Men's Suit Sizes Anyone, Anyone?
 

I'm trying to save a few dollars by buying a suit on Ebay and getting a tailor to fix it for me.

I'm having the hardest time figuring out what coat size I am.

from Shoulder to shoulder I am 22 inches
If you measure me around the shoulders I'm 52 inches and under the arms I'm 42 inches.

I'm like 6 foot 3


What other measurements matter? What coat size would I be?


Thanks

Your probably a 42 or 44 long. How much do you weigh?

A suit jacket is measured at the chest, and given short, regular or tall qualifiers depending on length. I'm 6'2", 200lbs, with a 44 inch chest. Depending on cut and make I am usually anywhere from a 42 regular to a 44 long.

The pants of a suit are measured in inches at the waist and inches of the inseam. I.E. 34/34....

Hope this helps.

-bear

I weigh 225 with a little bit of a gut.

See http://tfproject.org/tfp/showthread....threadid=45860

I think you might have gotten the coat size right because I kinda remember being a 42R before the tailor cut the size tags out of my older suit.

225 might be sausage cased into a 42...even though your chest measurement is right. You should hit a mens warehouse or any department store and throw on some jackets. Should get a feel for your size quickly. I'll bet you'd be most comfortable in a 46-48L.

-bear

I would suggest going to a store and getting measured. Fit is probably *THE* most important thing in making a suit look good. It can easily make the difference between a well-dressed man and someone merely dressed in nice clothes. Make sure it fits, its all for nothing if it doesnt. Close isnt good enough.

Ill add something to that--if you are taking it to a tailor to be sized after you buy it, you have a *little* more leeway. However, the shoulders must still fit, there isnt anything the tailor can do about that.

Re: Men's Suit Sizes Anyone, Anyone?
 

Man, don't do that. Seriously. Haul yourself to a men's clothier. Not Penny's or Sears either...a real one. Check your local yellow pages. Pry that wallet open and put forth a few sheckles to purchase yourself a real suit that fits, and compliments your form. There a still places out there where the customer is still treated as royalty. A men's clothier is one of them. They are professionals, who know their business. They will measure you from top to bottom, tell you what styles and colors go with your shape and complexion. You will walk out of there feeling, and looking, as if you owned the world. Trust me, on this one. I've gotten all of my suits, and my tux, from the same clothier, for the past 20 years.

i'd say even as reconnaisance go to Men's Wearhouse. Someone there will measure and fit you. You can then take that information and at least know the correct size you are.

They'll also help you match and coordinate, shirts, ties, socks, and shoes.

It's not cheap, but well worth the value of service and quality of products.

Just to be certain, I have one good suit that fits. I also know of this little old russian lady down the street who is a tailor (seemstress).

I bought my last suit for $500 from Men's Wearhouse. I just don't want to spend that kind of money. Not with gas prices going through the roof and all.

that said, just take your existing suit to the seamstress and ask her what your measurements are.

unless you need the suit immediately for some event, wait for sales. IMHO I don't buy clothes online unless I can touch them first. Fabrics have different feels and textures.

You sure you need a suit? What's wrong with a nice sport coat and a decent pair of slacks? Much cheaper, and acceptable nearly everywhere, even job interviews.

I think you get what you pay for. You buy something on ebay, it's going to probably fall apart pretty fast. Shop at the mens wearhouse, you know what you're getting, good quality stuff. Just my .02 though

I don't know where you live, but there will be something like Macy's, Hechts, Marshall Fields - some major chain store like that. They always run suits on big sales 3-4 times/year, I haven't paid over $300 for quality name brand stuff that lasts.

I have one DKNY suit which cost me several hundred dollars, but I didn't have a choice since I was travelling and I didn't bring the right combination of jacket/slacks combo.

But you did remind me that you don't have to pay alot for a suit. I buy US$99 Italian suits and so long as you check the material and the stitching you pretty much can't go wrong. My friends who buy tailored and off the rack at Macy's cant' believe how much I've saved on suits.

Um, where did you buy this suit?

Haha, seriously...

several places in the garment center of NYC. If you come to town I'd be happy to show them to you. They are all italian suits too.

I got a suit from the local thrift store for 15 dollars. It fits me like insanity - I really can't believe it. It looks straight pimp too.

Do you have a Syms near you? They have designer brands for low prices. You sound like you're built like me, maybe a bit skinnier, and I fit into an "athletic tall."

I got myself a Bill Blass suit for $200 that retails for at least triple that.

also, even pants are cut differently for the body type, and the tailor can't change that. i.e. if he's a big guy and you're not, he probably has what's called an "executive" cut which makes the pleats lie down flat over his fat legs. If you're too thin, you'll have a nice pair of dressy parachute pants ;)

If it's the other way around, you NEED an executive cut or your pleats will look stupid.

Just go to a local Taylor & have them size you to be sure!! They will probably do it for free.

It's all about find cool shit like that at thrift stores. The only suit I have was $5 at the local thrift store.

Sounds like a great deal but I don't think I'll be getting to NYC anytime soon. Looks like I'm going to make due with my present single suit anyway.