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Suiting up

The suit. The most essential part of any man’s wardrobe and a statement of individual style, good enough for the office or a formal evening out. Though the number of offices with dress codes requiring suits has dwindled in recent years, the revival of mid-20th century fashion trends thanks to shows like Mad Men have ensured the everyday suit still carries some weight.

Buying a suit is a process that should be taken with some measure of care — what sort of style are you looking for? Where will you be primarily wearing the suit? Most importantly, what’s your budget?

Styles:

First off, unless you’re Prince William or a member of the aristocracy, avoid the double–breasted suit. Though the look is impeccable — especially if you have a tall build — the style itself is excessively formal. A double–breasted suit can be a good investment if you already have a healthy wardrobe with a few other suit choices.

Then the choice comes down to a three–button or two–button suit. A two–button is certainly the more fashionable choice at present and also appears to make the wearer look taller. A good two–button suit will always be dependable.

Of course, a three–button suit carries its own benefits. The retro look and feel of it can be a great way to set yourself apart from the rest of the office. A three–button suit is also a great choice for a taller man, as the buttons reach higher up the chest.

As with all things suit–related, it comes down to individual preference. A suit should be seen both as an expression of self and an investment, so why buy something you’re not 100 per cent happy with?

The budget:

Yes, you can get a suit for around $100. But just because you can doesn’t mean you should.

Spending more on a suit can save the cost of replacing it further down the line, not to mention the benefits of higher quality materials. Which isn’t to say you need to purchase a $3,000 bespoke suit — although you certainly could — but it’s not a necessity.

For someone just coming out of university, I’d peg a price point of $500 for a suit. If you can grab one on sale, the savings can go towards tailoring the suit, buying a few dress shirts to match it, or even putting some money towards some shoes.

If you do have a bit more money to spend, investigate the prices of local tailors. A lack of brand–name label means not having to pay brand–name prices, which can mean better quality material. And as an added bonus, a custom suit doesn’t need to be tailored.

Tips for a first suit:

The most versatile suit you can buy will be a navy suit. Navy doesn’t carry the stuffy formality of a darker shade, but is still dark enough to warrant wearing throughout the year. A nice shade of navy will also allow for an ample selection of colours for dress shirts.

The second suit should be charcoal grey. While a navy suit can be used in a more casual environment, the darker charcoal will provide versatility for more formal situations.

From there, feel free to expand your wardrobe to areas in need of coverage. If you find yourself frequently wearing a suit in the summer, investigate the lighter shades and material, such as linen or cotton.

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