Do you own a suit? If not, you should. Every man, regardless of occupation, will need a suit in his wardrobe. From weddings and formal parties to business meetings and interviews, certain occasions call for formal wear -- and a suit is the de-facto standard for men's formal wear. But you'll want to take the time to enhance the appearance of your suit. Thankfully, there are several different things that men can do to improve the look of their suit, some of which we're going to discuss in today's blog post.
Choose the Right Fit
I know this probably sounds like common sense to most fashion-conscious men, but it's still worth mentioning that you should choose a suit fitted for your body shape and size. No two men have the exact same body, so you can expect subtle nuances regarding the fit between different suits. As such, it's important to take your time when choosing a suit to find one that fits right. So, how do you know if a suit fits right? There are several tall-tale sings to look for, including the shoulders lying flat against your body; the bottom of the jacket or coat stopping just past your waistline (except for long coats); and the arms extending just past your wrists. Rather than rolling the dice and "hoping" that you find the right fit, though, perhaps you should buy your suit here at
StudioSuits. We'll custom-make your suit according to your own measurements, eliminating the otherwise tedious and time-consuming process of trying to find a suit that fits.
Wear a Tie
There are several different accessories that you can wear with a suit, including a wristwatch, cufflinks, necklace, etc. However, if there's one accessory that you don't want to leave home without, it's a tie. A tie essentially completes the look of a suit, bringing all of the colors and visual elements together in a cohesive manner. You really have one of two options available when wearing a suit: you can choose to wear a traditional necktie, or you can wear a bow tie. Bow ties tend to offer a more formal appearance, whereas neckties are more traditional (still formal, though). Regardless of which one you choose, make sure it matches with the rest of your suit. If your necktie or bow tie clashes with existing elements of your suit, it will create a messy and unkempt appearance that does your outfit no justice.
Eliminate the Wrinkles
Don't make the mistake of wearing a wrinkled suit. Even if it's just a handful of small, "stray" wrinkles, it will have a significant impact on your appearance -- and not in a good way. Wearing wrinkles clothes is a major fashion faus pax, and suits are no exception. So, how can you eliminate wrinkles from your suit? First and foremost, check the care label to see what the manufacturer recommends. Some suits will specify "dry clean only," in which case you should have it professionally dry cleaned to eliminate wrinkles. Others, however, may call for a light steam iron. If you're crunched for time and don't have the luxury of taking your suit to a professional dry cleaners, though, you can often eliminate wrinkles from it by hanging it the bathroom with the shower on the hottest water setting possible. The general idea is to produce enough steam from a hot shower so it smooths out any wrinkles. As long as your suit is placed away from the shower head, it shouldn't get wet. Rather, the steam trapped in the bathroom will smooth out the wrinkles, usually in about 15-20 minutes.
Buy Your Suit Together
When shopping for a new men's suit, you have one of two options: you can either buy the suit as a single unit, or you can buy the trousers and jacket/coat separately. Generally speaking, it's best to choose the former option, as this ensures your suit maintains a cohesive appearance. If you buy your suit as separate pieces, you may not be able to find trousers in the same color and style as the coat/jacket, in which case your suit will create a mismatching appearance. The bottom line is that, when given the opportunity, you should buy your suit together instead of separately.
Choose Fabric Based on Climate
Many men overlook the importance of choosing the right fabric when shopping for a suit. Men's suits are available in several different fabrics, each of which has its own unique characteristics and properties. A good rule of thumb is to choose a fabric based on the climate during which it will be worn. If you plan on wearing the suit during the warm spring or summer months, cotton or linen fabrics are an excellent choice that you really can't go wrong with. But for the cooler fall and winter months, you should stick with a thicker fabric like wool. Thicker fabrics have a higher insulation value, meaning they'll keep you warmer than thin fabrics like cotton.
Go Slim
As you may already know, men's suits are available in a variety of styles. Among the most popular styles to date, however, is slim fit. Slim fit suits live up their namesake by featuring a slimmer fit that contours to the shape of the wearer's body. As such, they've become a popular choice among men, as they create the appearance of a slimmer figure. So if you can't seem to choose a style for your suit, consider slim fit. It's a stylish choice that's guaranteed to enhance your appearance.
Shoes Matter
Wearing the right shoes is always important, regardless of the occasion. However, it's even more important when wearing a suit. The right shoes will enhance your suit, bringing all of the elements together to create a stylish and finished look. Leather oxfords are always a great choice for suits, assuming you choose the right color. Just remember to polish your shoes before wearing them. Dirty shoes will take away from the visual appeal of your suit.