Finding a decent suit without bankrupting yourself is harder than it looks.
You have two extremes. On one end, you have the bespoke tailoring houses where a jacket costs a month’s rent. On the other, you have supermarket formalwear that often looks, well, like supermarket formalwear.
Burton Menswear has historically lived comfortably in the middle. It is the British high street staple. The safe pair of hands. If you needed a shirt for an interview or a three-piece for a wedding, you went to Burton.
But the retail landscape has shifted. Now operating primarily as a digital-first brand, does Burton still hold the crown for affordable menswear? Can you trust buying a wedding suit online without trying it on first?
We are breaking down the quality, the fits, and the specific strategies—backed by 15 years of data—to ensure you never pay full price.
The Wedding Suit Dilemma: Quality vs. Cost
The original draft of this review sparked from a common scenario: hunting for a groom’s suit on a budget.
Weddings are expensive. If you can shave £500 off the clothing budget without looking cheap, you do it. Burton’s strength lies in its variety of cuts. Unlike some budget retailers that offer a generic “regular fit,” Burton leans heavily into specific body types:
- Skinny Fit: Very tapered. Best for younger frames or those who want a modern, sharp silhouette.
- Slim Fit: The sweet spot. It offers shape without restricting movement.
- Tailored Fit: A bit more room in the chest and thigh but still nips in at the waist.
- Big & Tall: One of the few affordable brands that actually services this demographic well, with sizes going up to 5XL in some lines.
The Fabric Check: Let’s be honest about materials. At this price point (often under £150 for a full suit), you are looking at wool-blend or poly-viscose mixes. You aren’t getting Italian cashmere.
However, Burton’s engineering is solid. The suits generally resist creasing, which is a massive plus for weddings where you are sitting, standing, and dancing for 12 hours. They look crisp in photos. If you want a suit that looks premium from a distance and holds up to a long day, Burton fits the bill.
Beyond the Suit: Everyday Staples
While famous for formalwear, the brand has expanded its casual offering. The vibe is very “Smart Casual.”
Think polo shirts with structured collars, chinos that actually stretch, and merino-blend jumpers. It is clothing for men who want to look put-together without overthinking it.
The Shoe Situation: Don’t overlook the footwear. Burton leather shoes are stiff at first—you will need to break them in before a big event—but they are durable. Their brogues and loafers are frequently included in site-wide sales, making them an easy add-on to a suit purchase.
Burton Unlimited: Is It Worth £14.99?
If you are a serial returner or a frequent shopper, shipping costs add up.
Burton offers a service called Burton Unlimited.
- Cost: £14.99 per year.
- Benefit: Unlimited Next Day Delivery.
- The Math: Standard delivery usually hovers around £4-£5. Next day is more.
If you place just three orders in a year, the pass pays for itself.
Why this matters for suit shopping: Buying suits online is tricky. Sizing varies. With Burton Unlimited, you can order the same jacket in a 40R and a 42R, try them on at home, and return the one that doesn’t fit. You don’t have to worry about paying for shipping twice. It turns your living room into the changing room.
The “Stacking” Strategy: How to Save Big
Burton is aggressive with its pricing.
It is rare to land on their site and see everything at full RRP. There is almost always a “sale” tab active. However, the real magic happens when you understand how their discount codes work.
1. The “Extra Off Sale” Code
This is the holy grail. Burton frequently releases codes that give you an extra 10% or 20% off items that are already marked down.
- Scenario: A £120 suit is reduced to £80 in the sale. You apply a “20% off sale” code. The price drops to £64.
- Result: You have nearly halved the original price.
2. The Golden Ratio of Sales
Our data indicates that Burton runs some form of promotion for approximately 85% of the year.
- End of Season: January and July are huge for clearing out stock.
- Mid-Season sales: Look for “Bank Holiday” specials.
- Wedding Season: Watch for bundle deals (e.g., “Groom goes free” when buying multiple suits, though these offers vary).
3. Real Data from MeetVoucher
We have partnered with Burton since 2008. We have seen every deal they have launched in the last decade and a half.
Our internal data paints a clear picture of the average shopper:
- Average Basket Value: £54.
- Average Saving: £8.
That might not sound like a lottery win, but that’s a 15% saving on average. For a single transaction, that covers your lunch or your shipping costs. Over a year of buying work clothes, it adds up significantly.
Pros and Cons: The Honest Verdict
Before you fill your basket, here is the objective breakdown.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Price Point: Extremely competitive. You can look professional for under £100. | Synthetic Fabrics: Can be less breathable than 100% wool options. |
| Size Inclusivity: Excellent range of fits (Skinny to Big & Tall) and leg lengths (Short, Regular, Long). | Sizing Inconsistency: A “Slim” in one jacket might feel different in another style. |
| Return Process: Generally hassle-free, which is essential for online-only purchases. | Stock Levels: Popular sizes (40R/42R) sell out incredibly fast during sales. |
| Burton Unlimited: Great value for frequent shoppers. | Digital Only: You can’t walk into a store to feel the fabric anymore. |
Expert Tips for a Perfect Fit
Since you cannot step into a physical fitting room, you need to be smarter about how you order.
- Measure Your Chest, Not Your Jacket: Don’t just guess “Large.” Get a tape measure. Measure under your arms around the widest part of your chest. If you measure 41 inches, size up to a 42 for a comfortable fit or down to a 40 for a tight, modern look.
- Check the “Composition” Tab: Look at the material breakdown. If a suit has a higher percentage of Viscose or Elastane, it will have more stretch and comfort. If it is 100% Polyester, it will be durable but might run hot.
- Buy the Set: If you see a jacket you like, buy the trousers immediately. In the fast-moving sales, trousers often sell out before jackets. There is nothing worse than an orphaned suit jacket.
Final Thoughts
Burton isn’t trying to be Savile Row. It is trying to get you looking sharp for a wedding, a job interview, or a date night without emptying your savings account.
And it succeeds.
The combination of massive seasonal clear-outs (up to 70% off) and the ability to stack discount codes makes it one of the most economical ways to build a wardrobe. If you utilize the return policy effectively and grab the delivery pass, the risk of buying online is minimal.
Next time you need a suit, check the sale section first. The data says you’ll likely save a bundle.