Buying a Suit

If you find yourself in the suit section of a department store and find yourself completely overwhelmed, don’t worry, you’re not alone. With so many choices, the undertaking of purchasing a suit can be a daunting task. But rather than having the salesperson dictate your choice, be armed and ready with the knowledge you’ll need to make this acquisition.

Buying a suit is an investment, if for no other reason, the price. A quality suit will generally run you $350 to $500, so make sure you know what you want. The first thing you will need to decide is what type of suit you want. There are many choices, but the most common are the one button, the two button, the three button and the double breasted. Currently the two button is enjoying a comeback after years of three button popularity. This is not say you shouldn’t consider the three button, but the trend is definitely the two button suit with flat front slacks. The double breasted seems to be making a comeback, but slowly – very slowly and the one button is reserved for the fashion forward.

Know your size: Either measure yourself or have yourself measured before investing in a suit. There is nothing more frumpy looking than wearing a suit that is even one size too big and there is nothing more uncomfortable than wearing a suit that is too small. The shoulders should fit at the natural shoulder, the buttons shouldn’t be too high or too low, the jacket should be the same length as your arms and the cuffs of the jacket should hit at the hinge of your wrists. The slacks should rest on your hip – not your belly and should hit the top on your shoes, although some men prefer a slight break which is a perfectly acceptable option too. A fitted suit can empower you and make you feel more confident.

Details, details, details: Decide on what vents you want. If you are conservative, stick with the center vent. If you are a bit more daring, go for side vents. The notch lapel is most common, however, the peak lapel on a single breasted suit makes an elegant statement.

To cuff or not to cuff the slacks, that is the question. This really comes down to personal choice and there is no right or wrong answer.

For first time suit buyers I recommend a solid navy for the simple reason, navy is extremely versatile. You can wear the jacket with grey, tan or khaki slacks and vs. versa for the slacks. Besides being interchangeable, navy goes with almost every shirt and tie combo – except black of course.




Written for the Miles David - Mens Custom Clothier website.