Suits are an essential part of every stylish man’s wardrobe. With it, you can dress appropriately for events like weddings, important meetings, and much more!
However, not all suits are created equal! Some suits fit you like a glove and elevate your style, while some do the opposite. So in this blog post, we’ll give you the ultimate guide to buying men’s suits.
If you find that interesting, then keep on reading.
Before we get into suit buying…
However, before we reveal to you the secrets to buying a great suit, we should first understand why we want a suit in the first place. That makes purchasing a suit much more straightforward as we know exactly what we’re looking for.
So to complete this step, you’re going to need to ask yourself this question:
“For what occasion am I buying this suit?”
Are you looking to buy it for the wedding happening in a couple of weeks? Maybe you’re buying it to look professional in your workplace? Whatever it is, write it down as this will later become helpful.
5-Step Guide to Buying the Perfect Suit
Now that we know why we’re buying a suit, it’s time to get into buying your suit. For this, we have outlined five steps for buying one! That being said, this isn’t the most detailed one out there. That helps us to make it as easy to follow as possible.
Step #1 – Define Your Budget
First of all, we need to define our budget. That significantly affects what type of a suit we can buy. Generally, good suits tend to lie between $200 to $2,000. That range splits into three different tiers:
- $200 – $500 – You’re looking at affordable suits in this range. These suits tend to use cheaper materials to cut the cost. However, they can look like a million bucks when you pick well.
- $500 – $1,200 – You’re looking at higher-quality suits in this range. These suits tend to use higher quality materials such as 100% wool.
- $1,200+ – And lastly, we have luxury suits. These suits tend to be the highest quality and have the most luxurious materials out there.
Step #2 – Picking the Right Materials
Now that we’ve established our budget, we can start looking at suits. The first thing we should look at is what materials they are made of. The higher quality, the better.
However, when it comes to materials, we must be careful about choosing them. That’s because not only does it add up the cost, but it also decides when can we wear this suit. For example, with linen suits, we’re limited to summer. However, with wool, we can wear it all year round.
And when it comes to cotton suits, then these could be worn during summer, spring, and fall.
Step #3 – Selecting Colours and Patterns
It’s not enough to just pick a great material! In addition, we need to carefully consider which colours and patterns our suit is going to have. That’s because, just like with materials, colours and patterns play a significant role in the formality of your suit.
So what colours and patterns should I use?
Well, if you’re primarily looking for a formal look, then the best is to have subtle or no patterns at all. Additionally, the colours should be darker and more classical like navy blue, dark grey, brown or black.
However, if it’s going to be a more casual look, then you’re free to choose your own. You can buy white suits, reds, and other more extravagant colours. Also, feel free to go wild with patterns.
Step #4 – Choosing the Right Size
Whatever you do, don’t skip this step! That’s because the fit of your suit is king. You’ll never look great on a baggy or tight suit. Instead, you’re looking for a suit that fits you like a glove.
So how can you find the right size?
Well, the best way of doing that is by looking at the mirror and seeing how it fits. It should comfortably hug you without looking baggy or tight. But apart from that, there are a couple of areas where you should put more focus on:
- The Shoulders – That is the most vital part of getting right. If you buy the wrong size, it becomes challenging, if not impossible, for a tailor to adjust it. So make sure that the shoulder pad is straight, and you’re good to go.
- Sleeve Length – For sleeves, you need to look at how much of your shirt sleeve is visible. You want it to have about 2-3 centimetres (about an inch) visible.
- Trouser Break – You’re looking for the length where your trousers just reach the top of your shoes. If it doesn’t, then it’s too short! And when the flank starts pulling around your shoes, it’s too long!
Step #5 – Get Your Suit Tailored (If Needed)
And as a final step, I want you to get your suit tailored. As mentioned previously, when it comes to suits, you want them to fit you like a glove. As with it, you can look like a million bucks, even if you bought the suit from Zara.
So unless you’ve had your suit custom made or tailored in the store, you should book a time with your tailor.
Buying the Perfect First Suit
Now you know all there is to know about suit buying! However, if the suit you’re looking to buy will be your first, then we want you to continue reading!
So when it comes to buying your first suit, you want the suit to work for many occasions. Then you can put it on for many events such as weddings, important business meetings, graduations, and more.
Plus, you want it to stay stylish for years to come. So, what should your first suit look like? Well, there are no strict rules, but here are our recommendations:
- Colours: Dark Grey or Navy Blue
- Button Amount: 2 to 3
- Patterns: Keep them to a minimum
- Recommended Material: 100% wool
If you can get one that matches all four of these specifications, then you’ve found yourself a fantastic first suit.
Conclusion
And that’s it! Now you know how to buy a suit no matter what occasion it is. So when you’re shopping, remember to follow the five steps, and you’re guaranteed to look like million bucks when you wear one.
