Initially when planning everyone’s clothing for Pesach, I wasn’t planning to buy my ds15 a new suit, because the one we bought him last year that is still in fantastic condition.  When I bought it for him, I thought he’d reached his adult size (he was the same size as dh), and figured it would fit forever.  But though he’s still the same height, he’s gotten broader and his suit pants are getting a little snug at the waist. 

I know he would have loved a new suit, but was happy to have what he had, and wouldn’t ask for it.  But I also know he’s a person who really appreciates nice clothing, and getting him a new suit (especially since it wasn’t strictly speaking necessary) would be a major emotional deposit for him.  I didn’t feel any pressure of needing to buy one, but since I had the ability and desire to buy him something now, I did some quick online browsing at overstock.com (where I bought him his bar mitzva suit that we were very happy with).   And late Monday night from the comfort of my own home, I did some quick suit shopping with my ds15 for Pesach. 

He knows just what he likes – single breasted, three buttons, side vents, black with pin stripes – so it took me about two minutes to eliminate all the other options that weren’t suitable once I asked him for guidelines to look for.   Once I had my choices on the computer screen, I asked him to come over, showed him what I was looking at, and asked him to choose from my selections.  He was very happy with one of them (a 100% wool Pierre Cardin suit – under $120 with shipping), and less than ten minutes after he sat down with me, I completed the order.  (He said, “Mommy, that’s one thing I like about you – you’re so efficient!” :))

I was prepared for it not to arrive in time for Pesach since the order wouldn’t be processed until Tuesday, but it actually arrived just two days later, yesterday (Thursday) afternoon!  It came when I was out, but ds15 opened it up, and was very pleased with the cut and the quality of it.  I’m glad he was so happy with it.  I was also glad to see it was a nice quality suit, and was very impressed by the quick delivery.  Today I’ll take it to get hemmed and checked for shaatnez and can have it in time for Pesach with no pressure. 

I really enjoyed shopping like this.  It was so convenient and easy – last year we spent quite a long time in the men’s suit store, with him trying on different options.  I felt uncomfortable being the only woman in a male store, and the owner was so busy with other customers that he wasn’t able to give us much attention (not a complaint, it’s a busy time of year for him so I didn’t expect more).   And I spent a lot more on that suit.  I still had to pay the extra cost of hemming and shaatnez testing, as well as going back to pick it up when it was ready, so whatever time/additional costs I have to spend now I would have had to spend anyway.  

Do I think that he needs a new suit every year?  Absolutely not.  A good suit should be able to last for years.  I don’t believe that everyone in the family needs to be outfitted from head to toe in brand new yom tov clothing twice a year (which is part of why I can enjoy yom tov without thinking it will cost me $3000 for just this week).  But I also anticipate that the dollar will be worth significantly less next year than this, and I don’t know next year what my resources will be.  So I consider it very worthwhile not just in the short term, but in the longer term to get him something that will be appropriate for a long time to come.

And what about his suit from last year?  Since it’s a very well made suit, and as I said already, still in perfect condition, I realized it would be perfect for my dh!  My husband doesn’t feel the need for a new suit (I started to order a suit for him, too, but he asked me not to), but this would be just the right size for him.  Doesn’t that work well for everyone?

Avivah