Suit Quality Checker
Suit Quality Checker
Check each indicator below. If any apply to your suit, it may be a cheap suit.
When you’re in Ireland, whether you’re heading to a wedding in Galway, a funeral in Cork, or a job interview in Dublin, your suit says more than just what you’re wearing-it says who you are. And in a country where appearances matter, especially in rural communities and formal settings, a cheap suit can stand out for all the wrong reasons. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but you do need to know how to tell a cheap suit from one that’ll last through seasons of Irish rain and chilly pub nights.
Look at the Fabric First
The fabric is the biggest giveaway. A cheap suit in Ireland often uses polyester or a polyester-blend material, especially if it’s been bought from a discount chain like Primark, Penneys, or even online retailers shipping from mainland Europe. These fabrics feel stiff, shiny, or plasticky. Run your hand over the lapel. If it doesn’t have a soft, natural drape-if it looks like it’s been pressed too hard and doesn’t move with you-it’s not wool.
Real wool, especially from suppliers like Donegal Tweed or Irish wool mills in County Kerry, has a texture you can feel. It’s warm in winter, breathable in spring, and doesn’t cling when you’re caught in a downpour near the Cliffs of Moher. Look for labels that say "100% wool" or "super 100s" or higher. Anything below super 80s is usually too thin for Irish weather.
Check the Lining
Flip up the lapel and peek inside. A cheap suit will have a full polyester lining that’s glued in place. It’s cheap, it’s hot, and it’ll start peeling after one season of wear. A better suit, even a budget one, uses a half-lining or bemberg lining-a soft, breathable cupro fabric that moves with you. You’ll find this in suits from local tailors like Patrick O’Neill Tailors in Limerick or McGee & Co. in Belfast, who still hand-sew linings even on their entry-level suits.
If the lining is loose, wrinkled, or has visible glue streaks, walk away. In Ireland, where winters are long and damp, a suit that traps heat and sweat will start to smell, stain, and sag. That’s not just unprofessional-it’s embarrassing.
Stitching Tells the Truth
Look at the seams. A cheap suit will have straight, machine-stitched seams that look too perfect. Real tailoring has tiny, uneven stitches. That’s not a flaw-it’s proof of hand-finishing. Check the buttonholes. On a quality suit, they’re hand-stitched with silk thread. On a cheap one, they’re machine-made with synthetic thread and often frayed at the edges.
Run your finger along the edge of the lapel. If it feels rigid and doesn’t roll naturally when you move, it’s been fused with glue instead of canvas. That’s a dead giveaway. A real suit has a canvas understructure that molds to your body over time. You’ll find this in suits from Dublin-based bespoke tailors like John Murphy Bespoke or even their mid-tier ready-to-wear lines.
Buttons Are a Clue
Buttons on a cheap suit are usually plastic, shiny, and too uniform. Real suit buttons are made of horn, corozo nut, or genuine mother-of-pearl. They’re matte, slightly irregular, and feel heavier. If the buttons look like they came from a toy store, so does the suit.
In Ireland, where men often wear suits to christenings, wakes, and St. Patrick’s Day events, the little details matter. A suit with mismatched or loose buttons won’t survive a night at the Dublin Castle Ball or a formal dinner in Kilkenny.
Fit Is Everything
A cheap suit is cut for a generic body shape-too tight in the shoulders, too loose in the waist. In Ireland, where body types vary from the lean farmers of County Mayo to the broader builds of Dublin professionals, a one-size-fits-all suit will look out of place. Try on suits in person. Walk, sit, raise your arms. If the jacket wrinkles across the chest or pulls at the shoulders, it’s not tailored for you.
Even budget suits from stores like Next or Debenhams (which still have branches in Cork and Limerick) offer better cuts than online fast-fashion brands. And don’t overlook second-hand options. The Dublin Vintage Market and Galway’s Thrift Shop on Shop Street often have gently used suits from UK tailors like Hickey’s or even Italian brands that were worn once and never altered.
Price Isn’t Always the Answer
You don’t need to spend €1,000 on a suit in Ireland. But if you’re paying under €150 for a new suit from a chain store, you’re buying a costume. Real wool suits start around €300-€400. You can find them on sale at Clerys in Dublin during their annual winter clearance, or at John Rocha outlet stores in Dundrum. Some Irish retailers even offer payment plans-Clerys and Debenhams let you pay in three installments with no interest.
And here’s a tip locals swear by: buy the jacket and trousers separately. A cheap suit often comes as a matching set that looks too perfect. A well-fitted jacket paired with trousers from a different brand (but same fabric and color) will look more intentional and last longer.
Where to Buy Smart in Ireland
- Clerys (Dublin) - Mid-range suits with Irish wool blends
- John Rocha Outlet (Dundrum, Dublin) - Seasonal sales on Italian-cut suits
- Patrick O’Neill Tailors (Limerick) - Made-to-measure from €450
- Thrift Shop (Galway) - Vintage suits from the 80s and 90s, often in perfect condition
- Next (Cork, Limerick) - Affordable, better-than-average cuts
- McGee & Co. (Belfast) - Northern Irish craftsmanship with Irish fit
Remember: a suit isn’t just clothing. In Ireland, it’s part of your story. Whether you’re standing at a graveside in Sligo or giving a toast at a wedding in Donegal, the right suit says you respect the occasion-and yourself.
Quick Checklist: Is It a Cheap Suit?
- ✅ Fabric feels plastic or overly shiny? → Cheap
- ✅ Lining is fully glued and synthetic? → Cheap
- ✅ Buttonholes are perfectly straight with no thread detail? → Cheap
- ✅ Lapel doesn’t roll naturally? → Cheap
- ✅ Buttons are glossy plastic? → Cheap
- ✅ Price under €150 new? → Almost always cheap
- ✅ No wool label? → Walk away
If you’re unsure, take it to a local tailor. Most Irish tailors offer free second opinions. A quick 10-minute check can save you from a suit that falls apart before the next St. Patrick’s Day parade.
