Where to Get Business Attire in Syd? (Not Sure about The Classification)

melfes on 16/01/2016 - 22:18
Last edited 16/01/2016 - 22:19

Hi All

As my business life is starting out, rather than two suits and some bargain shirts, I realised I need to get a full set of very decent/brand name business attire that lasts, for all occasions including suits casuals ties and accessories, shoes and bags etc.

Definitely Not to be rich in the wardrobe and for the vanity, but to prepare myself to be appropriate for most business occasions.

Would love to hear from the savvy buyers as to where they will go. Budget 5ks up to 10k if really necessary.

I live in Sydney.

Many Thanks!

Education & Work

Comments

  • mskeggs on 16/01/2016 - 23:00
    +2

    So that is a quite substantial budget for a first suit.
    I don't wear fancy suits like a top tier bank or stock broker might, so I cannot advise on that, but I have meetings with people who dress like them etc.
    A modest dark grey suit should be your standard. It should be wool, single breasted and you can mix all sorts of cotton business shirts and silk ties with it.
    A second suit could easily be navy blue, but this is going out of style a bit. It is a formal, serious suit that you could wear at a funeral or serious meeting without comment. Nobody will think you out of place, but I wouldn't wear a conservative navy suit out to the pub after work on a Friday if I wanted to pick up an on trend woman.
    If you are young and fit, a slim cut lighter coloured suit is ok. Think mid grey. There are people wearing royal blue and light grey, but I judge them as lairs, so I suspect my elders who still control the real power and money probably think they are flakey.
    I would never recommend a black suit unless you are buying tuxedo or seeking to be a night club bouncer.
    If I had your budget I would take a 2 week break and visit Hoi An in Vietnam and get a 4 or 5 suits tailor made based on pictures from GQ or whatever brochure you think looks nice. You will look like $1m bucks in a tailored suit and feel like a titan of the universe! I also can't overstate how good a tailored cotton shirt works, especially if you aren't a good fit for the off-the-rack stuff. The first time I put on a tailored shirt I marvelled at how it didn't bulge or float around my chubbier torso, making me look thinner.

    • mskeggs on 16/01/2016 - 23:17
      +1

      I realise I ignored accessories as you asked about suits, but the real peacock work is with the tie you wear. If you buy a $50-$100 tie from DJ's the people who are scoring whether you are a fashion icon will see it and know you are at least a mid player, but they won't be able to eye-ball a Vietnamese suit without checking the label.
      So if you want that "respect" pay up for designer ties. To be fair, a $60 tie is fat and plump and shiny and feels great to tie. Whenever I put on the couple I own I get an extra boost knowing how nice it feels. And, of course, I choose DJ's costly ties because I want to buy a familiar, quality look that speaks familiar, quality to my contemporaries in a business meeting. Most of the time, it is good to look like the people they are used to, or aspire to, so the people you are with feel relaxed. For that reason I am happy to take ties from DJ's or Myer, but if you want to be more of a leader find an alternative source, but it seems the Italian fashion houses seem to drive tie fashions, so consider that before you buy.

      • melfes on 17/01/2016 - 14:50

        Cant thank you enough for pointing me to tailor-mades. Would be silly to spend big budgets to buy off the racks(was going to).

        I am looking at finding a tailor locally without leaving the country due to my family if possible.
        How do you tell if a tailor is good ( what do you reckon of institchu suggested below)? How would you filter? How to ensure you spend say 1000 but get I quote "one Million look"?
        Does it primarily come from the styling looking like those from magazines or more the material? If I use Italian wool does it secure the material part of story?

        What is the material for shirts?

        The "expensive and familiar" ties from DJs are they of a specific brand or DJs' own?

        Sorry I am pretty layman and laid back in terms of clothing, did not invest and in tend to learn much before now. Thanks again for your love and time much manifested above. Cheers

        • mskeggs on 18/01/2016 - 14:46

          So the tailors I have used overseas have wide selections of material, including Italian woven wools etc.
          The cost of the suit reflects the cost of the fabric, and you can feel & see the different qualities.
          The quality of the tailor is really about attention to detail, but I'm no expert, so except an overall 'vibe of the thing' I have to follow what web sites say is good or bad. But the cheapo Phuket suits skimp on full linings, and things like inside breast pockets so they can shave 20mins off the production time. In your budget, these things shouldn't be an issue.
          Any competent tailor should be able to duplicate a suit from an issue of GQ or similar. Tailors I have used often have a flipbook of pictures from fashion magazines to help you show what you are after.
          See here:
          http://articlesofstyle.com/51323/a-guide-to-buying-a-bespoke…
          and do a bit of googling yourself.
          - Institchu looks OK, but you really need to visit in person to see the fabrics etc.
          - shirts are cotton. Some have a weave or pattern in the cloth. I have ordered some from Charles Tyrwhitt that I am please with for $40, but I did like my tailored shirts better.
          - There are heaps of ties for sale at DJ's. I named them just as the easy to access, large range of high quality. My tip is to look at what the better dressed people where you work are wearing, and use that as a guide. Ties are very 'of the moment' fashion wise, and change every year or so. If you are taking the trouble to get nice suits, you should expect to buy a couple of ties each year to stay looking fresh/current.

          As for laid back about fashion, nothing I have said is really about fashion - just some cheats and short cuts and ground rules so you can look somewhat stylish without having to spend too much time or money. My usual weekend dress of t-shirt and cargo shorts or cheap jeans couldn't get any more laid back!

      • melfes on 17/01/2016 - 15:00

        Speaking of shirts, I bought lots of those connor one from the current deal, what do you see of them? Was thinking shirts are not as important as suits at least I couldnt tell, but I could be making a big mistake cheap stating.
        Cheers

  • chickentaste on 17/01/2016 - 00:26

    Charles tyrhitt for shirts, takes a few tries to get the size but better than anything ive ever bought off the rack.

    Zara is pretty good for suits unless you're a freaky size. If so, I second a trip over to Asia.

    I do love the RM's at work but I'm secretly a country boy at heart. And if you do wear RMs around the office and keep them looking shiny and nice, about once a month I guarantee someone will come up to you and give you a pat on the back and show you theirs. It's like being a freemason or something.

    • melfes on 17/01/2016 - 14:50

      Sorry for being a noob, when you said you wear RM's, you refer to their shoes or?

      To be honest I bought lots of those connor shirts from the current deal, what do you rate of them?
      Cheers

      • chickentaste on 17/01/2016 - 17:43

        RM Williams boots. Buy a pair of black or chestnut RM's, keep them conditioned and shine them up properly as much as they need it. Nungar trading are the cheapest place to buy them, but size yourself up in the RMW shop in Sydney CBD.

        Tried a few Connor shirts on, never bought them as they never fit. If they fit you though that's all that matters. I'm tall and skinny with long arms, most shirts either fit well at the shoulders but are too short on the arms and body, or long enough but flap around like I'm wearing a cape. The extra-slim CT shirts are absolutely spot on, the only time I've ever had a shirt fit that well was when I had a few made overseas. They also do free returns (took me 3 or 4 attempts to find my size. And you can usually find a link for $40 shirts if you hunt around.

        • melfes on 27/01/2016 - 09:47

          Many Thanks Bless you :)

  • MrBigglesworth on 17/01/2016 - 02:36
    +1

    If you want something that fits and aren't in a hurry, give institchu a try? https://www.institchu.com

    Fully tailored shirts start from $79, and suits start from $499. Went to their Melbourne showroom before Christmas to get measured up, free of charge, and got 3 shirts made and a suit made. Shirts take 2-3 weeks while suits take 3-4 weeks. Time lag as stuff is made in Shanghai and sent here. ("Here" being either your house or the showroom). Received both my orders a couple of days ago, couldn't be happier.

    Best thing is, as far as I'm aware, if you're not satisfied, they will tailor it till you do. Which means either tailoring it locally or re-making you a new one, at no extra cost.

    Hope this helps.

    • melfes on 18/01/2016 - 10:26

      Thanks a lot and it most definitely helps!

      How do you tell if this tailor is good ? How does its pricing compare to local tailors in your knowledge? (if possible its good personally to do it locally)

      Does the material need to be wool to look decent or its more for comfort? Cheers

  • mskeggs on 18/01/2016 - 13:48

    A couple of work colleagues have used a Hong Kong tailor who visits Sydney a few times a year. They are happy, but they seem to pay more than I would, I think in the order of $800, considering suits in Vietnam/Thailand start under $200. But people rate Hong Kong tailors higher. I don't really know. Below is the marketing message from this tailor, might be worth giving them a call or a visit:

    Hiras Fashion, the masters of Bespoke Tailoring from Hong Kong is visiting Sydney from 20th to 25th January. We are famous for our bespoke suits, jackets, coats and shirts for men and women. If you're looking for custom made clothing and would like to meet our fitter Vinod Hinduja for a personal style consultation, we'd be happy to arrange your appointment. Please let us know your preferred time from our schedule below:

    SYDNEY
    Date: Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th January 2016
    Time: From 3pm on Wednesday to 12:30pm on Sunday
    Location: The Sheraton on the Park, located at 161 Elizabeth Street, Sydney, NSW 2000.

    PARRAMATTA
    Date: Sunday 24th & Monday 25th January 2016
    Time: From 3pm on Sunday to 4pm on Monday
    Location: The Novotel Sydney Parramatta, located at 250 Church Street, Parramatta, Sydney 2150.

    You may also call Vinod Hinduja at (0410) 297-356 to book your appointment directly.

    We hope to hear from you.

    Thank you and regards,
    Jessica Lee
    Marketing Manager

    • melfes on 27/01/2016 - 09:46

      Sorry was busy before but indeed Thanks! I did not go as it did not fit the schedule but nonetheless, you have given me an idea of how I go.

      I have got an idea to buy a good style then tailor adjust based on that. But will get a good custom made in the future. Thanks again!

  • hotmustardsauce on 27/01/2016 - 15:22
    +1

    You don't want to be spending that much straight out. Your tastes will change over time.

    Starting off you should get OTR (Off the rack) suits. Have a look at Rhodes and Beckett, Herringbone, MJ Bale (2 for $1000, less on sale).

    After a few years of wearing suits you will realise what you like and what you don't, what works and what doesn't.

    Then you can try MTM (made to measure) services: Oscar Hunt, SuitShop, PJohnson Tailors, Zink and Sons, Bijan, etc.

    For shirts unless you are having trouble getting a good fit your best options are: MJ Bale, Rhodes and Beckett, Herringbone, Charles Tyrwhitt and TM Lewin. Alternatively you can have a shirt made at one of the MTM places above, measure it yourself and have it replicated at modern tailor or luxire online.

    Your suit should cost you well under $1k each and shirts should be ~$40-$50. Don't spend too much when you are starting off. You want to be known for your work not your dress.

    • melfes on 15/02/2016 - 18:45

      hms, thanks so much for your comments. Just letting you know your advice is what I took at the end for the presence as it makes a lot of sense. I got a superb suit from MJBALE + a shirt and trousers for under 700. Shoes, belt from Aquila for 280 and 120 (expensive but proceeded due to the meeting time) and ties from Myer.

      Later got them tailored to get snug fit. Superb transformation and your advice saved me top dolloars for top suits.

      The tailor reckons MJBale is smart buy as they use top materials. IMO I reckon the cheap shirts from Connors look pretty similar to those 79 a piece from MJbale and other brands, may be the diffs are down to the details like stitching?

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