Finding stores that stock good looking, affordable men's clothing is surprisingly difficult. We list some of our favorites, with specifics on what to look for at each.

Updated for 2018!

The retail world isn’t geared towards men who want to dress well. It’s designed for women and for guys who just want to get in, buy something comfortable and plain, then leave before anyone recognizes them amongst the racks. If you’re the type of guy who enjoys looking his best and wants to do so without spending a thousand dollars every month at the mall, then you’re at a serious disadvantage. Having a plan and knowing precisely what kind, type, and color of clothing you’re setting out to buy is key, but knowing what stores are best for which items will save you an enormous amount of time. And every second not spent strolling by a food court or avoiding the suffocating scented cloud that rolls out the doors of Abercrombie and Fitch is time well spent.

This is the short list of retailers that’ll save you time, money, and in some cases… won’t even have you leaving your house. If you're looking for the best place to buy a suit or other clothing, read on for the best clothing stores for men.

1. Macy’s

http://www.macys.com/

What it’s good for: Suits, dress shirts, Levi’s, and sometimes jewelry for your significant other.

Macy’s is the bargain department store for guys who care about what they look like. Their house brand Alfani and the more athletic fitting Alfani RED can be a source for great dress basics. If you don’t have a ton of cash but need a suit? Wait for one of their Men’s Wardrobe Sales or monthly One Day sales. Shop then and you could find yourself paying less than $250 for an excellent Tommy Hilfiger Trim fit or Alfani RED suit, $15 for a tie, and $20 for a decent dress shirt. But beware the sales people. Sometimes they can be a little too attentive.

2. Nordstrom

http://www.nordstrom.com

What it’s good for: Nice suits, great in-house brands, sweaters, splurges, and terrific sales

Nordstrom is like an upscale Macy’s. A quick glance at their brands (Hugo Boss, John Varvatos) and you can tell immediately that it’s going to cost more shopping there. But their in house brands are superb. Their more modern leaning house brands like Calibrate and 1901 offer quality and great fits at reasonable prices. Plus their Nordstrom Trim Fit dress shirts are extremely well put together. Nordstrom isn’t perpetually on sale like Macy’s, but when they do discount, it’s worth it.





3. Indochino

http://www.indochino.com/

What it’s good for: Custom suits

You’ve seen Indochino a few times here on Primer. And if you haven’t tried them, consider it. With their re-tailoring credit (up to $75) and money back guarantee… you could end up getting a custom fit suit that’s incredibly dialed in for around $300 – $400.

4. J. Crew

http://www.jcrew.com

What it’s good for: Trim suits, chinos, some casual wear, and some bags

There’s no denying that J. Crew stuff looks good. But sometimes the prices on the items can get a little steep. Their Ludlow trim fit suits can look amazing, but you’ll pay for it. When J. Crew actually does go on sale the selection can often be weak. They’re outrageously popular and they’ve become a bit of a trend setter. And they know their power. For example, there’s not many other stores that can get away with selling a $200 Timex.

5. Old Navy, Gap, & Banana Republic

http://www.oldnavy.com / http://www.gap.com / http://www.bananarepublic.com

What they’re good for: Jeans, sweaters, casual and dress blazers, casual shirts, and finding cheaper alternatives to J. Crew stuff.

They’re all owned by the same company and they each have specific target audiences. Old Navy goes after the bargain family shopper, Gap is the place for still stylish but still mostly affordable foundational pieces, and Banana Republic touts themselves as affordable luxury. Unlike Banana Republic, you can’t buy a suit at The Gap or Old Navy, but you can buy pretty well made blazers at all three. Yep, even at Old Navy. Just make sure to take them to your tailor when you’re done, and consider ear plugs for the shopping trip to keep the screaming kids from giving you a headache.

6. J.Crew Factory

http://www.jcrewfactory.com



What it’s good for: Slim modern shirts, pants, suits, blazers and more for half the price of its older brother

While you can find J.Crew Factory stores at outlet malls, don’t let that confuse you: Their wares aren’t old stock or slightly irregular. The Factory line from J.Crew is a whole separate frugal collection that is a great place for picking up everything from on-point trends for shirts and pants but also surprisingly decent quality sport coats and modern, slim fit suiting. They do play the price-high, sale-high game, so don’t ever pay full price. They regularly – like, multiple times per month – hold sales ranging from 40-70%.

7. The Tie Bar

http://www.thetiebar.com

What It’s Good For: Affordable modern, stylish ties, tie bars