All Over Albany

Assuming you've got the time to wait to get it made - Bond St. Custom Clothiers. It's a locally owned start-up that makes a better suit than what you can get off the rack (i.e. it fits right) at comparable prices. Last I checked it was $350.

Plus you can customize almost everything about the suit

http://www.bondstcustomsuits.com/

End of discussion

... said ike on May 24, 2011 at 2:33 PM | link

Express actually has some really great suits (although very limited selection.) Keep an eye out for their coupons (typically $75 off $250) or clearance sales (seemingly every other month) you can get a nice quality suit easily under $200.

... said Clifton Park Dan on May 24, 2011 at 2:39 PM | link

From my experience Express clothes are cheaply made. I guess if you're just wearing it once or twice a year that would be fine.

... said Ron on May 24, 2011 at 2:51 PM | link

I'm definitely going to go check out Bond St. I miss having hand made suits.

In the interim, for decent, inexpensive suits, I actually had good luck at the Outlets in Lee. There are a couple of men's suit type places, decent prices, and really only about 40 minutes away.

... said komradebob on May 24, 2011 at 3:10 PM | link

Last time I went suit shopping with my husband, we found this neat little shop tucked in the Wolf Road Park shopping plaza, behind Macaroni Grill, called Mark Thomas Men's Apparel (http://www.markthomasmensapparel.com/). The salesman was great and they had a great selection. I don't recall the prices, but I remember my husband being very impressed. He also does not like Men's Wearhouse.

... said WendyV on May 24, 2011 at 3:14 PM | link

I wear suits just about every day (sadface) and have found a good selection at Macy's.

I also very much dislike the Men's Warehouse on Wolf Road - they lost the suit my husband ordered for our wedding when we went there to have it hemmed and instead of being up front about it, made us wait in the store for over an hour while they milled around.

... said Katie on May 24, 2011 at 3:15 PM | link

I second Mark Thomas -- prices are a bit higher, but service and quality can't be beat.

... said PS on May 24, 2011 at 3:29 PM | link

Macy's has good deals on nice suits. Men's Warehouse blows. Hard selling staff that does little to impress. Customer service lacking.

... said NoSuitforYou on May 24, 2011 at 3:32 PM | link

I say try Waldorf Tuxedos on Lark Street. Yes, they're mainly tuxedos for rental, but they do have some good buys that will leave some money in your pocket. I always rent tuxes from there, and its definitely worth a look-see.

... said Chris on May 24, 2011 at 3:40 PM | link

Hey, I like pleats! IMO, guys who aren't of, um, "slender" build, look ridiculous in plant-front pants.

First rule of being a grown-up man: never go cheap on a suit. Cheap suits look cheap, I don't care who made it. $350 is a cheap suit.

Go bespoke. Nothing compares to a suit that was made especially for your body.

I like Hong Kong Custom Tailors in Colonie. They will custom measure you, offer a very wide selection of fabrics, etc. They also embroider your name on the inside pocket of the jacket--classy.

The last suit I bought there was about $650. I love it and have gotten many (unsolicited) compliments on it.

http://www.hongkong-customtailors.com/index.htm

... said John on May 24, 2011 at 3:44 PM | link

EBay. Buy used. Get local alterations if needed.

... said Ryan on May 24, 2011 at 5:21 PM | link

Second rule of being a grown-up man: Realize that not everyone is made of money, and that dropping almost $700 on a take-out-of-the-closet-a-few-times-a-year clothing option isn't a viable option for many making a living in the Capital region.

I've gotten many (also unsolicited) comments on the $100 off-the-rack suit that I spent an extra $40 to get tailored. No pleats.

... said Eric on May 24, 2011 at 7:08 PM | link

I am getting married in October and just went through the process of purchasing 4 suits for me and the groomsmen. I could not recommend higher Jos A. Bank. The suits were fair priced for the quality and there is always some kind of deal. Their service was top notch and they did everything they could to help me.

... said Paul on May 24, 2011 at 7:55 PM | link

The professionals in the men's department at the Colonie Center Macy's know how to fit you in a suit. If you've been going to a place like the Wearhouse, you probably don't have any idea what actually fits you well. The quality is good, the prices are decent, you'll come away looking good.

... said Carl on May 24, 2011 at 8:04 PM | link

Salvation Army.

... said Alex on May 24, 2011 at 9:02 PM | link

Another vote for Jos. A. Banks. My husband bought a great summer suit there for our wedding last year. He's extra tall and kind of large, and they did a great job with the tailoring.

He also bought his best man's jacket there, a navy traveler-material number. They always seem to have some sort of sale there, and the guys got a great deal.

Service was also fantastic. My husband has never bought a suit on his own (without input from someone who knows how to buy a suit). I know he and his buddy went in there looking like they were dressed to mow the lawn. The salesman treated them like they were refined gentlemen, and even remembered them when we went to get the items after tailoring.

... said Kerosena on May 24, 2011 at 9:19 PM | link

First - don't judge a suit by it's price 100% of the time. A good custom suit with excellent fabrics can be purchased for less than $500 - just not in a retail store.

Online stores don't have the overhead, obviously, so they don't mark up their products by 500%.

So to the gentleman who thinks that a good suit begins only at $600, he is living in an old and bygone era.

... said Kobe on May 24, 2011 at 11:33 PM | link

I know more than one person (okay, three as far as I remember) who swear by grabbing suits at thrift stores (see Alex's comment) and having them altered to fit. Total cost usually comes in under $100 and you end up with something looking way better than off the rack!

... said B on May 25, 2011 at 12:17 AM | link

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll spend some time looking around Jos A Banks, and maybe even try to find a deal on a custom suit. Crossing my fingers...

... said Matthew on May 25, 2011 at 2:09 PM | link

Jos A. Bank is not an option if you really work for a living; the prices are obscene. Spector's in Colonie Center was perfect, but sadly they closed in February.

... said M@ on Jul 11, 2014 at 12:13 PM | link

Once you find a suit that you like and looks good on you, the most important thing is a good tailor. There's no better way to look like a chump than wearing clothes that don't fit.

Here's a handy guide so you'll feel a bit more savvy when you walk into the shop: http://www.askmen.com/fashion/fashiontip/how-to-buy-a-suit.html

... said Jamie on Jul 11, 2014 at 3:35 PM | link

If you have time to travel and suits fit you well off the rack, the Brooks Brothers outlet in Manchester is an excellent resource.

... said Carl on Jul 12, 2014 at 9:16 AM | link