Buying a Suit Online or In-Store?
Buying a suit is possible in a physical store. However, nowadays, you can also do it online. You can decide for yourself what you find most comfortable, but to help you, we have compared a few things for you. This way, you can prepare for the online purchase of a suit and then decide whether you want to make the purchase online or prefer to go to the store in person.
What should I consider when buying a suit?
On the internet, you can find various blogs about buying a suit and what to look for when purchasing one. Often, these blogs do not take into account the significant price differences that arise between expensive fabrics and the materials used in cheaper suits. In other words, many blogs recommend a Ferrari, leaving you searching for a Ferrari with the budget of a Volkswagen.
Of course, it's an option to go directly for the most expensive fabrics and thus be sure of high-quality materials. However, it's also wise to consider whether there might be alternatives to those costly materials by now. Yes, there certainly are! This can save you a lot of money, which you can use for nice details like good shoes, a tie, or maybe even a pocket watch to complete your outfit.
What is important to you when buying a suit?
To figure out which suit suits you, it's better to ask yourself what is essential to you. Therefore, we've listed a few questions that can greatly help you make your decision.
What will I use my suit for?
Consider what you'll use the suit for. Will it be for business purposes or special occasions, like a wedding or another event? By asking yourself this question, you can filter and see what suits you best. If you're going to use it for business purposes, it's wise to choose a more subdued color. Navy blue or a gray suit are good choices in the business world. However, if you need a suit for a wedding, lighter colors are often chosen, such as light blue, moss green, or lilac.
In which season will you wear the suit?
In addition to what you'll use the suit for, it's essential to think about the time of year you'll be wearing it. If you're using it for a mid-summer wedding, consider a lighter fabric and avoid purchasing a thick wool suit. Of course, you might also need a suit for a Christmas dinner or New Year's Eve. In that case, a suit with wool is suitable, as it provides warmth and has a nice wintery look. If you're looking for a suit for the summer, be sure to check our website under the summer suits category.
How much money do I want to spend on a suit?
Once you've answered the two questions above and know your preferences, it's good to ask yourself how much you want to spend on a suit.
There's a significant price difference between different suits. Prices for suits usually start at around $200 and can sometimes go up to $2000 or even more. As mentioned earlier, part of this price difference can be attributed to the suit's fabric. However, a large part of the retail price is due to expensive retail spaces and employees who need to be paid. If you want to save money on your suit, it's advisable to buy it online. This way, you won't be contributing to the overhead costs of a store in a prime location or the salaries of in-store staff, even when it's quiet on the high street.
What service do I expect when buying a suit?
Sometimes, when buying a suit, you prefer personal assistance and prefer to go to a physical store. You choose to pay a bit more but expect immediate help. Fortunately, many physical stores offer friendly staff who are ready to assist you. Of course, there are exceptions. It may happen that the store is very busy at the time, and the staff doesn't have time to help everyone immediately.
Advantages of buying a suit online
Aside from being often more affordable, online shopping for a suit usually offers quicker assistance. If you have questions, you can quickly ask them via live chat. Furthermore, you can often find answers to certain questions on Google or using the website's search function. You won't have to wait for your turn. 😉
Size Advice Tool
Another advantage of online shopping is the availability of tools to determine your size easily and accurately. At The Garrison, we have a Size Advice Tool. By entering your height and weight into the tool, it will recommend the size that best fits you.
Free Shipping and Returns
Many people also consider free shipping and returns a significant advantage. Therefore, many online shops offer free shipping and return options, making the decision to purchase online much easier. Items are often shipped the same day or the next day and can be at your doorstep within two days. So if you need a suit for an event but don't have time to visit a physical store, online ordering is an excellent option.
Cheaper Suits of Good Quality
Fortunately, there are also cheaper suits of excellent quality. These suits often use a blend of fabrics that provide excellent comfort and quality. Some people still think that certain fabrics, when mixed with others, offer less comfort. However, that's a thing of the past. In the past, polyester clothing, for example, used to be very warm and uncomfortable. Nowadays, you can find polyester in almost all clothing, and its quality has greatly improved. It's successfully used in various clothing items in combination with other materials.
By combining polyester with materials like viscose, elastane, or wool, you create a mix of good materials that offer perfect comfort at an affordable price.
Buying a Suit for the Long Term or One-Time Use
Many suits are only worn on special occasions and then hung back in the closet. This is a shame. The parts of a three-piece suit can be combined well in daily life for a smart-casual look. You don't have to wear the suit only once. In another blog post, we show you how to combine the parts of your suit so that you don't have to wear it only once but can use it for a more extended period.
We're Here to Help with All Your Questions
If you have any questions that haven't been answered after reading this blog, we're here to help. Feel free to ask us a question via the chat, and we'll provide you with an answer as quickly as possible.
