Ralph Lauren
Cost: $495
A wool two-button suit in charcoal is the very definition of classic gentlemanly style, and this number by Ralph Lauren delivers with a slightly wider notch lapel. Choosing this style in charcoal allows you to wear this suit all year round with the ability to dress it up with a white shirt and a solid blue or purple tie. You could also try it with a dark blue shirt and matching tie for a modern look, or dress it down with a black turtleneck in colder weather.
Calvin Klein
Cost: $495
Staying true to the modern aesthetic of clean lines and slim lapels with three buttons, this Calvin Klein navy wool suit under $500 keeps your color options open by allowing you to pair it with a variety of shirts and ties. Don’t forget, however, that while a tie is always in style, this suit allows you to wear a simple white shirt with an open collar. Most importantly, never fasten all three buttons. If you’re with a conservative crowd or at the workplace you should fasten the top two buttons, but if you want to show off your modern flare, fasten only the middle one -- this shows off your tie and adds a casual touch to the suit.
Kenneth Cole
Cost: $495
No one does an affordable black suit better than Kenneth Cole. His design is as modern as it is classic, and it can be seen on the most savvy international business travelers. Many designers offer similar suits at outrageous prices, but only Kenneth Cole gives you this much style cache in a suit under $500. Sure, you could pair it with the ubiquitous French blue shirt and blue silk tie or you could raise the stakes by wearing a black polka-dot tie with a white cutaway collared shirt. And don’t be afraid to take the modern look even further by skipping the cuffs on the trouser legs and having them hemmed with a very slight break over the shoe.
Stafford
Cost: $350
Stafford has finally figured out how to offer young men a truly classic pinstripe suit with an athletic cut in deep navy wool. You won’t look like your grandfather in this suit, but you will get his respect when you wear it with a blue shirt and a red tie. This, gentleman, is what a real suit looks like -- you know, the kind that Bond wears and costs over a grand. But with this Stafford you can achieve the same look by popping a few bucks to have the tailor put inch-and-a-quarter cuffs on the trousers and take in the jacket just a bit to create a sharper V shape.
Banana Republic
Cost: $475
Of all the suits under $500 we’ve recommended, this one has the most casual drape and youthful cut. What you get, however, is a suit with exceptional quality that will last season after season for years to come. The pinstripe is subtle enough to be invisible in dark light without being overpowering in the workplace. Therefore, follow the subtle lead of the pinstripe and choose subdued colors for the shirts and sublime patterns for the ties. This suit is the epitome of casual elegance and the perfect choice for the man who wants to be noticed but not necessarily stand out.
