re: One thing I really miss about the old days is a good menswear store

Everything you want is still available at McLavy's. Ashly is as good as her father was. And the tailor there is solid.

I'm sure there are a few other places as well, I'm just loyal to them cause they've never disappointed me.

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too obese and trashy

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Would make a great band name.

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If only someone knew the difference between knew and new.

Same old grammar problems, nothing new.

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3 keystrokes. The difference between making a point and making yourself a mockery.

i agree. a nice suit and tie was my daily wear

i remember shopping for hugo boss and armani 'clearance' ties at godchaux/maison blanche back in my poor college days and getting such a high from finding a really cool one.

i couldn't tell you the last time i wore a suit and tie now. they just sit in my closet gathering dust.

a more civilized era for sure

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Is this another boomer thread?

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Sorta... but no.

Suits are certainly not as needed as they once were between lax dress standards at the office and work from home. Many men may only need one or two, but there is still absolute value in having a solid selection of suits in certain white collar professions.

Yes, if you know your measurements, and have done your homework to know what the current trends with cut and lengths are (i suppose AI can help these days), you can buy online and hopefully just get minimal work done by a tailor. If you only need one or two suits for rare occasions like weddings... and if you don't mind looking less than perfect... this is good enough.

If you want/need more than that, though, and if you've grown past buying Kenneth Cole suits, there was/is value in knowing a guy at a menswear store (including higher end department stores like Saks) who knows his stuff.

A well trained guy (after trying to impress you by guessing your size), can guide you on the pros and cons of English vs Italian vs American cut suits and how they look on you and what sort of messaging they send to the people around you. They'll ask about how/where you wear them to guide on suit weight (like super 100s vs 110s, etc). They'll further guide you on what brands and cuts look best on you... 15 years ago or so, I thought I might like a Brioni suit. The guy working with me didn't think it was a great idea (I can't remember why) and when I tried it on, sure enough, it just didn't look as good on me as other mid to high end brands.

Tldr: if you are in a profession that requires suits, a good menswear guy is a great resource. At a certain point, attention to detail about your appearance can have value with who you're interacting with... and women tend to notice, too.

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You go to the midwest

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This was my mistake. It’s bleak.

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Everything you want is still available at McLavy's.

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How much would you expect to pay for a suit there? My son just graduated college and doesn’t have a suit.

Brooks Brothers is still around.

I drive 3 hours to Perlis just because the service is so damn great and I trust their opinion. One of the last old-time feeling gentlemens stores.