mfad•7mo ago

Suit Materials

Hey! I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on suit materials for prom? I am buying a suit for prom. I am looking at a few options. I am looking at both Slaters and a Ted Baker suit in John Lewis. The Ted baker one is 88% wool compared to the slaters ones which are either 43/53 Wool/ Polyester or 63/33 Polyester/Viscose. I would like to know what the drop off in quality would probably be between the 3, the 88 percent wool, the 43 percent wool or the completely synthetic. I need an answer quickly please in order for it to be in time to order it from prom.

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:01 PM

Can you provide some links please?

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:03 PM

And very generally speaking, you shouldn’t just be looking at material when it comes to a suit. (Although that is important.) What are the details that appeal to you?

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:06 PM

https://www.slaters.co.uk/tailor-square-tailored-fit-navy-plain-three-piece-suit-001041763012?_gl=1*ray429*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=CjwKCAjwo4rCBhAbEiwAxhJlCdGlIN2jOeEEk55IxweYe2urtc14ga894OP15rcklyuUhw3dcwX6rBoCyzUQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds&gbraid=0AAAAADogE-bsWQptQsRUeRgTHYhKF0CZQ

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:06 PM

https://www.johnlewis.com/ted-baker-panama-wool-blend-suit-jacket/navy/p5578056

Ted Baker Panama Wool Blend Suit Jacket, Navy

Buy Ted Baker Panama Wool Blend Suit Jacket from our Men's Blazers range at John Lewis & Partners. Free Delivery on orders over £50.

SSloppysloo https://www.slaters.co.uk/tailor-square-tailored-fit-navy-plain-three-piece-suit...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:07 PM

This one is the 43/53 wool polyester

CCozartam And very generally speaking, you shouldn’t just be looking at material when it c...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:07 PM

Im not just looking at the materials but as you will see they have a similar aesthetic which I do like so I think I have narrowed it down to the material

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:07 PM

Also should I wear a 2 piece or a 3 piece to prom?

SSloppysloo Also should I wear a 2 piece or a 3 piece to prom?

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:09 PM

That’s a question only you can answer. But one observation is that it’s very easy to turn a 3 piece into a 2 piece.

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:09 PM

Let’s back up though: have you been fitted for a suit before?

CCozartam Let’s back up though: have you been fitted for a suit before?

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:10 PM

No but I do have a suit that fits well just a slightly too big waist and the jacket is somewhat roomy but not a problem

CCozartam That’s a question only you can answer. But one observation is that it’s very eas...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:11 PM

Well if i went with the 3 piece it would be of the blend material instead of the higher quality wool so im wondering if the trade off is worth it

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:13 PM

I would go for a 2 piece for the reason you’ve identified here. I would also HIGHLY recommend that you go see the suit in person if possible - especially if you’re short on time. It’s easy to make mistakes with suits if you’ve never purchased one before and are shopping online.

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:14 PM

More often than not, they will also help you tailor it appropriately — and will often do a rush order.

CCozartam I would go for a 2 piece for the reason you’ve identified here. I would also HIG...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:15 PM

So you would say there is a noticable difference in quality between the wool one and the blend one?

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:16 PM

Also there is another suit that is a higher quality wool one, Which one do you think is better? https://www.johnlewis.com/moss-performance-tailored-fit-suit-jacket/p5885916?size=40r

Moss Performance Tailored Fit Suit Jacket, Navy, 40R

Buy Moss Performance Tailored Fit Suit Jacket from our Men's Blazers range at John Lewis & Partners. Free Delivery on orders over £50.

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:20 PM

without seeing and knowing the materials, I don’t know. Personally, I’d prefer a suit without any/much synthetic blend. Again, I think you should focus on the one you can get fitted for. Can you go in person to any of these places?

CCozartam without seeing and knowing the materials, I don’t know. Personally, I’d prefer ...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:20 PM

it would be a 6 hour round trip

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:21 PM

I live in a fairly remote part of england

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:24 PM

Got it. Given that, I would go for a 2 piece from John Lewis or Ted Baker and go to your local tailor. If possible, order two sizes with the intent of returning the one your tailor says you don’t need ASAP.

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:27 PM

Between the two, I’d go for John Lewis. But whatever you do, take it to a tailor. Unless you’re magically just the standard size, it will be obvious that the suit doesn’t fit completely.

CCozartam Between the two, I’d go for John Lewis. But whatever you do, take it to a tailor...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:30 PM

Honestly I think I am, suits usually fit me quite well

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:30 PM

thin its the decently broad shoulder and chest

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:31 PM

Do you know if moss is any good?

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:31 PM

Because there is a very similar to the ted baker one moss jacket its just 70 percent instead of 80 and about 30 quid cheaper

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:32 PM

https://www.johnlewis.com/moss-performance-tailored-fit-suit-jacket/p5885916?size=40r for reference

Moss Performance Tailored Fit Suit Jacket, Navy, 40R

Buy Moss Performance Tailored Fit Suit Jacket from our Men's Blazers range at John Lewis & Partners. Free Delivery on orders over £50.

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:32 PM

Or should I just go with the Ted Baker

SSloppysloo Honestly I think I am, suits usually fit me quite well

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:39 PM

You see I am 5’10 and around 180 pounds with an athletic build. A super standard 42R, and still a tailor would want to make adjustments so that the fit is right. Again, a call only you can make.

CCozartam You see I am 5’10 and around 180 pounds with an athletic build. A super standar...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:41 PM

Im 6'0 at about 145 pounds

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:42 PM

with decent upper body definition but slim legs

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:46 PM

Okay, yeah, this just screams go to a tailor. You’ll need to do so to get the pants hemmed anyway. Back to the suit though, go with the one with less synthetic if it makes sense for your budget.

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:47 PM

And don’t overthink it more than you have to. This is ostensibly your first suit. You will learn from it — even though there’s pressure to look perfect in it now.

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:48 PM

Well my first proper suit but yeah

CCozartam Okay, yeah, this just screams go to a tailor. You’ll need to do so to get the pa...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:48 PM

so the 80 percent instead of the 70?

Cozartam•6/6/25, 7:51 PM

Yeah, probably. Also - you can find great suits second hand for your budget, so if you had more time, I’d suggest you go that route.

CCozartam Yeah, probably. Also - you can find great suits second hand for your budget, so ...

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:53 PM

yeah I was looking but time caught up

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:53 PM

But there are some great second hand finds I agree with you

SloppyslooOP•6/6/25, 7:54 PM

One time I got a mid to low good fitting Navy suit That i look decent in for a tenner

awz5082•6/6/25, 11:12 PM

you should rent

awz5082•6/6/25, 11:13 PM

it's prom and your body is going to change a lot throughout your 20s

adaptation•6/6/25, 11:22 PM

Rent a suit I cannot emphasize this enough

zeometer•6/7/25, 1:43 AM

without knowing how quick "quickly" is imo rent a suit

zeometer•6/7/25, 1:46 AM

rental places will often also do basic temporary alterations (pinning a hem, etc). as long as you have a dress shirt and shoes (which you may also be able to rent), you'll be set

Cozartam•6/7/25, 2:44 AM

@Sloppysloo You know, I was just taking you where you were at in wanting to buy. But a suit rental, recommended above, is probably the best of all these choices. I believe Slaters, which you first linked to, does that. But there’s probably a local place.

SloppyslooOP•6/9/25, 3:48 PM

Hey guys

SloppyslooOP•6/9/25, 3:48 PM

The suit has arrived

SloppyslooOP•6/9/25, 3:48 PM

I was wondering what you guys thought and if I need any tailoring done

SloppyslooOP•6/9/25, 3:49 PM

adaptation•6/9/25, 3:54 PM

Looks good

Cozartam•6/9/25, 5:07 PM

Without a full shot and at that angle, it’s hard tell. My initial impression is good too though. If you’re looking for a traditional fit, the sleeves might be able to come up a bit, and the waist in a tad. How does it feel though? What’s your range of motion like? (you don’t have to be able to do jumping jacks.)

Cozartam•6/9/25, 5:11 PM

It’s also possible that the jacket length is too short. But without a 360 it’s hard to tell.

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