No one will ever suspect how little you paid for these best cheap suits...

Cheap suits don’t have to mean cheap quality. Whether you’re a student on a tight budget, a big-earning gent who’s squandered his weekly pay on other essentials, or someone who needs a suit for only one occasion before it gets shoved to the back of the closet never to be worn again; sometimes a man just needs a cheap suit.

While we highly recommend splashing out a bit of dough on a high-quality and impeccably tailored suit, we understand that some men simply can’t afford it, or don’t wear suits often enough to justify that much cash.

Therefore, we’ve written this guide (and rounded up our favourites) to help you find cheap suits that won’t compromise your style.

Cheap suits don’t necessarily equate to low-quality tailoring or a sloppily constructed jacket-and-trouser-combo made from horrible materials. There are plenty of suits on the menswear market today from several reputable retailers that are both well-made and affordable; you just need to know what to look out for before purchasing.

Even cheap suits must fit your body right. The cut of your suit needs to be perfect, running along the contours of your body without being restrictive. Most men have never been professionally measured, so this is your starting point.

Have a store assistant or capable friend measure your chest, waist, and leg length before contemplating your size; suits aren’t like jeans where you can sometimes wing it with the fit. Now, with up-to-date measurements of your body, you can easily buy suits both online and in-store with much more confidence that the fit will be right.

While a custom-made suit is best, you’d have to head to China before getting something made-to-measure on a budget. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get things altered, post-purchase.

Because we all come in different shapes and sizes, the fit of a cheap suit will most likely be slightly ‘off’ – either too long in the leg or gaping slightly in the waist. As a general rule, if you find yourself in between sizes, go slightly longer or bigger, as it’ll be far easier for someone to then alter.

Take your cheap suit to a local alterations place and ask them to match your measurements. Pricing, like any service, varies so if you’re on a severe budget, do your research. But remember, you’ve already saved a few hundred dollars by buying off-the-rack and from a cheaper retailer. If the suit is for work, you’ll get a lot of mileage from this piece, so it’s worth the investment. Once altered, the cheap suit will automatically look more expensive too, which is what you want.

Again, like the bespoke option, you’ll be lucky to find a pure wool suit for your price range. So let’s talk about fabric. Most cheap suits will come in materials made from the following synthetic fibres: polyester, viscose, elastane, Lycra, and spandex.

The cheapest suits will only boast these man-made yarns, which can be recognised for their sturdy feel and sheen. However, synthetic suits are hotter to wear in summer and less insulating in winter and don’t feel as nice to touch.

Some cheap suits boast a synthetic-natural fibre blend or come made from a fabric that is purely natural, such as cotton. Linen and seersucker fall into the cotton category, as they are all plant-derived. Natural fibre-made suits are breathable and feel nicer to wear, but they often crease more than synthetics and aren’t as indestructible.

As a rule, make sure you find out what fabric a suit is made from before you purchase and try to go for the following: Elastane and Lycra will offer more stretch, linen will feel soft and breathable (but is more casual), and a polyester-wool blend suit is perfect for the office.

The cheap suit for work looks best in traditional neutrals – black, grey, navy, and brown – and in minimal prints such as checks, herringbone, or fine pinstripes (never thick or wide pyjama-type stripes). There is nothing worse than a suit that looks novelty, and because the cheap suit’s fabric may look less luxurious when compared to more expensive suits, keeping things classic in the office will help you look more suave.

Over-accessorising falls into this category, too. Stick to a business-savvy tie with a tasteful stripe and colour and play around with woven and flat-look options for the textural difference. A nice watch adds some instant dollars to your ensemble. As do quality-made, leather lace-ups, freshly polished. Add a waistcoat to form a three-piece suit and you’re mighty dapper, instantly.

If you’re after a cheap suit for an event, one-off occasion, or just want to rock a suit on the weekend Barney Stinson style, well then go for bold colours and unstructured tailoring. The beauty of cheap suiting means you can buy one in every colour (well, almost). Don’t be afraid to experiment when you’re off-duty and consider purchasing a suit in trendy hues such as marsala, mint green, and white.

Bolder windowpane checks and geo prints look great on the weekend and give you a chance to flash some personality. Not into outlandish tailoring? Pop a printed pocket square into your navy jacket and lose the tie and socks. And voila, you’re on trend, sharp, and no one will ever know just how little you’ve spent.

Take a look at these fantastic brands who make rather good quality and stylish suits for under $350. These are the absolute best cheap suits for men that’ll make you look sophisticated… and like you’ve spent much more than you have!

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