Suits & Blazers – The $1500 Wardrobe Part I
Creating a versatile, sharp wardrobe doesn’t happen overnight. By far, the best course of action is to go slow. But for argument’s sake, let’s say you have to start from scratch, today. Over the next 5 days we’ll see how far a strict budget of $1500 can go. It won’t be easy and some corners will have to be cut, but the goal is to end with a setup of clothes that can have someone looking great in almost any situation. Remember, we’re playing with a total of $1500 here. So there will be an obvious focus on real affordable stuff, which can last with reasonable care. Also, remember that 90% of looking good is fit, so a well tailored $200 suit will look better than an ill fitting $1000 suit every single time.
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The Navy Suit: Suitsupply Sevilla Fit – $399.00
This is your “I have to look really good” suit. Suitsupply has gotten plenty of well deserved attention lately, and it seems like every few months they have at least one solid color basic suit in their $399 (their cheapest) line. This time, it’s a navy blue, which is the foundation for any guy’s suit collection. The shoulders are soft and the pads minimal. It’s contoured off the rack but doesn’t wildly dart in. A half canvas helps the suit last, and the overall construction has been hailed as one of the best values in the suit market. Almost 1/3 of the total budget, but worth it. Wear it often and feel free to dress it down.
Update: Looks like over the weekend Suitsupply moved this particular Sevilla fit suit off of their $399 line. Where it went? No idea. They do have a navy plain for $469, but there was a suit with different model shots for $399 at post time. It very well could come back. In the meantime, head over here to find even more affordable options.
The Grey (but not charcoal) Suit: J. Crew Factory Thompson – $237 when an extra 25% off
There’s nothing wrong with charcoal, but it’s tough to wear when the temps are in the upper 70s to upper 80s. Meanwhile, are the days of the sub $200 J. Crew Factory Thompson suits gone? Maybe. But still hold out for the next extra 25% off (cross your fingers for 30?) J. Crew Factory code. At under $240, these make a real run at being the best fused suit on the market. The color is a year round perfect medium to lighter grey, the button stance is a little lower and more elegant, and the lapels are thin but not razor skinny. Shoulder pads are nice and minimal as well. Full review over here.
The casual blazer: Target Merona Kensington – $39.99
A lighter, thin striped cotton sportcoat would be ideal, but those are awfully difficult to find around this time of year. Besides, that grey suit jacket from J. Crew Factory can do plenty of work dressed down with jeans. But sometimes you just want a totally unstructured, ultra relaxed jacket you can wear when out grabbing a beer or hauling around town on a day off. The Kensington blazer from Target has no lining, can be easily tailored, isn’t chopped in the tail, and has no shoulder padding. Four color options to choose from, but going with the blue is a safe play. Don’t worry, it’ll do fine with jeans. Could you wear the navy Suitsupply suit jacket with jeans? Maybe, but chances are pretty good that it’ll look too good with a pair of denim. Besides, you want a cotton blazer you can beat up. Get mustard on the Kensington and it’s okay. Bleed on the Suitsupply and you can add tears to those blood stains.
TOTAL COST: $676.98
CASH REMAINING: $823.02
Upcoming Categories: Tues – Shoes, Wed – Shirts & Sweaters, Thurs – Pants, Fri – The Rest.
I’m liking the suit supply and the wool 110 shown in the other post. Dec-12 one of em will be mine.
curious about the comment of ‘difficult to wear charcoal when it’s warmer’
i’ve been shopping around for a grey suit, and i want to know the technical difference you just mentioned. Also, how light grey is that grey? i have the older thompson and it’s practically black, but still don’t want TOO light.
The Merona jacket is the real deal. I’ve never had an off-the-rack blazer fit so well, and the Merona doesn’t even come in chest sizing. It’s flimsy, so it’s best for those with stronger shoulders, and I wouldn’t wear it to anything formal, but it certainly classes up the jeans + shirt look.
You mentioned that the top suit coat is ‘half canvassed’. I’m just now learning about canvas in the construction of suit coats – would you say that most of the ones that are posted on this website are canvassed or fused? and have you noticed that canvassed ones are better? Thanks!
That SuitSupply Sevilla actually looks like it would have been awesome. Bummer that it’s out.
Most of the suits and sport coats mentionde in here and fused. I personally feel like my full and half-canvassed gear looks better on me than my fused stuff, but it’s not a magic bullet. Proper fit still trumps everything.
Does anyone have a better pic of the charcoal suit up close?
It’s all very subjective, but lighter colors are generally reserved for spring and summer, and darker colors are for fall and winter. Often it’s as much about the color of the suit as what you’re able to pair with it. For example, a pastel shirt with a charcoal suit would be rather jarring. Not exactly “springy”.
A medium grey suit like the one mentioned above (assuming the color on-screen is correct) would be appropriate year-round… But don’t let that stop you from wearing something lighter in winter and darker in summer if that’s what’s in your closet.
… or just go find yourself a navy suit and screw the seasons because the navy will always look good, too.
Too bad Suit Supply has a 3″ drop on their short sizes… Yup, a 38S comes with 35W pants.
Another option for a top-notch suit — the Aldridge by J.Crew. If you think outside the box you can get it for $250-$300. I got the jacket online ($175 after a 30% promo) and the trousers new on eBay ($80). For some reason the Aldridge pants are impossible to find online, but there are a ton on eBay. Just make sure they are new and from the same maker as the jacket (Loro Piana). You’ll get a $600 suit from a top mill for half price. And it’s a nice modern cut without the awfully trendy lapels you see on the Ludlow.
And too bad they start at 38S. I’m probably a 35 or 36, depending on the chest/shoulder measurement.
Every time Joe mentions that J.Crew Factory suit, I burn with anger. How can you not have pants in 34L?!?! /rant
I so want an unstructured, cotton, casual sport coat like that Target Merona blazer, but it’s one size too big as I’m a 34S.
Anyone know of other smaller alternatives for such a jacket? I tried an Asos one before and it fit horribly bad. It really is made for people with builds like their models.
While I liked the unlined chino material, I ended up returning the two that I ordered online (Navy and Tan). There was good amount of slack through the chest and waist. The sleeves also were too baggy. The sleeve length was just about right on me as were the shoulders, so sizing down wasn’t an option for me.
This item is certainly not in the realm the target fitted or athletic fits. That said, it was free to order two online, have them shipped and then return them to a brick and mortar. If they fit you, you’ll probably love it. If not, nbd.
I should also mention, the side seams below the armhole may make any tailoring of the waist or chest more expensive (it’s two parallel seams spaced apart about 6 inches or so).
I’m glad it works for you, but to be honest, it looks horrible to me. I’ve tried it on and seen it on others and the shoulders just look weird and pointy. Never understood the love for it on this website, and I really like chino sport coats.
Fair points. The blazer isn’t of a high enough quality to justify tailoring, if you ask me. It’s like totaling a car. If the tailoring costs more than the MSRP of the item, you might be doing it wrong.
Quick question- can someone give me the case against using the jacket from your navy suit as your blue blazer?
It also fit great one me. 5’10” / 165-170 frame. For a casual blazer it did really well off the rack.
Exact same as me–5’10” 170.
its slightly lighter than the older thompson – that photo above is more accurate than the one on the product page where theres no model
Most people who are constrained by a $1500 budget probably don’t wear suits enough to justify two of them. If they do wear suits a lot, two is probably not enough. So I think 45% of the budget going to suits is a little aggressive and that money could be better spent elsewhere. A blazer along with one suit that’s charcoal, grey or navy should suffice for most.
What size did you get?
Totally agree. I grabbed the Tan version and get comments on it all the time since it just happens to fit pretty well. No, it probably won’t stand the test of time but being able to throw it on with jeans before heading out the door for all my errands has made it well worth the $35 sale price.
I bought the Merona jacket in tan and navy and it fits me perfectly except the sleeves are a bit too long. I just took the navy one in to have the sleeves shortened. Unfortunately, it has faux buttonholes (which are just a bunch of stitching), one of which will have to be removed. I hope it looks okay after the fake buttonhole is unstitched because I like this jacket and it’s a steal for $40.
After hearing how great the J. Crew factory suit is and trying out a separate J. Crew jacket in store (felt great), I’ve been waiting for the suit to re-stock in my size (40s). But this hasn’t happened… over the course of several months. Any idea if they do restock sizes?
Medium. I’m guessing Joe got the same.
What about Indochino “Essential” series? I’ve read decent reviews on their suits (if you order them a little big and have them tailored). Plus I’ve seen them on Gilt for $329 with a shirt.
Hey I have a question about the J. Crew Factory suit I was hoping someone could answer….
I was looking at it on their website, and the color I wanted was the grey in 100% wool, but on the webiste they list the color as charcoal, even though in the picture it looks pretty light grey, Does anyone know what the true color will be? Will it look like it does in the picture and be pretty light grey, or will it really be charcoal like their wool blend suit?