Suit style — all your questions answered

When it comes to suits, men have to be extremely particular. There’s a lot to take into account in the lead up to a formal event, where you want to look sharp and stylish with minimal effort. A suit is the ultimate, most understated, yet notably smart attire a man can opt for but choosing the right one can be difficult and there’s a few important considerations to make when you are shopping for that all important wardrobe addition. Join CT Shirts and remove the stress from the suit-buying equation with these answers to some of the most common questions.

How do I pick the right colour suit?

The kind of event that you’ll be wearing the suit at can play quite an important role in helping you to decide which colour is right for your purposes. Whether it’s for an extra special date night, a new office essential or a wedding, taking some time to determine the shade you choose can ensure that your suit looks the part. For first time suit buyers, grey is always a popular choice as it looks modern yet extremely smart and refined in light, dark and charcoal shades. Navy suits can often look slightly bolder, and it has the power to really elevate the other shades of your outfit, from the shirt to your tie and shoes. A navy suit would make an excellent choice for an anniversary dinner or a day at the races, stylish and suave at the same time. Blue hues are also complementary to near enough every man, so if you are less satisfied with your existing collection of grey and black suits, then it could be time to add a navy, midnight blue or perhaps ink blue suit to your wardrobe. Meanwhile, black suits are a sure-fire way to look sharp at any formal event, from weddings to work conferences; you really can’t go wrong with this one.

Can suits be resized?

It’s a rarity to be lucky enough to find a perfectly fitting suit straight from the rail, and for this reason some people choose to buy tailor-made garments, but many men require some alterations on their suit for it to be well fitting. The options when it comes to resizing garments vary, but typically only minor adjustments will be necessary. Suit jackets can only be made shorter, but it is a difficult alternation to make as the spacing between the button holes and pockets will remain the same regardless — and if this balance is not even, then the entire jacket can be compromised. If you are looking to shorten your jacket by anything less than an inch, then making this adjustment should be fine.

Suit sleeves are one of the most commonly altered aspects of the garment, and when deciding how much length to take off you should remember to allow for half to three-quarters of your shirt cuff to show. If you want to lengthen the sleeves, then this will depend on how much material is at the top of the sleeve or under the cuff. Keep in mind that sleeves can also be slimmed, and this alteration can totally change how the suit looks — but make sure you still have enough room to move freely and comfortably! The chest and stomach can be let in and taken out, with a limit on the latter, and usually it only takes a few centimetres to make a big difference. When buying a suit, if you notice that the lapels aren’t lying flat then this isn’t something that can be fixed by an alteration. One of the riskiest alterations to make is anything which affects the shoulders and collar, as making changes here can jeopardise the entire suit jacket.

When to dry clean your business suit

Many men will be unsure on exactly when to take their favourite suit to the dry cleaners, but there are some things to look out for if you think it could be time to refresh your garment ready for the next event in your social calendar. Over washing garments such as suits can decrease their life span significantly, so if the marks or odours that you’re targeting aren’t coming off with a brush, airing out or spot clean then it could be time to pack your suit up and head to the dry cleaners. Maintain the natural fibres in your suit by avoiding too many unnecessary trips to the dry cleaner and get the most out of your suit.

How can I keep my white shirts looking pristine?

Shirts shouldn’t be downplayed as an aspect of a suit. They can complete the entire look and an ever-popular choice is the classic white shirt. But these come with their own set of challenges to keep them looking as fresh as they did on that first outing. Pulling out your good white shirt and noticing that it has been tinged grey is frustrating, and it tends to happen as a result of dirt in the machine, or simply by not using enough detergent in each cycle. Avoid having to endure the realisation on the morning of a big work function that your white shirt has been tarnished, by simply being careful when it comes to washing them. Sorting laundry is often a priority for many of us but take extra care with your bright whites. Being mindful about how much you are filling the machine up with can also be helpful, as you can avoid tangling and the dispersal of dirt directly onto your clothes. Adhere to the recommended amount of product too, and you should maintain the pristine white bases to your favourite suits.

Choose the right suit and it will certainly serve you well, with a bit of help from some of these tips on suit style and care!