Knowing what you want and what you need for your lifestyle before entering a store is crucial. To get a better idea of what might work for you, look at this article.
When you’re unsure of what you’re looking for, purchasing a new suit can be difficult.
There are a ton of options to consider in terms of materials, colors, fits, and styles.
Additionally, selecting the incorrect suit could end up costing you hundreds or even thousands of dollars!
We are saving you money, headaches, and time with this article. We explain exactly what to look for when buying a suit.
Table of Contents
Buy a Suit Online Or Offline
Choosing whether to purchase your suit offline or online is your first step. Which is better depends on YOUR personal values.
Buying a Suit Online
Online is always going to have the best options if you want options.
Nothing compares to online shopping for convenience. In your underwear and with a beer, you can purchase a custom suit at two in the morning.
Buying a Suit Offline
You will need to enter a store if you require a suit quickly.
Visit a higher-end menswear store if you want customer service; you can spend 30 minutes with a specialist there who can determine your body type and what styles and colors will suit you the best.
Anson Belt & Buckle, a father-and-son-run family business that produces micro-adjustable men’s belts, is the sponsor of this article.
With more than 30 options spaced a quarter of an inch apart, Anson’s ground-breaking holeless belt design offers unparalleled flexibility. You can then take advantage of a perfect fit each time.
Tips to Buy a Perfect Suit for Yourself
Every man ought to have at least one suit that makes him feel like a titan. You can look professional for almost any occasion that calls for formal attire, including job interviews, weddings, funerals, and more with just one sharp suit. But some men, especially young men, are hesitant to enter a reputable suit shop and spend money on a brand-new, well-fitting suit. A new car purchase might be the closest analogy. The process can feel overwhelming because there are so many choices, features, and salespeople. You can buy the ideal suit for yourself with the help of these 9 tips.
Set Your Budget
For your first suit – or your first suit in a while – you want to spend between $200 and $2000.
In reality, suits come in a much wider range of prices. In Savile Row, you can spend $5,000 or $10 at a thrift shop. However, most guys can find a great-looking suit in the happy-medium price range of $200 to $2,000.
Do you need a specific number? Budget half of your monthly salary for the suit and all of its accessories. That also applies to the belt, shirt, and shoes, which we’ll discuss further.
You will hear the terms “off the rack,” “custom,” and “bespoke.”
- ‘”Off the rack” refers to something that is already made. That suit is currently displayed on a rack and is available for purchase. This will work just fine for the majority of people, and you’ll get the best discounts here.
- ‘It’s made out of various pre-cut pieces in accordance with your measurements when something is “custom” or “made to measure.” If you’re difficult to fit, this is a great option.
- ‘It’s created entirely from scratch according to your precise requirements if it’s bespoke. Your tailor listens to what you say. Neglect bespoke when buying your first suit. Although bespoke suits are a work of art, they are significantly more expensive.
Choose Your Fabric
If you’ve got the money, look for a suit in 100% wool – it’s a great indicator of quality. Wool is a pricey material, so you may also see blends that contain 70%, 50%, or 30% wool.
Blends don’t have to be bad because they can help you save a lot of money. They do, however, indicate a lower-quality suit because a company that uses blends is likely making other compromises.
If you spend $500 to $1,000 or more, you’ll get 100% wool and start seeing “super” wools, such as Super 80, Super 100, Super 120, and so forth.
These numbers don’t follow a standard structure. Every company has different “supers.” Generally speaking, a higher number denotes a tighter yarn and a more opulent drape.
There is no one right answer to the question of what makes a good suit material. Don’t spend extra money to get a Super 220 instead of a Super 100 because any material with the word “super” in it will be of excellent quality.
What about color, now? Choose between the colors gray, charcoal, or navy. Don’t use blue or light gray; those colors are too casual. And don’t wear any black; that’s reserved for black tie.
Small patterns that are barely perceptible are acceptable but wait until your third, fourth, or fifth suit to use noticeable patterns.
Fit is King
If it costs more to buy something that fits, do it. Going custom may be necessary if you’re unusually tall, short, thin, stout, or muscular.
For the rest of you, these are the key areas to pay attention to in order to purchase a well-fitted suit off the rack.
Suit Jacket Shoulders
Shoulders that don’t fit shouldn’t be purchased. It’s very difficult and expensive to adjust a jacket’s shoulders, just like with heart surgery.
Suit Jacket Chest Size
The jacket is far too large if you can fit two fists inside the front. A tailor can make it a little smaller, but any more will change the proportions and make the jacket’s position and the pockets look unattractive.
What if the chest fit is too close? For a tailor to be able to let it out by about an inch, more expensive suits should have some extra fabric sewn into the seams.
Suit Jacket Length
Your arms should be at your sides. Give or take an inch, the jacket should fall to your knuckles.
Your jacket should cover your buttocks in the back. Nothing more or less than that should be acceptable.
Suit Jacket Sleeve Length
Reposition your arms by your sides; the sleeve should fall to the area just above your wristbone and expose 1/4 to 1/2 inch of your shirt cuff.
Do not worry if the sleeves are terribly off. They’re among the simplest things to modify, allowing for adjustments of up to an inch and a half, or even two inches on larger suits.
Suit Trousers Fit
Make sure the waist fits you comfortably. A tailor can adjust it if it’s just a tiny bit too big or even too tight.
Observe the hip region as well. If it’s way too loose, have it brought in even though your tailor may object to adjusting it.
Suit Trouser Length
When your pants are longer than your legs, the extra fabric folds or breaks just above your shoes.
You can select pants with no break, a quarter-, a half-, or a full-break.
Once more, fitness comes first. The store should have a tailor who will make adjustments for you when you purchase a suit off the rack.
If they charge for this, that’s not necessarily a bad thing; in fact, you’ll often find that paying for it results in better service. ‘Free tailoring is probably already included in the cost of the suit.
Function over Fashion
Instead of making a fashion statement that will go out of style in a year, you want to make a timeless suit that will serve you in six months and six years.
Suit Buttons
There are one, two, three, four, and even five-button suits that you can purchase. Avoid using ones, fours, and fives.
The two-button suit is the best option for 95 percent of you. It has a fantastic vintage style. Three can work if you’re taller and want to appear a little more formal.
Or choose between the two; yes, it is possible to purchase a “two and a half button” suit. There are three buttons on this suit, with the top button intended to be left undone.
Suit Lapels
You can choose between notch, peak, or shawl lapels.
Don’t touch the shawl lapel; that is only for formal attire.
Peak lapels are more formal than notch lapels. If you really like the way they look, they’re okay, but keep in mind that people will notice them.
A notch lapel is your best option. Though it won’t win any creative awards, it is timeless and will still be fashionable in ten years.
Suit Jacket Pockets
Do you want your pockets sewn into your jacket, or on top of your jacket?
Patch pockets are those that are sewn onto the top. For a versatile suit, choose pockets that are sewn in and have a flap; they’re very casual.
Suit Jacket Vents
The slits in the back of your jacket called vents give you more movement space. You have the option of a single vent, double vent, or no vent.
Rare and mostly found in custom and Italian suits, no vents are rare. If you don’t put your hands in your pockets and want to present a slimmer profile, it looks fine.
Out of all the vents, the single vent is the most prevalent and the WORST looking. With this one, try putting your hand in your pocket; everyone can see you behind.
The ideal vent is a double vent. It gives you a more streamlined appearance when you’re walking, and it’s made so that even when you’re riding a horse, your bottom won’t be exposed.
Buy the Right Dress Shirt
Yes, a suit is comprised of a jacket and trousers made of the same fabric. But it’s also everything that comes with it that helps you look sharply dressed. Making mistakes with small details like your shirt can make the entire ensemble weaker because a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
Dress shirts can be worn in light blue, pink, or lavender, but the traditional white color is preferred. It is the most formal, produces the greatest contrast, and goes with almost everything.
Since you’ll be wearing it with a necktie and buttoning it up, a good fit in the neck area is essential.
In addition, check for a medium spread or point turn-down collar. The traditional collar known as the point complements the majority of necktie knots. Choose a medium spread if you would rather tie a wider knot.
A widespread is a more casual option, so avoid it. Avoid button-down collars at all costs; they’re far too casual for a suit.
There should be only one button on the shirt cuff. If you have something made to order, you can also choose a two-button. For your first suit, cufflinks are not advised because they are more formal and require some attitude to wear well.
Even though it might seem obvious, your dress shirt must always be tucked in.
Match Your Shoes With Your Suit
A black Balmoral Oxford is the standard shoe to buy when purchasing a suit.
Thanks to their closed lacing system’s elegant simplicity, Oxfords are the most formal shoe style. With closed lacing, the vamp (the front portion of the shoe) covers the quarters (the back portion), giving the shoe a tidy, smooth appearance.
A dark brown or burgundy Oxford is acceptable if you want to switch things up; it’s just a little less formal.
Despite having an open lacing system and having the quarters on top of the vamp, a brown Derby is still wearable with a suit.
Men with serious rock star attitudes are the only ones who should wear sneakers with a suit.
With the exception of the most casual suits, loafers are really too casual. But at a casual event, especially in the United States, you can get away with them.
Choose Your Neckwear
A suit is traditionally worn with neckwear. You could say it unifies the look.
Except for when it’s neon red, red is always a safe color. Dark green or purple, the color of kings, are other options. You can also choose dark blue.
Remain with simple hues and little repeating patterns like pins, dots, or regimental stripes. Despite being a striking pattern, these diagonal stripes were developed by the British to symbolize various clubs and military regiments. They are formal enough to be worn with a suit.
A tie is typically too casual to match a suit because of its bold patterns, vibrant colors, and knit fabrics.
The formality of bow ties is on par with that of a long necktie. Although it won’t violate the suit rules, a solid-colored bow tie will make you stand out. It might be acceptable at a wedding but a little attention-getting at a funeral.
Accessorize
Keep any jewelry you choose to wear with a suit under control unless you’re a garish rock star. This includes watches, rings, necklaces, nose rings, and earrings.
The best watch to wear with a suit is a straightforward dress watch that only displays the time and possibly the date. A lot of complications are not what you want.
Black or dark brown leather straps are the standard for dress watches, but a straightforward metal band is also acceptable.
Avoid diving watches with rubber straps and those that are obviously designed to be worn as sports watches.
What about belts, though? Should you wear a belt with a suit or not? Depending on your pants. Exist belt loops on your pants? Then wear a belt.
Make an effort to coordinate your belt’s metal with your other metals and shoes’ leather with your belt.
Level Up Your Grooming
The weakest link in a chain determines how strong the entire chain is. Thus, keep your nails neatly trimmed. Look after your skin. Make sure to shave or groom your facial hair.
You might as well forgo buying a suit if you don’t shower and your nails are filthy. No one will consider you attractive.
Make sure your hair is neatly styled and cut. You can use a hair product with a little shine because you’re wearing business-casual attire if you want to resemble Harvey Specter. When wearing a suit, that looks good. But as long as you take care of that grooming, use whatever strategy suits you best.
Conclusion: Buy a Perfect Suit for Yourself
Summary
- Choose: Should I Shop Offline Or Online?
- Set Your Budget
- Choose Your Fabric
- Nail The Fit
- Choose Function Over Fashion
- Choose Your Dress Shirt
- Match Your Shoes With Your Suit
- Choose Your Neckwear
- Accessorize Your Suit
- Level Up Your Grooming
We’re going to assume that you’re starting from there. Perhaps you haven’t bought a suit in ten years, but you’ll need one in two weeks for a wedding. Perhaps this is your first suit.
So let’s begin by defining what a suit is.
A man’s suit consists of a jacket and matching pants in the same fabric.
Keep in mind that it says “the same” and not just “similar” A common error among men is to pass off a pair of pants and a similar jacket as a suit.
The people who know will catch you if you do it.
