Wherefore Double-Breasted Suits

[woodwardiocom]

The recent funeral I attended brought home to me that my old black suit didn't fit no mo', so yesterday I walked into Men's Wearhouse, was cordially greeted, and said, "I need a black double-breasted suit."

While they did not technically laugh at me, they definitely laughed. Apparently DBS are so out of style, that the only one they had in the store was a special order that had gone unclaimed. To which I say, harumph. DBS are timeless, sez I.

Ne'ertheless, they were having a very nice buy-one-get-one sale (only faintly tinged with desperation on their part), so I picked up a black two-button and a gray two-button with two pairs of pants. This was the first time I ever bought a suit "with two pairs of pants". I feel so 1959.

Comments

[rikibeth.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you'll look very well in them.

I suspect that for a while, you may be feeling about suits the way I felt about jeans when the 80s tapered ankle gave way to the dreaded 90s bell-bottoms, boot-cuts, and flares. I dug in my heels and bought straight-leg styles from thrift stores until one day the "skinny jean" came back and made me happy again.

Seriously, I didn't buy new jeans for at least ten years. I am stubborn.

[tk7602.livejournal.com]

i got my double breasted suit at jos. a. bank, and they reacted similarly. they warned me that they are very much out of style. i expressed my lack of concern, and he went ahead and helped me.

[thorkell.livejournal.com]

Hey, if you WANT to look like a 80 year old that your thing...

[zonemind.livejournal.com]

My tailor and I had a conversation on the subject (no, I don't have my suits bespoke, yes I do have them tailored, yes I do look damn fine in my armour of commerce). Double-breasted isn't as totally "out" as indicated, but says something very specific about the wearer. It is specifically NOT a good idea if you are in sales or a mid-to-low range exec, which is what Men's Wearhouse is primarily targeted towards. At that range you want something that says "dynamic", and the double breast says the opposite.

Certain kinds of attorney and a swath of accountancy do wear double-breasted suits. They do not shop at Men's Wearhouse. (I do, though. Your decision to go there was not a bad one). They typically wear them only in black or dark brown, the latter usually pinstriped. A fair number of people have double-breasted suits in grey or (::shudder::) Navy or light blue, dating to the late 80's and early 90's, when a sort of updated gangster chic was all the rage. (Personally, I hate Navy blue in any sort of business wear, and have serious trouble taking someone in a Navy blue suit or jacket seriously, unless they are actually Naval personnel.)

A double-breasted suit is an EXCELLENT choice for a funeral. If you wore it to a wedding I would instinctively consider you a douche. It's much like Bond's prejudice against the full Windsor knot (the knot I typically wear, actually, but he had really shitty taste in martinis, too).

[(Anonymous)]

I like Men's Wearhouse- the sales guy who sold me my new suit (which I wore to three weddings last year) was very helpful and I liked working with him. I think DBS are kind of out of style, but if a suit fits you well, that's more important. Perhaps someplace with a giant selection like Milton's (the location at the South Shore Plaza is HUGE) might carry DBS in stock? ---Nathaniel

[fotofile2002.livejournal.com]

It's all about Filene's Basement.

[mrf-arch.livejournal.com]

While they did not technically laugh at me, they definitely laughed. Apparently DBS are so out of style, that the only one they had in the store was a special order that had gone unclaimed. To which I say, harumph. DBS are timeless, sez I.

Which is why they come back again every five to ten years. I <3 my double-breasted suit.