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Need suits for work, can't afford it

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All,

Not sure if this the right place at MSE to post this. I work in the City and have recently taken a position which involves lots of client interaction and I only have one old suit in a very bad condition.Needless to say that I need to invest on my suit collection but can't afford to do so, it would hit my budget to take £150 or £100 to buy a near-decent suit or more than one.
Do you guys know where I can pick up a reasonable suit at very inexpensive prices?
I was thinking of posting on my local freecycle as a wanted item but size is always a problem.

Many thanks in advance for your suggestions, I am embarassed of always dry-cleaning the same suit and bring it into work....
Member 7 of 100 to 10k - £100 to £10k = £149
«1345

Comments

  • Tk Max, Matalan, Next clearence. Can get a very decent suit under £100.00.

    Alternativly, get 2 or 3 from Primark or Asda for the same price and rotate them. the only time they look cheap is when overworn. It is more important that you have a decent tie, shoes and belt. Also, save a fortune at the dry cleaners and have the suit ( or just the trousers) pressed rather than dry cleaned. Makes them look new again!

    Good Luck
  • KrispiiDuck
    KrispiiDuck Posts: 1,121 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Tesco and Asda both sell suit separates at very reasonable prices.
    Sometimes even cheaper when you buy the jacket & trousers at the same time.
  • fsdss
    fsdss Posts: 1,429 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    try the charity shops

    laugh you may, but in my local one, they are stacked to the brim with suits all under £20
    Give blood - its free
  • grannybiker
    grannybiker Posts: 12,128 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Tk Max, Matalan, Next clearence. Can get a very decent suit under £100.00.

    Alternativly, get 2 or 3 from Primark or Asda for the same price and rotate them. the only time they look cheap is when overworn. It is more important that you have a decent tie, shoes and belt. Also, save a fortune at the dry cleaners and have the suit ( or just the trousers) pressed rather than dry cleaned. Makes them look new again!

    Good Luck


    All great suggestions. Bear in mind you can jazz up cheap ones from Asda, Primark etc with expensive looking buttons, scarves, trim etc.
    Freecycle's always worth a try, it costs nothing to ask after all.
    Ditto charity shops, particularly if you're a smaller size. People do "Grow out" of them even when they've finished officially growing IYKWIM!
    Car boot sales can throw up some real bargains if you examine them carefully and you're prepared to take a chance on it fitting well, or make minor alterations. Clothing can be picked up VERY cheaply if you hunt through and look at stuff hanging on the actual cars, (this often gets overlooked, then they sometimes sell it cheaply to get rid.) The stuff on the floor usually goes very cheaply, but you have to sort through some naff stuff to find the gems!
    If you don't strike it lucky, you can always look out for those buttons and trims while you're at the boot sale / charity shops!
    Hope this helps.
    Worse things will have happened in the world today...
    "The only thing that really matters, it to love and to be loved."
  • What about trying a dress agency? , here you could get a very good quality suit at a bargain price!
  • what about ebay? you could do a search for BNWT ladies suits and get a good one for a lot less than you'd pay in the shops

    bb
  • Tinuel
    Tinuel Posts: 392 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    what about ebay? you could do a search for BNWT ladies suits and get a good one for a lot less than you'd pay in the shops

    bb

    Err.. I am guy, lol but thanks for the suggestion! ;)
    Member 7 of 100 to 10k - £100 to £10k = £149
  • Tinuel
    Tinuel Posts: 392 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    What about trying a dress agency? , here you could get a very good quality suit at a bargain price!

    Hi Shoppaholic,
    Could you give me more info on dress agencies? What's that? Where can I find one?
    Member 7 of 100 to 10k - £100 to £10k = £149
  • Tinuel
    Tinuel Posts: 392 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Many thanks all for your helpful replies!!!
    So, do Tesco or Asda suits look "cheap" or bad quality? I work for a very big and famous investment/finance firm and I want a bargain but because I deal with clients on important projects a "presentable" suit is important.

    Still debating if I ask the boss to approve the suit shopping on company expenses, some firms do give vouchers to new employees to renew their wardrobe.
    Member 7 of 100 to 10k - £100 to £10k = £149
  • Tinuel
    Tinuel Posts: 392 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    fsdss wrote: »
    try the charity shops

    laugh you may, but in my local one, they are stacked to the brim with suits all under £20

    FSDSS,
    Is this charity shop in London? I have tried my local ones in South East London and none had suits or office type suits.
    Member 7 of 100 to 10k - £100 to £10k = £149
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