Where to buy a good suit for a small man?

mariat

Hi everyone, I need some help!

Our eldest son's wedding in in June, and preparations have begun. However, my husband can't find a good quality suit to fit. He is a 36 inch chest and 5'5" tall. I know he'll have to get the sleeves shortened, but finding a 36" short suit that is like finding the proverbial needle!
Can anyone point me in the right direction as regards makes and/or shops we might try? Buying on the internet is a no no if he can't try first. We live in Norfolk if that helps, but he can travel down to London if that 's what it takes.

Also, does a 36"S mean that just the trouser length is short, or is the jacket length shorter too?

chib

I use a shop in Glasgow called Slaters for my suits... and buy all my shirts at M&S. There must be something similar nearby?

Horseunderwater

Why buy? Why not try hiring if it is just for one day. And not only that you can hire different sizes for diff bits. First thing is to establish his inside leg length. Anything under 30in is short and size will possibly read (waist) 34 S (leg 29") or less as an example. Substitute OH measurements and you'll then have his size for bottom half.
Jackets. Size means Arm length, I think tailors do shoulder to wrist (top side). That is the short bit of measurement. Then measure around your chaps chest as he breaths in so chest gets as big as it gets. Record that and away you go. http://www.mens-suits-online.co.uk/size-guide/ That link will help you find correct size to look for.

bcl999

A couple of things here http://www.marksandspencer.com/XS-Suits-Suits-Mens/b/445285031?ie=UTF8&pf_rd_r=02BZDN9XRCYVYDB4SHAC&pf_rd_m=A2BO0OYVBKIQJM&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_i=43483030&pf_rd_p=475115433&pf_rd_s=left-nav-2

Might be worth keeping an eye on it.

GRM

Austin Reed do 36" short - the trousers are 30" inside leg. You can buy online and return in-store if required - they have branches in Norwich and Cambridge. They currently have a sale on with lots of suits on offer e.g. £399 down to £149 and you can get cashback via Quidco.

devildog

Burtons-seriously

Bought a suit there last year for someone who is 5' 5 1/2(the all important 1/2" Chest size is the same too if I recall correctly.
The sleeves didn't need altering either!
For shirts(didn't like ones at Burton) we went to Debenhams where we found perfect collar/sleeve length and a very helpful assistant too

LOL are Burtons 'quality'? It was perfect for what we wanted.

mariat

Thanks for the reply guys.

Devildog-Tried our local Burtons, no good. 36"S wasn't short enough.

GRM- Thanks, I'll have a look on Austin. Reeds site.

bcl999-Looked on M&S site, seems 36"S is quite popular as they seemed to be out of stock on most of the items. Or maybe they just don't stock many.


Horseunderwater- thanks for the info, very helpful. He'd rather buy than hire. We have 3 son's and this is the first to wed. Then there are Christenings etc...

Chib - you would think so, but where we live is the back of beyond! We'll take a trip to Norwich in the near future and hopefully find something there.

jasmineswhiskers

River Island - The jackets go down to a 34" and the trousers in short have a 30" leg. Some nice modern cuts too.
http://www.riverisland.com/Online/men/suits

Edwardia

Try T M Lewin which has both shops and Internet. Online the sale is still on and I bought OH a £500 pure new wool suit this evening reduced to £199.20 with free trouser hemming, free suit bag and free delivery home (or store if you live near one).

On the website there's a how to measure video from the manager of the Jermyn St shop. Short refers to the jacket length I think but you could always ask customer services. www.tmlewin.co.uk

Re: shirts your husband could buy those armband things to keep sleeves up, have a feeling I've seen them on Chums www.chums.co.uk

I wouldn't regard Burton as quality myself although my father says they used to be. Have been told my local one gives discounts to public services staff with photo ID