Best Time to Buy Suits

Timing plays a role in your ability to get a good suit at a decent price. Certain times of the year are better than others for finding marked down prices. Here are the best times to buy a suit and tips for not paying more than you should.

When is the Best Time to Buy Suits

It’s always a good idea to have a modern, quality suit on hand. Even if your job doesn’t require it, you never know when a special dinner, a job interview, or some fancy event invitation will plop onto your lap. The last thing you’ll want to do is scramble the day or two before such an event looking for something that will fit, looks good, and doesn’t need alterations.

• Look in January
  The first month of the year is undoubtedly the best time to get your hands on an affordable suit. The big holiday parties are over, and many people have reached their spending limits and are cooling their credit cards until spring arrives. Retailers know their salespeople won’t see much traffic, so they’ll let them make deals or advertise big promotions. They also want to move cool weather suits off the racks.

How to Save Money Buying Suits

1. Shop Smartly
   Bear in mind that the cheapest doesn’t always mean the best. Start with the suggested retail price and go from there. A suit that now costs $200 but retails at $500 will have a higher quality than the $50 steal that retails at $100. Price and quality are positively correlated, so don’t be surprised if you go for the cheaper deal and the threading begins to unravel after a few uses.

2. Set a Budget
   Suits can range from a hundred to thousands of dollars, so determine what you can comfortably afford before heading to the store.

3. Keep It Simple
   Avoid trendy or weather specific items. Versatility is paramount, and you want something you can mix and match with other pieces to get more wear. Try to score one that would work at a job interview, church, or formal dinner. You can’t go wrong with charcoal or navy, but bright colors or quirky-patterned suits will have limited use.

4. Skip the add-ons
   If you’re shopping at a department store, don’t be surprised if the customer service representatives try to persuade you into buying extras, such as dress shirts, neckties, shoes, socks, belts, cufflinks and bowties. Politely turn down their offer and head to a discount retailer to pick up the accessories to save yourself between 25 and 50 percent.

   And unless you want to spend hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, skip the fancy handmade designer suits. Basic alterations may be needed, but it beats getting a suit made from scratch.

5. Pay attention to sales
   Department stores, such as Macy’s, Dillard’s, and JC Penney, frequently reduce the prices and advertise them in the paper. Also, take advantage of family and friends sales; they usually offer an additional 15 to 25 percent off your total purchase.

   Since this is a big purchase, also decide before you go what credit card you plan to use. You may want to use one that will give you the best rewards for your purchase.

6. Consider second-hand
   Shop around at local thrift stores and consignment shops for deals on suits. It may take a while to find one that best matches your needs or fits comfortably, but it’s definitely worth the wait. In fact, it’s not uncommon to find designer suits in stellar condition for as little as $10 a pop.