The best men's suits for under $1000

ONE OF THE MOST common truisms in menswear is that an off-the-rack suit simply can’t match the fit and finish of something made-to-measure by a tailor. And while it’s true that buying a ready-made suit has its limitations, it’s also undeniable that off-the-rack tailoring, especially when given a little love by an alterations specialist, has come a long, long way.

In 2024, there are more brands than ever taking advantage of menswear’s post-streetwear penchant for tailored trousers and eye-catching jackets, crafting lines of affordable, stylish suits that will set you apart from the rest of the crowd at any occasion that calls for dressing up – all for under a grand. Make no mistake: these are far from the suits your dad used to pick up from the local department store.

The new classic: Percival Tailored Suit

Not satisfied with taking over red carpets making boujee shirts for Hollywood’s most famous leading men, London menswear starlets Percival also do killer affordable tailoring, distilling a line inspired by oversized golden-era tailoring down into a collection of suiting separates that are true wardrobe all-rounders. We love the linen double-breasted jacket in navy as a bolder alternative to the everyday suit, but with a collection that spans such a wide range of colours and fabrics, the world is your oyster.

Jacket, $525, and trousers, $285, from Percival.

The all-rounder: MJ Bale Stroud Suit

No Australian brand blends quality, affordability and sustainability quite like MJ Bale, making it an instant go-to for the kind of suit that, quite frankly, should be in the wardrobe of every Aussie guy. The all-purpose navy suit is an essential, and we feel the brand’s Stroud collection is about as versatile as they come, made from wrinkle-resistant, 100 percent local Merino wool woven specifically to keep you cool and moving freely in the Aussie heat. You’ll wonder how you ever got on without it.

Jacket, $449, and trousers, $229 from MJ Bale.

The autumnal choice: Cos linen suit

Green is quickly taking over as a go-to colour for guys who want to get a little more adventurous with their tailoring without going full Timothée Chalamet. Green suits look best in a more rustic fabric like linen or twill, which grant an added bonus in that their unstructured nature makes them better suited for mixing and matching colours.

Unstructured linen jacket, $174, and tapered linen tailored pants, $105 from Cos

The newcomer: Venroy unlined suit

Rejoice: elevated basics stalwart Venroy are now making suits, and by the standards of Aussie tailoring, they are very well priced. Their new unlined cotton-linen blazer is perfect for warm summer soirees, with the matching side-tab trousers perfect both for more formal occasions and casual wear with a T-shirt. And all this for under $400? You’d be barmy not to invest.

Unlined blazer, $260, and side tab trousers, $120 from Venroy.

The boardroom-to-bar killer: Mr P slim fit wool-twill suit

Okay, we’re stretching the budget ever-so-slightly here, but wouldn’t you if it meant getting clobber of this quality? True to form, Mr Porter’s in-house label has produced a timeless classic in a cut and cloth that’ll never go out of style – especially if you opt for the failsafe shade of charcoal grey.

Slim fit wool-twill suit jacket, approx $728, and drawstring suit pants, approx $340, from Mr Porter.

The mix-and-match: Brooks Brothers

Australia’s more relaxed approach to menswear has its pros and cons, but undoubtedly one of its true beauties is that an outfit very rarely has to be defined by strict rules or conventions. Nowhere is this truer than in tailoring, with experimentation encouraged and more understated silhouettes like chinos and sports coats more than welcome in any suiting ensemble. We love resurgent American brand Brooks Brothers’ new range of suit separates, which are perfect for switching and swapping.

Windowpane hopsack sports coat, $529, and slim fit stretch chinos, $175, from Brooks Brothers.

The Americana: Tommy Hilfiger TH monogram jacquard suit

Just slipping this suit on will make you feel like JFK. Everything about this ensemble, from the jacquard fabric to the relaxed cut and the monogrammed finish, is tailor made for a garden party in the Hamptons. Pair it with some crisp navy chinos and you’ll be sorted for that winery wedding you’ve got coming up.

TH monogram classic fit blazer, $599 and monogram jacquard relaxed trousers, $399 from Tommy Hilfiger.

The all-black-everything: Calibre slim-fit wool suit

The cut and finish of a black suit is the difference between looking like you’re dressed for a funeral, and looking like you’re dressed to impress – something Aussie icons Calibre deliver here with aplomb. The razor-sharp fit and 100 percent wool construction keeps this blackout affair red carpet ready, suitable for everything from black tie to dressing down with a knitted t-shirt and some sneakers.

Jacket, $499 and pants, $199 from Calibre.