Custom Suits: crazy or frugal?

[jteezie]

I am debating buying a bespoke suit because I can afford one and because it would be nice to have.

However, I have no need to wear suits and I expect it to cost about $3.5k +/- $1k.

Quick bit of research suggests that roughly 1 in 5 suits sold in America are custom tailored. Here's the source. I don't really believe the number: Men's Custom Suit Prices - Cost For A Custom Men's Suit | What It Costs

Does anyone have custom suit experiences? Am I crazy, or is my frugal side being crazy? Appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

[ktmarvels]

My husband has a custom suit, but he got it while overseas and paid no where close to 3K on it. I don't really know how much he spent, but I'm guessing far less than 1K or I would have definitely remembered! If you are budgeting that amount, you might be better off to buy a plane ticket somewhere that makes cheap suits and have it made there. Then you get a vacation out of it and not just a fancy suit that sits in your closet.

Edit: I just asked him and he says it cost about $150 and is a 3 piece suit which he got to pick the fabric and pattern and is personalized.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by jteezie

I am debating buying a bespoke suit because I can afford one and because it would be nice to have.

However, I have no need to wear suits and I expect it to cost about $3.5k +/- $1k.

Why are you considering a 3K-4K purchase of something that you have no need for? Yes, I'd say that's crazy.

[BuckyBadger]

$4k for a suit to wear to weddings and funerals? I'd pass.

Unless, as someone stated upthread, you went to somewhere interesting for vacation and got a suit done. I have a friend who went to Hong Kong, I believe, and got a number of custom items made for insanely low prices. If you're willing to blow $4k for something, get the experience of travel AND a bespoke suit.

[cypher1]

I was just going to say I have friends who get their custom suits from Vietnam and S. Korea up to 200/suit when they travel. The quality for the price is amazing. And they prefer some of the tailors due to different fashion trend and cuts outside the US.

[terces]

Originally Posted by ktmarvels

My husband has a custom suit, but he got it while overseas and paid no where close to 3K on it. I don't really know how much he spent, but I'm guessing far less than 1K or I would have definitely remembered! If you are budgeting that amount, you might be better off to buy a plane ticket somewhere that makes cheap suits and have it made there. Then you get a vacation out of it and not just a fancy suit that sits in your closet.

Edit: I just asked him and he says it cost about $150 and is a 3 piece suit which he got to pick the fabric and pattern and is personalized.

Dh got one of those when overseas....unfortunately he got one that was fashion trendy for the 90s and has sat in the closet ever since.

[Slug]

Originally Posted by jteezie

I am debating buying a bespoke suit because I can afford one and because it would be nice to have.

However, I have no need to wear suits and I expect it to cost about $3.5k +/- $1k.

Quick bit of research suggests that roughly 1 in 5 suits sold in America are custom tailored. Here's the source. I don't really believe the number: Men's Custom Suit Prices - Cost For A Custom Men's Suit | What It Costs

Does anyone have custom suit experiences? Am I crazy, or is my frugal side being crazy? Appreciate your thoughts and suggestions.

If I'm making 7 figures a year, I'll consider it.

[wincrasher]

A fine suit is a nice thing to have,

but it doesn't sound like you are in a position to have to move now or lose the opportunity altogether.

Believe you me, $3k will buy you an excellent suit anywhere on this planet, any time you want!

About a year ago, I realized I didn't have a decent suit at all. I have several relatives and friends that are potentially funeral or wedding candidates, plus there are annual dinners, etc for work. So I got myself several nice suits and had them each tailored to fit. They were ~$500 each, but look very nice. I'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between an off the rack and custom tailored. I suspect most folks I know would be the same.

In fact, I know 2 billionaires and several millionaires, and none of them do what you described.

[disneysteve]

Originally Posted by wincrasher

I know 2 billionaires and several millionaires, and none of them do what you described.

That's because rich people don't buy stupid stuff like that. That's why they're rich. "Poor" people buy things that they think rich people buy - designer clothes, high end watches, luxury cars, fancy home theater systems, etc. Read The Millionaire Next Door. That isn't how most millionaires spend their money.

You are absolutely right that people won't notice the difference between a custom suit and a good quality, well tailored off the rack suit for a fraction of the price.

[krantcents]

I can afford a custom suit also, but I don't need it. I wear casual clothes to work. I wear a suit a couple times a year. I bought a great Hugo Boss suit (retail $1,500) for $350 at Marshall's. Thirty year ago, I had some trousers made for me. It cost less than I normally pay. It was okay!

[LuckyRobin]

You can get a perfectly gorgeous suit at The Men's Warehouse and they will tailor it for you there. My husband has bought two suits from them over the past 20 years, both for under $500 and no one can tell they are not super expensive suits. Most people think they are. They have held up extremely well and are of very high quality. And they will press it for free whenever you want. Just because you can afford something, does not mean it is wise to buy it.

[Frugal]

I personally would never buy a custom suit. I think you can get something at the mall that looks fine, and costs a lot less.

[Redraidernurse]

Yes, I think you are crazy to spend that kind of money on a suit.

[jteezie]

Thanks everyone. I wasn't too hot on the idea of spending so much on a suit anyways . Thanks for confirming.

[kalimaniac]

I wouldn't spend that much money on a suit unless i was filthy rich and could afford 10 of them. I mean, no matter how nice it is, how many times can you wear the thing before people keep noticing you're wearing the same suit?