We live in the digital media age where we’re lucky enough to have the widest selections of virtually any product at the very tip of our fingers. This makes it very tempting to buy all the things we want and need online.
This especially goes for apparel— there are so many clothing brands that have moved their presence mainly online. From designer brands to fast-fashion online stores, the options for buying something like a suit are virtually unlimited.
But is it really best to buy your suit online? Suits are tricky— they come in many different cuts, styles, and colors; and it’s essential that they’re well-tailored to ensure the most flattering fit.
Online or In-Store?
Just like there’s no one-size-fits all option for your average suit, the same goes for this question. We’re all different— we all have different needs and preferences when it comes to what we like in a suit and what we want in a shopping experience.
Choosing whether to buy a suit online or in-store boils down to a few key questions:
How soon do you need your suit?
If you’re months out from your event, and you’re not a huge fan of face-to-face interactions, then we say go for the online buy. If you need anything altered after you receive your suit in the mail, you’ll still have plenty of time to visit a tailor.
If you’re a last-minute do-er, then of course you’ll need to drop into your nearest department store or suit shop and pray to your deity that you’ll find something in your size that requires the fewest and fastest alterations.
Are you looking for a specific cut, style, color, and/or pattern for your suit?
If you consider yourself something of a fashion fiend, and have a very specific vision of how you want to look in your new suit, then we recommend browning through the thousands of nearly unlimited selections online. There are websites dedicated to crafting the perfect custom suit for you that can probably make your biggest suit dreams come true. This is an especially handy option if you’re familiar with your own measurements, or have no problem taking your own measurements before placing your order online.
If you consider yourself a simple guy with simple taste, and really aren’t all that hard to please, then maybe it’s best that you opt for an in-store suit-buying experience. You can leave the selection up to the expert sales associate who’ll answer all your questions about fit and material, and who’ll take your measurements to ensure you get the perfect fit.
What’s your budget?
Aha, probably everyone’s least favorite part of deciding where to buy their suit, especially if you’re one who likes the finer things in life. After all, what better represents the finer things in life than a suit?
If your budget is virtually nonexistent, then congratulations! You’ve definitely hit the jackpot as far as this question goes, and you can shop anywhere you’d like for your suit—online or in-store. You have the option of dropping up to thousands of dollars on the high-end designer brands such as Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, Tom Ford, and so on (you get the picture).
If you’re looking for more mid-tier or budget-friendly options in the $100-$500 range, you’ve still got some leeway as far as buying yourself a top-notch suit. It might not necessarily be an Italian designer suit, but hey— there are plenty of amazing options out there, online and in-store. Keep an eye out for end-of-season sales at luxury department stores like Macy’s and Nordstrom, who tend to be generous with their markdowns. Local luxury suit outlets are also a great option in this realm, as well.