What do Harvey Specter and James Bond have that Joey Tribbiani and Leonard Hofstadter don’t? Impeccable suits. Barney Stinson even sleeps in suit pajamas, complete with a tie! You might love wearing your sweats, hoodies, and comic book T-shirts, but don’t you just envy men who look suave in flawless suits? You can get on the cool wagon too; stop envying and start making notes on how to buy the perfect suit. If Justin Timberlake can do an entire song on suit and tie you can at least get one that makes you look fab, even if it’s not a Tom Ford tux.
Basic pointers to remember when buying a suit:
1. It should fit you perfectly. Not so tight that it shows off your man parts’ silhouette, and not so loose that it makes you look like a hanger. Should be just right. Very rarely will you find one off-the-rack that fits well. Look for a good tailor who can customize it for you.
2. Wear warmer fabrics in the winter, like wool or corduroy, and linen or cotton for summers.
3. The jacket’s sleeves should end just above your wrists, and not be so long that they touch your palms. Your shirt’s cuffs should show from underneath (unless you’re not wearing one; please wear a shirt under your suit). And make sure the sleeves are slim, for they create an illusion of a slimmer body.
4. Reduce the leg opening, so the pants don’t fall around your ankles in an unsightly manner. With lesser break (the bunching of fabric at the end of the trousers), a slimmer fit, and a length that ends just at the top of the shoes, you can look taller and younger.
We’re right in the middle of the wedding season, not to mention the numerous Christmas, Christmas eve, and New Year’s parties. A suit would look good at them. Also, if you’re partying on the rooftop of a swanky hotel, you could do with some warmth. Let’s take a look at some suits that you can wear to work, for a friend’s marriage, or your own wedding reception.
The dashing tux
Chris Hemsworth
All men love the slickness of a tuxedo, but shy away from actually wearing it. Be different from the rest of the world and get one. Wear it for your pre-wedding cocktail party. Perfect for the red carpet too.
The sharp business suit
Matt Bomer in White Collar
Conservative. Formal. Sharp. Very sharp. Ideal for meeting that important client, or making a presentation at work (brownie points for the suit).
The dinner suit
Bradley Cooper
Sometimes a tuxedo suit is called a dinner suit, though they’re not the same. The dinner suit is formal, and is usually in dark colours like navy or black. Planning a romantic proposal? Swap your regular jeans for a dinner suit. Or wear for your best friend’s wedding.
The suave 3-piece suit
David Beckham
An addition to the jacket and trousers is the waistcoat (vest). Make sure the waistcoat fits snugly, so you can wear the suit minus the jacket as well. Sport it at your wedding reception.
The popular single-breasted suit
Suits: The TV series
Preferred by most men, this 1-4 button suit is a style that’s going strong. We prefer the 2-button ones. A business suit could be single-breasted, as could a sports jacket.
The classic double-breasted suit
Ayushmann Khurrana
This military-inspired formal suit is less popular now, but looks polished nevertheless. Make sure to keep it buttoned at all times, unlike its single-breasted friend. Get a woollen one this winter to keep you warm. Add a scarf too. Warning: may cause sophistication.
The casual sports jacket
Robert Pattinson
A sports jacket is a suit separate that you can wear casually, even with jeans. Invest in a smart one that you can wear for a party, like for Christmas or New Year’s eve.
The bedazzling wedding suit
D&G FW Fashion 2014-15 Show
Formal, but luxurious. Could be made of velvet, jacquard, may have shimmer or embroidery (slightly Indian concept), and has a sheen that could be considered a bit much at work.
The elegant mandarin or bandhgala suit
Arjun Kapoor
A mandarin collared suit is all you need to look your best. Sport it at a friend’s wedding, or even your own. Unless you have a beer belly, they can make you look fit, even if you aren’t. Usually spotted in dark colours.
One piece of advice. Don’t dry clean your suits too often, unless they’re dirty or stained. If you just want to get rid of the creases, get them steam-pressed.
Which ones are going to adorn your closet (and life)?
Image Credits: Rob, Ayush, Arjun, Brad, Chris, Matt, David, Beckham, Suits, D&G, Cover