[Leedsgrad1]

I'm due to start on a big 4 graduate scheme this October (in audit), and I am obviously going to need to invest in a new wardrobe.

I'm wondering if anyone has any good recommendations about where to look for suits. Now obviously as a recent graduate I don't have a lot of money (also no sign on bonus) so wouldn't be looking at a suit more expensive than £200. Ideally i'd like a dark navy and charcoal one.

So yeah, where is a good place to start? (I've had a look at Next and nothing jumped out at me).

Thanks

[monk_keys]

Marks and Spencers are great for good value suits. They have a range of price, colour, and style between £100-£200

[hypercaine.]

I think you should check out Next, I think theyre a bit more stylish than M&S; you can get a range of colours and also fits such as slim fit, tailored fit, etc.
Their shirt packages are great too where you get a shirt and matching tie. If I remember rightly Next have a sale starting in the next week, so check it out!

[.ACS.]

If you're looking at spending about £200, then I'd highly recommend going to Debenham's and picking up a Jeff Banks/Stvdio Jeff Banks suit. They're outstanding value for money and pure wool which is brilliant - a pure wool suit is a must, really.

Otherwise, M&S is a good shout and their pure wool suits are £199 and top quality. I've never been to Next or bought a suit from them, but theirs are a bit cheaper at £189.

[ProStacker]

M&S are well tailored and good value at that end of the market. TM Lewin can have some good deals and are pretty good. Do NOT forget shirts and shoes - buy decent ones.

You don't want a suit to be too fashionable as it will date quickly. Buy classic. You are entering a professional world and not wanting to look like a shop assistand or a reality TV wannabe.

[Leedsgrad1]

Thanks for all the replies, very helpful. I will have to have a look around and see what I prefer.

With regards to shirts, I think there are a few sales on at the moment, at places like Hawes and Curtis. I'll end up with just plain white or light blue, and single cuffed.

[sw3]

Next and m&s would be good to suit your budget. Just pick up the plain solid colours as these will mix and match with anything.

You mention hawes and curtis for your shirts. I would recoment charles t. or t.m. lewin as they are slightly better quality at the same price.

Don't buy your suit from tm lewin or the likes as the quality is very average. M&s / next would be better

edit: try moss bros, they might be slightly more expensive but have some top suits there!

[Leedsgrad1]

(Original post by sw3)
Next and m&s would be good to suit your budget. Just pick up the plain solid colours as these will mix and match with anything.

You mention hawes and curtis for your shirts. I would recoment charles t. or t.m. lewin as they are slightly better quality at the same price.

Don't buy your suit from tm lewin or the likes as the quality is very average. M&s / next would be better

edit: try moss bros, they might be slightly more expensive but have some top suits there!

Yeah I had heard not to buy a suit from T.M Lewin but will have to take a look at the shirts. I bought a shirts from Hawes and Curtis not too long ago and its served me pretty well, although it is such a pain to iron, so im definitely looking for some easy iron shirts (or a dry cleaner!)

Just had a look at Moss and they look quite good. Im in the market for a slim fit style, obviously not skinny, but regular fit looks a bit ridiculous on me.

[M1011]

This may surprise you, but I quite like the T K Maxx suit section.

It's nowhere near as busy as other areas in the store so you can take your time and everything isn't a jumbled mess (as in nicely laid out and the sizes are actually in order). They've got plenty of big name suit brands in there at very respectable prices.

[DaneCook]

Can't go wrong bud.

[Leedsgrad1]

(Original post by DaneCook)


Can't go wrong bud.

Pretty much exactly what I was looking for.

Ever thought of being a personal shopper?

[Cupid Stunt]

TM Lewin is brilliant, make sure you dig around for discount codes off the internet first. I do agree their suits aren't top quality but can't do much better in the £200 price range and their shirts are to die for. If you get a couple of shirts/ties from TM Lewin may as well throw in a suit of your fancy too.

M&S have great value:cost... Much more so than Debenhams and indefinitely better than NEXT or TOPMAN or BURTONs or ANY OTHER GENERIC ****PIECE HIGH STREET FASHION SHOP THAT DESERVES TO HAVE THEIR NAME WROTE IN CAPITALS TO EXPRESS HOW BAD THEY ARE.

[Gunned]

Charles Tyrwhitt suits are decent - slightly better quality off the rail suits than TM Lewin. They have a sale on at the moment as well.

It's also worth checking out Bicester Village, you could pick up a Hackett or Boss suit, for less than 300.

[MancStudent098]

(Original post by Leedsgrad1)
Just had a look at Moss and they look quite good. Im in the market for a slim fit style, obviously not skinny, but regular fit looks a bit ridiculous on me.

The main thing with a suit is to get a decent fit, so I would suggest just having a trawl of all the main outlets until you've found something that's right. Take someone else along as well, second opinion is always useful when it comes to finding a decently fitting suit.

[Kemik]

M&S suits are great to start with. TM Lewin is always a good shout too, especially for shirts. If you're a better gentleman then Charles Tyrwhitt is likely to suit you, otherwise it looks like a coat.

[anonymousaudit]

Out of curiosity- what would you suggest for females? What does the typical female outfit to you consist of!

[hypercaine.]

Would highly recommend the Saville Row Co. for shirts, have a sale on at the minute and £15 for a shirt is great. I have a few from there with monogramming which is a really nice touch. A word of warning though, mine were standard fits and turned out to be really baggy on the arms and very long, unfortunately I couldnt return them as I needed them to go to London the next day but otherwise I wouldve returned them and got a slim fitting shirt; theyre fine if you dont want to take your suit jacket off but if youre wearing it in an office all day, certainly get one which looks good with and without a jacket! Oh and regarding suits themselves, people are saying M&S and stuff. They make good quality suits and I have a suit and tuxedo from there myself but make sure you go for a suitable range such as Autograph otherwise theyll probably be a bit too baggy for a slim early-20s kinda guy. As stupid as it sounds look at the men who are wearing them in the picture, Next usually have young professional-looking blokes which is why I suggested it in the first place.

E.g.

or

I know which one would look better on me!

[.ACS.]

(Original post by hypercaine.)
Would highly recommend the Saville Row Co. for shirts, have a sale on at the minute and £15 for a shirt is great. I have a few from there with monogramming which is a really nice touch. A word of warning though, mine were standard fits and turned out to be really baggy on the arms and very long, unfortunately I couldnt return them as I needed them to go to London the next day but otherwise I wouldve returned them and got a slim fitting shirt; theyre fine if you dont want to take your suit jacket off but if youre wearing it in an office all day, certainly get one which looks good with and without a jacket! Oh and regarding suits themselves, people are saying M&S and stuff. They make good quality suits and I have a suit and tuxedo from there myself but make sure you go for a suitable range such as Autograph otherwise theyll probably be a bit too baggy for a slim early-20s kinda guy. As stupid as it sounds look at the men who are wearing them in the picture, Next usually have young professional-looking blokes which is why I suggested it in the first place.

E.g.

or

I know which one would look better on me!

Is Savile Row Co. actually any decent in terms of quality/material/etc. ?
I noticed their sale and wanted to buy a few from them.

Do you have any idea as to how they compare to Charles Tyrwhitt in terms of quality, etc. ?

[Tokyoround]

I hate the Saville Row Co. shirts, they feel really light and cheap to me. Much prefer Hawes & Curtis plus, they offer corporate discount and free next day delivery to your office (depending which big 4 you work for). If you have the cash, Turnbull & Asser make lovely shirts.

Don't get a black suit.

[86501]

(Original post by anonymousaudit)
Out of curiosity- what would you suggest for females? What does the typical female outfit to you consist of!

Girls are more difficult, in our department they wear a huge variety of stuff, some of them wear dresses, some wear a shirt, jumper and skirt, a couple wear suits. To be honest all of these are acceptable, so you can go with what you feel comfortable and confident in. For audit you're not expected to look overly formal.

Sorry that's probably not very helpful at all. The one main tip you're likely to be given when you join is not to wear skirts that are too short, it's a matter of judgment but I think you generally know if something's too short.

Somebody above also mentioned buying a load of plain shirts. Please don't do that! I know in our department we like people not to just wear plain shirts and to make sure they've got a bit of colour. You don't have to look like a dull accountant all the time, there's nothing wrong with a bit of individuality. I really enjoy going shirt shopping as you can have colour and interest and they're not really any more expensive.