Nailing the shoulder width is very important because it can’t be tailored afterward. To test the shoulder width, lean against a wall. If your shoulder hits the wall before the jacket shoulder, then the width is right. If the jacket shoulder pad hits the wall first, then it’s too big.
Make sure the holes don’t scrunch at all in your armpit. This looks sloppy and means the holes are too high.
Some men prefer a shorter jacket, which is also acceptable. This works well for less formal occasions and a slim-fitting jacket. Trends for jacket length change, and a lot of it is up to personal taste. Feel free to play with this rule if you see a jacket you like that isn’t quite the right length.
The sleeve length is very variable, and some men prefer them lower or higher. It’s not a make-or-break feature for most suits. It’s easy for a tailor to adjust the sleeve size, so you can always make changes later on if you decide you don’t like the fit.
If the jacket sits too loose on your chest or torso, a tailor can make alterations to fix this. Don’t reject a suit for these issues if you really like it.
A notch lapel has a slight notch, as the name implies, around your shoulder. This is the most common and reliable type, and you can’t go wrong with this for everyday use. A peak lapel juts out and points toward your shoulders. This is a bit flashier and more common at fancy parties and events, but a notch lapel will work just fine for these events too. There are also shaw lapels, that are straight the whole way down. These are more common on tuxedos though.
If you’re getting pants with a small break, make sure you wear socks that match! Hemming the pants is very easy, so you don’t have to stress about getting the pants length perfect.
While navy is a classic color, steer away from lighter blue colors unless you’re attending an informal event. [9] X Research source Choose a darker gray for more formal events. A light gray suit is great for everyday use.
Pros recommend making sure that the suit fits especially well if it’s black. Go for a slimmer fit than you might normally so you look crisp. [12] X Research source
You can also get plaid suits in less conventional colors like green or brown. You can definitely look good in these styles too, but save them for very informal occasions.
White is always a good choice for a shirt color. It goes with everything. Light or baby blue pair well with a navy suit. Black or purple work well with gray suits. It’s best to get some well-fitting shirts in a few different colors so you’re always ready for a special occasion.
There are some rules for buttoning a single-breasted suit. For a 2-button suit, keep the top button fastened while you’re standing and unbutton it when you sit. For a 3-button suit, button the middle one instead, and the top one only if you want to. Never button the bottom one. [16] X Research source
Double-breasted suits usually don’t fit as snugly as single-breasted ones, but modern ones are more slim than classic styles. On a double-breasted suit, always leave the bottom button open and keep the top one fastened whether you’re sitting or standing.
If you’re at a less formal occasion, then you’ll look great if you take the jacket off and just hang out in your vest.
It’s best to have 2 pairs of shoes in each color. That way, you can easily match your suits quickly. You could also go for a lighter shoe color like tan. This is best for informal events or everyday wear. For informal events, some men like to wear stylish sneakers like Converse with their suits. You could make this work, but you won’t look as clean and crisp. Some suits don’t have belt loops. In this case, wear suspenders.
Try to avoid brighter colors like pink or yellow. This makes a suit look less formal. However, it could fit for some occasions, like an outdoor party in the summer. You could also break the mold a bit and wear a bowtie instead. This will set you apart from the crowd. For less formal events, you can also look great skipping the tie and leaving your top button open. Make sure you wear a V-neck undershirt so it doesn’t show.
For very formal events, choose a simple watch. It shouldn’t be showy or overpower your outfit. If you wear watches, you’ll look sharper if your sleeves are a little shorter to show off your watch. If you really want to stand out, try a pocket watch instead of a wristwatch.
You could also get cufflinks in other colors like gold, but silver is the most modern look.
