What to look for in a suit?

1591 Views 17 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Snub44, Apr 23, 2013

Herknav

Discussion Starter · Apr 14, 2013

I may have to get some suits for a "grown-up" job. I won't be able to carry at this job, but I want to choose a style most conducive to carry in the event conditions change. I apologize if this has been discussed here before. If it has, the word "suit" did not appear in the thread title.

Thanks in advance,
Herk

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

sdprof

· #2 · Apr 14, 2013

Start with the advice here: 10 Conceal Carry Firearm Tips - Wearing a gun with a mens suit blazer or sport jacket

Men's Warehouse is a company that's known for tailoring clothes to suit the concealed carrier. (pun not intended, but I'll take the points.)

Using Google to search forums often works out better. How about this?

Reactions: 3

Brademan

· #3 · Apr 14, 2013

In my humble opinion, the key to buying a good suit for carry is to go to a decent store, where you can get tailoring. Don't buy off the rack and expect a good fit. I like the Men's Wearhouse, but there are lots of other good spots. Go in wearing the gun you plan to carry, with the rig you plan to use. Then just let the tailor know that you are armed and that you want to have the suit tailored for the best hang and fit.

Good tailors do this pretty often and will have no issue getting you fitted up. I have 7 suits that have all been altered this way, and I've had some good conversations with the tailors and sales folk, too. You can get the pants fitted for an ankle holster, if you want, IWB, OWB...even a shoulder rig. I don't personally care for the Thunderwear-type rigs, but they can tailor for that, too.

Good luck.

Reactions: 3

oldman45

· #4 · Apr 14, 2013

I am in court often and have to wear suits. Since I carry daily, the suits have to cover and conceal the sidearm. As has already been stated, pay for a good suit. A $100 suit will not fit or wear like a $300 suit. If it was ok, I would post a photo of me coming from court with my full frame 1911 in a shoulder holster on. The gun is not visible from any angle.

Reactions: 1

Aiko

· #5 · Apr 14, 2013

All depends on your job and budget. Suits are one on the things where the saying you get what you pay for applys. i don't have very expensive suits, but have always invested in one really nice suit for weddings, job interviews, big client meetings, funerals. My current nice suit which compared to others is modest is a Hugo boss black, made in America. My 3-4 others i got on clearance @ Nordstrom and bloomingdales for @ $350.

Reactions: 1

tubadude

· #6 · Apr 14, 2013

Check out Jos. A. Bank. I get suits that are unfinished on closeout, so they will be right around $100 (down from $400-500) and then I'll just take them to my tailor who will take in the waist and hem the legs, and fit the jacket. He is a little old Asian man who knows me only as "GI Joe" because I'm always carrying when I see him.

All of my suits are either navy or charcoal in either plain or a pinstripe pattern.

Reactions: 1

Rock and Glock

· #7 · Apr 14, 2013

Avoid trendy highly stylized suits and go with a classic three button two piece in a dark grey solid or soft narrow pin-stripe. Wool and or a wool blends hang nicely if well tailored. Wool is comfortable year round unless you're in Houston or NOLA. Buy it somewhere the suits are tailored to your body - no one has a 42 or 46 Regular body where an off-the-rack fits.

A good tailor will make it fit WELL.

If you have a Men's Warehouse start there, and have them explain everything - the fabric, the linings, the stitching - the works. Troll around the MW site and Brooks Brothers and you'll get a lot of looks at a classic style.

Don't forget the knee length socks, and the classic white or soft blue dress shirts with three or four classic ties - silk. With two to three suits, some white, blue and pink shirts, and an assortment of ties you'll look like you have a full stable full of suits.

If you allows suits to "hand" on good formed hangers and allow the fabric to rest, your suits can outlast you. Wearing a suit two or three days straight will wear them out fast, and look sloppy by the second or third day.

Dress shoes too - keep them polished.

MW folks can explain and help on all of the above.

I wore suits and the like for 30 years...........hate to date myself.

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Reactions: 1

RickyD

· #8 · Apr 14, 2013

Your best options for color are navy blue and charcoal grey. Studies have shown that blue is the color that generates the most favorable reaction. The first 4 suites you buy should be a solid blue, solid grey, blue pinstripe and grey pinstripe. From there you can add colors depending on your situation and location.

Wool is definitely the material of choice and if your budget allows, get the pants lined. You definitely want to avoid 'fashionable' cuts and colors - a suit should last for years, so go with classic cuts.

Nothing beats a custom tailored suit if you can afford it. There is a chain of stores called The Custom Suit Shop with locations in Atlanta, Charlotte and Dallas I think. You can get completely customized suits starting at around $450. They have consultants who can help you select fabrics, colors, cut, etc. In Atlanta they will come to your office or home to measure you and they will bring fabrics so you can do everything without going into a store. They also do shirts and pants. Everything is customized for your exact measurements, including carrying if you so choose. I use them often and would highly recommend them. If you are not in a market with one of their stores, look for something similar.

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Reactions: 2

Stevew

· #9 · Apr 15, 2013

And remember, you will want to take your jacket off.

mastercapt

· #10 · Apr 16, 2013 (Edited)

My grandfather was a tailor and owned his own shop. Back then, if you wanted a suit, you had someone like him either alter or cusdtom make it from scratch.
When LEOs came in he had them put on whatever holster they would wear, with the gun unloaded, and measure for the suit that way.
The plaincloths officers were required to carry concealed, and concealed means concealed.
I saw him fit a suit to a 5-9 officer who carried a 1911 in a shoulder holster and it was not visible.
A good tailor can do that...
Nowdays, go in to the mens shop and state what you want. Be sure to have the weapon unloaded, and show it cleared before they measure.
<sarcasm> there are some people who are afraid of guns..........

Hodad

· #11 · Apr 16, 2013

Four aces!!

Snub44

· #12 · Apr 16, 2013

... please do that and is your holster vertical or horizontal???

oldman45 said:
I am in court often and have to wear suits. Since I carry daily, the suits have to cover and conceal the sidearm. As has already been stated, pay for a good suit. A $100 suit will not fit or wear like a $300 suit. If it was ok, I would post a photo of me coming from court with my full frame 1911 in a shoulder holster on. The gun is not visible from any angle.

Eric357

· #13 · Apr 16, 2013

I'm going to have to check out men's warehouse. I need to update my suits and sportscoats. They are starting to show some wear. I've noticed that most things hanging on the racks dont fit well in the arms no matter what the coat jacket says.

Ksgunner

· #14 · Apr 16, 2013

mastercapt said:
My grandfather was a tailor and owned his own shop. Back then, if you wanted a suit, you had someone like him either alter or cusdtom make it from scratch.
When LEOs came in he had them put on whatever holster they would wear, with the gun unloaded, and measure for the suit that way.
The plaincloths officers were required to carry concealed, and concealed means concealed.
I saw him fit a suit to a 5-9 officer who carried a 1811 in a shoulder holseter and it was not visible.
A good tailor can do that...
Nowdays, go in to the mens shop and state what you want. Be sure to have the weapon unloaded, and show it cleared before they measure.
<sarcasm> there are some people who are afraid of guns..........

Is this sumpthin new? If it's from the Civil War it could be quite large. LOL (just havin a little fun)

OldVet

· #15 · Apr 16, 2013

What to look for in a suit?

Royal Flush.

Reactions: 2

Snub44

· #16 · Apr 16, 2013

...this thread's about fine clothing, not plumbing fixtures...:tongue:

mastercapt

· #17 · Apr 16, 2013

Ksgunner said:
Is this sumpthin new? If it's from the Civil War it could be quite large. LOL (just havin a little fun)

Its a 1911 made in China and given a different model # by their Japanese owned marketing dept. <grin!>

Reactions: 1

Snub44

· #18 · Apr 23, 2013

...well, now I'm lookin' fer a set of Sunday-go-to-meetin' clothes...if I can find one light enough to wear in TX...haven't owned one in 12 years or so...don't get out much...but it means I get to buy a few shoulder holsters...last one was a Bianchi X15 vertical for my city gun, and it looked like I was stealin' hams...maybe a horizontal rig would hide better...
...loved the upside down for the snub...looks like a coupla these will be in my future: Upside Down Shoulder Holster they're almost like the one I had in the 70s for my M60 snub...

...looks like buying a suit might be FUN...

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