Should I replace my navy Jos A Bank with something better or add to my collection?

[starsfan18]

I have a solid navy 2 button Jos A Bank suit (yes, I know

) that I'd like to replace eventually. Gilt has some Hickey Freeman (mainline as far as I can tell) solid navy suits in my size. Right now, I have two suits - the Jos A Bank navy, and a HF 2 button in a solid dark gray (wouldn't quite call it charcoal) that I purchased from Gilt. Neiman Marcus Last Call near me also has some HF suits in my size in various colors and styles.

My question is, should I buy a solid navy HF replace the JAB, or should I purchase something different, like a navy or gray pinstripe and wait for my Jos A Bank to wear out? I don't wear a suit often except for 3-4 times a year for business and the odd funeral.

 

[LanceW]

Unless you want to start wearing a suit more frequently, I would upgrade. Although, with 3 conservative suits, you could wear them 4-5 days a week if you had to.

 

[An Ex Parrot]

I guess it depends on what your purpose is in buying the suit. If the blue JAB looks bad, then by all means replace it with a better looking blue HF. Or, if your principal goal is to upgrade your suit collection, then replacing the JAB with the HF would be a good step in that direction.

But if the JAB looks fine, I think you should keep it.

You only wear a suit 3-4 times a year, and you already have 2 suits. So, each gets worn about 2x per year. That's pretty light wear. Apart from the cut and fit of a better suit, one thing you're buying with an HF is a suit that should wear better over time through repeated dry cleaning. If you only wear it a couple times a year, you shouldn't have endurance problems with the JAB.

A couple thoughts:

1. If you really don't intend to wear a suit more than handful of times a year, your clothing budget may be better spent on good trousers or a sport coat or shoes than another suit. (Obviously, you know your budget and wardrobe needs better than I, so take this for what it's worth.)

2. If you are going to get a suit, think about where you will wear it. A grey pinstripe, for example is great, but it's a standard business suit. And your navy and grey suits are already perfect for business wear. So, if you're not principally going to wear the new suit for business (or, if your business isn't banking or law or such, where blue and grey are practically de rigeur), you may want to look at a brown suit or a glen plaid--something to broaden your wardrobe beyond the standard "business suit" look. (Also, I note that you live in SA. Personally, I've always felt a bit out of place in a dark blue or grey suit when I go there on business. YMMV.)

Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Best of luck.

AEP

 

[Klobber]

Since you wear a suit so infrequently, an upgrade or new suit makes little sense. Use the money for something else, like a sport coat, blazer, etc ...

 

[RSS]

Originally Posted by starsfan18

I don't wear a suit often except for 3-4 times a year for business and the odd funeral.
Upgrade.

 

[bslo]

Originally Posted by starsfan18

I Right now, I have two suits - the Jos A Bank navy, and a HF 2 button in a solid dark gray (wouldn't quite call it charcoal) that I purchased from Gilt.

I don't wear a suit often except for 3-4 times a year for business and the odd funeral.

It doesn't seem as though you need a new suit, unless you're going to start wearing them more often.

 

[mensimageconsultant]

For IT consulting business functions and funerals, it's probably fine. Assuming it fits well and goes well with the body type.