How to Buy a Suit

Do you need to buy a men's suit? There are many details that you need to understand to make a good decision when you're looking at buying a suit. Read on to learn how to buy a suit.

Whether you're at a tailor getting custom fitted for a suit, or selecting from the off rack suits at a discount warehouse, there are details to look for to help you buy a suit that will look good on you for years to come. You need to know what features the suit should have to match your body type, select an appropriate fabric, and know what details mark a quality suit.

Step 1: Consider Your Body Type

  • Short Men:
  1. Should avoid loud patterns
  2. Select suits with vertical stripes
  3. Select jackets with only one or two buttons
  4. Opt for double vented jackets
  • Tall, Thin Men:
  1. Should select suits with heavy fabrics and light colors
  2. Avoid vertical stripes.
  3. Purchase three-button jackets
  4. Select a ventless jacket, or purchase one with a single vent.
  5. Pants should be cut with a regular rise
  • Hefty Men:
  1. Should wear lightweight fabrics
  2. Select dark colors, preferably in solids or vertical stripes
  3. Shorter men larger sized men should wear jackets with two buttons, taller men can wear three buttons.
  4. Wear a single vent jacket.
  5. pants should have a flat front-avoid pleats.

Step 2: About Suit Fabric

Wool is a natural fabric that breathes well, is durable, resists wrinkling, and can be worn in all climates.

  1. Tweed – Tweed is a very heavy wool fabric, worn in cold climates. Its a bulky fabric, which can only be worn well by slim men.
  2. Flannel – Flannel is a heavy fabric made from corded wools. Flannel is durable and works well for a winter suit, but will be too warm for year round wear in most climates.
  3. Tropical – Tropical wool is a wool crepe, usually used for summer suits. It's lightweight and wrinkles more easily than heavier wools.
  4. Worsted – Worsted wools (also called mid-weight wools), such as garbardines, are durable and light enough for year round wear, without the care issues of tropical wools. A "high twist" worsted wool is lighter and appropriate for warmer climates

Step 3: Details to Look For

  1. Higher quality suits are stitched, not fused.
  2. Look for a hand stitched sleeve lining.
  3. Higher quality tailors include a flower loop under the lapel. Even though these are rarely needed, they are a small detail that is evidence a tailor's attention to detail.
  4. Interior pockets should be handstitched and reinforced.
  5. High quality suit pants have interior hidden pockets and vented pleats for a better fit.

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