First up best dressed for less

University of Otago first-year students Ben Dowman (left) and Ryan Daniel model their new $900 suits they bought for $10 each from the Farry's Menswear sale. The pair lined up from 2am outside the store to buy the matching suits. Photo by Gerard O'Brien.

"It's the best $10 I have ever spent," said Ryan Daniel (19), the proud owner of his second suit.

Fellow Cumberland College resident Ben Dowman (18) was pleased to model his navy pin-stripe suit - his first suit.

"Better than a second-hand one," he said.

While many of their fellow students were heading home from re-orientation activities, the pair decided to queue outside Farry's Menswear from 2am so they could be first in line to buy suits.

Apart from getting "some stick" from passers-by, the pair enjoyed their time camped in the doorway as a large line began to form behind them from 7am.

Using their strategic advantage, when the store opened at 9am, the pair rushed to the suit rack and grabbed a $10 suit each.

They plan to wear the suits at forthcoming balls.

Farry's Menswear director Seba Farry said the store usually offered only one $10 suit as part of its sale but decided "to spread the joy to 19 other people".

"It has been a tough year and we wanted to put a smile on some people's faces."

All the $10 items were sold within half an hour of the 9am opening.