The business suit, the traditional outfit of men in the Western world, is generally worn with a dress shirt and tie. The modern suit first made its appearence in fashion during the late nineteenth century. Suits have always been a status symbol used in formal occasions and when conducting business. The fashions of suits have changed, but suit’s power to signal rank and membership maintains. So we must ask, what are the most expensive suits in the world?
Forbes recently released their Fall 2005 article of most expensive suits, which can be bought from a rack, as opposed to custom made expensive suits.
From the article:
Indeed, while the splurge appeal of custom and made-to-measure suits is still a draw for some shoppers, chances are they’d do just as well with a suit that could be fitted to their peers. “Our off-the-rack suits are the same make with the same natural shoulder as our custom suits,” says Jay Kos, a high-end New York suitmaker, whose beautifully made classic men’s suits have a wide appeal among the city’s heavier hitters. “Guys who are just coming into money want custom suits, so they can choose their own fabrics and details. But guys who already have a few custom suits are also buying off-the-rack if they see something great.”
- Brioni $6,000
- Kiton $5,800
- Canali $4,200
- Bottega Veneta $3,800
- Giorgio Armani $3,595
- Ralph Lauren $3,295
- Oxxford Clothes $3,000
- Jay Kos $2,800
- Issey Miyake $2,800
Some people may suggest business suits are too formal for the modern work-a-day Google world of casual dress. Nevertheless, it is unlikely that the use of suits will decline, because even a the most casual slacker needs an expensive suit for weddings, funerals, court appearances, and even some job interviews. The most expensive suits in the world are modern day replacements for polished European medieval armor.
Do you know of a more expensive off-the-rack suit?
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
I own a few of Brioni's pieces from their collection and must admit though costly, you certainly get what you pay for. Quality and attention to detail is unsurpassed. However, I must also confess a good Nordstrom or Macy's shirt is adequate. But then again, I choose Brioni because I can.
what job do you have?!
I own a few armani. and i say armani=style and fashion.
why choose brioni when you can choose saville row. because I can
I sell preowned mens suits for a living. I buy lots of Ralph Lauren, Armani, Hugo Boss and even Canali or Brioni when I can find them. I get a chance to pick through my stock and wear the best of the best when I have them in my size. (I am also a professional musician and have plenty of occassion to wear a good suit.)
While there are very well made department store suits that look and feel terrific, there is really no comparison between a hand made Zegna and a factory made suit. I feel lucky to be in my business because I would NEVER be able to afford to wear a top end suit otherwise. I am blessed.
If your paying more than £600 or $1200 for a suit, you should really go and get measured and have a suit made. I do this now and although I am a good fit in a 42Reg, a handmade suit just perfect, as you’d expect. The suits in the list above are for people who feel the need to let others know they own one. It would be a fluke if they fit as well as handmade.
Brioni suits cost more then that….ive seen ones at neimans for around $9,000+
Is there Brioni for women?
these people left out Leanna Lee, and many suits made to measure can reach 10,000 the highest is 30,000!
I just got two suits from a female friend of mine. One Brioni and one Canali, what a great fit over the shoulders.
I don’t know about Brioni and the others but the price on Giorgio Armani is not correct. Depending on the fabric if you go the “su misura” (made to measure), line a pare of pants costs me $1,905 for a super 150. The blazer cost over $3,500. Super 200 pants go for $6,000 and then some.
3000, 6000…for a suit? Even if I could afford such extravagance, I'd rather help some truly needy people than put it on my back…Praise the Lord…I am a carpenter and get joy out of just building something for people…guess that makes me somewhat…? Normal? each to their own though, enjoy if you can.
David, i am keeping my name anonymous. I am supporting over 500 African villages, and have help set up more than 100 orphanages world wide, and plan to do more. i have helped set up 700 schools. Many health care units, and 1 hospital. among many other things.
But i will pay 6000 or 10000 for a suit. The only reason i have contributed so much to charity is, because i dreamed to own expensive suits and cars, and when i got the expensive suits and cars, n holidays in cabo and monte-carlo, i decided charity was important–
so please dont give me this. warren buffet also wears zegna suits.
I have a Ralph Lauren Suit and it’s lasted but just like everything suits need replacing. Instead of a $6,000 dollar suit maybe being more practical not going over a $1,000 dollar suit for a sales job, or presentation on a run way. Put the rest of the money in the bank.
I love it!!!!!!!!! I should buy 20 of them. Do you think that they would be more expensive in N.Y. City ot L.A.? Because I am not sure which place I should buy them at because in 2 weeks I am moving to U.K. I don`t care how much it is. I WANT IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOW NOW NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Which one pf the above do you think looks the best? I love all of them but the most expensive one is the hottest. I would get some for my bff`s becasue then they would get me diamond jewlery!!!!!!!!!!!! Being rich is so much fun!!!!!!!!!! Are any of yo guys millionaires?
I have heard that Donald Trump wears Brioni and they cost him 14k a pop, so that 6k figure is really low. The Bijan store can certainly make a fellow a suit that will make his Amex shead a tear or two as well.
When its all said and done, how much difference is there really in wool and silk; will Mr. Trump know the difference if they put a 6k suit on his back instead of 14k that he normally gets? Hmmmm
I think Tom Ford suits would now make it on that list…I think off-the-rack they’re around $5400.00, at least the cashmere ones are
There are tons of more-expensive-suits. F.e. the polo ralph lauren purple label line…
This is really wrong actually.. What about Ermenegildo Zegna. More expensive than Armani.
when did canali hit the 4K mark?
and actually many of us use E-bay, some of us with champagne tastes and beer budgets, can STILL afford the finest, we just can’t pay 4k.
Difference is, we can buy a barely worn Keet or Brioni for approx $450-600
in many cases, they appear worn once, maybe twice.
but it’s not for all, some people cringe at the thought.
also have the hobby or trolling thrift stores, and you wouldn’t imagine what is sitting in those places.
todays find, a hermes tie and edward green monkstraps.
total cost…$6 us dollars.
You could never imagine what you would find in Milan, the last time I went I got the most gorgeous silk ties for a few hundred pounds, I must have saved a thousand pounds.
it was custom made i got to meet ck
ive a suit that cost $8000 by ck
ZILLI is way up there with Brioni! can go up 20 000$
http://www.zilli.fr/
and Ravazzolo
http://www.ravazzolo.com/ravazzolo_en/ravazzolo_home_en.html
this is very best idea to make people fool.
Personally, I dont see the point in paying much for an off-the-rack suit, regardless of brand. It seems like its just for wanna-be’s. For 95% of people, a $1000-$2500 bespoke tailored suit will look far better than a $5000+ off-the-shelf. Any decent tailor can make your suit in pretty much whatever style you wish, and in the fabric of your choosing. Fabric quality (super 150+) and a good tailor is all one needs, bugger the brand name.
I own 2 Brioni’s. I think every man if he can own at least one.
Tom Ford should be put on the list with off the rack somewhere around 4k and I believe steffano ricci costs somewhere around 5k, both are off the rack. All these brands when made custom can run over 50k easy. It just depends on what you want.
Brioni is by far the best. Kiton, Charvet, Isaia, Canali, Cesare Attolini, Etro, Pal Zileri, d”Avenza, Tom Ford and Hugo Boss are also of excellent quality. Take it from me. I am a successful businessman. I only buy the best.
if ur a successful business man, why are you in a chat forum, everthing you probably know is just taken from a guy at a retailer store trying to sell you a suit you dunce.
I think Armani any day.
Kiton k-50 all the way! It costs about 30k and takes 50 hours of working
Where’s Hermes in the list????
domenico vacca
I wear Brioni, Canali & pal zileri, all beautiful suits.
They make you feel special when getting dressed
I’ve just got ay Brioni suit and it was $9800 and I really can’t feel it on me it’s so light!!! And I Owen also canli and prada and Versace and hugo and kiton and zanga
And all dose above and I’ve naver felt ay suit like this and the cut and the way it looks on the bode is WoW I have to say Brioni is one of the best out there god bless you’s all Jesus loves you and give him prays amen
My father wears armani and says its worth every cent.
Ehh, not to impressed with the listing here.
I have a fancy, Men's Warehouse suit that I picked up at the Salvation Army and I tell you what! I am the talk of the town when collecting my food stamps…
Brioni! Hah!
Stuart Hughes created one that costs nearly $1,000,000. These ones are no where near the most expensive, but they are fairly expensive for a person on a budget.
All this for siut?NA WAAOOO! as Nigerians will say.
shoot i hv no money but im 15 the highest i own is ed hardy, burberry (polo shirt), hugo boss, lacoste, ralph lauren and armani exchange, which is the poor mans armani but i kno alot bout designer wehen all of u who say ive heard of custom suits and a special suit called so & so u aint gettin it wat the website is tryin to say is these r averages of regular suits from designers were not talkin bout custom tailored or coutore. But yes brioni & kiton is one the finest tailored clothing nxt to Gucci D&G, louis vitton, Lanvin (bet yall never heard of that) and hermes
I have to agree with the Brioni lovers here. There is nothing quite like it. The quality and workmanship is spectacular. If you are fortunate enough to find a Brioni Outlet, you can get these items for a fraction of the cost. That said, these said fractions are more than most pay retail for other quality brand name suits. Please, allow me to clarify a misconception for the younger audience reading these posts to become more of a gentleman. Don't buy any article of clothing (or anything for that matter) that has the brand name plastered all over it. You buy these items for yourself, not the other guy. Those who you should impress will be more impressed by the way you hold yourself, not in you being a walking advertisement.
nothing beats HUGO BOSS and BRIONI
Pothy’s Samudrika silk sarees in India at $112,000
At any cost, Zegna is the Rolls Royce of them all
You forgot Bijan.