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My husband, long overdue for new suits, just bought 3 at a buy one get two free sale at JoS A. Bank. The first suit he picked up was priced at over $700. He put it back.

I found another priced at $550 and after mentally dividing by three, he selected a black/gray blend, a navy and a dark green. Less than $200 each. Very nice.

Very saggy.

Big hunchback between the shoulder blades. Sleeves covering the top of his hands. Pants puddling at the ankles, the seat dropping to mid thigh.

I was immediately taken back to one of the funniest Halloween costumes I’ve ever seen was a guy wearing a suit that was MUCH too big for him. The idea was that he was playing dress up in his dad’s clothes.

My husband didn’t even look like he was accustomed to wearing a suit. He looked like he was out of place in his own clothing. He needed custom alterations.

While he was being fitted, another couple was also in the store. As I waited, I couldn’t help but overhear the conversion. The woman was very upset. “For that much money, the suit should fit.” They shouldn’t have to pay for alterations. Alterations should be included.

No.

That’s not how it works. The truth is, these were not expensive suits. Less than $200 each? Not expensive suits. But if you are on a limited budget, buying inexpensive and paying for a custom fit can make a $200 suit look like an $800 suit.

The alterations and the “traveler’s seam” raised the price of each suit $80 to $90 each. But WOW. What a difference! He looks comfortable and confident. Credible.

Ladies, the same goes for us. Get the sleeves hemmed if needed. Take in the jacket if it sags. If the skirt is supposed to fall just below the knee, but you’re short and it hits you mid-calf, then hem it.

If you can afford high priced quality clothing, GREAT. On a budget? No problem. Either way, have your business clothing – especially suits – custom fitted.

Want to make a credible impression in the workplace? You can’t do that if you look like a little kid playing dress up.

Why?

Why do people talk so loudly on cell phones? Why do they think that it’s okay to talk on a cell phone anywhere?

There is a place and a time.

My biggest cell phone pet peeve?

People who talk on their cell phone at a restaurant table.

My husband and I disagree on this one, so the (forced) compromise is that when he’s at a restaurant table with me, he takes his little crackberry phone to the lobby or outside with the smokers to talk on the cell. Either that or he becomes increasingly distracted from the phone call because of all the gesturing I’m doing. (Making a phone out of my hand and then fingers walking. Or even better, using my little phone hand to HANG UP.)

Step two is major “FACE” when he doesn’t move it. He hasn’t ever stayed at the table long enough for Step 3 – me making up embarrassing and overhearable comments, like “are you ordering ANOTHER drink? What is that? Six?” or “Is that the jerk you were telling me about?”

He’s never pushed me that far. I think he suspects step three. He knows me. I’m annoying that way.

What do I do to strangers who talk on their cell phones at a restaurant table?

I listen.

VERY obviously. Nodding the head. Shaking the head. Pretending to laugh at the funny stuff. Commenting to others about what I just heard.

Hey. If you don’t want me to join in the conversation, don’t make me a part of it.