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 need a major wardrobe makeover, stat. Over the next 5 days we’ll see how far a strict budget of $1500 can go. And this year, we’re going back to our roots.
Prices have gone up everywhere, but instead of raising the ceiling to make this, say, the $2000 Wardrobe, we’re accepting the challenge. The outcome might not impress the menswear snobs, but why care? The goal is to balance quality with affordability, and accessibility with versatility. Not every last stitch (like underwear) will be covered. We’re not burning the clothes that are already in the closet. The goal is finish with a setup of clothes that can have someone looking great in most situations. The focus will be on affordable goods which can last with reasonable care. Also know that since tailoring costs can vary wildly, those haven’t been added to the final cost.
The Navy Suit: J. Crew Factory Thompson Worsted Wool Jacket & Pant – $286
Really, really wanted to go with the $399 Suitsupply option, but see the intro above ^. We’re pinching pennies this year, and we’re going to need something more somber than navy in case you need to attend a funeral. Plus, in our ever-casual society, most will be able to absolutely get away with a terrific fused suit, over a terrific half-canvas suit. The all wool shell isn’t as good as the Suitsupply super 110s Italian wool, but it’ll do fine for occasional use. Fused, yes, but not stiff. Lowered button stance. Soft shoulders. Higher arm holes. Plus, an advantage of suit separates is that guys with slightly out of average proportions can pick what jacket size and pant should fit them best. That means less tailoring. Non functioning buttons at the cuff. Recently JCF started excluding suiting from their codes. It’s not ideal, but the high $200s might be the new target price (they used to go for low to mid $200s with codes).
The Cheap Charcoal Suit: JCP Claiborne Charcoal Suit Jacket & Pant – $139.99
Two years in a row for this one. Yes, it’s fused, but it moves well and should see a bit less use than the navy. Close to the quality of a J. Crew Factory Thompson, at around half the price. Pic above is from last year, but Claiborne is still making these (as well as some suit separates in navy). Shoulder pads are thinner than a Hilfiger. Armholes are higher than an Alfani. And the off the rack fit is surprisingly good. As far as bang-for-the-buck in the ultra-cheap suit market, this is as good as it gets. Somber enough for a funeral if worn with a black tie & shoes, and more versatile than an all black suit. (NOTE: Use the code 4FAMILY through today, 10/27, to knock an extra 25% off. Codes on these are usually 15% – 20% off though, so, for the sake of the $1500 wardrobe, we’ll keep it at $139)
The Versatile Wool Blazer: UNIQLO 90% Wool / 10% Cashmere blazer – $99.90
A lot of bang for the buck. Unfortunately fully lined… but c’mon. Non functioning sleeve buttons, so it should be relatively easy to tailor. Super sharp looking with jeans for a night out. Pick stitching is a nice touch. Might drop further with a sale, but a 90% wool / 10% cashmere blazer, at this price, is more than fair. Yes, it’s true that UNIQLO cuts their blazer tails shorter than most, but many can get away with it. Note that the model on UNIQLOs site is 6’1″ and wearing a size small. Yes. A size small.
The Cotton Casual Blazer: Target Merona Cotton Blazer – $44.99 ($59.99)
This blazer from Target is the definition of a casual rumpled sportcoat. A noticeably lighter shade of grey than the charcoal suit separates. Unlined, so it’ll breathe. Super cheap. Looks best when worn often. Micro stripe pattern that’s barely noticeable. No structure whatsoever. Going to look terrific with jeans. Would probably look pretty smart with off-white chinos or denim in the spring. Says it’s “tailored fit” but might need a little work at the sides.
TOTAL COST: $570.88
CASH REMAINING: $929.12
Upcoming Categories: Shoes, Shirts & Sweaters, Pants, The Rest.
Nice start but I think you can get away with one suit and one blazer for most us and maybe invest in another piece of outerwear. Interested to see where ths ends up for the rest of the week.
I’m super interested to hear people’s experiences with that Target cotton blazer. I found the proportions totally off the wall. Chopped tail, long sleeve, oddly large about the chest and tight around the waist/butt when buttoned, just….bad. But this was 2 years ago; maybe they’ve updated since then?
Agreed. I still grab my wool blazer for semi-casual settings as I do not like cotton blazers.
I bought one last year and I actually found that the body fit really well (i’m 6’1, 205 and went with a large). My one complaint is that the sleeves billow a bit at the wrists, but very minor quibble for the price.
I’d love to see pics of a real person wearing this. I look at this almost every time I peruse Target’s menswear, but I keep thinking that the jacket looks completely frumpy as pictured on their site (and I’ve never seen it in store).
I guess it depends on how you’re using the term frumpy here, because it IS a total beater blazer. It wouldn’t work with anything more dressed up than an oxford and a broken in pair of chinos, but as Joe mentioned, it’s great for elevating an otherwise casual outfit.
Great start, looking forward to the rest of the series.
On that Uniqlo blazer, how long is it? I know I’ve heard a few people complaining they tend to be chopped, but $100 for a wool and cashmere blazer is a great value.
I’ve got about 5-6 Uniqlo blazers, and they’re all basically the equivalent to a “Short” suit/blazer in size. I’m about 5’6” and wear a small. When I last measured I think it came in about 28.5 inches in length? Not sure how the length goes up as you move into a medium or large though.
I bought one about two years ago (navy blue) and back then it fit me pretty well but I was also fat (200lbs, 5’8″). Now that I’m down to 170 it’s a little big on me, not sure if I’ll have it taken in or just replaced. I use it as my travel blazer since I know it’s going to take such a beating. I carry a leather Copper River bag (like Saddleback but affordable) so the shoulder pads of a proper blazer would just be destroyed.
Not sure if this has changed, but mine is a rather think material that doesn’t move all that well. Would love for it to be a tad thinner. I wear it with jeans or chinos, a v-neck tee or sometimes a washed oxford underneath. Suede bucks or Clark’s Desert Boots are my go-to for that outfit though when I travel I’m generally in a more practical pair of all-black New Balance sneakers.
Yeah, that Uniqlo blazer is ridiculously chopped, just look at the model! Bad, bad look.
If you already have the JCF Thompson suit jacket do you really need the Uniqlo blazer? I know wearing a suit jacket as a blazer is basically menswear heresy but I just don’t see what you’re getting. Is it because it’s solid wool instead of worsted? How and why would anyone know the difference?
I don’t know if they’ve changed either, but I also bought a khaki one a couple years ago. The small felt a bit too small for me, but the medium fit a bit…oddly. I ended getting it, but only wore it 2 or 3 times, and then re-sold it. I couldn’t see myself wearing it much at all without significant tailoring, which I wasnt willing to do for it. Material was kind of stiff and I just didnt end up liking it very much.
Going to respectfully disagree with pick 1 and 2. Unless someone *needs* a rotation for suits, I would take the cash from both picks and buy the SS Napoli. It’s a dark enough navy to cover any situation the above suit can, except it will look much better in all of them.
I’m taking the rule of threes here (spend three times as much, 1/3 as often), and making it 2’s.
I own the JCF suit above; it’s a good suit. And though I’ve never found one that fit, I’ve worn several of the SS Navy suits. As much as the JCF is a great option for affordable suiting, it’s hard to overstate how much better the SS is. Adding in the Clarborne doesn’t change that.
The thing with wearing a suit here and there is that you end up always picking your best one.
Model is 6’1″ and wearing a small. So, that’s ridiculous in and of itself. While I agree with you that UNIQLO cuts their blazers too short, and leaves their arms too long, most can get away with it, and it’s a great play for this series.