So I went to lunch today and came back nearly 500 dollars poorer. There is a Men’s Wearhouse nearby and I got 5 pair of pants, 3 shirts, and 2 sweaters. Plus now I’ll get a $50 gift card in the mail, and you can’t beat that. I might try Joseph A Banks (we have the same first name, how bad can they be?) for my spring wardrobe, or to keep filling out my fall one, but for now I’m happy.
Except that they measured me and my waist is now a 36. Unacceptable.
I’ve shopped at both Men’s Wearhouse and Jos Bank’s. They’re both good places to get quality, reasonably-priced business or business casual clothes. Those wrinkle-free shirts from either place are wonderful. (They’re made from 100% cotton, by the way, not the cotton-poly blend stuff.)
crazyjoe, glad you got the $50 card. If you go to Bank’s, see if you qualify for the Corporate Discount card. It’s 20% off non-sale merchandise.
To repeat some old-time advice: if anyone recommends tailoring/altering a piece of clothing, do it! I’ve had alterations done to suits (coat and trousers), shirts, and even ties, and the difference is worth the cost. Wearing clothes that look designed just for you projects an aura of confidence and cohesiveness. It’s not unusual for people to comment on your body (“Have you lost weight? Are you working out?”) just because your clothes are fitted.
If you really want to get snazzy–assuming you still have some money left–get a blue or white shirt with French cuffs (a.k.a. double cuffs) and a pair of cufflinks. Then you, too, can look like Pierce Brosnan, Stephen Colbert, or Denzel Washington (a la Inside Man).
The Brooks Brothers, Paul Fredrick, and Jos A. Banks non-iron shirts are really non-iron. They look crisp right from the dryer. The Eddie Bauer and GAP non-iron don’t work as well - I always have to press them or send them to the laundry.
The same three companies are good for slacks too. All three of the websites have clearance sections, where you can pick up $100-150 slacks for much less. (By the way, get pants with a split-seam waist - they can be altered.)
I did Bachrach for a brief period. I didn’t find their clothing to be very durable or well made.
If you have a high-end outlet mall that is close, you can get Brooks Bros relatively cheap. And, if they have a Joseph Abboud outlet, stock up!