I do not own a suit. Last year I dieted and lost around 40 pounds. The two suits I owned (and hoped to never have need for) no longer fit, so they are gone.
Unfortunately, both my gf and I have close family members who will die in all likelihood during the coming year. Before I knew my gf, I would just no-show for funerals. She expects me to go and, hate it though I do, I will go for her.
So I need to buy a funeral suit. It will be worn to a few funerals and will receive no other use. Any recommendations?
Any dark suit will do, and can be used for other purposes if any should arise. For that matter, you can probably get away with a sport coat/tie/slacks combo, which can also be worn elsewhere.
Black suit, black silk tie. White shirt. I’ve seen black shirts recommended but I’d think you would look like you were going out somewhere. Black dress shoes.
Keep an eye out for Men’s Wearhouse sales. They will do 50% off sales on their suits every few months. You have to pay a bit on top to get them tailored and all that but a good suit is worth paying a few bucks for. I got a great suit from them, along with a couple of dress shirts and ties for under $500. Spendy, if you’re not used to paying that for clothes, but it will last you forever and will be wearable for numerous types of occasions, not just funerals.
Can you rent a funeral suit, like you can rent a tuxedo? Once I had to fly somewhere because a close family member was really ill and I wondered what I’d do if there was a funeral (fortunately not though). So I wondered if you could go to a tuxedo shop and rent something appropriate.
Eh - I assume you’re a youngish guy. Am I right? If so - you really can’t guarantee this. You could need a job, and end up interviewing someplace that requires a suit. You might find yourself taking the girlfriend out someplace particularly classy. And so on.
Buy a suit. Seriously - a cheapish one is fine, at least to start with. But you should own one.
You assume wrong. I am old (53), own my own business, and wear what I want when I want. Except, apparently, funerals, where I’m willing to bend for the sake of my gf.
I take my gf all kinds of classy places. Unless they won’t let me in as I’m dressed. In which case we go somewhere nicer where I have some pull.
Just go to JC Penny or the like. You can put together a full black-suit ensemble for under $100. It will be shit, but you’re only going to be wearing it a few times anyway.
I used to have a black suit from Men’s Wearhouse which I used for several funerals – it was under $200 (USD) and was a nice suit. Unfortunately, I went whoring in it and it was tore to shreds within five years, plus too small even when I could have put some Joad patches on it.
For a grandmother’s funeral, recently (2+ years ago), I went to a retail outlet store called “The Rack” (owned by the WC company Nordstrom) and bought a (very!) nice Calvin Klein OFR striped suit – not my style, but what, a tuxedo and sports coats are the only thing I have in my closet. Not my style, but a nice suit.
Subdued colors, no yellow ties, no bowties, and you’re good. Maybe sneakers, I don’t know, but if it’s your family, they’ll understand (and shake their heads slowly)
If you have no need for a suit, wear a navy blue blazer and dark pants. I wouldn’t buy a suit just for funerals, unless, perhaps, it was for my parents, wife, or kids. Brother? Blazer.
