Every stylish (or wannabe stylish) man should own a suit. It's a necessity that's right up there with the air we breathe - and a nice dry martini. A suit can give you a sense of sophisticated masculinity, but can also be playful and youthful.
There are many settings for which a suit is appropriate, and it can be difficult to know exactly which type of suit is best for different situations. So here is your one-stop guide to getting you on the road to choosing the perfect suit for any occasion.
COLOUR
You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and the colour of your suit is that first impression. It's the one detail that can be seen across a room in full clarity. When people think of suits, often their mind quickly jumps to dark colours, probably black or navy. However suits can come in any number of colour variations, and there are specific times for when each is appropriate, depending on the event or season.
As mentioned, black and navy are more classic choices, along with grey. Grey is a very versatile choice because it can easily be paired with other colours, such as brown. If you don't have many occasions to wear a suit and only need one for things like weddings and funerals, then you really only need to own one. In that case, it should be in one of these classic colours to make it as widely appropriate as possible. Charcoal grey might be your best option. It is a very versatile, and can work for almost any event.
If you need to wear a suit more often, such as for work, you would do well to expand your base. Your first three suits should be in the aforementioned classic colours, but you can also try one in brown to give off an classy, old-world vibe. Pastel and lighter tones evoke feelings of youth and fun, whereas white shades make one think of the sun and sand of the tropics.
Importantly, make sure that whatever colour you choose it suits your skin tone, eye colour, and complexion. Failure to take those natural factors into consideration can cause your face to appear washed out, and not complement your natural features.
WEDDINGS AND SOCIAL EVENTS
Now that we have a basic colour guide out of the way, let's get to the occasions for which you might need to wear a suit. Weddings are a common occasion for which the average male has to wear a suit. By their very nature weddings are celebrations, so you want to give off a vibe of fun and playfulness while still maintaining a semi-formal feel. Go with something slim fitting and short to the waist. The longer the jacket, the more formal it feels. The trousers should rest just on top of your dancing shoes, which should complement the colour. Black is always suitable for a wedding, but if you're able a bright or pastel-coloured option would give off the sense that you're ready to celebrate. A single button jacket makes it look like you?re ready to take it off and get dancing. Throw in a complementary shirt and tie, and you're well on your way to looking good for someone's big day. The 'wedding look' is also appropriate for nights out on the town, big dates, or bachelor parties, when you want to class things up a bit.
FORMAL
For most of us this is the strictest type of dress code we'll ever have to deal with. Formal is most often considered a tuxedo. This is what you wear when you're a groomsman, the father of the bride or groom, or the groom himself. If you're renting and you haven't been given specific instructions from someone else, there are some rules to follow. Stick with a black tuxedo, as it will be guaranteed to be appropriate. Your shirt should be white, and your shoes should be black as well. Ensure that your tux has been perfectly tailored. You should start the process of getting measured several weeks ahead of the event, so make sure that there is time for any alterations or corrections.
JOB INTERVIEWS
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking for even the most steel-hearted of us. Wearing the right suit and feeling good can go a long way to giving you the confidence you need to succeed and get the job. Job interview suits should be more conservative to reflect the business nature of the occasion. Unless you are aware ahead of time to the more relaxed nature of the office, stick with one of the three classic colours. You should go with a two-button jacket, which is a bit more formal than the single button. You should have a white shirt and a tie that matches, and your trousers should be properly hemmed for your shoes. Under no circumstances should you have any ankle showing. Keep the jewellery and extras to a minimum - a nice wristwatch will do just nicely. Wearing a suit and wearing it well is one of the great pleasures of manhood. Make sure you give off the right mix of masculinity and sophistication the next time you 'suit up'.