5 Ways To Save Money On A New Suit

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For attorneys, a nice conservative suit is the required uniform. If you haven’t started law school yet, you’ll want to include a new suit in your list of back to school supplies. You’ll not only need it for job interviews, but if you plan on taking part in moot court, you’ll have to wear one, too.

But at $200-$300 a pop, suits are expensive, especially for a starving law student like yourself. Here are 5 tips on how you can save tons of money on your next suit, but still look like a million bucks.

1. Buy suits on sale. Read the department store newspaper inserts religiously. Stores like Dillard’s or JC Penny have suit sales quite regularly. You can easily score a sharp looking suit for less than $200 if you keep your eyes open.
2. Avoid add-ons. Remember that department store salesman are paid on commission, so they’re going to try to up-sale you with belts, socks, and cufflinks. Buying in store will set you back. Say “no thanks” and go to a discount department store to buy your accessories.
3. Stick with classic designs. Don’t buy trendy suits for two reasons: 1) law is a very conservative profession. If you show up in suit that looks like it should be on a run way model, you’ll probably get funny looks from judges; and 2) trends come and go. If your suit goes out of style, you’ll probably be tempted to fork over more money to buy another. Go with a classic. You’ll never go wrong.
4. Don’t have your suit custom made. Custom made suits will have to wait when you are charging clients $400 an hour. In law school, saving money comes before luxury. Just buy your suit and have them tailor it in store. You’ll get the same custom made feel for a fraction of the price.
5. Buy a gently used thift store suit and have it tailored. Finding a nice thrift store suit will take a lot of patience and time; however, if you have both, you can save big bucks. I found a really sharp looking suit at a consignment store for $10. I took it in to a local men’s clothing store and they tailored it to my measurements for another $10. Total cost: $20.

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9 Comments

1. traineeinvestor on 17.07.2007 at 07:28 (Reply)

   One trick is to buy two identical pairs of trousers with every jacket. The trousers always wear out well before the jacket does so you effectively get a very good return on the “investment” in the second pair.

2. dreamy1 on 17.07.2007 at 16:06 (Reply)

   Does this work for women’s clothing too? What is the proper attire for lady attorneys?

3. Brett McKay on 17.07.2007 at 20:37 (Reply)

   Dreamy-
   From what I understand women generally also have to sport a conservative dress suit. I’ve heard many a female classmate lament how it’s hard to look cute when all you can wear is dark dress suits.
   But please take what I say with a grain of salt. What I say is purely anecdotal. That’s just what I’ve noticed.

   I’d love for any women attorneys to chime in. A guest post on female dressing for a legal career would be great. Contact me if you’re interested.

4. tom on 20.07.2007 at 13:24 (Reply)

   Has anyone had any luck with purchasing men’s suits (gently worn and otherwise) on ebay? There are some good looking buys there, but I am a little wary of buying a suit on line..shoes, however, are another thing entirely.

5. Make Yourself Stick With These First Impression Tips | The Frugal Law Student on 09.08.2007 at 09:42

   […] dress so you’ll fit  in with the people who are interviewing you. For attorneys that means conservative suits, white shirts, and ties. If your job is more creative, say like a graphic designer, dress so it […]

6. Dress Great on the Cheap - Shirt SALE « Legal Andrew on 05.02.2008 at 20:45

   […] But it doesn’t have to be. Especially for us guys. There are great tips to iron better and save on a suit. And you can also save on dress […]

7. Make Yourself Stick With These First Impression Tips | The Art of Manliness on 19.02.2008 at 16:33

   […] Also, dress so you’ll fit in with the people who are interviewing you. For attorneys that means conservative suits, white shirts, and ties. If your job is more creative, say like a graphic designer, dress so it […]

8. custom tailor on 16.05.2008 at 19:16 (Reply)

   what about having a custom made suit for just 209U.S$ whare you don’t have to wait allot.
   at www.mytailorstore.com

9. tailor on 16.05.2008 at 19:21 (Reply)

   Another trick is buy 2 suit what you can combine with each other .Then you have 4 in 2

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