So a friend of mine is looking for an androgynous suit in all black. They said they want something in between men's and women's suits. Something like this, but darker/black:
Anyone here know of anything that might work for this? Also they're looking for something reasonably priced and not like several hundred dollars.
Bottom Line Up Front: I think taking any suit to a tailor who knows what they're doing would get you a suit that feels right.
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now, I wouldn't consider myself an expert but I would hesitate to agree that there's a style of suit that is more masculine than another, feminine than another, etc. Similar to @FoxyFerengi point in identifying the attributes of this suit's style, it has a shawl lapel and a single button but are those the features you are identifying as androgynous?Answering on the almost opposite tack, I expect those features kind of are what makes this suit match your idea of androgynous. Neither of those are features typical on the average suit a person buys at JCPenney. I think it's the "atypicality" that makes this suit feel less polarized to either masculine or feminine; That particular cut of a suit hasn't appeared on enough bodies in enough business rooms or action movies for people to have a preconceived notion as the masc/fem nature of the outfit and so the mind has to look at the rest of the person to make a masc/fem determination.
But, I expect you could take a typical JCPenney suit and make it look more masc/fem according to your tastes by the tailoring you have done to it. Because of the nature of clothing styles, trends changing over time, the different styles of a suit's fit will say different things relative to the time that style was previously popular. For example; in the 90s people liked oversized suits, so wearing a suit made for a chest size 4 or 6 inches larger than yours will... well that will just make you look like you're too old to be allowed to dress yourself. I can't find a good example to show you why a skilled tailor is the way to get the fit your friend is wanting, but I do know you're not going to find a custom suit like the one pictured for less than plenty of hundreds of dollars and also a tailor. So, go to a clothier/tailor and explain to them the look you're going for and see if they think they can help you.
If you happen to be in the exact, relatively tiny, right part of the globe; Men's Xchange in Colorado Springs is the exact perfect place for your friend's mission. But generally, find a tailor in your city and walk into their shop. If you already own a suit, bring that I guess but don't bother buying one until you've found a tailor who you want to be the one cutting it up. (Important note; do not buy a suit from anyone who is leading you to believe you won't need a tailor to make adjustments. Suits aren't made Small/Medium/Large, they are made in a range of approximate sizes so that they can be cut down to fit each person's body properly)
Honestly suits are very expensive to buy new, idk where you are gonna buy a suit for less than several hundred dollars. My advice would be to get a cloth measuring tape, know all your measurments, and start checking ebay. Thrift stores might work too, though that's pretty location dependent (last month I scored a very high quality suit in almost new condition that fit me exactly, no need to even take it to a tailor, for $15 at a thrift store). I've had good success buying very nice suits and blazers off of ebay for reasonable prices.
I will say, that suit in all black would look extremely formal: as a shawl lapel and single button are features typical of a dinner jacked worn for black tie. Idk what your friend wants this suit for, so maybe that will be okay. But just know that it'll be way more formal than the suit in the pic.
One thing that will help androgynify a more masc suit will be the other things you are wearing with it. Wearing a blouse (or other more fem shirt) under it instead of a "men's" dress shirt, jewelry, etc. "women's" pumps vs. "men's" dress shoes will make a difference too. Or if starting from a more fem suit, wear a "men's" dress shirt, a tie, etc.
One suggestion is to try reverse image search and see what shops come up.
Have you thought about looking at advertised men's suits which have different options? I got a suit which was a size up and short, like 44S, and that worked better for me than my actual size for my proportions. They also have tall options and slim, modern, straight (also called classic) which might work.
An issue might be that men's suits tend to be half canvas. If you could try a suit jacket with no canvas I think you'd get a similar drape and fit to the one you posted. Best of luck!
