Suits/coats in Europe
Hey everyone,
I have four weddings this coming summer and wish to buy some sort of combination of suit/sports coat/shirts/shoes to introduce a bit of variety while also trying to cover some fundementals.
For example, I had the idea to but two different made to order shirts from Apposta or Shirtonomy, a pair of black oxfords(or something similar) since I don't own a pair of classic shoes at all (this is why I think it makes sense to get black), most likely from Meermin or Scarosso. I'd like to get a differently colored coat and suit pants if possible but I'm limited with the color of my shoes (black).
As for the suit pieces, I'm seeing that most people recommend Suit Supply in Europe, I can't visit a store in person so I'd also be ordering online after getting measurements taken. Doesn anyone have experience or suggestion if this is a good idea at all? I could browse local suit stores as well, such as Massimo Dutti or some Croatian brands.
I'm also looking for recommendations as to which colors to combine for a summer vibe because I'll mostly be attending summer weddings in Croatia.
I'm open to suggestions in all directions, different shoe color, getting a two piece suit instead of separate colors as long as the shirt is interesting enough etc. etc.
I think my brands choices paint a decent picture of the budgets I'm working with.
Thanks in advance 
12 Replies
In terms of fabrics I would look at linen, linen blends or summer wool. Light grey or beige are nice in the summer. And blue always works as well. I would personally try to get one nicer suit instead of separate pieces but it either is fine. I also get wanting to have more options. Black shoes sounds like a good idea. If you already have a suit or a jacket and pants that you like you could measure those and try to order online at Suit Supply but there's always an inherent risk involved.
Given your general plan, I would suggest brown shoes, light navy suit, and some beige/tan pants that you can wear with the suit jacket.
I have a pair of brown Meermin loafers that would probably work well for you
White and light blue shirts.
For a first suit, I'd definitely suggest wool, not linen. But a summer wedding in Croatia does sound 🥵
Mto for the shirts might be overkill
Definitely try to get fitted in person. Don't buy online. (IMO)
Don't forget belt and ties when you are budgeting. It adds up.
Meermin has belts, I think
Thanks for the advice.
I think most functions in Croatia take place during the summer, I do have a cheap charcoal suit which I am not happy with. Any ideas if body measurements are a good metric to order a suit online realiably or should I just scratch that idea completely?
A new belt is overdue anyways 🙂
buying loafers without owning a pair of derby or oxfords seems a bit weird but it would fit the whole outfit I'm going for. Black wouldn't work on this combination that you described?
They're not that much more expensive and I would be wearing the shirts outside of special occasions, at least the light blue one
IF you are going to go by measurements it's ususally safer to measure a garment you like of the same type that you're looking to buy. It's easier to measure and more inidicative of fit because body measurements don't take the intended fit of the garment into account. Suit Supply also have measurements of the garment online and not of the body that the garment is made for afaik.
But I'm going to echo j's advice that trying to get fitted in person is better!
I have some Meermin oxfords too. They would work for you just fine, but the loafers are more comfortable. Meermins loafers are pretty dressy.
If you get Meermin oxfords, you will need to spend time to break them in
ok, thanks for all the great advice
I see that Apposta does accept body measurements as well as garment measurements so I might give that a shot anyways.
You're in croatia currently?
Yah in person and RTW is better unless you know that you have specific fit issues with RTW offerings
I don't see that suitsupply has a physical location in Croatia
How hard is it to go to Italy? Should be a lot of options over there
Also go to a shoe store and get measured if you haven't done that already if you're ordering shoes online. Will help at least even if not perfect
Do you know the wedding's dress code? As jfarrell said, black oxfords are not necessarily something you should automatically buy unless the weddings' dress code calls for it or you foresee you'll have other very formal events where you'd need one
...
What makes you suppose there will be a lot of options that would make travelling across three countries to a major Italian city worthwhile?
Well places like Florence and Naples are hubs for tailoring, and Milan is a hub for fashion and shopping in general. If it's too difficult to get to then that's fair and why I asked
Florence and Naples have a small number of high end tailors and are mostly packed with mediocre mall brand and tourist bait you can get elsewhere/in most other EU cities. Milan is a hub for fashion sure, but suggesting that to someone who is looking for Meermin tier shoes is a bit like telling someone from NYC to just go to the Spier physical location to buy a shirt. Please use your head a bit and don't overly romanticise Italy.
yes, I live in Croatia and due to the four weddings taking up a lot of my money and annual leave I won't be traveling much this year 
are no dress codes really, I can definitely not get them, but a black pair of dress shoes is something I though I would need anyways eventually.
Croatian weddings are pretty horrific for men's fashion, mostly just people wearing a "nice shirt", often untucked, tight pants and dress shoes or "nice sneakers", aside from the groom and his closest posse who usually just wear charcoal/black/navy suits
are no dress codes really, I can definitely not get them, but a black pair of dress shoes is something I though I would need anyways eventually.
Croatian weddings are pretty horrific for men's fashion, mostly just people wearing a "nice shirt", often untucked, tight pants and dress shoes or "nice sneakers", aside from the groom and his closest posse who usually just wear charcoal/black/navy suitsI believe there are Boggi Milano stores in Zagreb and Dubrovnik if either are a realistic prospect and they probably offer something similar to Suit Supply and an opportunity to try on. Massimo Dutti is probably an ok choice - you won't get the longest lasting thing there, but you'll get something nice enough and a chance to figure out what fits. Take a tape measure and measure stuff that fits ok to help with a second hand search if you can.