Single-breasted, not pin-striped, no waistcoat. Three buttons, four cuff buttons. Try Marks and Spencer: they're cheaper than you'd think, make nicer suits, and the staff will be marginally more clueful than Next's.

This article by a Savile Row tailor - "If you can't afford bespoke..." - might be helpful, as might others on his site. He has a high opinion of M&S (but don't buy one of the really cheap M&S suits).

I would go to your equivalent of a US department store.

matthewr, that is good advice.

Speaking of women's suits here, but I prefer Next to M & S and I think they are a little bit better quality, though I'm mostly happy with M & S suits and like that they can be washed.

If you want to spend a tad bit more, have a look at T M Lewin, which are nice without being super spendy.

If you want to spend much more, try Gieves & Hawkes.

So, this?

TM Lewin isn't much more than M&S - £250

So, this?

That's a nice suit. You would look *really* good in that.

The M & S Suit you linked is nice. Also I don't think you need to avoid pinstripes, just make sure they are very thin and subtle, unless you are kind of looking for the going-to-the-races look. Also, no to a waistcoat. I think they can be nice but only in very specific instances.

Chuck, Marks & Spencer sell the best suits on the high street by a mile.

If this were the States we're talking about, which apparently it ain't, my advice would be yeah, department store (JCPenney is great for the money) or a men's-clothing chain outlet like S&K Menswear. If you're only getting one suit, I'd say make it a dark blue ("navy blue," we say here); tell the salesperson you want a suit that would've looked good ten years ago and will continue looking good in another ten -- in a word, classic. (KISS applies here.) If you can't hack dark blue, a deep charcoal gray looks good at any time of day too.

Yeah, vests are useless and they sorta come into fashion and then go out again; at least, that's been my experience on this side of the ditch.

Hey, ej, how good is M & S at stretching that ol' clothing dollar (/pound/Euro)? Is is a pretty high-end store?

No, it's a step up from JC Penney/Sears and also carries a full line of groceries.

Why are you in need of a suit? Just wondering because do you need to pretend that you are one of the stiffs, or are you able to be yourself yet still be respected by stiffs? It's absolutely possible to get a suit that conforms to people's expectations (and thus gain respect) yet is reflective of your personality. Pin stripes are a fantastic detail if they are subtle and done right. Very modern and hip à la David Tennant's Doctor. Mid-weight fabric so that you can wear it fall-winter-spring.

1. My company was bought by another, larger company
2. I am the first manager from the (old little) company to be invited into the inner sanctum in Sussex
3. It's kind of a big deal because I think they're thinking of buying an overpriced CRM (and I think they're far from being able to implement such a solution)
4. Everyone I've seen from Down South is always in a suit, and they're all Very Serious
5. I sort of have to 'sell IT' to them
6. I think I'd feel more confident in a suit

Aw, shucks, ico. That's nice of you to say.

They sound Very Serious. Go in conservative suit. The grey is perfect. Good luck!