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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

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

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7. Button the jacket and sit down to verify that it is comfortable and doesn't bunch up.
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.

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.