How to Buy a Man's Business Suit
Everyday business attire may have become more casual, but the suit is still the anchor of any man's formal wardrobe. Start with a classic navy suit and move on to gray, khaki or camel.
- Difficulty:
- Moderately Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Blazers
- Cufflinks
- Dress Socks
- Men's Dress Belts
- Men's Dress Shirts
- Men's Dress Shoes
- Men's Suits
- Mens' Dress Pants
- Neckties
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1
Choose a jacket style. The two-button, single-breasted jacket is a popular style, but three- or four-button jackets are also available. Keep in mind that fashions change for men's clothing, just as they do for women's. Only thin men should wear formal double-breasted jackets, which add bulk to the figure. These should be kept buttoned at all times, as the jacket hangs awkwardly otherwise.
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2
Select a fabric color and pattern. If you opt for a patterned fabric, check to see that patterns line up at shoulder and lapel seams.
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3
Choose a suit fabric. High-quality worsted wool is the most seasonally versatile. Cotton and linen are good for summer wear. Avoid blends that are made with too much polyester, as they don't breathe well and may look cheap.
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4
Crumple the fabric to make sure it bounces back instead of wrinkling, unless you've chosen a fabric that's meant to wrinkle, such as linen.
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5
Select a pants style. Pleats make pants dressy and provide room for movement, while flat-front pants are slimming. Cuffed legs are formal, add weight to the suit and can make the leg seem shorter; uncuffed pants elongate the leg and are more informal.
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6
Test the jacket for fit. Make sure the collar lies flat against the back of your neck and shows a 1/4-inch rim of shirt collar. Shoulders should be lightly padded and neither too boxy nor too sloped. Sleeves should reveal 1/4 to 1/2 inch of shirt cuff and fall 5 inches above the tip of your thumb.
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7
Button the jacket and sit down to verify that it is comfortable and doesn't bunch up.
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8
Make sure the pants sit on the waist, not hips, and drape over and break slightly at the tops of your shoes. Check that your socks aren't visible when you walk.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Tall men should emphasize horizontal lines and avoid pinstripes. Double-breasted suits often flatter tall, thin men. Short men should consider single-breasted, shorter jackets in pinstripes or dark solids. Heavier men should also opt for pinstripes and avoid double-breasted suits.
When you buy a suit off the rack, you may have to take whichever pants come with the jacket. If this is the case, the jacket style, which is more noticeable, should take precedence over the pants style. Keep in mind that cuffs can be added to or removed from most pairs of pants.
Buying a jacket and pants separately will give you more style choices, and is a good approach if you need a special fit (if you have a large chest and a small waist, for example). It may be difficult to match the garments, though.
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Comments
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newsgirl08
Jul 31, 2009
I recently took my younger brother shopping for a nice suit and surprisingly it was harder than either of us thought! I wish I had these tips at that time! Well said! -
widgetmaker
Nov 18, 2008
#1 - good suits do not have to cost the earth. #2 - wear a suit that you're comfortable in, I find simple is best. #3 - regarding the number of buttons, it really depends how far you want the suit to close. 4 buttons tend to have a high neck. I like 2. #4 - If the trousers need it's worth getting a good belt. #5 - Nit picking point, but consider whether it looks good to wear a suit and then, when you sit down, have some leg showing because you're socks aren't long enough.
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someguy13
Oct 27, 2007
The author is incorrect about cuffed pants being more formal. In fact, cuffed pants are less formal. This is because when men first started wearing trousers, a cuff would need to be worn to keep pants out of the mud. If you were wealthy enough to not have to walk through the mud (e.g. you had a carriage) you did not need cuffs on your pants. Look at a tuxedo: They NEVER have cuffed pants.
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someguy13
Oct 27, 2007
The author is incorrect about cuffed pants being more formal. In fact, cuffed pants are less formal. This is because when men first started wearing trousers, a cuff would need to be worn to keep pants out of the mud. If you were wealthy enough to not have to walk through the mud (e.g. you had a carriage) you did not need cuffs on your pants. Look at a tuxedo: They NEVER have cuffed pants.
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Aug 08, 2006
I sell Men's Suits at Dillalrds in Houston, TXI I have been married for 35 years. I don't tell my wife how to buy a dress. She doesn't tell me how to buy a suit. Your lady knows how to buy a dress, or a lady's suit. She probably does't have a clue about men's clothing, but she thinks she does, and will try to inifluence your decision, if you let her. Seek out the help of the sales person who looks like he actually knows how to dress, and knows how to make you look good, with the proper fit, color, fabric, and accessories. Far too many men buy what their lady tells them to buy. They usually leave the store lookiing like it too. Take the suit home, without alterations. The store will certainly allow you to do that. Tell her that this is the suit you bought. The Suit YOU like, and unless she throws a fit, keep it, take it in for alterations after she has seen it. If you are in Sales, You wear a suit on most of your sales calls. If you are any good, you can certainly sell your wife. Otherwise just send your lady to the store with your size, and let her pick everything. You'll look like all the other whipped guys in the world with the Pink Shirt, Pink Tie, and poor fit. Come on in. We've got your size, and we'll make you look like you were born in your suit.
