subject: Buying A New Suit - What To Look For Men Buying A Mens Suit [print this page] While tailor made suits offer superb fit, they are priced beyond the means of the average man. Before buying an off the rack suit, consider some of the choices that are made when purchasing a hand tailored suit. This is one way to get a great look at an off the rack price.
The first thing to consider is the type of fabric. If you only plan to own one suit, that suit should be worsted wool. Worsted wool can be worn year round and it doesn't wrinkle easily. It's also very durable. Summer weight wool is comfortable in warm weather, but it wrinkles more easily than worsted. Flannel and tweed are quite heavy and not suitable for warm weather. The bulk of tweed isn't complimentary to larger men. Linen is a summer fabric that wrinkles badly and isn't really a good choice for the buyer who only has one or two suits.
Natural fibers are the best choice for suits, but polyesters wool blends are less expensive than wool and are wrinkle resistant. Microfiber fabrics are inexpensive, but they often look inexpensive. A low content of spandex blended into a fabric can improve the comfort of a suit since it will stretch easily with movement. A worsted wool or polyester wool blend with spandex is a good choice.
Style is an important consideration. Jackets are double or single breasted. Double breasted jackets are more flattering on thin men. Single breasted jackets look good on all body types. Three button styles are passe, so choose from a one or two button jacket. Vests go in and out of style, and currently they are out. Three piece suits are not a good choice.
Pants should be designed to fit at the natural waist (around the height of the navel). Pleats are not popular in men's current fashion and should be avoided. Choose pant that fit flat on the abdomen. Cuffs can help the pants hang better, but should only be worn by tall men, since they tend to make legs look shorter.
Fit is important if a suit is to look well on the wearer. This can be a problem for many men. For those that are large horizontally or vertically, the best place to shop is in a store specializing in big and tall men. Buying suits in stores that offer alterations can save time and money. For men with special fitting issues, this is a necessity. Some men have very broad shoulders and narrow hips. Buy a suit that fits in the shoulders, the rest can be altered. The jacket arms should end where the wrist meets the hand. If the sleeves are too short, don't buy the suit. Sleeves can be shortened but not lengthened. The jacket's back vents should lie flat across the backside when standing straight.
Pants should fit comfortably at the waist. Try inserting two fingers into the waistband and moving them back and forth. If this can be done easily, the pants aren't too tight. Pants that are too loose can be altered to fit. Don't buy pants that are too short. Too long is okay, since they can be shortened. The front crease of the pant should brush the top of the shoe without wrinkling.
If the store where the suit is purchased doesn't offer alterations, take the suit to a tailor. Many dry cleaning establishments offer a tailoring service. Remember to consider the cost of alterations with the cost of the suit. A suit at a store that offers free alterations may be less expensive than a lower priced suit at a store which charges for alterations. These tips should make it easier for any man to buy a good quality suit that fits well.
