How to Buy a Men’s Suit
Are you new to wearing a suit and tie, and are confused by the endless options available to you? Even though the men’s suit has remained pretty much unchanged since the mind 19th century, many men look for advice on buying their first business suit. The quick buying guide below will help you learn all the basics when shopping for a new suit.
How much to spend?
This obviously depends on you and your budget. If the suit is in fact part of your daily work attire, it is recommended to spend a few extra dollars and be happy with your purchase every time you wear the suit. If you are a bargain shopper, look for sales, and buy your suit not the day you need it, but when you find a good sale. $200 is the minimum you should plan to spend. $300 usually gets you a nice quality, and well tailored suit.
What fabrics?
When buying a new suit, choosing a suit made from quality fabric is one of the most important things. Suits should me made out of wool as wool is more comfortable to wear in a wide range of temperatures and climates. Man-made fabrics such as Polyester and Teflon should be avoided as they do not breathe, and will be quite uncomfortable. Wool makers distinguish the quality of their wool in terms of numbers that typically range from 80s to 200s. The finer the wool the higher the number will be. Best are suits made from super 100s, or super 120s. Higher numbers are finer and might be more comfortable, but are less suited for a daily business suit: They show wrinkles more and won’t last as long.
The cut:
For your first suit, choose a standard suit that matches will with most colors of shirt and tie. The best suits for business are:
- Single Breasted (meaning that the sides DON’T overlap)
- Charcoal gray or dark blue in color
- Solid color (reserve the Italian pin stripes for your second or third suit)
- 2 or 3 button
The right fit:
Make sure that the sleeves have the right length. When wearing the jacket and standing straight, let your arms hang down. The sleeves should end where your arms meet your wrists. Besides the sleeves, ensure that the jacket fits right on your shoulders. Stretch both arms forward to ensure that you still have movement. Finally take a look at the collar and the back of your jacket. About 1/2 inch of your dress shirt should show. The jacket should lay straight, and without wrinkles on your shoulders.
The pants:
Fitting pants is much easier than the jacket. That’s why you always want to start with the right jacket first. For your pants the only two things that matter are:
- The color and fabric must match to the jacket
- The pants must fit at your waist.
The length of your pants will always be altered to the right length. The classic look of the pants is slightly relaxed when standing, and about 2-3 inches of your dress socks showing when sitting down.
Your Cheap Neckties Team