Cheap suits don’t have to mean cheap quality. Whether you’re a student on a tight budget, a big-earning gent who’s squandered his weekly pay on other essentials, or someone who needs a suit for only one occasion before it gets shoved to the back of the closet never to be worn again; sometimes a man just needs a cheap suit.
While we highly recommend splashing out a bit of dough on a high-quality and impeccably tailored suit, we understand that some men simply can’t afford it, or don’t wear suits often enough to justify that much cash.
Therefore, we’ve written this guide (and rounded up our favourites) to help you find cheap suits that won’t compromise your style.
What to look for in a cheap suit
Cheap suits don’t necessarily equate to low-quality tailoring or a sloppily constructed jacket-and-trouser-combo made from horrible materials. There are plenty of suits on the menswear market today from several reputable retailers that are both well-made and affordable; you just need to know what to look out for before purchasing.
Focus On The Fit
Even cheap suits must fit your body right. The cut of your suit needs to be perfect, running along the contours of your body without being restrictive. Most men have never been professionally measured, so this is your starting point.
Have a store assistant or capable friend measure your chest, waist, and leg length before contemplating your size; suits aren’t like jeans where you can sometimes wing it with the fit. Now, with up-to-date measurements of your body, you can easily buy suits both online and in-store with much more confidence that the fit will be right.
Alterations Are Everything
While a custom-made suit is best, you’d have to head to China before getting something made-to-measure on a budget. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get things altered, post-purchase.
Because we all come in different shapes and sizes, the fit of a cheap suit will most likely be slightly ‘off’ – either too long in the leg or gaping slightly in the waist. As a general rule, if you find yourself in between sizes, go slightly longer or bigger, as it’ll be far easier for someone to then alter.
Take your cheap suit to a local alterations place and ask them to match your measurements. Pricing, like any service, varies so if you’re on a severe budget, do your research. But remember, you’ve already saved a few hundred dollars by buying off-the-rack and from a cheaper retailer. If the suit is for work, you’ll get a lot of mileage from this piece, so it’s worth the investment. Once altered, the cheap suit will automatically look more expensive too, which is what you want.
Natural Vs. Synthetic
Again, like the bespoke option, you’ll be lucky to find a pure wool suit for your price range. So let’s talk about fabric. Most cheap suits will come in materials made from the following synthetic fibres: polyester, viscose, elastane, Lycra, and spandex.
The cheapest suits will only boast these man-made yarns, which can be recognised for their sturdy feel and sheen. However, synthetic suits are hotter to wear in summer and less insulating in winter and don’t feel as nice to touch.
Some cheap suits boast a synthetic-natural fibre blend or come made from a fabric that is purely natural, such as cotton. Linen and seersucker fall into the cotton category, as they are all plant-derived. Natural fibre-made suits are breathable and feel nicer to wear, but they often crease more than synthetics and aren’t as indestructible.
As a rule, make sure you find out what fabric a suit is made from before you purchase and try to go for the following: Elastane and Lycra will offer more stretch, linen will feel soft and breathable (but is more casual), and a polyester-wool blend suit is perfect for the office.
Cheap Suits For Work
The cheap suit for work looks best in traditional neutrals – black, grey, navy, and brown – and in minimal prints such as checks, herringbone, or fine pinstripes (never thick or wide pyjama-type stripes). There is nothing worse than a suit that looks novelty, and because the cheap suit’s fabric may look less luxurious when compared to more expensive suits, keeping things classic in the office will help you look suaver.
Over-accessorising falls into this category, too. Stick to a business-savvy tie with a tasteful stripe and colour and play around with woven and flat-look options for the textural difference. A nice watch adds some instant dollars to your ensemble. As do quality-made, leather lace-ups, freshly polished. Add a waistcoat to form a three-piece suit and you’re mighty dapper, instantly.
Cheap Suits For Events Or The Weekends
If you’re after a cheap suit for an event or one-off occasion – or just want to rock a suit on the weekend Barney Stinson style – well then go for bold colours and unstructured tailoring. The beauty of cheap suiting means you can buy one in every colour (well, almost). Don’t be afraid to experiment when you’re off-duty and consider purchasing a suit in trendy hues such as marsala, mint green, and white.
Bolder windowpane checks and geo prints look great on the weekend and give you a chance to flash some personality. Not into outlandish tailoring? Pop a printed pocket square into your navy jacket and lose the tie and socks. And voila, you’re on trend, looking sharp and no one will ever know just how little you’ve spent.
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Take a look at these fantastic brands who make rather good quality and stylish suits for under $350. These are the absolute best cheap suits for men that’ll make you look sophisticated… and like you’ve spent much more than you have!
Everlane
1/9Everlane prides itself on exclusively partnering with ethical factories and using only the finest materials for their products; they call it “Radical Transparency”. Therefore, you get quality clothes that will last for years to come, with an added bonus of feeling good about supporting a company that strongly advocates for fair wages and working conditions.
They only have one suit on offer, but it comes in navy and charcoal; both very debonair shades. Everlane calls it ‘The $300 Italian Suit’ and while it’s affordable, it is also one of the most well-made and highest quality suits on this list. Crafted from wool sourced from Tollegno, Italy, featuring a breathable lining, and cut in a slim tailored fit, this cheap suit is ever so comfortable; making it perfect for all occasions.
Customer Reviews: “The size guide and the information around the fitting were clear, helpful, and in the end, everything fits perfectly!”
Mango
2/9Spanish clothing company, Mango, was founded in 1984 with one goal in mind: to create clothes with “a Mediterranean essence”. Mango’s garments achieve this with their natural and contemporary styles paired with comfortable fabrics.
Mango has a huge range of marvellous yet cheap suits that come in multiple colours and styles. The best thing is that these rather well-made suits won’t cost you more than $300.
Customer Reviews: “High quality product delivered in a timely manner.”
J. Crew
3/9J. Crew believes in ‘looking a million bucks, not spending it’ which is why they source the best high-quality fabrics at the most accessible prices. All of their products are classic with a modern twist, meaning you’ll always look effortlessly polished when sporting J. Crew.
Preppy outfitter J. Crew has just one suit in its repertoire: The Ludlow. Available in slim and classic fits, the Ludlow comes in multiple colours and, above all, is extremely affordable.
Customer Reviews: “Another home run from J Crew! This new Ludlow suit jacket in Italian stretch worsted wool is fabulous. The fit is true to size.”
Marks & Spencer
4/9Marks and Spencer, founded in 1884, is a major British multinational retailer, commonly referred to as M&S. Known for producing clothing, homewares, and food, there’s nothing M&S can’t do well, including their range of men’s suits.
Pairing impeccable craftsmanship with timeless designs, M&S’s range of suits are ideal for weddings and formal events, but will also bring a dash of professional flair to your workwear. They have classic 3-piece suit styles and contemporary slim-fit cuts, all created in wool-blend fabrics for a luxurious feel. Plus, they are super affordable!
Customer Reviews: “Great fit and quality.”
ASOS Design
5/9ASOS, the British online retailer was founded in 2000, but since then they have launched their own range of clothing and accessories called, ASOS Design. Committed to creating clothing that allows people to have total freedom, to experiment, and to feel confident with their fashion choices, ASOS Design has an excellent range of men’s cheap suits. Available in basically every colour and print imaginable, ASOS Design is the place to go for a cheap suit that’ll give you a contemporary look.
Customer Reviews: “Perfectly suited for occasions.”
River Island
6/9At River Island, great design is at the heart of everything they create. Founded in 1948, the UK brand is one of the best known on the High Street, and prides itself on producing stylish yet affordable fashion. Catering to men, women, and kids, River Island also sells exquisite footwear and accessories.
River Island has an extensive range of men’s suits that are extremely sophisticated looking and well-made; especially when considering their price points. If you’re looking for a traditional suit for cheap, you can’t go wrong with River Island.
Customer Reviews: “Unique and classic.”
H&M
7/9H&M is a globally known fashion brand that offers the latest styles in fashion as well as essential wardrobe basics, all at an affordable price. H&M has a fantastic selection of men’s suits for extremely cheap prices. With all the classic colours – black, grey, navy – covered, H&M also offers suits with stylish plaid prints, and in various fabric choices, such as linen, jersey, and polyester.
Customer Reviews: “Better than I expected, the fit is excellent. Great quality material… highly recommended!”
Boohoo Man
8/9“Fashion’s best kept secret”, Boohoo Man combines cutting edge design with an affordable price tag. Pushing boundaries to bring you the latest styles but with less of a strain on your wallet, Boohoo Man’s philosophy is to not take fashion (or life) too seriously; and the result is menswear that is playful and trendy yet surprisingly affordable.
While Boohoo Man has a huge selection of men’s suits, their suits are not as well made as other brands on this list; but they are by far the cheapest. Plus, Boohoo Man’s range is also the most experimental and contemporary, so if you want to turn heads with a bold suit that costs next to nothing, Boohoo Man is the brand for you.
Customer Reviews: “Look smart and classy.”
Lands End
9/9Founded in 1963, Lands End is an American brand dedicated to providing the world with comfort. They only use soft and durable fabrics, to make exceptional clothing that allows you to feel good and comfortable. But function truly meets fashion at Lands End, as while their garments are comfy, they are also extremely stylish.
Lands End has an extensive range of men’s suits that are extremely affordable. Classic in style, Lands End’s cheap suits come in various timeless colours and designs.
Customer Reviews: “Perfect fit and very comfortable. ”