #4) Check the Length. ...
- Rule #5) Match Your Trousers and Jacket. ...
- Rule #6) Buy from a Reputable Vendor. ...
- Rule #7) When in Doubt, Go Slim. ...
- Rule #8) Don't Forget the Necktie.
No matter how you like to dress or what you do for work, sometimes only a suit will do. But how many suits does a man need? For us, the magic number is three. Whether you're at a wedding, job interview or business event, these are the men's suits that will never let you down.
How many suits should I wear everyday? ›If you wear a suit every day, the absolute minimum number of work suits that you should own is four, and that is with the assumption that each suit has two pairs of trousers as most people find that the trousers wear a little faster than the jackets and so by having two pairs of trousers on rotation you are able to ...