Okay let’s dive into my flared suit hunt. Wanted one bad after seeing those sharp 70s inspired looks everywhere. Kicked things off by hitting the mall, big mistake.
Phase One: The Mall Disaster
Wandered into those usual menswear chains hoping for luck. Found maybe two flared options, total. Both felt like cheap polyester nightmares. Price tags? Almost choked. $500+ for something that felt like a Halloween costume? Nope. Staff just shrugged when I asked about anything else. Dead end.
Phase Two: Digging Online Deals
Switched gears to online. Searched “affordable flered suit mens” like crazy. Problem? Endless scrolling! So many options, impossible to tell which would actually look decent. Played it cheap first, ordered something promising around $150. Showed up and… yeah. Fit was wonky, material felt scratchy, flares barely kicked out. Instant return.
Took a breath. Figured I needed to spend a little more to get past trash quality. Set a realistic budget cap at $300. Focused harder.
- Checked vintage sellers online. Real wool suits? Awesome. But sizes were all over the place, risky for tailoring cost.
- Scrolled big department stores sale sections. Hidden gems sometimes!
- Targeted brands known for retro fits. Didn’t need designer, just decent.
Phase Three: The Win (& Key Lessons)
Finally spotted a wool-blend jacket and matching pants. Listed under “modern flare.” Reviews mentioned the flared cut actually being noticeable and decent construction. Took the plunge.
Package arrives. Relief! Material felt solid, not flimsy. Jacket shoulders actually fit. Now, the pants. Here’s the crucial part everyone misses:
The flare starts right from the knee, not just at the bottom like some bell-bottoms. This creates that proper silhouette, wide leg opening without looking costume-y. Still needed the waist taken in slightly – $40 at my local tailor. Total out the door? $280.
Big Takeaways
- Malls are useless for anything less than premium price points.
- Cheap suits online are almost always trash. Budget wisely.
- Look for “wool blend” minimum. Avoid cheap polyester.
- Check where the flare starts on the trouser leg – knee level is key.
- Factor in tailoring costs ($30-$60 likely). Makes the suit.
- Patience pays off. Keep digging in sale sections.
Turns out you don’t need deep pockets to nail the flared suit look. Just sharp eyes online and a good tailor. Worth the hunt!.
