RTW, MTM, Bespoke, Thrift Store
Being a gentleman is not so much about your clothes, or how expensive they are, as it is about how you wear your clothes and present yourself. Being "well dressed" on a budget is possible if you know what to look for. If you spend much time on YouTube watching videos on men's fashion you will find commentators that can't stand what is really the industry standard, meaning Ready to Wear and Made to Measure. Bespoke clothing is pretty much reserved for people with disposable income. When choosing clothing, an important factor to consider is cost per wear. If you are going to wear a $2000 suit once or twice a year it is hardly a bargain if you have a tight budget. Three $600 suits that you rotate through on a regular basis might make more sense. That doesn't mean you shouldn't own a classic $2000 suit if you can afford it (just don't buy it when you are 30, it won't fit when you are 40...) but you have to weigh the cost. I suspect, mostly because it applies to me, that 80% of the members of this group are in the RTW category of consumer. We shop at the large retail stores and men's clothing stores, or online. Unlike women's clothing, men's clothing tends to have styles that stand up for decades or longer. That makes shopping for suits and separates on the clearance rack a great way to freshen up your wardrobe without emptying your bank account. I recently scored an $80 pair of pinstriped slacks for $2. With alterations, since they were too long for me, I was still only out $20. Thrift Stores can be a gold mine for men's clothing if you know your brands and your sizes. If you have a favorite big box store where you buy your clothes, hitting a thrift store can save you 95% of retail. I have purchased several nice sports coats from thrift stores for under $10 each. Almost new slacks and shirts for $5. About the only thing I don't buy used is shoes, unless they look to be new. Your feet are very important, and you should buy the best shoes you can afford. Spending money you don't have, to impress people you don't know, is not part of being a gentleman. Knowing the value of money, choosing the best quality you can afford (without going into debt), and wearing your clothes in a manner that is appropriate for the occasion, and carrying yourself well and respecting others is part of being a gentleman.