Comments on: Small beer

By: Kris, in New England

Kris, in New England — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:59:33 +0000

In fact, this would be SO much easier if you would make a video compilation of the suits you do try on and then we could vote.

Um, yeah. What HF6 said. We used to get Lex on video on Friday afternoons – what happened to that?! Clearly he has the technology; he can rebuild himself to be faster, stronger – more powerful. We just want teh evidence…

By: Diplopius Disqualificata

Diplopius Disqualificata — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 13:33:35 +0000

Jos A. Banks now makes the same suits they once made in Baltimore and Philly in Costa Rica, just without any quality whatsoever. You still get to pay the same price as though they were made by American homeowners. Joe Banks is no longer the “poor man’s Brooks Brothers.” Brooks Brothers is now the poor man’s Brooks Brothers. The Brothers Brooks have lots of suits at lots of prices and all have one thing in common. You get what you pay for.

Same goes at Nordstrom, but the better selection there means you can usually find your best option if you know what you are looking for. If you *really* know what you are looking for, cut out the marketing budget and brick-and-mortar overhead of the middle man (Joseph A. Banks VI, the Men’s Wearhouse guy) between you and the developing world and buy online from Paul Frederick (www.paulfrederick.com). That’s the best option of all for shirts.

By: Justthisguy

Justthisguy — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 06:44:25 +0000

Nose is right, and pants are what you wear under yer trousers.

But y’all already knew that.

P.s. I betcha Lex could show up in t-shirt, cut-offs, and flip-flops and still make a better impression than most guys who’d had the best suit consultants.

By: Nose

Nose — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 05:27:11 +0000

Brooks Brothers. It is expensive, it is an investment, it is worth it. I love Jos Banks, but I wouldn’t buy an interview suit there.

100% Cotton no-iron shirts (make sure to have them pressed – don’t iron yourself). Brooks makes a very nice cotton no-iron shirt for SDBs, you can buy through the on-line NEX uni shop. I still wear them in the winter with my bus driver uniform.

PS Navig8r, as GYSGT Jones, USMC told us, women wear slacks, men wear trousers…

By: HomefrontSix

HomefrontSix — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 04:29:13 +0000

I stand by my recommendation on Brooks Brothers. They are incredible in terms of their quality, styling, and tailoring. Unless you win the lottery, definitely stay away from anything with the word 'fleece' in the collection name. I was thinking more along the lines of this one. Designed to keep you cool in the warmer months and still impeccably tailored. As for Jos. A Bank, they are good. Not great from my experience. But well worth the price. And for $275, you can't go wrong. I still say we need pictures. In fact, this would be SO much easier if you would make a video compilation of the suits you do try on and then we could vote.

By: Navig8r

Navig8r — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:11:47 +0000

I’ll settle the clothing argument. Stick to Jos. A. Bank. Don’t ever buy anything at regular price, they are constantly having half price sales. Find a good salesman and stick with him. Mine knows what he sold me and knows my sizes. If the wife wants to buy me a suit, he tells her which one. Excellent quality for good price. For an interview, stick to 2 button, dark gray, white shirt, yellow or red neat patterned tie. Smooth leather shoes, wingtips are considered more casual. Straight collar, button downs are also considered more casual.

Blazers and slacks: Only on casual Friday. All other times suits. I started with 5, now (9 years out) probably own 20. Start with grays and Navy, branch out to olives, etc. later. Never wear brown except casual Fridays.

For dress shirts stick to Lands End “wrinkle free” 100% cotton. About $40 each, worth every penny. You can get the basic colors at Sears, more exotic from the catalog.

In a pinch, JC Penny sells a pretty decent suit. Theirs are made by HartMarx, which is the corporate name for Hart, Schaffner, and Marx. Jos A Bank and JCP both put Mens W/H to shame.