Most men are wearing the wrong suit size. Suits for men are like bras for women: unless you are exactly average in size, it's always better to go custom.
When was the last time you were measured for a suit? If it's been more than a few years, it's time to remeasure. Don't worry - we'll go over how.
If your measurements have changed or you're looking to refresh your wardrobe, keep reading for our exclusive guide on choosing suits for men.
Measuring Yourself for Suits
The most important aspect of a suit, even over the quality, is the fit. A cheap suit that fits you will look better than a suit that's too big or too small, though we know you'd never be caught in an ensemble that costs less than $500.
If you don't have a tailor on hand or you can't get to them for whatever reason, it's possible to measure yourself for a new suit at home. You'll need something to take notes on, a flexible measuring tape, and a mirror to get started.
Neck Measurement
Take your measuring tape and wrap it around your neck at your chosen spot. It shouldn't be too tight - add half an inch to your exact measurement for room to breathe.
Shoulder and Sleeve Measurement
Have a friend or a loved one hold the measuring tape at the edge of your shoulder, at the top of the armhole. Measure across your back to the same point at the other side. That's your shoulder measurement.
Starting at that same point, hold your arms to your sides and measure from the seam to the top of your wrist, right where it meets your hand. This is your sleeve length.
Chest Measurement
Take the measuring tape under your arms and wrap it around the biggest part of your chest while relaxed. This is your chest underarm measurement.
Overarm chest measurement is the same thing, but you wrap the tape around your arms and your chest instead.
Waist Measurement
Hopefully, you know your waist measurement, but to double-check, wrap the tape around your hips where you like your pants to lay.
Inseam Measurement
This is the length from your groin to your ankles/the top of your shoes. It's best to have a significant other help with this measurement.
Outseam Measurement
The final measurement you'll want to take is your length measurement - also called an outseam. Measure from where you like to wear the waist of your pants to where you like your pants to hit on your shoes to get this figure.
Congratulations! You now have an updated record of your sizes and can order custom shirts like those from Robert Talbott, Skip Gambert, and the Gitman Brothers.
Be Familiar With Suit Aspects
When shopping for a suit, there are a lot of small decisions to make that add up to the aesthetic of your suit. Some things to look into include:
- Single vs. Double Breasted blazers
- Wingtip collars vs. button-down collars
- Types of lapels
- Spread collars vs. club collars
- Placket vs no placket
- Type of cuffs
You can find easy graphics that show the differences above by googling them or looking at shirts you love. Different options for suits call for different aspects. A tuxedo, for example, may require a cumberbund or vest, while your everyday suit does not.
Every man should have one black-tie suit or tuxedo, as well as two to three suit sets, depending on how often he wears them.
Think About Suit Fabric
Your suit fabric says a lot about the formality and quality of your suit. A tweed suit, for example, is appropriate for academic settings and some workplaces, but not at formal events.
Wool suits are classic and high quality, but they don't breathe well. Many suits these days are wool blends, with more breathable fabrics like silk to keep you comfortable. Think about the average climate of the time and place you'll be wearing this suit before deciding on a fabric type.
All suits, especially wool, should be dry cleaned and stored in bags, though wool suits may require cedar hangers or other moth protection.
Though we don't carry them, be wary of any suit that has polyester or any type of poly blend. That's the cheapest material to make suits out of, and not only does it not look right, but it wrinkles and stains easily.
Think About Color
The darker the suit color, the more formal it is. There's a reason black-tie parties are called that - they expect you to wear a black suit or tuxedo.
Blue and gray suits are somewhere in the middle on the formality scale, with darker shades being more formal and lighter shades more casual. Any other color, even brown, should be saved for more informal events.
Colorful suits are fun but traditionally aren't worn in formal settings.
Shop for Accessories
Finally, when you buy a suit, you want to have a range of ways to style it. That means two to three dress shirts, the same number of ties, pocket squares, and dress socks.
The right accessories can turn one suit into ten, as long as you style it differently each time. Having accessories and shirts you can change up allows you to spend more money on higher-quality suits.
Choosing Suits for Men
Whether you're shopping for an event, for work, or just for fun, we hope you enjoyed this guide on men's suit designs. Our website is stocked with the highest quality brands for the modern gentleman at an appropriate price.
Keep the things above in mind when choosing suits for men, and you can't go wrong. To invest in your style, start shopping here.