Having a good suit in your closet is like having tire-changing tools in your car (and tire-changing know-how in your head). Every man should have it, even if you don’t use it that often. Understandably, you may have doubts when it comes to buying suits online. Like vintage watches, a suit’s quality and construction are best discerned in person, right?
Mostly yes, but with advancements in fabric and bespoke communication technology, the right ecommerce service can be as good as a classic clothier. Today, we’re showing you where to buy a suit online. Whether you’re looking for fast and affordable, understated and practical, or fashion-forward, we’ve got you covered.
Suitsupply
This Amsterdam-based brand has quickly become the go-to bang-for-buck suit resource. In 2011, the Wall Street Journal even reported that a $600 Suitsupply suit matched the quality of a $3,625 Giorgio Armani suit. Suitsupply is a vertically integrated company, so they’ve got a lock on that quality assurance factor. They’re also a member of the Fair Wear Foundation, an organization that works to improve working conditions in garment factories. It’s good to know that you can pay fast-fashion prices without the typical fast-fashion consequences.
Indochino
Founded in 2007, Indochino pulled a start-up fast one and disrupted the custom made-to-measure apparel industry. They were founded on the belief that custom wardrobes shouldn’t cost a fortune, and their affordable offerings are definitely custom. Looking for a classic grey suit? They’ve got it. A power pinstripe or a double-breasted suit with big old school lapels but in a modern cut? It’s there.
Ministry Of Supply
This Boston-based brand is known for their unique high-performance business wear. Their de-facto flagship piece is the kinetic suit. This suit was integral in two Guinness World Records, one of them being the fastest half marathon run in a suit. It’s no wonder though, Ministry Of Supply was founded by MIT graduates, utilizing the same temperature-regulating material used by NASA astronauts. If you like taking runs during your lunch break but don’t want to waste time changing into athleticwear, find a suit here.
Bonobos
Despite launching at the start of a recession in 2007, Bonobos managed to be a success with a $1 million net revenue run rate within six months of its founding. They featured a special curved waistband, a medium rise, and a tailored thigh to eliminate “diaper butt.” To this day, Bonobos suits are known for their excellent attention to fit. They’re also known for their outstanding customer service. Their Bonobos ninjas, as they call themselves, are responsive via phone, chat, social media, and text.
Todd Snyder
Todd Snyder is the man who made looking cool accessible for regular hard-working joes across America. His designs are inspired by Savile Row craftsmanship, and feature bespoke sleekness and a fashion-forward quality. But they’re also inspired by military tailoring, so they’re practical and masculine. His slimmed down suits are perfect for you if you’re looking for a jacket and trouser combo that looks great with a fitted t-shirt, as well as a classic shirt and tie.
Brooks Brothers
As America’s oldest clothing company, this heritage brand is a staple in uptown Manhattan and country clubs. They’re known for unfailingly premium quality suits with conservative and timeless designs. Go for a Brooks suit if you want a tried-and-true look that won’t go out of style, or if you want to feel like the President — Brooks has outfitted 40 out of 46 of them.
MR PORTER
Award-winning MR PORTER is an artistically curated ecommerce site featuring over 450 global brands. Buying a suit from MR PORTER is like having a stylist with his finger on the fashion pulse putting the best stuff in front of you. Whether you’re looking for a sleek Hollywood look from Tom Ford or a creative mix of traditional and modern from Paul Smith, MR PORTER will have the best offerings. Moreover, they add new products three times a week. If you think you’ve exhausted your options during one go-over, pop back on in three days.
Express
Express features affordable suits in classic blacks, blues, and greys. Since they cater to a younger crowd though, they’re also a great option if you want to have a little bit of fun with your suit. Most of their offerings are south of $400. Their livelier, trendier suits tend to be the most affordable, so you can take style risks without the financial risk. For example, their houndstooth flannel suit features a utilitarian, almost skater boy cut, and is in the $160 range, as is their textured extra slim burgundy suit.
Nordstrom
Nordstrom does an impressive job of taking its famously high-touch department store service and moving into the online realm. You can call or chat with designer specialists as you scroll through their suit options which include countless designers like premium Italian icon Bottega, and even our previously mentioned industry disruptor SuitSupply. Head to the Nordstrom site if you want a lot of suit options.
Black Lapel
Technology can’t replace art, but it can make art more accessible. Using data-driven measurement algorithms, Black Lapel makes old world suit tailoring and the bespoke clothier experience available to you online. Just build a profile with your measurements and style preferences, and you can have a personalized suit made for you out of premium fabrics sans middleman mark ups.
Hockerty
Depending on your suit’s origin, it may have padded shoulders, wide lapels, and an extra slim waist (Italian), no pads, thin lapels, and tapered sides (English), or a happy medium between the two (American). An international brand, Hockerty allows you to mix traditions based on your tastes. Do you like less padding and a roomier waist but huge lapels? Perhaps you want a traditional cut using a daring fabric. Hop onto Hockerty’s jacket personalizer and make your imaginary suit a reality.
Suitopia
It’s so easy and quick to buy a custom suit from Suitopia, it almost feels wrong. The prompts are straight-forward, user-friendly, and take into consideration details you may not even have thought about, whether that’s the lining, the buttoning, or considering contrasting lapels. They even use premium fabrics from the world’s oldest Italian mill, Vitale Barberis Canonico. If you want a high-quality suit in seconds, Suitopia is for you.
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