How to Buy a Boy's Suit

Let the little man in your life shine at his next formal occasion with a comfortable, stylish suit. Plan your purchase well in advance of the event for maximum price and style flexibility. Starting early also gives you some extra wiggle room for alterations or returns if necessary.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure

Instructions

Taking Measurements

1. Use a measuring device that's malleable but not stretchable. Check your sewing basket for a tape measure or pick one up at a sewing or craft store.

2. Measure the boy with his undergarments in place. Pull the tape measure tight without indenting or pulling it too taut. Inaccurate measurements cause ill-fitting suits.

3. Take jacket measurements for the chest, sleeve length and jacket length. Record the chest size by measuring around the boy's torso directly beneath his armpits. Measure sleeve length from the top of the shoulder to approximately an inch past the wrist bone. Find the jacket length with a reading from the middle of neck down the spine to the hips.

4. Get the pants measurements, consisting of waist, hip and length measurements, if you're buying the pants separately or need alterations. Measure the waist around the trunk over the belly button. Wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of the derriere for the hip measurements. Determine pants length by measuring the distance between the waist and anklebone.

Buying the Suit

1. Do some research before you hit the stores. Shop around on major retailers' websites, like JCPenney's, or a specialty site like Perfect Suit to determine what you can reasonably afford. You'll also get a glimpse into the current fashion trends and ideas on what might look best on your little fashion plate. You just might run into the perfect combination before you leave the house.

2. Bring the boy along, if possible, to model the suit for optimal results. Otherwise (or if you're buying online), study the size charts to figure out the best match to manufacturers' sizing grids.

3. Look for deals at consignment and second-hand shops. Compromise on pants fit to get a good-fitting jacket. Pants are easier to alter than suit coats.

4. If money is no object or you have a boy who's hard to fit, consider having the suit completely custom made. Inquire with a local tailor or seamstress to make arrangements.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't feel comfortable making the measurements yourself, pop into a suit store with your boy in tow. Most will measure your little one and give you the numbers.

• If you buy the suit as a set, there's little need to measure for the pants. Usually, the pants fit in proportion to the jacket.

• Buy suit shirts a size smaller than the jacket. Purchase belts a size larger than the child's current waist size. And be aware that dress shoes typically run a size smaller than casual shoes.