Suit Yourself And Your Budget

My Dress For Less model is not wearing a designer suit, just a suit designed to look terrific for a little more than $100.

This tailored silhouette comes in several colors and in single- and double-breasted styles from the Blair Menswear catalog. You’ll find this catalog chock full of exceptional buys on suits, shirts and ties, but I went elsewhere in search of just the right tie for this suit

If possible, bring a swatch or swatches of suit fabric with you when shopping for ties. It helps you find things that will work with several suits. Keep in mind that ties in natural fabrics look better than polyester.

Designer version

Double-breasted wool blend suit by Albert Nippon, $400

Patterned silk tie by Jhane Barnes, $70

Patterned silk pocket square by Giorgio Armani, $40

Cotton broadcloth shirt by Giorgio Armani, $70

Total: $580

Dress For Less version

Double-breasted wool blend suit by Irvine Park from Blair Menswear catalog, $119.95

Pattern silk tie by Facets at major department stores, $29.50

Silk pocket square from Stepan’s vintage clothing shop, $6

Cotton/poly blend shirt by Geoffrey Beene at major department stores, $34.50

Total: $189.95

Sources: Blair Menswear catalog, (800) 458-2000; Stepan’s vintage clothing shop, (404) 688-4929.

MEMO: All of the best looks and fashion bargains featured in this column are available in book form. Send $9.95 to Dress For Less, 177 Sound Beach Ave., Suite 6, Old Greenwich, CT 06870. For info about catalogs mentioned here, send a SASE to the same address. Next week’s Dress For Less column will be the last one. The author is discontinuing the feature.