There’s no more dapper, dashing, sophisticated or stylish piece of menswear than a good suit.
And we’ve got the receipts to prove it.
A bespoke British tailoring company conducted a survey in which they selected a handful of men, and showed hundreds of women six different pictures of each guy – three in a suit, and three in casual clothes.
The results were definitive:
“80% of the women surveyed found the man in the suit more attractive,” they reported.
[image: Benjamin Rascoe / Unsplash]
On a Quora thread asking whether women prefer men in suits, Harvard grad Whitney Nimitpattana explains what makes suiting up so attractive.
“[A sharp suit] not only flatters your body, but also shows onlookers that you put a certain level of effort into your appearance,” she writes.
“Generally, this evokes the impression that you are professional, neat and/or stylish.”
But while suiting up is a sure way to make any man look more handsome and attractive, not all suits are created equal.
While a well-made suit can make you look – and feel – sharp, a cheap, poorly made or ill-fitting suit can have the exact opposite effect, making you feel more like a poser than a polished and sophisticated gentleman.
To help you suit up in style, in this post we’ve rounded up the world’s best suit brands, and divided them into two distinct categories.
For ballers on a budget – which, let’s be honest, is probably most of us – we’ll start with the best affordable suit brands so you can find a well made suit that won’t break the bank.
Then, for those who don’t mind paying top dollar for top-of-the-line quality, we’ll round up the best luxury suit brands that offer some of the best men’s suiting in the world.
The (Absolute) Best Men’s Suit Brands
Breaking Down the Best Suit Brands for Men Who Want to Look Sharp When They Suit Up
The Best Affordable Suit Brands ↓
Indochino
Indochino is the best place to turn for a high quality, made to measure suit that looks like it should cost thousands of dollars, but actually only costs a couple hundred.
They’ve become my favorite brand for formal events and special occasions in recent years because they offer bespoke suits that come with more customization than any other brand in this price range.
(Check out my full Indochino review here to learn more about why I’m such a fan. Or don’t! I’m not the boss of you.)
The other affordable suit brands on this list (and a lot of the luxury brands below) require you to buy a pre-fitted suit off the rack, which you’ll then have to take to a local tailor for alterations.
But Indochino offers a made to measure service that takes your measurements, then lets you choose from a wide range of high-quality fabrics, resulting in a custom suit that fits better than a tailored suit off the rack.
In addition to the custom fit and great price point, you also get to choose basically everything about the suit, from the color and fabric to the lapel style, venting, buttons and more.
State & Liberty
For a lot of modern men, the best suits are the kind that blend the classic look of sharp business suits with the stretchy, wrinkle-resistant fabrics of athleisure wear.
And no one does that combination better than State & Liberty.
Their stylish, slim-fit suits come in a wide variety of colors and lapel styles – including a few tuxedo options – and offer the kind of comfort you’d normally expect from gym clothes, not formal wear.
XSuit
Another brand that specializes in stretchy, stylish and comfortable suits, XSuit’s offerings are made from a blend of 60% viscose, 31% polyamide and 9% elastane.
The result is a timelessly cut suit that’s both incredibly comfortable and appealingly affordable.
(Especially if you order from their back catalogue, which is priced even more reasonably than their current flagship model.)
Bonobos
For guys who wear suits everyday and want a couple of low-cost, high-style options in their closet, Bonobos is a great option.
They have a wide variety of styles and colors, and tend to mix up their offerings according to the season (think lightweight linen in the summer, heavier flannels in the fall, etc.).
Tomasso Black
Founded by a first-generation Italian American, Tomasso Black is an American suit brand that strives to bring Italian craftsmanship to modern luxury suiting.
Each of their suits is available in two different fits – slim or modern – both of which have a sleek, well-tailored silhouette that makes them easy to wear right off the rack, and requires little by way of tailoring adjustments.
J.Crew
J.Crew ushered in a golden era of suit shopping when they launched the Ludlow line back in 2008.
It was the first affordable retail suit to look like a really expensive suit from a high-end designer, but cost less than half the price.
Since then, lower-end brands like Everlane, H&M and countless more have attempted to follow suit by introducing even cheaper versions of well cut suit, but pound for pound none of them have matched the overall quality and value of the Ludlow.
In response, J.Crew has expanded, updated and refined the Ludlow line in various ways, and for my money it’s still the best option when you need a nice suit for formal occasions.
Brooks Brothers
Within the fashion industry, Brooks Brothers is known as a preppy brand that specializes in classic Americana.
For a long time it was known as a solid place to turn for a high-quality suit in a classic fit, like the kind you usually see on American presidents and other politicians in the United States.
(By contrast, European politicians tend to be a little more stylish… Boris Johnson notwithstanding, of course.)
But after the success of the Ludlow, even staid old Brooks Brothers embraced the slimmer, more modern fit you see throughout men’s tailoring nowadays.
Ted Baker
And speaking of stylish Europeans, Ted Baker London is a great place to turn for the kind of fashion-forward slim suits you don’t often find in North American department stores.
Like a lot of the best men’s suits brands today, Ted Baker sell suits separates, so you can buy a suit jacket, pants or even a vest (if you’re looking for a three-piece suit) separately, which allows you to mix and match sizes to get the best fit.
Reiss
If you’re looking for a fashion-forward suit that’s a little more affordable than the designer suits sold by some of the big brand names listed below, it’s a good idea to check out Reiss.
They have a wide range of styles that goes beyond the traditional suits sold by most of the mid-tier suit brands, and pretty good quality that can last for years if you care for you clothes properly.
Banana Republic
Banana Republic has long been the first place many of us turn when we need a new suit, and it’s not hard to understand why.
They offer a wide variety of suits and sizes that can fit just about any body type, and while their prices aren’t cheap, it’s not hard to score some low prices when they run a sale.
(Which is basically every weekend, with even bigger discounts offered on major holidays like Memorial Day, Labor Day and Black Friday.)
SuitSupply
Suitsupply is one of Indochino’s main competitors, and a pretty solid place to turn if you want a good suit at a fair price.
Their suits are well made and come in a variety of great fabrics, but they don’t offer anything by way of customization:
These are off-the-rack suits, meaning if you see one with a notch lapel but would prefer a peak, you don’t have the option of changing it.
The other knock against them is that they don’t really do suit separates (at least, not much), so you can’t mix and match jacket and pants sizes, either.
Paul Smith
British brand Paul Smith isn’t as well known in North America, but if you like the slimmer look of British tailoring, they just might have your perfect suit.
But even if you prefer the classic cuts of the standard North American dress code, checking in on Paul Smith’s collection every once and awhile can still be a good thing.
It will give you a pretty good sense of current trends in the European fashion world, which tend to make their way across the pond after about a year or two.
Savile Row Company
As its name (sort of) implies, the Savile Row Company makes the high-quality luxury of Savile Row tailors available to the masses.
They have a wide selection of suits, shirts and accessories, including a Made to Measure feature that lets you design and build your own custom option.
Check Out Savile Row Company ➤
Charles Tyrwhitt
Another London-based brand, Charles Tyrwhitt is one of the best brands for all sorts of menswear, including suiting.
Their suits are fairly traditional and business-like, so it’s not necessarily the best place to turn for a casual suit.
But if you’re looking for something stylish and timeless, it’s a great option.
Calvin Klein
Of all the big New York fashion houses, Calvin Klein is really the only one that offers suits at a more affordable price point.
And while they may not have the same bold prints and loud patterns that you’ll find from other major fashion houses, CK is still a great place to turn if you’re buying your first suit, or just something basic, like a good black suit you can wear to funerals.
Hockerty
Like Indochino, Hockerty is another place to turn for an affordable bespoke suit that’s fully customized to suit your specific tastes and style.
What’s cool about Hockerty is that they offer customization on not just their suits, but also their shoes and other accessories, giving you all sorts of ways to craft a cool, unique look.
The Best Luxury Suit Brands ↓
Dunhill
Dunhill is a luxury men’s brand named for its founder, Alfred Dunhill, who started the company way back in 1893.
They sell a wide range of well crafted menswear, including a great selection of suits that blend standard fabrics like wool and linen with luxury fabrics like silk and cashmere.
Giorgio Armani
As an Italian luxury brand, Armani is definitely not the place to turn if you’re on a tight budget.
But if you’re willing to splurge, Armani has long been one of the best places to turn for stylish, well cut suits made from the finest fabrics.
(Not to mention a wide selection of other clothes and accessories of a similarly high quality.)
Neil Barrett
The best thing about Neil Barrett is that they offer a wide range of trendy and fashion-forward suits that feel very of the moment, so it’s a great place to turn if you’re looking for the absolute latest styles.
While their stuff isn’t quite as expensive as high end luxury brands like Michael Kors or Armani, they’re about twice as much as you’d pay at Indochino or some of the other brands listed in the first section above.
Gucci
Another famous Italian brand known for high quality clothes (and one questionable-quality Lady Gaga movie), Gucci suits are arguably some of the best products a man can buy.
Their styling has all the boldness and variety you’d expect from one of Italy’s top fashion houses – including everything from a classic wool tuxedo jacket with a timeless black lapel to a leopard print loafer (yes, seriously) – and the crazy-high price tag to go with it.
Alexander McQueen
Designer Alexander McQueen was known as the bad boy of fashion before his death in 2010, and today his eponymous brand continues living up to his reputation.
They make some of the boldest, most fashion-forward and just plain out there suits on the market, so it’s a great place to turn if you’re looking for something completely different and unique.
Etro
Italian fashion house Etro has been family-owned since its founding in 1968 by designer Gimmo Etro.
Originally known for its use of paisley patterns, today Etro’s suits and other menswear fall under the domain of its creative director (and Gimmo’s son) Kean Etro, who infuses his suiting with designs and patterns inspired by his travels.
With Etro, unique patterns and exceptional tailoring take center stage, making them an excellent choice for a high-quality suit that will stand out from the crowd.
Thom Browne
Thom Browne is an American designer who got his start designing collections for the likes of Club Monaco and Ralph Lauren before launching his own label.
Browne specializes in hyper-modern designs that stand out from the staid, classic designs you see in most suit stores.
His suits come in a wide range of unique styles and feature everything from color blocking and ticket pockets to bold stripes around the arm bands.
Dolce & Gabbana
Italian luxury brand D&G has long been known for imbuing their pieces with the sort of effortlessly stylish, devil-may-care vibes Italian men are known for.
Their suit offerings include everything from a handsome herringbone wool suit with a wide notch lapel to double-breasted satin suits in stark colors like purple and green.
Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger is known for its classic and timeless styles that never go out of fashion.
Their suits are made from quality fabrics and materials, so they are sure to last for years.
Tommy’s suits come in a variety of fits and sizes, making it easy to find the perfect suit for any body type, and the brand offers suits at a variety of price points, making it fairly accessible as luxury brands go.
Burberry
Burberry is a timeless and classic British brand that has been around for over a century and is known for its high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Additionally, Burberry offers a wide variety of men’s suits in different styles and colors, allowing customers to find the perfect suit for their needs.
As with the rest of their offerings, Burberry suits are made of superior fabrics, ensuring they will last for years to come.
And yes, you can of course find a full suit in Burberry’s iconic tartan plaid. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.
Instead, stick to neutral colors for your suit, and (if you must) accessorize it with a scarf or raincoat in the iconic tartan color.
Acne Studios
Acne is a Swedish brand whose suits have a distinctly European and fashion-forward flair.
Their designs tend to push the envelope in terms of fit, color and construction.
They’re great for guys who want to be on the absolute forefront of modern trends, but not the best choice if you’re looking for a timeless suit you can wear for decades.
Philipp Plein
While not as well known Stateside, Philipp Plein is a popular European designer whose suits come in classic cuts, but often have unique features.
His offerings include everything from a timeless and unimpeachable gray two-button suit to a collection of loud statement jackets in bright colors and unique patterns.
Ralph Lauren Purple Label
Once brands like Ralph Lauren get big enough, they create sub-brands that focus on specific segments of the market.
In Ralph Lauren’s case, Purple Label is their full luxury brand, so the suits in this range cost (many) thousands of dollars.
But if you’ve got the budget, they’re worth it, because Purple Label suits evoke the kind of timeless, classic elegance that never goes out of style.
Check Out Ralph Lauren Purple Label ➤
Yves Saint Laurent
Founded by the eponymous French designer in 1962, today Yves Saint Laurent suits, dresses and tuxedos are frequently found dotting the red carpets of glamorous Hollywood events.
YSL doesn’t make as many suits as some of the other brands on this list, but the ones they do make are designed to stand out.
While they do carry a few standard notched lapel jackets, they often forego it in favor of wide peak lapels or shawl collars that help distinguish them from the masses.
Check Out Yves Saint Laurent ➤
Versace
Versace is another red carpet staple that’s better known for their famous gowns than for their suiting options.
While their selection is fairly limited, it’s worth checking out if you prefer all natural fibers and unique patterns, both of which are increasingly rare in a world of mass-market suits.
Hugo Boss
Hugo is easily one of the best places to turn for luxury suits.
They offer a wider range of suits than many of the other luxury brands on this list, in a great assortment of colors, fabrics, cuts and styles.
And while these are definitely luxury suits, they’re actually more affordable than many of the other high-end entries on the market.
Most Hugo Boss suits come in at less than $1,000, making them two-, three-, or even four-times cheaper than other comparably well made options.
Drake’s
London-based Drake’s got its start making scarves, shawls and plaids before expanding into shirts, suits and all manner of menswear.
Their focus is on what they call “relaxed elegance,” and they offer a range of unstructured suits that are more casual than most formalwear, but still exceptionally well made.
Kingsman
As its name implies, Kingsman is a brand of suits inspired by the dapper British spies in the Kingsman films starring Colin Firth and Taron Egerton.
It was launched by Mr. Porter, the upscale online retailer, and features a wide range of well made single- and double-breasted suits that are cut to perfection and fit for a… well, you see where this is going.
Boglioli
Milan-based Boglioli isn’t as well known as some of the other Italian brands on this list.
But if you’re looking for fine Italian tailoring, it should definitely be on your radar.
The brand started as a men’s tailoring company back in the ’70s, but rose to prominence in the ’90s when it introduced a deconstructed cashmere jacket that became its signature look.
It’s remained on the forefront of Italian men’s fashion ever since, and even partnered with AC Milan as their official style partner in the 2019/20 season.
Brioni
There’s perhaps no greater endorsement a suit brand can receive than to say that it was at one time the preferred choice of James Bond himself.
Pierce Brosnan often sported a Brioni suit during his run as 007, as did Daniel Craig during his first turn as Bond in Casino Royale.
(Though Craig’s Bond sported Tom Ford suits for the rest of his tenure.)
Brunello Cucinelli
Another Italian brand well known for making exceptional menswear, Brunello Cucinelli’s clothes are more infused with sprezzatura than any other brand.
Cucinelli’s suits embody the effortlessly stylish, carefree mentality that makes well-dressed Italian men the envy of their international peers, without compromising on design or commitment to quality.
Check Out Brunello Cucinelli ➤
Canali
Canali suits are designed around the theme of “masculine elegance.”
In addition to the highest-quality fabrics and materials, they feature impeccable tailoring and a close attention to detail that makes them (corny pun alert!) a cut above most off-the-rack offerings.
Corneliani
Founded by Alfredo Corneliani in the 1930s, Corneliani has been one of Italy’s leading suit manufacturers for decades.
Unlike other major fashion houses, which dabble in suits but also create a wide range of clothes for both women and men, Corneliani was founded with a focus on suits and blazers, and still considers them their specialty.
Dries Van Noten
Belgian designer Dries Van Noten doesn’t make many suits, but the few he does offer are worth checking out if you’re looking for something especially bold and fashion-forward.
Van Noten is known as one of the most eccentric designers in the fashion industry, and he applies that philosophy to his suits.
They often come in unique patterns and cuts that you (almost certainly) won’t find anywhere else.
Dsquared2
Founded by Canadian twins Dean and Dan Caten, Dsquared2 (Get it? Dean + Dan = D squared) is an Italian fashion brand based in Milan.
While the brothers got their start in womenswear, they’ve since expanded into a wide range of menswear, including unique suiting that always pushes the envelope.
Ermenegildo Zegna
Founded by Ermenegildo Zegna back in 1910, Zegna is one of the world’s top menswear brands.
They carry a pretty huge selection of suits in a wide range of colors, all made from the most luxurious fabrics and featuring a classic Italian cut that never goes out of style.
Gieves & Hawkes
How legit is Gieves & Hawkes?
Their address is literally 1 Savile Row, making them the first stop on the most influential street menswear.
Originally founded (waaaay) back in 1771, they’ve been making Bespoke men’s suits for hundreds of years – including outfitting the British military – and also offer a wide range of ready-to-wear suits, shirts and accessories.
Hackett
Another quintessentially British brand, Hackett started as a second-hand menswear store in the 1960s before introducing its own line of upscale menswear in the ’80s.
It specializes in “Savile Row style without the associated cost,” offering a wide range of well made suits, blazers and other menswear at price that are much more affordable than the high-end Bespoke brands.
Jil Sander
Minimalist German designer Jil Sander started with a line of womenswear in the 1970s before expanding into menswear in 1997.
With price points starting around $3,000 (and going up from there), her suiting options are as limited as they are luxurious.
She offers fashion-forward suits that are impeccably well made, but so avant garde that they won’t be for everyone.
Kiton
Founded by fifth-generation fabric merchant Ciro Paone, Kiton is an Italian tailoring label that offers classically cut suits in timeless colors and styles.
Kiton focuses more on quality than quantity when it comes to their suits, offering a small handful of exceptionally well made suits that are hand-finished using premium natural fibers, all of which embody the laid-back sophistication of Neapolitan style.
L.B.M 1911
L.B.M. 1911 was founded by Italian designer Giovanni Bianchi with the goal of creating menswear that threads the needle between sportswear and more formal sartorial attire.
Their suits combine comfort and versatility with sophisticated style.
They come in impeccable cuts that would look right at home on the streets of Milan, but come in stretch fabrics that move with you and make them extra comfortable.
Prada
Regarded as one of the world’s most luxurious brands, Prada is better known for its handbags and womenswear than its menswear and suiting.
Their selection of suits is fairly limited, but worth checking out for both of the quality of its tailoring and of-the-moment styles.
Richard James
When compared to centuries-old tailors like Gieves & Hawkes, Richard James is practically a baby by Savile Row standards.
It debuted in 1992 with a line of colorful suiting that stood out from the usually staid and reserved offerings of other British brands.
Today they still offer suits in a wide range of bold colors and fabrics, along with an expanded menswear collection that includes casualwear and accessories.
Stefano Ricci
The New York Times has previously called Stefano Ricci the “clothier to the 0.001 percent,” which should give you a pretty good idea of both the quality and pricepoint of its suits.
You won’t find suits that are better made or higher priced, so this is the place to turn if you’re looking for the absolute apex of pure luxury.
Thom Sweeney
Founded by two Savile Row tailors in 2003, Thomas Sweeney’s suits combine superior craftsmanship with an understated, contemporary design.
They offer everything from off-the-rack options to fully Bespoke and made-to-measure suits, so they’re a good place to turn if you’re looking for something fully customized and fitted to your exact size and shape.
Tom Ford
While not a lot of people have heard of Thom Sweeney, everyone has heard of Tom Ford.
As one of the most famous designers in the world – not to mention the official suit maker of Daniel Craig’s James Bond for most of his run as 007 – Ford is justifiably famous for his modern, elegant and impeccably well made suits.
More Resources ↓
More Men’s Suits and Style Advice Irreverent Gent:
- How to Buy Your First Suit
- How should a suit fit?
- How to Shop for Men’s Clothes
- The Best Places to Buy Cheap Suits
- How to Look More Handsome and Attractive
- The Best Athletic Fit Dress Pants for Men
- Semi Formal for Men: The Ultimate Guide
- The (Absolute) Best Athletic Fit Dress Shirts for Muscular Guys
- The Quickest, Most Effective Way to Measure Your Sleeve Length
- How to Create a Personal Style Profile
- How to Measure Your Pants Inseam
- The Best Athletic Fit Suits for Muscular Men
- The Most Stylish, Stretchy & Comfortable Suits for Men
- In Review: Alain Dupetit’s (Suspiciously Affordable) Suits
- The 21 Best Shoes to Wear with Shorts
- The Best Peaky Blinders Suits for Sale Online
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