Believe it or not, it has finally been proven that wearing a suit makes you think differently in the sense that it allows you to see the world from a whole different perspective. A recent study conducted by researchers at the California State University, Northridge discovered that people who tend to wear formal clothes are able to think more abstractly, broadly and holistically. If your a newbie to buying Men’s Suit we have some great tips for you.
“Putting on formal clothes makes us feel powerful, and that changes the basic way we see the world.” – Abraham Rutchick, a professor of psychology told the Atlantic.
It is no wonder many of today’s richest and most powerful men have suits as a wardrobe staple given the status symbol and success that it represents.
Apart from that, many of today’s most fashion-forward men have embraced sharp, stylish and stunning suits that makes you feel like you are just about ready to take on the world.
So what can a Suit Newbie do when it comes to buying the right suit?
Sure, it’s all well and good to go out and buy yourself a suit, but make sure you’re asking yourself these questions:
- What is the reason for buying a suit?
- What is the best fabric?
- What colour/s should I buy?
- How’s the fit?
- How’s the vent?
- Single or Double Breasted?
- How does it make me look and feel?
Fortunately, there are ways to go about this and that’s where the benefits provided in this article comes into play when buying men’s business suits. Soon you’ll be doing your blokey twirl in front of the 360 mirror and actually like what you see.
If this is the case, it means that your suit falls under these categories:
It Fits
Despite a common misconception, the saying isn’t, “if the shoe fits,” it’s actually, “if the suit fits.” A good suit should be tailored to your unique body frame. That means time and care should be taken to ensure you’ve picked the right one.
A good way to know this, is to see how the shoulder sits. Does your seam hike up? Or does it hang down toward your arm? These are both signs that it’s either too small or too big. A well-fitted shoulder will lie flat and will end right where your arm meets your shoulder.
When checking jacket sleeve length, check how much linen appears between your hand and your jacket. You’re on the right track if it’s around half an inch. This perfectly breaks up the colour and adds a bit of white… but not too much. Never go past the cuff.
The length of your jacket in general, should fall just halfway of your buttocks. Your jacket collar should rest neatly against your shirt collar.
Always be sure to check how your trousers fit on your rear. The back of a man’s trousers should act as a smooth drape, no U-shaped sags or horizontal wrinkles. Also, look for the trouser break. This is where the top of your shoe stops your trouser cuff from falling to its entire length. Don’t go overboard, it should be long enough to point out one subtle, horizontal dimple, but nothing more. If it is too long, this is one of the easier adjustments to fix. That’s when a quick trip to the tailor comes in.
A well-fitted suit can also come down to some simple styling choices. Go for a suit with a hand-stitched sleeve lining and a hand-stitched left breast pocket. Perhaps add a vented pleat to your trousers for that extra fitted look.
Essentially, a properly fitted business suit increases the personality of the wearer, by complementing the figure, elongating the body and making them look taller and broader in the shoulders. It not only looks a whole lot better, it also ensures longevity and maximum ware.
A Suit to Suit You
Choosing the right color can be more complex than you might think. First of all, plan in accordance with the time of day you’d like to wear it. For example, a daytime suit allows for more vibrant, light colored formals. In the evening, you’d want to go for those darker hues – even just a sharp black one. However, this doesn’t mean you should rule out color altogether. If you’re going for a dark suit, match it up with a vibrant tie, patterned shirts or some colorful dress shirts.
There’s also a lot to be said about a nice patterned pocket square or colored handkerchief – never underestimate their moderately priced power to make your outfit stand out.
Jules Standish, author of ‘How Not To Wear Black’ says that colours have a psychological effect. “When we look at certain colours, it triggers neurological responses in the brain, and causes the hypothalamus gland to release hormones,” she says. Wearing flamboyant clothing also demands people’s attention and it exudes a new level of confidence.
Also be aware of seasonal trends. The warmer months call for silk and by the time the cooler months come around, you want to go for those thicker textures such as wool.
Style
Know the difference between a spread collar and a point collar. The spread collar is designed to widen the wearer’s face; it also enables more room for a wider knot due to the extra room between the collar point. The point collar is made to make the wearer’s face appear longer. While these two styles are the most popular to wear, the spread collar adheres to the modern trends, whereas the point collar maintains a traditional feel and look.
Don’t be afraid to add a vest. Three piece suits are in – just ask Harvey Specter. Men’s vest can add fluidity and give off a more finished look.
Belts are never a bad decision, either. They help break up the colour and add extra definition – just make sure that when you’re choosing a belt, you have the right shoes to match (Brogues or Oxfords are ideal). After all, there’s nothing worse than a mismatch (e.g. both contrastingly different shades of brown).
Also, it doesn’t matter if you’re a tie or no tie kind of guy, always wear a closed top button. This creates a sharp finish and refines the look.
How do you know which shoes best match your suit?
Great question. If you’re going to wear a black suit, choose a black shoe to go with it. Black isn’t a shade to be messed around with but if you want to be more versatile, brown shoes are the way to go. They’ll work well with most coloured and grey suits.
Colour doesn’t have to be compromised on your feet, entirely. Socks are where you can get really creative. Not only do they give you the opportunity to show off a bit of personality with a subtle colour or pattern, it’s also a great way to finish and blend everything together.
Spending the right amount
Believe it or not, a good suit doesn’t have to cost you a second mortgage. Young men particularly, have more demanding things to spend their money on (e.g. rent, food and student loans). That means taking the time to choose a good quality suit is absolutely imperative.
Choosing quality will mean longevity, plus you’re more likely to take better care of it. This means avoiding the mainstream trends. These usually last about a week and can completely empty your pockets. Yes, it is important to find something that is unique and well-fitting; just don’t splurge on that red, crosshatch suit jacket, that you’re only going to wear for two days before it becomes embarrassing.
On a Special Note
It might interest you to know that recent studies suggest women prefer men in suits than men in jeans. This highlights that people still prefer a man who cares about the way he looks and has a sense of style. Perhaps it’s a tired stereotype, but a man in a suit can really steal a woman’s heart because of all the things she thinks he is capable of.
Also, a good suit is timeless. It never really goes out of style, and it will always project class and stature. Don’t do yourself the disservice with a poorly chosen outfit. Take your time. Find the right one that fits your body shape and experience for yourself how the right suit can promote a subsequent feeling of confidence and sophistication for today’s modern men.
