The 19 Best Places to Buy Cheap & Affordable Suits

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There’s no better way for a man to look sharp and stand out than by pulling on a well made, well cut suit.

Like a suit of armor for the modern era, there’s just something about a suit that makes you look (and feel) powerful, polished and refined. 

But while wearing a good suit is always a sharp option, buying a new suit can cost a bloody fortune if you’re not careful. 

Man wearing sharp blue suit
[image: Burst / Shopify]

As a category, suits are one of the more expensive types of menswear a man can own, and the very best suits – worn by celebrities on shows like… well, Suits – come in a price range that starts at $1,000 and only goes up from there. 

Fortunately for ballers on a budget, modern technology has made the process of manufacturing (and thus, buying) good-looking suits a helluva lot cheaper. 

Today a lot of my favorite brands use a blend of traditional and modern fabrics to create a range of high (and highish) quality materials to make inexpensive suits more affordable, and often more comfortable. 

Plus, nowadays there are also a lot of after-market department stores offering pretty steep discounts on high-quality suits from major designer brands, which gives you the chance to score a great suit from a recognizable brand name at a reasonable price. 

To help you find the best affordable suit to fit both your budget and body type, below I’ve put together a list of the best places to find stylish suits at a range of affordable price points.  


Our Top Picks↓

You can jump to more info about each brand/store by using the table of contents below, but here’s a quick summary the best-priced and best-value suit options:


Who Wrote This Article

Irreverent Gent Founder and Editor-in-Chief Dave Bowden has been a style-obsessed service journalist for more than a decade. 

A lifelong clotheshorse with a passion for style, he’s been covering men’s fashion since founding Irreverent Gent in 2016, and his style advice and shopping recommendations have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, New York Magazine, and Men’s Health, among many others.

How We Created This List

Personal
Testing

Materials & Construction

Price Range &
Overall Value

For this post Dave focused exclusively on stores and brands that sell suits with an average price tag of less than $1,000.

He’s personally worn suits from many of the brands listed below, so first and foremost he drew from his own personal experience in assessing their quality. (The brands that he’s actually tried himself are marked “Reviewed and Approved” below.)

Next he took a close look at the fabrics, construction and cut that each brand uses for their suits to assess the way they look, feel and move, and compared these factors to each suit’s price tag to determine the degree to which each brand punches above their weight in terms of style, construction and value-for-money. 

Finally, he organized the list into four price tiers to make it easy to find the best suit for your budget: 

  • $ – Average suit price of $199 or less
  • $$ – Average suit price of $200 to $399 
  • $$$ – Average suit price of $400 to $699
  • $$$$ – Average suit price of $700 to $999

You can learn more about how we assess affordable suits in the Buying Guide section at the bottom of the post, or check out our product review and round up policy to find out how we approach rating and reviewing products. 

OK, preamble over! Let’s (finally!) get to the suits… 


The Best Affordable Suits at Every Price Point

Breaking Down the Best Value Suits for Every Budget
Tier 1 – $:

The Best Cheap Suits for Less than $200

Braveman

Braveman Suit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $105
    • Highest Price: $140
    • Lowest Price: $70
  • Best For: Guys who need cheap wedding suits but don’t want to spend much money 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 8/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

If your goal is to look like a prince but on a pauper’s budget, Braveman offers good-looking suits at an excellent value.

While most suits under $100 have a sheen to them that makes them look as cheap as they are, Braveman uses a blend of polyester and viscose that makes the fabric look more like wool (a.k.a more expensive).

They’re also surprisingly well-made for the price, with refined tailoring and a true-to-size fit, so no one will know just how much you penny pinched. 

Plus they have a wide range of colors and patterns, so it’s pretty easy to find the perfect suit for weddings and other formal events. 

But, One Thing to Note:

The pants come unhemmed for customizable length, so you’ll need a quick trip to the tailor. 

With that said, they’re fairly well cut, so the tailor should only have to fix the hem, not the taper, which is a pretty quick/cheap alteration (and at this point, the price is still dirt cheap for a decent suit, even after you factor in the tailoring). 

Shop Braveman ➤


H&M

H&M suit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $150
    • Highest Price: $170
    • Lowest Price: $130
  • Best For: Young guys who only wear suits for prom or another special occasion
  • Value-for-Money Score: 7/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

H&M is a Swedish fast fashion brand known for clothes that look good but don’t necessarily last too long.

So it’s a great place to turn if you’re looking for a suit that’s very of-the-moment, but don’t particularly care if it either goes out of style or falls apart by this time next year (or both).

With that said, I’ve had decent luck with H&M suits in the past.

I bought a medium-grey two-piece there years ago and wore it to multiple weddings (where I killed it on the dance floor, if I do say so myself) and was pleasantly surprised with how well it held up. 

Shop H&M ➤


ASOS

blue suit from Asos
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $174
    • Highest Price: $244
    • Lowest Price: $103
  • Best For: Young, hip and fashion-forward guys on a (very) tight budget 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 6/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

British brand ASOS sells both their own in-house brands along with other brands, all of which fit with ASOS’s modern and fashion-forward aesthetic.

What do I mean by “fashion-forward”? Think slim fits, unique patterns, and one of the widest variety of colors of any store on this list.

If you’re looking for a suit you can invest in today and still be wearing 20 years from now, ASOS may not be your best bet.

But if you’re going to a wedding this year and you want a trendy color or unique style to help you stand out amidst the black-, navy- and gray-wearing crowd, this is the place for you.

Shop ASOS ➤


JC Penney

Blue suit from JC Penney
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $189
    • Highest Price: $217
    • Lowest Price: $160
  • Best For: Affordable Big & Tall suits 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 6/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

As a discount department store, JC Penney has always made its name by offering styles that are similar to what you’ll find at bigger name stores like Nordstrom or Bloomingdale’s.

But where those stores sell some of the most expensive clothing brands in the world, JCP carries brands that don’t have the same cultural cachet – or the same exorbitant price tags.

Their online suit selection is well stocked and surprisingly diverse, offering a mix of classic and timeless styles along with the more modern cuts and patterns that younger guys are looking for. 

Shop JC Penney ➤


Ben Sherman

grey three piece suit from Ben Sherman
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $138
    • Highest Price: $138
    • Lowest Price: $138
  • Best For: Cheap but well made slim fit suits 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 6/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

British brand Ben Sherman (try saying that five times fast…) makes a slim fit suit that remind me of a modern-day Peaky Blinders:

It gives off a vibe that’s rebellious and modern, while still invoking a classic dapperness that’s stylish as hell.

At the time of this writing they only offer one suit style, but their suits tend to come and go with the seasons, so it’s worth keeping an eye on them.  

Shop Ben Sherman ➤


TopMan

light grey suit from Topman
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $174
    • Highest Price: $244
    • Lowest Price: $103
  • Best For: Young, hip and fashion-forward guys on a (very) tight budget 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 6/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

TopMan is kind of like the British version of stores like H&M or Uniqlo.

Their suiting is slightly pricier than H&M and slightly better quality, but still not quite in the same realm as a Suitsupply or even Banana Republic.

TopMan is another good place to turn if you’re looking for something trendy and of-the-moment.

But I find that their stuff looks a little better than the cheap suits you find at other fast-fashion stores like Zara Man.

Stores like that tend to have a sheen that betrays the fact that it’s made from polyester or other cheap materials, rather than real wool.

Note that TopMan and its sister store TopShop almost went out of business a few years back, but they were gobbled up by Asos.

While their IRL locations are gone, you can still buy their stuff online through the Asos website.

Shop TopMan ➤


Alain Dupetit

Alain Dupetit suit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $79
    • Highest Price: $109
    • Lowest Price: $49
  • Best For: Building a diverse suit collection on the cheap
  • Value-for-Money Score: 7/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

If you’re looking for the absolute cheapest suit that still looks quite decent, Alain Dupetit might be the best. 

They’ve built their reputation on selling affordable men’s suits with classic silhouettes and timeless designs for the almost-suspiciously low price of – and this is not a typo – $50.

Their flagship two-piece suits start at just $49, and none are priced higher than $109, easily making Dupetit one of the most affordable suit brands on the planet. 

(Well, at least one of the most affordable brands that’s still worth considering. Amazon is rife with cheap men’s suit brands that look down right suspicious, and even if they offer free returns, I wouldn’t recommend testing them out.) 

Of course, with prices that low you know there’s a catch, and in this case it’s the material. This is definitely not an Italian wool suit.

Instead of wool or cotton, Dupetit exclusively uses a synthetic fabric that mixes 65% tetron and 35% rayon.

The result is a suit that feels lighter and wicks sweat better than traditional wool suits, while looking good enough that most people will never know it costs about a tenth of a lot of other suits.

If you’re still on the fence, I put together a pretty in-depth review of two of their suits if you want to learn more. 

Shop Alain Dupetit ➤


Tier 2 – $$:

The Best Affordable Suits Between $200 & $399

J.Crew Factory

grey suit from JCrew Factory
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $365
    • Highest Price: $470
    • Lowest Price: $260
  • Best For: Guys who love the J.Crew look, but not the price tag 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 8.5/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

Why is J.Crew Factory on this list and not J. Crew itself?

Because of one crucial word: “affordable.”

J.Crew is a quintessential American clothing company, and their Ludlow suit provides an unimpeachable, modern look that’s somehow both trendy and timeless.

Fortunately, J.Crew Factory stores offer a much more affordable alternative in the form of their Thompson line of suits.

Like the Ludlow, the Thompson features the sort of classic styling that not only looks great now, but will likely continue to look great for years to come.

But unlike the Ludlow, there’s no reason to refinance your car if you want to pick one up.

The Thompson’s start at a lower base price, and unlike J.Crew’s flagship brand, Factory is always running various sales that might allow you to score a further deal.

(No wonder I named J.Crew Factory the number one J.Crew alternative for guys!) 

Shop J.Crew Factory ➤


Nordstrom Rack

Nordstrom Rack suit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $284
    • Highest Price: $449
    • Lowest Price: $118
  • Best For: Scoring a deal on big-name brands 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 7/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

This American off-price department store is probably the best place to turn for really high-quality suits that won’t cost an arm and a leg.

Nordstrom’s baby-brother store sells some of the best suits on the market, from many of the same high-end brands as the flagship department store, but at a much more affordable price.

It’s not uncommon to see suits that would be sold for upwards of $600 at the flagship store (like the Vince Camuto suit pictured above) go for $200 or less at stores like Nordstrom Rack.

What’s the catch, you ask? To be honest, it’s actually not much of one, which is why NR is so high on my list.

Often the merchandise that ends up here is from previous seasons, so if you’re solely intersted in the latest trends, this might not be one of your best options.

But let’s be honest: suit styles don’t change that quickly.

If you can buy some stylish suits right now that the flagship Nordstrom store was selling for twice the price just six months ago, you should jump on it.

Shop Nordstrom Rack ➤


Amazon

blue suit from Amazon
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $377
    • Highest Price: $695
    • Lowest Price: $59
  • Best For: Bargain hunters who don’t mind ordering online 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 6/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

Don’t let the fact that he’s a billionaire spaceman fool you:

Famed dick-pic enthusiast Jeff Bezos sells plenty of nice suits for a fair price.

(Don’t worry—that link above doesn’t go directly to his dick pic. This isn’t that kind of “men’s website.”)

Bezos’s embarrassing selfies aside, Amazon really has emerged as one of the best places to buy cheap mens suits.

And if you’re looking for a wide range of different styles (not to mention free shipping if you sign up for a free Amazon Prime trial), this might just be the single best place to buy men’s suits online.

With plenty of name brand options and Amazon’s famous commitment to undercutting its competitors on price, there are a lot of deals to be found here.

Another plus about buying your suits from Amazon is that you can take advantage of their extensive user base, and all the crowd-sourced intel they provide.

While a lot of different online stores have a free return policy nowadays, buying a suit online can still feel like a bit of a gamble.

But Amazon’s review system is a great way to mitigate some of that risk.

Many of their suits have been reviewed extensively, which can help you feel a lot more confident before deciding to pull the trigger.

Plus, their shipping is famously fast and reliable, and they have a whole army of customer service reps who can help track down your package if anything goes awry. 

Shop Amazon ➤


Express

Rust color suit from Express
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $396
    • Highest Price: $446
    • Lowest Price: $346
  • Best For: Extra slim-fit suits in a variety of colors and patterns 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 6/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

Express is one of those stores like Banana Republic or J.Crew that you’ll find in most malls across America.

Their prices tend to be comparable to those stores as well, though you’ll often find some better deals at Express, along with hipper and more modern styles.

As much as I love the classic blue suits and brown shoes combo – and God help me do I ever love it – Express is great for guys who want to break out of the mould a little bit.

It’s a good place to find affordable suits in cool colors and patterns that you won’t see on every other guy at the office, wedding or event. 

Shop Express ➤


Zara

Checkered suit from Zara
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $220
    • Highest Price: $260
    • Lowest Price: $180
  • Best For: Cheap designer knock offs 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 5/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

Fashion-forward stores like Zara Man aren’t for everyone thanks to their unique business model that’s based on “honoring” (some might say flagrantly imitating) high-fashion designers.

They basically send their staff to the various fashion weeks to see what’s going to be trending the following year, then quickly ramp up their fast-fashion machine to make sure they have similar (but infinitely cheaper) styles on the shelves as quickly as possible.

As a result, you’ll never find the same thing at Zara twice.

If you see a suit or other piece you love, you better snatch it up, because within a few months they’ll flip their inventory and it will be gone.

As a result, it’s a good place to turn for guys who really want a cheap suit that’s unique, of-the-moment and on-point. 

Shop Zara ➤


Tier 3 – $$$:

The Best Value Suits Between $400 & $699

Indochino

Indochino suit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $659
    • Highest Price: $799
    • Lowest Price: $519
  • Best For: A custom-made suit that’s well-made, and looks much higher-priced
  • Value-for-Money Score: 9/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

When it comes to the overall best value-for-money suit on the market, Indochino is number one with a bullet.

Easily one of the best options for a good quality custom-made suit, Indochino offers well made men’s suits for entry level prices.

Whereas other stores sell a wide selection of off-the-rack suits in traditional sizes, at Indochino you can get a custom suit that’s made-to-measure.

You input your specific measurements into their website, choose the style, fabric and details you want, then Indochino sends you a suit made specifically for you.

I picked up my first Indochino suit for a special occasion, when I was in my friend’s wedding party.

And as a huge Suitsupply fan (more on them below), I went into the whole process pretty skeptical.

At that point I had never owned any custom-made pieces, and I assumed that buying a made-to-measure suit wouldn’t be that different from buying a suit off the rack and then getting it tailored.

But I can honestly say that my Indochino suit is by far the best-fitting suit I’ve ever owned, and the quality of the fabric is on par with the (much more expensive) high-end suit I wore for my own wedding.

I loved having the ability to customize all the little details, like deciding on everything from the lapel style to the inner-lining.

Plus, Indochino runs sales at the end of every season to clear out inventory.

That means there are multiple times per year when you can pick up a perfectly cut suit at a steep discount (sometimes as much as 40% off). 

Shop Indochino ➤


Related Resource ↓

Check out my full Indochino review to find out how their fit, quality, and value-for-price proposition compare to off-the-rack suits—and how they hold up after five years of regular wear.


Bonobos

blue suit from Bonobos
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $559
    • Highest Price: $750
    • Lowest Price: $368
  • Best For: Off-the-rack suits that look and feel comparable to designer quality 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 9/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

Bonobos is an affordable brand that got started because its founders couldn’t find pants that fit, so they set out to create them.

Since then they’ve expanded into dress shirts and two button suits, and carved out a niche for themselves as a stylish and comfortable clothing brand.

They have a pretty wide range of cotton suits year-round, and they mix up their offering seasonally.

In fall and winter you can find warm wool blends, and come summer you can pick up a lightweight linen suit.

(Which is essential for formal events in July and August when the dress code calls for a suit, but the thermometer calls for an ice bath.)

Their Daily Grind suit starts at $400 and not only looks great, but has a bunch of little touches that make it comfortable and easy to wear.

The pants have a bit of gel tape set into the waste band, which helps them grip onto your shirt and keep it tucked in.

The jacket, meanwhile, has a (super-handy) sweat guard at the armhole to keep any moisture from sneaking through. 

Shop Bonobos ➤


XSuits

Xsuit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $549
    • Highest Price: $599
    • Lowest Price: $499
  • Best For: Travelers and guys who hate ironing 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 7/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

Another brand that specializes in stretch suits, XSuits are both hella comfortable and appealingly affordable.

Made from a blend of 60% viscose, 31% polyamide and 9% elastane, their kits look like a standard suit but feel and move more like gym clothes, making them perfect for packing in a suitcase.

Their newest flagship suit starts at $599, which is pretty affordable.

But their older models can be had for even less, making them a great option for guys who want a price point as low as some of the super-cheap options below, but a level of stretch and quality that’s quite a bit higher. 

Shop XSuits ➤


State & Liberty

State and Liberty Suit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $673
    • Highest Price: $795
    • Lowest Price: $550
  • Best For: Athletes and buff guys 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 8/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

State and Liberty was founded with well-built guys in mind.

They originally started by making a dress shirt out of stretch fabric that properly fit the proportions of an athletic frame, then expanded to apply the same vision to suits, blazers, dress pants and casual apparel.

What I love about their suits is that they basically come pre-tailored, epitomizing the way a suit should fit.

Their suit jacket is cut in a way that flatters your chest, shoulders and torso, so there’s no need to ask a tailor to take in the jacket.

And their suit pants come pre-tapered, creating a handsome silhouette right out of the box.

The cost is slightly higher than some of the other brands on this list, but since you won’t need expensive tailoring to get a great fit, the price ends up being right on average. 

Shop State & Liberty ➤


Banana Republic

Banana Republic suit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $640
    • Highest Price: $680
    • Lowest Price: $600
  • Best For: Decent suit separates at a decent(ish) price 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 7/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

Banana Republic has long been one of my go-to stores for everything from shirts and sweaters to pants and outerwear, because I love the way they blend a timeless aesthetic with modern colors, patterns and fabrics.

And their suits are certainly no exception. Like many stores, they rotate their suit offerings seasonally, but they always carry a few all-season options in classic colors like blue and grey.

While the starting price for Banana’s suits isn’t the lowest, one of the other reasons why I’ve long been a fan is that Banana runs big sales a couple times a year.

And when they do, you can grab a stylish suit for a pretty ridiculous price.

It’s worth noting that literally every time you log on to BR’s website something will be on sale, but when you look closely at the details, suiting is often excluded (unfortunately).

Your best bet is to keep an eye on BR around major holidays.

Traditionally, they run some great sales on Black Friday/Cyber Monday with no exceptions, which is probably the best time to grab a suit.

And there’s usually a big sale some time in the summer as well, so it might be worth signing up for their email list so you can keep your eye out.

Shop Banana Republic ➤


Spier & MacKay

grey suit from Spier and Mackay
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $465
    • Highest Price: $632
    • Lowest Price: $298
  • Best For: Guys who need multiple high quality suits for their everyday and/or professional life  
  • Value-for-Money Score: 8/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

This might just be the sleeper pick for “best suit deal on the internet.”

Though lesser known in the states, Spier & McKay is basically a Canadian competitor of Suitsupply and Indochino.

They definitely don’t have the same marketing budget as some of the other stores on this list, but they do have comparable quality.

And that combination makes them especially appealing to anyone looking to pick up a good suit at a reasonable price.

Spier offers a great variety of suits available in two cuts, contemporary and slim, and all of their suits are handmade from fabrics sourced directly from mills in Europe and Asia.

I’m not sure whether it’s the fact that they deal directly with the mills, the favorable exchange on the Canadian dollar, or all of the above.

But one way or another, Spier & McKay is able to offer suits that combine solid construction with impressively low prices. 

Shop Spier & MacKay ➤


Tier 4 – $$$$:

The Best Value Suits Between $700 & $999

SuitSupply

Suitsupply suit
Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $973
    • Highest Price: $1,448
    • Lowest Price: $498
  • Best For: Business suits or formal occasions like weddings 
  • Value-for-Money Score: 8.5/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

If you’re looking for (relatively) cheap mens suits made from (remarkably) high-quality material, Suitsupply is worth a look.

For a while Suitsupply was the only place I’d shop for formal occasions – I bought a navy suit there almost 10 years ago, and to this day it’s one of my favorite go-tos for special events and big business meetings.

And while they do have a wide range of tuxedos and top-of-the-line suits that can get pretty pricey, their entry level suits use the same Italian wool blends and start at just $358, which is a great price for the quality.

(Though it’s worth noting that the options are a little limited at that price point.)

Fortunately, their Blue Line starts at just $399, and features multiple colors and shades – including navy and standard black suits – in their classic fit Napoli cut, which in my opinion is damn-near perfect.

Normally you’d expect to pay at least 200 bucks more for men’s suits that are this well made and this well cut.

You could easily pick up a couple Blue Line Napolis for $400 each and build a timeless and enviable collection that will keep you looking sharp for at least a decade.

When my friend Shane got married back in 2015, I served as one of his groomsmen and recommended that we go with Suitsupply.

I picked up a Napoli in light grey that’s still my go-to lightweight suit.

In fact, I was so happy with the experience that when I got married four years later, I went back to Suitsupply with my groomsmen.

Each of them picked up a medium gray Napoli that they’ll probably have for the rest of their lives. 

Shop Suitsupply ➤


Ted Baker

Key Details:
  • Average Suit Price: $829
    • Highest Price: $898
    • Lowest Price: $760
  • Best For: Guys who want a European-cut at a reasonable price  
  • Value-for-Money Score: 7/10
Why It’s Worth Considering: 

While Indochino has the overall edge because of their customization options, Ted Baker easily takes the number two spot thanks to their excellent selection of off-the-rack suits.

They offer a pretty wide variety of styles, colors, materials and patterns, all of which are high quality and offer great value for your money.

And I should know, because I actually chose Ted Baker’s slim fit navy tux for my wedding suit.

After looking extensively at all the options, they offered the best combination of style, quality and affordability.

The fact that they came out on top when choosing the most important suit of my entire life is basically the highest praise I can offer a suit brand.

And I’m happy to report that the suit was pretty much perfect, so I highly recommend them. 

Shop Ted Baker ➤


Buying Guide:
What to Look for When Buying Affordable Suits

As mentioned above, buying a suit that strikes a balance between affordability and quality can be challenging, but it’s far from impossible.  

With the right know-how, you can find a suit that looks sharp without breaking the bank.

We used the rules of thumb below to help us identify and rank the best cheap suits on the market, and you can do the same when assessing suits at pretty much any price point. 

Fabric Quality

Material: 

Natural materials like wool are ideal for suits because they breathe better and last longer. Wool suits, specifically those labeled “100% wool,” tend to drape well. For warmer climates, cotton or linen suits might be preferable.

Thread Count: 

Look for suits with a thread count between 100s to 120s for decent quality at an affordable price.

Construction

Fused vs. Canvas: 

Fused suits glue the suit’s layers together, while canvassed suits sew them. 

As a result, canvassed suits last longer and tend to fit better, so they’re often pricier.  

A lot of suits nowadays offer a half-canvas construction, which is both an affordable middle ground and a good way to keep suits lighter weight. 

So if you’re looking for something you can wear to summer weddings and other warm-weather events, half-canvas might be the way to go.  

Stitching:

Not everyone goes so far as to examin the stitching on their suits (I know I usually don’t), but if you decide to delve that deep, look for stitching that’s neat and even. 

Loose threads or inconsistent stitches are a red flag that can indicate poor quality and shoddy craftsmanship. 

Fit

Off-the-rack vs. Made-to-Measure: 

Off-the-rack suits, also known as off the peg suits, are pre-made in standardized sizes like 38, 40, 42, etc. 

On the other hand, made-to-measure suits, also called Bespoke suits, are the kind associated with London’s famous Savile Row, and custom-made to your exact specifications. 

But it’s still possible to get a really well-fitting suit off the rack. 

The goal is to choose a size that gives you a pretty good fit off the rack, then take it to a tailor, who can make a few easy alterations to make it look (almost) as good as a custom made-to-measure suit. 

Key Areas: 

Pay attention to the shoulders (they should lie flat), the length of the sleeves, and the trouser break. 

It’s easier to adjust the length of trousers or the waist than it is to alter the shoulders of a jacket, so you really want to make sure you get the shoulders right.

Lining

Look for suits with a breathable lining like viscose or silk. A lined jacket will hang better on the body than an unlined one. 

With that said, some summer suits may come half-lined or unlined for better breathability during warmer months, so the absence of a lining doesn’t necessarily mean it’s not a well made suit.  

Style and Details

Lapels: 

The notch lapel is versatile and common, while peak lapels are bolder and often found on double-breasted suits.

Vents: 

Single vent suits are standard in the U.S., while double-vented suits offer better mobility and are more common in Europe.

Buttons: 

Two-button suits are classic and versatile. Ensure the buttons are sewn on securely.

Pockets

Some suits come with flap pockets, which is considered a little more formal, while others skip the flaps, which tends to offer a more laid back European look reminiscent of Italian sprezzatura. 

Sales and Discounts

End-of-season sales, holiday deals, and clearance events are excellent times to buy suits at a fraction of the regular price. 

Just ensure you’re not compromising quality for the sake of a discount.

Post-Purchase Alterations

As mentioned, even a cheap suit can look high-end with the right alterations. 

Set aside a small budget for potential adjustments by a trusted tailor to punch up your suit’s overall appearance.

Some common alterations that are cheap/easy for a tailor to do include tapering the waist of the jacket and legs of the pants, adjusting the pant length/break and making slight adjustments to the width of the arms.

Again, there’s not much a tailor can do about the shoulder size, so it’s really important to get that measurement right when buying off the rack.

The sleeves of the jacket are also tricky, especially closer to the arm holes. Some adjustments can be made down near the wrist, but the higher up the arm you go, the harder it is for a tailor to significantly change.

Returns and Warranty

Especially if buying online, ensure the retailer has a fair return policy in case the suit doesn’t meet your expectations. 

Some brands might offer warranties or guarantees on their suits.


Wrapping Up 

An affordable suit doesn’t have to mean low quality, especially nowadays when modern fabrics and manufacturing processes have made it easier and more cost-effective to create a well-made suit.   

By focusing on the fabric, construction, and fit, and by being savvy about where and when to shop, you can find a suit that looks and feels premium without the hefty price tag. 

Remember, the most expensive suit can look cheap if it doesn’t fit well, and a relatively cheap suit can look a lot more expensive if it’s well fitted. 

The Recap ↓

The Best Places to Buy Affordable Men’s Suits

Dave Bowden

Indochino suit
Best Suits for Less than $150: Braveman Suits
Best Affordable Made-to-Measure Suit: Indochino
Best Value Off-the-Rack Suit: Bonobos
Best Place to Score a Deal on Designer Suits: Nordstrom Rack

Summary

Each of the brands listed above represents our top places to turn for suits that punch above their weight in terms of style, construction and value-for-money.

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More Resources ↓

More Men’s Suits and Style Advice Irreverent Gent:
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Banner Illustration: Irreverent Gent

About Dave Bowden

Dave Bowden

Founder, Irreverent Gent
Author, Man in Command and Stop Doubting, Start Dating
Writer, Really Wordy Author Bios

Dave Bowden is a style blogger, menswear expert and best-selling author (in Canada—but still!) whose advice on how to look good and live well has been featured in New York Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Men's Health and more.

When not obsessing over style and self-improvement, he can usually be found spending time with his wonderful wife and two amazing sons, indulging in a hoppy craft beer, or sobbing over the woeful state of Toronto's sports teams.

Check out Dave's Style Story to find out how a chance encounter with his friend's step-dad taught him the value of looking good and living well (don't worry—it's less creepy than it sounds!), or email him at [email protected] if you want to get in touch.

4 thoughts on “The 19 Best Places to Buy Cheap & Affordable Suits”

    • Good question Tom. I think it really depends on what you’re going for. If you want something stylish, timeless and unimpeachable, I’d probably suggest Suitsupply. But if you’re looking for something a color, cut, fabric or style that’s a little more unique, I’d go Indochino.

      It really comes down to your tastes, and how you intend to wear that particular suit.

  1. totally second your nordstrom rack love. they opened one in san francisco and it’s become my first go-to for pretty much all menswear now, not just suits. can also find some great shoes there.

    • I’m with you Frank. I used to always make a point of finding a Nordstrom Rack when I visited the States, but they finally opened one here in Toronto last year and I pop in there all the time.

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