what is in style these days for suits for a 20 year old guy? i just want a cheap suit jacket i can wear to any kind of event that calls for it. i was thinking black. are they supposed to have shoulder pads or no? how many buttons, 2 or 3? does anyone wear double breasted suit jackets anymore? i mean, what style would fit me? i'm a bigger guy and i'd just wear it with a button shirt of some color and a tie, no vest.

cheap as in under $100 preferably.

Duct tape.

You can probably get a suit for around $150, at a place like 'Men's Wearhouse' although the prices go up from there obviously. Also, I'd not get black for your first suit, go with dark navy or a subdued pinstriped because while black might seem cool and badass, it's not really that classy when you're trying to go to formal-ish events.


As Roger Stone says, the "only people that should be allowed to wear black suits are chauffeurs and undertakers,"


Edit: just saw you had some more questions. I own one suit and it has two buttons and I feel pretty fly with it. I don't really know what the deal is between two or three buttoms but never button the bottom one if you've got a three button suit. Also, I'm pretty certain shoulder pads are in every suit jacket.

Are you just looking for a blazer for nice events, or an entire suit (matching pants and jacket)? A nice blazer is a real great thing to have because you can wear it wth many things and it can be fairly classy in many settings. Definitely can get a decent blazer for under 100$

yeah i just want the jacket part. and i actually read you never button the last button on either two or three button suits. browsing store's websites, all the models are doing that, including the ones wearing the two button suits.

now that i think about it, i see what you mean about the black. dark blue would be better i guess. would that match gray or black dress pants though? i have no idea how all that shit works, ha.

i'm going to be looking at like, jc penney's and macy's. maybe men's wearhouse, but their stuff seems to be a bit more expensive than i'm willing to spend. i don't even have a specific event in mind for this suit thing, i just think it's high time i got at least a cheap one since i've never owned one.

In a quick reply to crazy hazy vermonter, I love black suits...In fact I found a bargin the other day and I might be able to pick up a new black suit in a couple of weeks.

Double-breasted suits are fairly uncommon these days. They're quite hard to properly pull off as they require a rather specific build to get the "look" alot of people associate with them. If you're a big guy as you say then you may prefer to avoid it as the fabric will at best make you look like a low-end mob enforcer and at best make you look fat.

The button-up shirt should be white or a very light shade.
Vests/waistcoats are fairly uncommon so not wearing one of those is fine. As has already been said, navy is your best choice, maybe gray; black is unsophisticated and inelegant classically in a standard suit, but nowadays it's increasingly acceptable. Not my thing, but if you like it, go for it. Subtle pinstripe is good too, but you don't want to go overboard and look like a pachuco from the 20s. Go for nice fabric. Wool. A quick tip for a good fit: there should be no bunching, as you're presumably going for an American-cut suit; you should be able to move your arms comfortably, and the sleeves should come down to just a fraction of an inch above the bottom of the cuffs on your dress-shirt when your arm is at your side.

(American-cut is the dominant style of suit nowadays. The European-cut used to be for 'proper' suits and the American style was considered over-casual, but the two have sort of hybridized in favour of the "American" style because the American-style was more comfortable to wear.)

Black with pinstripes, get two flaps.

I like three buttons, but two seems to be all the rage these days.

Black with pinstripes, get two flaps.

I like three buttons, but two seems to be all the rage these days.

I bought a really loud Boatang a few months back. 3 button black suit with an electric blue lining and bold white pinstripes. It looks badass, just need to get some nice shoes to finish it off.

Dont skimp on a suit though, you can tell a cheap suit a mile off, its worth the investment.

Three button jackets have been fashionable for years, but now two buttons have been making a comeback for the past few years.

whocares123, you just want a jacket? Go for a classic navy blue blazer. You can wear it with almost any dress pant in any colour and look good. Don't buy a suit jacket then try and match a pant with it.

*ObZ

what is in style these days for suits for a 20 year old guy? i just want a cheap suit jacket i can wear to any kind of event that calls for it. i was thinking black. are they supposed to have shoulder pads or no? how many buttons, 2 or 3? does anyone wear double breasted suit jackets anymore? i mean, what style would fit me? i'm a bigger guy and i'd just wear it with a button shirt of some color and a tie, no vest.

cheap as in under $100 preferably.

Go to a "suit sale" you won't be able to get european suits for under 100$, you will get "european styled" but made in china.

If you're a bigger guy, you don't want shoulder pads, make sure it fits well in the shoulders, then take it to your tailor for the sleeves and tailor it to fit you well.

Remember it's not the suit, it's how it looks on you.

Double-breasted suits are fairly uncommon these days. They're quite hard to properly pull off as they require a rather specific build to get the "look" alot of people associate with them. If you're a big guy as you say then you may prefer to avoid it as the fabric will at best make you look like a low-end mob enforcer and at best make you look fat.

The button-up shirt should be white or a very light shade.
Vests/waistcoats are fairly uncommon so not wearing one of those is fine. As has already been said, navy is your best choice, maybe gray; black is unsophisticated and inelegant classically in a standard suit, but nowadays it's increasingly acceptable. Not my thing, but if you like it, go for it. Subtle pinstripe is good too, but you don't want to go overboard and look like a pachuco from the 20s. Go for nice fabric. Wool. A quick tip for a good fit: there should be no bunching, as you're presumably going for an American-cut suit; you should be able to move your arms comfortably, and the sleeves should come down to just a fraction of an inch above the bottom of the cuffs on your dress-shirt when your arm is at your side.

(American-cut is the dominant style of suit nowadays. The European-cut used to be for 'proper' suits and the American style was considered over-casual, but the two have sort of hybridized in favour of the "American" style because the American-style was more comfortable to wear.)
American cut suits are for fat people, literally, nobody wants a squarish cut suit.

European cuts are much better.

what is all this american and european cut shit? i'm not familiar with these terms. didn't realize there were different cuts of suit.

someone suggested a suit sale...yeah, one of the few locally owned places left in town is this place that rents suits and uniforms and is where i rented my prom tuxedo last year. i believe they sell their old rental fleet suits discounted, so i'm sure i could find something there cheap that's still been taken care of. it's just a matter of going there...

what is all this american and european cut shit? i'm not familiar with these terms. didn't realize there were different cuts of suit.

someone suggested a suit sale...yeah, one of the few locally owned places left in town is this place that rents suits and uniforms and is where i rented my prom tuxedo last year. i believe they sell their old rental fleet suits discounted, so i'm sure i could find something there cheap that's still been taken care of. it's just a matter of going there...

IIRC, an American suit has no venting, the hem at the bottom back is completely solid.

European suits have a single vent, which is that split that goes up the back a little.

English suits are double vented, owing to their equestrian heritage.

IIRC, an American suit has no venting, the hem at the bottom back is completely solid.

European suits have a single vent, which is that split that goes up the back a little.

English suits are double vented, owing to their equestrian heritage.

Also the cut, american suits are very squarish while european suits taper inwards from the shoulders creating that v sort of shape.

If your skinny the three button ones are the suits for you. You can also try wearing double-brested ones.

If your quite fat I suggest wearing a two button suit instead.

my first suit was $700.

(closing down place, 50% off), so essentialy $350.


first impressions last,

Three buttons more meal/business wear
two button is for balls etc (generally)
no shoulder pads if you have decent sized shoulders.

I bought a really loud Boatang a few months back. 3 button black suit with an electric blue lining and bold white pinstripes. It looks badass, just need to get some nice shoes to finish it off.

Dont skimp on a suit though, you can tell a cheap suit a mile off, its worth the investment.

he is right

Their right an expensive suit is worth it's weight in gold and you'll have it for years. If your tall/slim go for the Euro cuts and they will look fantastic. Sadly I have more of a bodybuilder type triangle build so if I don't want to get a tailored (which was too expensive : ( ) I had to go w/ Italian cuts (which are also prohibitively expensive mostly) Just don't go for the American sack suit and you'll be fine...

Well since you mentioned you are just getting the blazer, then black is actually fine. It's not as 'classical' as a pinstriped one but it looks very nice. Believe it or not, Armani has a 67 dollar blazer, that is pretty nice looking. I personally like the black one over the white. Can't go wrong with one of these. Notice the slight inward taper, that's the whole European cut thing.

http://www.armaniexchange.com/product/mens/blazers/modern+blazer.do?asc=&sortby=ourPicks&size=

Anyway, that is a 2 button jacket, and I prefer the look of a 3 button, but that is a very good looking blazer, I'm almost regretting not getting that one instead, but they don't have my size.

About cut, I would suggest an European cut, with an inward taper. The straight cut jacket has its place (in a very formal suit, with the classic suit pants and whatnot) but the tapered one looks better generally. Stay away from the sack suits though, as people have mentioned. There is straight cut, and then there is..well wearing a $100 sack.

I like my English blazer

As for double breasted, I personally like them, but it's one of those things you have to try on to see if it works with you. Just see if you think it looks good on ya.

As for brands, you mentioned JC Penny, see if they have any nick(it). I haven't seen that brand in a while, but they are an inexpensive British clothing line, and they have very nice things. Other than that, just try stuff on and make SURE it's a good fit. "It fits alright" doesn't cut it with blazer. Get it tailored if ya have to, it's an option, and it might not be too expensive. Ask.


And I want to mention shirts. When you get your button down shirt, make sure it isn't wide or baggy. That makes you look funny. Even if it's just a little bit. Again, I like British shirts, and I like a more 'tapered' shirt. That isn't to say tight, but so it has natural curves and whatnot. nick(it) is good for that too. I like em a lot. You can't really go wrong with any English brand, just that some of them are pricey.

AX ! = Armani.

Well since you mentioned you are just getting the blazer, then black is actually fine. It's not as 'classical' as a pinstriped one but it looks very nice. Believe it or not, Armani has a 67 dollar blazer, that is pretty nice looking. I personally like the black one over the white. Can't go wrong with one of these. Notice the slight inward taper, that's the whole European cut thing.

http://www.armaniexchange.com/product/mens/blazers/modern+blazer.do?asc=&sortby=ourPicks&size=

Anyway, that is a 2 button jacket, and I prefer the look of a 3 button, but that is a very good looking blazer, I'm almost regretting not getting that one instead, but they don't have my size.

About cut, I would suggest an European cut, with an inward taper. The straight cut jacket has its place (in a very formal suit, with the classic suit pants and whatnot) but the tapered one looks better generally. Stay away from the sack suits though, as people have mentioned. There is straight cut, and then there is..well wearing a $100 sack.

I like my English blazer

As for double breasted, I personally like them, but it's one of those things you have to try on to see if it works with you. Just see if you think it looks good on ya.

As for brands, you mentioned JC Penny, see if they have any nick(it). I haven't seen that brand in a while, but they are an inexpensive British clothing line, and they have very nice things. Other than that, just try stuff on and make SURE it's a good fit. "It fits alright" doesn't cut it with blazer. Get it tailored if ya have to, it's an option, and it might not be too expensive. Ask.


And I want to mention shirts. When you get your button down shirt, make sure it isn't wide or baggy. That makes you look funny. Even if it's just a little bit. Again, I like British shirts, and I like a more 'tapered' shirt. That isn't to say tight, but so it has natural curves and whatnot. nick(it) is good for that too. I like em a lot. You can't really go wrong with any English brand, just that some of them are pricey.
AX is not armani, it's not even designed by giorgio armani.

It's licensed and made in china.

That actually explains a lot, thanks! I knew something was shifty about that.

Nevertheless, I think the rest of my post applies, heh.

As Roger Stone says, the "only people that should be allowed to wear black suits are chauffeurs and undertakers,"

http://lancemannion.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/pulp_fiction.jpg

O RLY?