The 8 Best Places To Buy A Suit In NYC
Oct. 23, 2014, 2:15 p.m.
New York has plenty of amazing suit-shopping options that are hip yet classic and high-end, yet not bank-breaking. Here are the best ones.
Shopping for a suit can be daunting. How do you find someone who will tailor it to you flawlessly, on your schedule? How do you find the middle ground between designer versions that cost three months’ rent and a poorly-made bargain ensemble that might be flammable? New York has plenty of amazing options that are hip yet classic and high-end yet not bank-breaking, whether you want to shop off the rack or have one custom made for you. Here are some of our favorites; leave yours in the comments.
Men’s Suiting
CARSON STREET CLOTHIERS: This relatively new kid in town has been given the seal of approval by everyone from GQ to The New York Times, and has become a hangout for effortlessly cool, impeccably dapper menswear celebrities (mostly writers). That’s due in part to the lounge in the back with free water and beer. But more importantly, it’s because of the extremely well curated inventory of sharp threads that are stylish but classic; polished, yet comfortable; and beautifully tailored, yet low-key. The store’s suits come from Eidos, and made-to-measure suits are from the brand’s fine Italian fabrics. Choose from smart plaids, classic pinstripes or quiet grays—if you need time to decide, you can always mull it over with a beer in the back.
Carson Street Clothiers is located at 63 Crosby Street between Spring and Broome Streets in SoHo (212-925-2627, carsonstreetclothiers.com).
Courtesy SuitSupply
SUITSUPPLY: A comprehensive selection is the name of the game at SuitSupply. It seems like a simple concept, but the company was one of the first and remains one of the only places to specialize in a something-for-everyone inventory of affordable, impeccably polished suits without the extremes of a chain-store or stuffy boutique vibe. Most of the store’s business is off the rack, since it offers so many options in so many fits, but they also do made-to-measure. Add to this a friendly, knowledgeable staff and an overall aesthetic that is sharp and sophisticated, and it all makes SuitSupply one of the city’s best suit stops. Their price points stand out in particular—the company manages to keep prices refreshingly low for the kind of tailoring and fabrics you’re getting, like Italian wool with horn buttons.
SuitSupply has two locations in the city: 635 Madison Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets on the Upper East Side (855-784-8464, suitsupply.com); and 453 Broome Street between Mercer and Greene Streets in SoHo (212-828-7250, suitsupply.com)
MARTIN GREENFIELD CLOTHIERS: At Martin Greenfield Clothiers, you’ll get the old-school, classic bespoke experience. Operating out of the same factory space in East Williamsburg since 1916, Greenfield takes a time-honored, no-frills approach to making suits. It’s about the quality, the fit, the fabric, the experience, not the trends or the hipness. But that never means you’re not getting top of the line suiting. Greenfield has suited the likes of Bill Clinton and Michael Jackson, and has costumed the cast of “Boardwalk Empire.” Appointments are a must, so call ahead. You can bring your own fabric or choose from Greenfield’s selection, and once your measurements are taken and your needs discussed, the tailors get to work. Suits start at $1,400 but they'll last a lifetime.
Martin Greenfield Clothiers is located at 239 Varet Street between White and Bogart Streets in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-497-5480, greenfieldclothiers.com).
ALTON LANE: Alton Lane has become a well-oiled machine in the menswear scene, and has cornered a mainstream market on bespoke suits in New York. It’s earned its reputation as the place to go when you want to customize every minute detail of your suit. Book an appointment and pick from a wide range of fabrics in their luxury-focused inventory, and then you’ll be measured. Alton Lane uses 3-D body scanners to take the custom fit experience one step further in the pursuit of perfection. You’ll even enjoy a drink of your choosing while you pore over every button and pleat (or, leave it up to them, if that’s your thing). The price range starts around $600 and can go up to about $1,400 depending on the details you pick.
Alton Lane is located 11 West 25th Street between Broadway and 6th Avenue in Flatiron (888-800-8616, altonlane.com).
Women's Suiting
BLOOMINGDALE'S: You probably already have Bloomingdale's in mind when in the market for a Vince sweater or fragrance from Marc Jacobs. But the iconic department store is quite the destination for suits that feel fresh and quietly fashion-forward. Focusing on off-the-rack suiting from well-known designers like Elie Tahari, Theory, Hugo Boss, Kate Spade and REISS, Bloomingdales is where to go when you’re on a tighter timeline, just aren’t the type to do made-to-measure, or when you’re a label lover who values hints of current trends in her suits. There's also a wide price range: pick up a Calvin Klein blazer and pants suit for under $200 or invest in an Armani Collezioni ensemble for $1,800.
Bloomingdale's has two locations in the city: 1000 3rd Avenue between 59th and 60th Streets in Midtown East (212-705-2000,bloomingdales.com); and at 504 Broadway between Spring and Broome Streets in SoHo (212-729-5900, bloomingdales.com)
DARA LAMB: If it is the time-honored bespoke experience you’re after, enter the Midtown showroom that designer Dara Lamb has strived to make feel like a “refuge, with an almost private club vibe.” The space is a serene setting for you to work with Lamb’s staff on designing your ensemble, choosing fabrics and ensuring a flawless fit, all with a cup of tea or a glass of wine. Lamb created her hand-tailored brand in 1982, and has built a solid reputation on sophisticated, high-quality looks that fit beautifully. Her goal is to give women the same selection as men when it comes to a balance of sophistication and style. The selection is definitely wide, from casual suits you can mix and match to elegant jewel-toned cocktail suits.
Dara Lamb is located at 37 West 57th Street, Suite 1001, between 5th and 6th Avenues in Midtown (212-935-2344, daralamb.com).
BINDLE & KEEP: Bindle & Keep first expanded past men’s suits to meet a growing demand for suiting for transgender and female clients who wanted masculine pieces that still fit them in a flattering way. Since then, word has spread, and Bindle & Keep is a popular spot for all, thanks to their simple mastery of their craft. The bespoke service excels in giving women Savile Row-quality tailoring that keeps their exact silhouettes in mind, thanks to 3-D body forms and careful measuring. The pricing works in tiers depending on your fabrics, running from $795 to $1,695 and up. Best of all, Bindle & Keep’s tailors come to you—just tell them what address you prefer when you schedule your appointment.
Bindle & Keep has no physical location, but you can contact them via phone(917-740-5002), email (info@bindleandkeep.com) or through their website at bindleandkeep.com.
CENTURY 21: Yes, walking through Century 21's flagship can be daunting. But there’s a reason the discount department store has become synonymous with designer deals and draws such crowds. And the good news is that there are other locations, so you can avoid that infamous Financial District location that seems to lure in tourists every day of the week. You’ll be glad you made the trek when you can complete your workwear wardrobe in one stylish shot. Century 21 still caters to those of us who want an assembled set, as opposed to concentrating on tailored separates. You’ll find classic blazer-and-trouser combos in flattering silhouettes, as well as variations like belted jackets and skirts in pop-bright colors from brands like Tahari and Nine West in the $100 range.
Century 21 has three locations in the city: 472 86th Street between 4th and 5th Avenyes in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn (718-748-3266, c21stores.com); 22 Cortlandt Street between Church Street and Broadway in the Financial District (212-227-9092, c21stores.com), and at 1972 Broadway between 66th and 67th Streets on the Upper West Side (212-518-2121, c21stores.com).
Courtney Iseman is a writer who is willing to make the tough sacrifice of constantly shopping so she can report on the best ways to do it in New York. You can read her thoughts on things like fashion and folk bands at courtneyiseman.com.