A well-chosen suit can seriously boost your confidence and become a staple item of your wardrobe for everything from work to weddings. Whether you’re suiting up for an office meeting or a family wedding, here’s how to choose the right suit. From fit and fabric to style and care.
Understand Your Occasion
The key to looking and feeling the part is choosing a suit that matches the occasion. At work, you’ll want something polished and versatile, so a tailored navy or charcoal suit will serve you well. For a wedding, however, a lighter-coloured linen blend or a mid-grey with a subtle pattern can strike the right festive tone. For a casual event, perhaps a more relaxed fit, textured fabric, or patterned fabric will work wonders. Getting the formality right prevents looking overdressed or underdressed.
Prioritise Fit Above All
Fit matters more than the price tag. A well-cut suit that fits you properly will look far better than an expensive one that doesn’t. Start with shoulder alignment. The jacket’s shoulder seams should sit right at the edge of your shoulders with no dips or pulls. The jacket length should cover the seat of your trousers; sleeves should show around half an inch of shirt cuff. For trousers, the break (where the trouser hem meets the shoe) should be just enough to drape cleanly. Too long and you get bunching, too short and it looks awkward. Tailoring is your friend: even off-the-rack suits can look great once altered.
Choose Fabrics Wisely
Fabric choice impacts comfort, durability, and how the suit performs across events and seasons. Wool remains the all-rounder: breathable, good drape, appropriate for both work and formal events. Cotton offers a lighter alternative with more relaxed drape, which is great for less formal events but may crease more. Linen or linen-blends are excellent for warmer weather and weddings, though they wrinkle more easily and may feel too casual in business settings.
Consider Style and Details
Once you’ve chosen the right fit and fabric, the details bring personality and suitability. A single-breasted jacket with two buttons is a versatile staple; double-breasted or three-piece options lean more formal. Notch lapels are classic and work across occasions; peak lapels are more formal; shawl lapels are reserved for black-tie. Pocket styles (flap, jetted, patch) and buttons (horn vs plastic) all subtly shift the tone. For example, for a smart-casual wedding look, you might opt for a subtle pattern or textured fabric and pair it with a patterned tie or pocket square.
Maintain and Accessorise Your Suit
Finally, good tailoring and fabric deserve proper care. Always hang your suit on shaped wooden hangers to preserve the shoulder shape. After wearing, allow it to rest before dry-cleaning, as frequent dry-cleaning can deteriorate the fabric. Use a clothes-brush to remove lint and spin the trousers to ease creases. Suit accessories are the finishing touch: a silk tie, subtle pocket square, cufflinks (for formal), or a crisp white shirt and leather Oxford for the office. For a casual event, you might swap the tie for a knit or textured shirt and choose a patterned pocket square. Smart shoes and belt in coordination complete the look.
