The Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Suits (2024)

The Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Suits (1)

You are what you look - well, at least to others. Like it or not, your appearance shapes how others see and think of you. A suit is an extension of yourself, and is a way to show your style and personality. A man dressed in a high-quality, well-tailored suit broadcasts to the world that he’s confident and powerful, and distinguishes him from the crowd. But if you don’t know the difference between a cheap and expensive suit, it’s easy to inadvertently look sloppy and second-rate. Here are a few things to look out for when buying a suit.

Proper FitThe Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Suits (2)

It’s not enough to just buy the most expensive suit you can find - if it’s on a rack, then it could still end up looking tacky. Why? Because the secret behind an expensive-looking suit is the fit. A good fit hugs your body’s contours naturally, without being too tight or loose, and flatters your body shape. It hides the flaws and accentuates your best elements. All the suits at Joe Buttonare expertly fitted and made-to-measure, to ensure the ideal fit.

Clothes that don’t fit well make you uncomfortable, which restricts your ability to feel confident and stylish. Cheaper suits can often be boxy and shapeless, and won’t complement you unless you have an extraordinarily regular body shape. Some signs of an ill-fitting suit are shoulders that slack, armholes that are too deep, a chest that ‘buckles’ and a gap between the back of the shirt and jacket collar.

If you’re on a lower budget, a good option is to buy a less-expensive suit and then find a tailor to alter it for you.

Fabric Quality

Fabrics must balance style, comfort and durability. The most versatile suit material is 100% wool. It’s breathable, lasts for years if looked after properly, and is naturally wrinkle-resistant and anti-static (meaning less lint to worry about). Wool regulates your body temperature, keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer. Not all wool is made the same, withSuper number and weight coming into play. However, 100% wool is key. Joe Button suits are crafted from the finest wool fabrics sourced from renowned Italian mills.

Suits made of synthetic materials such as polyester can lose their shape, and wrinkle and crease more. They also suffer from shininess, giving it that characteristic ‘cheap’ look. Unlike wool, synthetic fabrics don’t drape naturally.

Cotton suits are also common, but whilst cotton is breathable and flexible, it creases easily and lessens your polished look.

Suit Construction

How a suit is constructed is critical to its overall look and feel. The highest quality and longest-lasting construction is full canvas, which is when a horsehair canvas is sewn underneath the front of the jacket fabric. A canvas gives the jacket body and stops it from sagging and deforming. Over time, the jacket conforms to your body, draping naturally as if it were part of you. As you can imagine, this is more labour-intensive and expensive. To appeal to the mass-market, fused suits were created. An interlining, not canvas, is glued to the jacket fabric in order to lower the manufacturing cost and time. Fused jackets however often look unnaturally stiff, and are less comfortable as they don’t stretch. They’re also not designed to last. The glue degrades over time and can suffer from irreversible “bubbling”.

The Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Suits (3)

At Joe Button, all our suits are half-canvassed. A half-canvas suit has canvas sewn only through the chest and lapels. It provides all the beneficial foundation to the jacket, and on the plus side is also less heavy and less expensive. To find out more about suit construction, check outthis article.

It’s All in the Details

To the trained eye, the quality of a suit’s detailing is an easy way to set suits (and their wearers) apart. Flimsy plastic buttons and button-holes or pockets that don’t work are common on lower-end suits. Cheaper suits often have polyester linings that don’t breathe and feel less comfortable against the skin. They also won’t have special cuts and hand-sewn pick-stitching. Quality is a hall-mark of Joe Button suits - we do not compromise on excellence.

Spending wisely means investing in a men’s made-to-measure suit constructed out of quality materials. A custom suit will feel good, fit better and most importantly, look good, even after years of wear. A good suit won’t only change how others view you, but also how you view yourself. When you know that you look good, you feel more in control, proud and confident. Why notbook a fitting at our one of our showrooms to see for yourself?

The Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Suits (2024)

FAQs

The Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Suits? ›

Quality of Materials

Can cheap suits look good? ›

Cheap Suit: Cheap suits are typically mass-produced, and while they may be functional, they often lack the same level of craftsmanship. This can result in visible imperfections, uneven stitching, and a less refined overall look.

What price is considered a cheap suit? ›

The Basic Suit ranges from $300 to $599, though it is easy to spend more. It's considered to be a solid price point for the first suit.

Is $2000 too much for a suit? ›

No, $2,000 won't buy you the best suit in the world, made from the most expensive fabrics with the most elaborate handwork, but you will get something that is good, that will stand the test of time, and that's comfortable to wear.

How can you tell a nice suit from a cheap suit? ›

Here are a few things to look for to determine if a suit is well-made or not.
  1. Hand-Made Button Holes. Also called “Milanese buttonholes”, these are very sharp and sleek. ...
  2. Smooth Lapel Roll. ...
  3. Self Lining. ...
  4. hand-Set Collar. ...
  5. Genuine Horn Buttons. ...
  6. Surgeon's Cuffs. ...
  7. Seam Allowance. ...
  8. Pic Stitching.

How can you tell if a suit is high quality? ›

A high-end suit will usually have a fair amount of handwork in it, that means, the lining is sewn by hand. You can check it on the sleeves, you can check the armhole which should be set in by hand, and you can look at the little details and see whether it's a hand stitch or a machine stitch.

How much should I spend on a decent suit? ›

How much should you spend on a decent suit? Experts recommend spending around $500 for a quality suit. The $500 range will give you everything you need in a basic suit: quality stitching, nice fabric, and neutral, versatile colors.

Are $200 suits good? ›

The $200 suit has low-budget trims like plastic buttons, cheap linings, plastic zippers, non-working button-holes, etc. It even has fake pockets on the front. A good tailor understands the importance of quality inputs.

What is the difference between a $500 suit and a $5000 suit? ›

$500 vs. $5,000

The intimate details like hand-sewn sleeves and multiple fittings allow the tailor to understand your unique body movements and style. A $500 custom suit will fit you well standing still. A $5,000 bespoke suit and shirt will fit you no matter what you do!

How many suits should a man own? ›

For everyday, opt for a suit crafted in mid-weight wool with a touch of stretch. Depending on your profession, we recommend you should own a minimum of three business suits, but if you buy only one color, we recommend classic navy.

How can you tell if a man's suit is expensive? ›

When it's quality, it's got shape and life. A classy suit will mould to your body. This is particularly the case with a bespoke suit, which has a canvas made from natural fibres, such as horse hair. On a cheap suit, the canvas will likely be glued, making the overall suit look very stiff.

What makes a suit so expensive? ›

The most expensive suits are made from Vicuna or Mohair. These two fabrics alone are easily the most expensive - with Vicuna edging out over Mohair. There are other expensive suit fabrics, such as Cashmere, linen, etc. but Vicuna and Mohair are exceptionally expensive.

Is it cheaper to tailor a suit? ›

It is actually cost-effective

Though a tailored suit will come at a higher price than off the rack, money will undoubtedly be saved in the long run. This is because a good tailor will invest time to make sure that every inch of your suit is made to an exceptionally high standard.

Who makes the nicest suit? ›

The Best Suit Brands, According to GQ
  • The Red Carpet Specialists: Armani, Ralph Lauren, Thom Browne, Tom Ford.
  • The All-American Upgrades: Brooks Brothers, J.Crew, J. ...
  • The Globe-Trotting Tailoring Geeks: Anglo-Italian, Drake's, Ring Jacket, Saman Amel.
  • The Funky Upstarts: Factor's, Giuliva Heritage, Husbands, Stòffa.
Apr 1, 2024

What suit should you buy first? ›

1. A single-breasted two-piece suit in black, navy or charcoal-grey. This is your workhorse, as apt for weddings as the working week. If you only own one suit, make it this.

Are cheap suits shiny? ›

Cheap: Polyester or wool/poly blend suits are shiny and look cheap because the material is cheap. Usually the suit itself isn't very well constructed.

Is a $200 suit worth it? ›

It is vital to ensure that you distinguish the difference between price and quality. The $200 suit will be great for someone just starting or who can't invest in something and needs something in a pinch. However, to get the actual value, it is best to invest in something that will last a long time.

Do cheap suits fold easily? ›

A cheap suit would not have the starchiness and solidness of a more expensive suit, so it would fold easier. and be more pliable.

What suits make you look thinner? ›

What Suit Is Best to Look Slimmer?
  • Slim Fit. Slim fit suits are tailored closely to the body, tapering at the waist and enhancing a leaner appearance. ...
  • Single-Breasted Suits. ...
  • Double-Breasted Suits. ...
  • Pinstripes and Patterns. ...
  • Dark Colors. ...
  • Jacket Length. ...
  • Trouser Fit. ...
  • Avoid Excess Fabric.
Oct 6, 2023

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