# Funeral suit recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 15, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152 "2011-07-15T18:08:50Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/1 "2011-07-15T18:08:50Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/2 "2011-07-15T18:11:07Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/3 "2011-07-15T18:13:21Z")
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. Congratulations on your weight loss! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/4 "2011-07-15T18:15:47Z")
Mmm, I have never agreed with the black suit thing. Charcoal. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/5 "2011-07-15T18:22:09Z")
Thanks for the advice so far, but where should I buy it? ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/6 "2011-07-15T18:23:49Z")
I agree with **Zsofia**. Charcoal/dark grey is appropriate for a funeral, but much more flexible for other occasions. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/7 "2011-07-15T18:29:29Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Thanks for the advice so far, but where should I buy it? 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. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/8 "2011-07-15T18:33:53Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > it will last you forever and will be wearable for numerous types of occasions, not just funerals. :DI can guarantee I will not wear this suit anywhere but a few upcoming funerals. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/9 "2011-07-15T18:50:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Excellent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f19dbf/32.png) [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/10 "2011-07-15T18:57:37Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > :DI can guarantee I will not wear this suit anywhere but a few upcoming funerals. 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. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/11 "2011-07-15T19:04:47Z")
> [@Mr.Excellent](#): > > 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.🆒 ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/12 "2011-07-15T19:15:53Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > 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.🆒 In that case, [this](http://www.tuxshirt.com/~tuxshir/images/ssblack.jpg)might work for you. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/13 "2011-07-15T19:30:31Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![BMalion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e274bd/32.png) [@BMalion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMalion)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/14 "2011-07-15T20:03:01Z")
Interesting to get to be 53 years old and not a have a suit. Jimmy Buffet would be proud of you! 😃 Can you tie a tie? 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Typo\_Negative](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/typo_negative/32/484_2.png) [@Typo\_Negative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Negative)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/15 "2011-07-15T20:41:25Z")
> [@a35362](#): > > Black suit, black silk tie. White shirt. Appropriate for funerals, and any time you just wanna look cool. The classics are always cool. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/16 "2011-07-15T21:34:56Z")
> [@Rhiannon8404](#): > > I agree with **Zsofia**. Charcoal/dark grey is appropriate for a funeral, but much more flexible for other occasions. I’d add navy blue into the mix. Unless the lighting is really good, a lot of people will see it as black, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/17 "2011-07-15T22:00:41Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > Thanks for the advice so far, but where should I buy it? Arrive early, head around back, and get one off a dead guy. ---
**Author:** ![Jaledin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Jaledin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jaledin)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/18 "2011-07-15T22:43:50Z")
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) ---
**Author:** ![BrotherCadfael](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@BrotherCadfael](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrotherCadfael)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2011, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/19 "2011-07-15T23:48:51Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Sandra\_Battye](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sandra_battye/32/552_2.png) [@Sandra\_Battye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sandra_Battye)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2011, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152/20 "2011-07-16T02:04:01Z")
> [@Bob Ducca](#): > > In that case, [this](http://www.tuxshirt.com/~tuxshir/images/ssblack.jpg)might work for you. [Brian Wilson](http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/object/article?f=/n/a/2011/07/13/sports/s203828D84.DTL&object=%2Fc%2Fpictures%2F2011%2F07%2F13%2Fsp-digest14_PH2_0503777736.jpg) :eek: [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/funeral-suit-recommendations/589152.md?page=2)