Choosing mens formal wear can be a rather daunting prospect for most men. That is why I have put together this short guide which should hopefully give you a quick overview of the various things that you will need to consider when choosing that perfect suit.
Colour of the Suit
The colour of the suit you wear depends on a few things. Some people like to base the it on the colour of your skin. The lighter your skin, the lighter you want the colour of the suit to be. I’m not so sure about this though as I feel suits are one of those garments that can really look great on anyone – if worn right. So when it comes to colour, I would simply go with colors and hues that you like. Try sticking to blacks, greys and blues when starting out. The only exception to this rule is if you are choosing formal wear for use in the business world where you will typically want to wear suits that are darker in colour.
The Material of the Suit
There are a few options available when it comes to the material that your formal wear will be made out of. If you live in a hot area then I suggest cotton. This is a very breathable material and thus it will ensure that you keep cool. If you live in a slightly colder place then wool is your best option. You can also choose blended materials which look great but quite often they aren’t as long lasting. They are good if you intend to wear your formal wear only a few times though.
Choosing the Suit
The first decision that you are going to need to make when it comes to your suit jacket is whether to opt for something which is double or single breasted. Double breasted suits look absolutely fantastic, just make sure they are tailored and fit well. If you are going for a single breasted suit jacket then you will need to consider the amount of buttons you have – 2 or 3 buttons. 3 button suits are great if you have a bit of height on you otherwise they can make you look a little stumpy.
Lapels
Your lapels are the next thing that you are going to need to consider in your mens formal wear search. Depending on the style you are going for, you could choose to opt for slightly narrow lapels. Three or four inches should do, any wider than that and you could risk adding a sort of ‘retro’ look to the suit.
Vents
You will also need to pay attention to the vents on your jacket. My suggestion is that you opt for a double vent if you will be doing a lot of moving about at an event (i.e. a wedding), they also look great on almost everybody. I wouldn’t opt for a no-vent jacket unless you are very slim in stature. Even then, I don’t know, they don’t feel “complete” to me without a vent.
Finally, and this is perhaps the most important thing you are going to read here. You ALWAYS want to make sure that you purchase a suit that actually fits well. If you buy one “off the rack” and it doesn’t fit well, then make sure you get it adjusted. Remember, even a small amount of tightness or the slightest hint that the suit is loose can affect the entire look you want to achieve – not good.
This is a very brief guide to choosing the perfect mens formal wear. I might write a more in-depth one in the near future but for now, this should suffice. It isn’t complete, but hopefully it shows you just how much there is to consider before you settle on something that is perfect for you. Don’t forget, try to look into as many options for suits as possible and ALWAYS purchase the best quality that you can afford.
Comments are closed.