When it comes to spring suits—or any suits, for that matter—you generally get what you pay for. “Generally,” though, is the operative word here, and in that word lies an entire world of wiggle room—and no shortage of exceptions. Right this very moment, we’re pleased to report that at least five (5!) killer spring suits are available for under $500, all ready and raring for peak wedding season.
Variety? We got it. We’re talking louche, eggshell-hued seersucker rigs (you can totally wear white to a wedding if you’re cool about it, FYI); relaxed cotton riffs the same shade as your morning espresso; and slouchy navy joints that look terrific together, and even better when you separate the jacket from their pants. So if the fear of spilling Aperol down the front of an expensive suit was the only thing holding you back from wearing one with reckless abandon, relax: the laid-back options below are designed to cut a rug, not ding your credit score.
5 Affordable Suits for Your Spring Shindigs
The Wildly-Chill Pick: J.Crew Relaxed Fit Suit
When J.Crew’s suiting program took off in the 2010s, it did so off the strength of one silhouette alone: the era-defining Ludlow. In the past few years, the Crew has added a whole host of new suits to its assortment, and one of the best—if not the best—just touched down this month. Done up in a cotton poplin breezy enough for the summer heat but substantial enough to weather a mild spring drizzle, it’ll crush with an Oxford shirt and loafers—and look just as excellent split up.
The Linen Pick: Stüssy Textured Linen Suit
Stüssy—yes, seminal streetwear imprint Stüssy—doesn’t boast what anybody would describe as a “deep” suiting assortment, but the sole model the brand offers is a knockout. The blazer skews classic and clean-cut, thanks to a single vent, notch lapels, and flapped welt pockets at the waist. The pants, though, skew rakish and not a little skate rat, courtesy of slash pockets at the side, and an extremely easy cut. They’re both available in a beautifully-textured 100% linen fabric, which will stay cool(ish) on even the shvitziest days of the year.
The Make-It-Make-Sense Pick: Uniqlo AirSense Suit
I own this suit; I wrote about this suit; I will be wearing this suit to pieces in both situations that demand it and situations that don’t. The fabric is insanely light, but somehow manages to retain its structure, and sure, the elastic waistband puts a hard(ish) ceiling on how formal it can go, but the entire set is also…under $150. (For all you tailoring nerds, yes, the single-button cuffs are functional.)
The Double-Breasted Pick: Madewell Double-Breasted Suit
If you’re looking for a pair of white cotton-linen pants, Madewell’s are some of the best I’ve seen in a minute—two deep pleats, one healthy rise, no notes. That you can also snag a matching double-breasted jacket would just be the icing here, except the jacket is entirely worthy of acknowledgment on its own. Softs shoulders, healthy lapels, contrasting buttons? At $228 it’s already an excellent value—with its corresponding trousers, it’s a no-brainer.
The Seersucker Pick: Percival Tailored Seersucker Suit
OK, so this one isn’t technically under $500, but it’s pretty damn close—and you can score a 20% discount on Percival’s site, which does, indeed, drop it into our totally arbitrary price range. Even at full price, though, it’s a ton of suit for your buck, and we’d be terribly remiss not to include it. That extra dough gets you a preposterously lightweight cotton seersucker that manages to hold its shape better than the fabric has any right to. While we’re on the topic of shape—the jacket also happens to include a hint of low-profile padding to keep you sharp, which is just a bonus, really, but helpful to know.