How to Buy a Mens Suit
Purchasing a suit is a serious investment. There are a lot of choices that can be overwhelming, frustrating, and flat-out confusing. Here are some pointer to help make this process go a little smoother.
Why Do You Need The Suit
Knowing why you’re buying a suit can help you get the right suit for the occasion. For example if you need a suit that you’re going to wear to the office once or more a week. I would go with a nice style as it will last longer. However if are you looking for a suit you’ll wear a few times a year to weddings and funerals going with a house brand suit in black, grey or navy is a safe bet. If you need a suit for a job interview it is a good idea to be well dressed but not better dressed than the guy interviewing you, so don’t over do it on the cost.
Know What Your Size Is
The most important element of a suit is how well it fits you. It may sound like an easy task but the fact is most sales people do not understand how a suit should fit and more specifically, how you would like yours to fit. In my experience going to a places like Mens Warehouse or Brooks Brothers where they have a well trained staff versus a major department store that just has a high school kid that they gave a tape measure to, will be a much more enjoyable experience.
Know How A Suit Should Fit
There are several components to a suit, knowing about each one will go along way.
- Shoulders: The shoulders on a suit should hug yours. The shoulder pads in the suit should not protrude beyond your own shoulders. A good way to tell if you suit is too big simply stand sideways against a wall and see if the shoulder pad touches the wall before your arm does. If so then that means the suit is too big and you should go down a side.
- Chest: Your suit jacket should button easily without it straining & there should not be too much space between the button and your chest. Make sure there is no more than a fist’s worth.
- Length: Most mens suits are made so that when your arms are hanging straight down, you should be able to cup your fingers under the sides of your suit jacket.
Watch Out For The Sneaky Salesperson
Although the sales person will appear to be looking out for you best interest at the end of the day he or she is there to make as much money as possible. They may tell you that everything looks good on you and that a tailor can fix anything. But If the suit does not fit you in the shoulders don’t buy it because the suit will never look right.. They may even try and push their own personal style on you instead of helping you find your own. Keep in mind its you money and your suit not theirs.
It Is also a good idea to know what a tailor can and can’t do for you