I’ got got a wedding to go to in the summer and for some reason have decided I should try and find myself a nice new outfit to wear rather than just rolling out the same old grey suit. Ive seen a few tweed jackets that look like they might fit the bill but I’ve no idea where to start looking to find something decent (ie not too cheap) that isn’t going to cost the same as a new bike.

Can anyone recommend anywhere to consider for this sort of thing? Bonus points if they are likely to cater for the larger gent or if you are a larger gent and have found something that fits well.

If anyone is feeling particularly helpful I probably need a nice set of trews and a shirt too.

Slaters menswear. Branches all over the place.

Slaters, where CID officers go to get one suit for their divorce hearings, second wedding, court appearances and going out on the lash

Try Cordings or Magee for a Donegal tweed

Harris tweed is the one. Wierdly, i’ve seen loads in charity shops.

Well back in the day it was Dunn & Co.

No better way to bring Flash out of hiding.

Genuinely, trawl charity, or if that’s too much to bare, vintage shops. They have loads of them, and, being tweed, they last really well.

If got a brilliant tweed overcoat, and a cashmere overcoat, both from vintage shops, both for less than £100.

Don’t forget those arm patches 😉

Loads of great quality ones in charity shops, vintage shops, or the charity shops that have a specialist section. Way better than anything new unless you’re going to spend a fortune. Lots of examples here but I often find the best place is a local charity, especially hospices, that tend to get high quality donations. https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/searchresults?N=&No=0&Rdm=936&Nr=product.active:1&type=search&Nf=&Ns=null&Nrpp=30&Ntt=tweed%20jacket

1955

Agree with the charity shop suggestions.

Good quality tweed coats last longer than humans, and are often donated after a death. You probably won’t find one that suits you straight away, but keep looking – they’re out there.

Your local bespoke tailor.
Great selection of patterns; all of your sartorial preferences catered for; will fit you properly – not just fit where it touches; can be altered if/when your shape changes; will hide any physical ‘inconsistencies’ such as a dropped shoulder – most people have one – or a slight stoop; sleeves will be the right length; working cuffs if you want them and so much more.
Will last a lifetime and won’t lose shape.
You get what you pay for.
Everyone’s body size and shape is different.
Yes, bespoke is expensive but it’s worth every penny.
Off the peg – no; poorly made, single ‘fashion led’ design – think skinny, short jacket and only fit for the bin when the next ‘fashion trend’ arrives.
Made to measure – just modifications to a standard block but way better than off the peg.
Charity shop – last worn by someone’s grandad; fine, if that’s what you want but it will look like what it is – a cast off.

Do you want traditional/classic tweed, or nouveau hipster tweed?

If the latter and you don’t want to spend a fortune, Marc Darcy. I have the Eton and it was complimented a few times at the last wedding I attended

If checking out charity shop offerings check those armpits. That ingrained BO smell never comes out.

https://livefortweed.co.uk/tweed-jackets-blazers/

“….find something decent (ie not too cheap) that isn’t going to cost the same as a new bike.”
You certainly want something better than that.

For decent get your tailor to use Lovat Tweed

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I’ve found an Aberdeen Tweed, a Harris Tweed and a lovely Moon fabric worsted jacket in local charity shops. Even accounting for having them all dry cleaned, still well under £100 all in

If buying new then find a good gentleman’s outfitters. Where are you based, so we can recommended somewhere local? E.g if you’re near Buxton then Potter’s has a large selection

If you’re near Edinburgh, Glasgow or London give this a look. Really beautiful suits and they’ll tailor them. Total investment as my suit is still going strong after many a hard night at a wedding!

https://www.walkerslater.com/

Just been through the very same thing. Tried the local charity shops and couldn’t find what I was after (grey herringbone Harris tweed), so spent ages trawling around the internet and eventually got something from Walker & Hawkes via their Amazon store. They’re your traditional country outfitters, but reasonably priced. Good selection, well made and a more traditional cut

EBay

Don’t forget the smart shorts to go with it

Off the peg – no; poorly made, single ‘fashion led’ design – think skinny, short jacket and only fit for the bin when the next ‘fashion trend’ arrives.

I think you may want to up where you buy your off the peg jackets from.
Last jacket I bought, got it a month ago – off the peg blue velvet smoking jacket, the shop did a couple of minor alterations as any good ship should. Buy cheap and it will be crap, spend more and off the peg will be fine.

Don’t forget the smart shorts to go with it

And the Five Tens, of course.

I used to get them from charity shops for 10 or 15 quid, about 20 years ago.

Current one is actually a Ralph Lauren that I scored cheap at the Maxx – and it’s absolutely beautiful.

I should wear it more really.

Magee

Brook Taverner or maybe Gurteen if you want to look like Michael Portillo.

What’s going on with that 3 piece up the thread? All those funny little superfluous details?? Looks like you have stepped out of your hi-lux for an evening’s bare knuckle entertainment.
And the stupid gold button on the waistcoat that shouldn’t even be done up!

And then there’s the elephant in the room of wearing tweed to a summer wedding, linen, seersucker, cotton or very light wool mix would be far more comfortable
(Unless it’s a southern hemisphere do.

Some of the stuff at Magee looks fairly promising, I also found a couple of potential options at a local ish place that may work even though they are a much lighter (and as mentioned probably much more suitable for a summer wedding) hopsack material. Will see if I can head over to get a proper look at them soon.

Unfortunately I’m not sure I have the free time/temperament/patience to start trawling through charity and vintage shops to find something. Past experience also tells me that the chance of me finding 2nd hand clothes that actually fit me is pretty much zero.

Just buy a new suit. First of all it will look a lot nicer, secondly as referenced above there is no chance of looking anywhere near as much of a state as the photo above!

I’ve got a Marc Darcy waistcoat. I like waistcoats, i have quite a few. The MD is my last favourite and based on that i would not buy any MD clothes

I wear jackets like that for work most days (one at a time).As a large chap who was larger (48 previously, now 42) Magee is a good brand, quality and fits well. They do all sorts of different tweeds so you’re not just looking at twenty shades of green. The jacket will be lined too, unlike some of the more fashion-y brands, which is important.

Some of mine have come from charity shops or ebay but as noted, you need to make sure there aren’t holes/ stains etc and you might not have time to wait for the right one to come along. There’s also the risk they might have been altered if you buy sh online – I have ones which have the same size label from the same firm but they absolutely are not the same size!

It’s a good point made earlier in the thread about material – if it’s a summer wedding, you might well be too hot with some of the more bulletproof tweeds, and some sort of linen/ cotton mix might be better. Magee do some much lighter weight lambswool too though – a good outfitter should have a choice.

Good luck 🙂