Business suits are formal attire commonly worn to interviews and important meetings, yet they don’t need to be plain.
Finding clothing in the right color, fabric, and styling can make an enormous difference in how your day unfolds. Professional measurement services are essential in finding an off-the-rack fit suitable to you.
1. Colours
Color is essential in conveying an image and message without speaking a single word. Certain hues send a formal, confident vibe, while others can appear too casual for business meetings. Our Jaxson Maximus custom stylists have developed this guide to help navigate through the vast world of business suits and what each shade symbolizes.
Dark shades such as charcoal gray and navy blue are timeless for business professionals, mainly worn with white shirts and printed or pinstriped ties. Solid or pinstriped, either color can be worn to any business event to convey dependability and expertise. Depending on the professional setting, darker brown, tan, and olive green shades may also be accepted.
Keep a selection of traditional business suits in your wardrobe to make dressing for any occasion easier and as an investment. Worsted wool is ideal for business suits; when buying one, look for those rated “Super,” which indicates premium quality.
Cotton and linen fabrics can be excellent for warmer temperatures but should never be worn to work. Darker materials should always be chosen when dressing professionally for day-to-day business functions. At the same time, light options should be considered when attending evening events such as dinners or cocktail parties.
2. Fabric
Fabric selection for business suits can be a determining factor when it comes to their appearance. A premium material that provides vital support, breathability, and soft touch should be used, with enough drape for an ideal fitting that doesn’t look heavy or bulky against your skin.
Wool, cashmere, and silk are popular fabrics used in suit construction. Wool is incredibly durable and breathable – though more costly if opting for higher-end wool blends or designer fabrics.
Worsted wool fabric is an insulating, heavier-weight material ideal for most semi-formal and formal business settings. Cotton or silk may be added for a lighter feel and increased breathability.
Gabardine, flannel, and tweed fabrics can also be worn in business environments; the latter tend to be better for colder climates, whereas gabardine and fresco suiting are used more for warmer environments.
Finally, looking for several additional qualities is essential when choosing a suitable suiting fabric. One is its “twist,” or tightness of weave – most luxury mills twist their cloth threads together before weaving to create 2-ply materials which are dense and long-wearing.
Another important consideration when purchasing business suits is fabric patterns or prints. At the same time, plain business suits are more prevalent; subtle checks or stripes such as Prince of Wales checks or stripes aren’t off limits – especially as seen on high-end bespoke suits. An endless number of patterns can be included in a suit design.
3. Patterns
Suit patterns should also be considered when selecting a business suit, although solid cases are typically the most suitable in most work environments. Windowpane suits, herringbone weaves, and plaids are among the many patterns ideal for wear with professional outfits.
Windowpane suits feature thin lines crossing to form a square pattern reminiscent of window panes. This subtle option makes an excellent introduction to designs for men who may be newer to them; its finer width makes matching shirts and ties more straightforward.
Herringbone weaves are an elegant, classic texture that complements formal and casual clothing, such as suits. Their timeless appeal can also make an impressive statement as bold sport coat options pair nicely with other patterns such as checks.
Plaid suits may seem risky as a business attire choice, but this depends on your workplace formality requirements and desired level of attention drawing. With proper colors in mind, plaid suits can look fashionable yet classy – they’ll certainly add flair!
Glen plaid suits are another versatile choice that pairs well with various shirts and ties, from traditional Scottish tartans with herringbone overchecks to less bold patterns inspired by Italian sprezzatura icons and British royalty.
4. Accessories
Men who wear business suits for work or formal events should pay special attention to their fit and details to look professional and stylish. Pants, shirts, and coats come in various styles that can complete their look; selecting appropriate accessories will make their suit stand out.
An investment suit is an invaluable piece for the office during a COVID-19 pandemic, showing professionals they take their job seriously and are prepared for any challenge that comes their way. Furthermore, wearing one is sure to impress clients and investors.
Men should opt for more conservative colors such as black or navy blue for work purposes, though gray or brown suits provide more versatility and style. When it comes to fabrics, men should try selecting heavier wool-silk blend suits with smooth weaves, as these will not be appropriate in an office environment. Stretchy materials should also be avoided.
Men should choose formal cotton-poplin or twill shirts made of cotton-poplin fabric with small prints, plain or patterned with small photos but without large patterns such as plaid. Pant selection can vary, though chinos or jeans are usually preferred over corduroy pants.
Men can add some flair to their business attire by donning lapel pins and flowers, although these should be used with care as they can quickly cross over from polished to novelty. As an alternative, badge pins can be worn through the buttonhole on the left side of their lapels; these provide more subtle accents that pair nicely with company logos, family crests, or national flags.
5. Fit
Fit is one of the critical aspects of a well-made business suit and will send an important signal to employers, coworkers, and clients that you take pride in your appearance and are detail-oriented. This applies to the sleeves and hemline, which should be aligned precisely and pressed neatly for optimal appearance.
Your choice of fabric is also vital when putting together the look of a business suit. Worsted wool is typically chosen, though other materials like nylon can be blended to produce lighter or more delicate cloth. For maximum durability, we advise starting with Super 120 cloth.
Consider adding shoulder paddings to your suit, as this can give extra structure to the shoulders and make your case more flattering.
Patterns can have an immense influence on how formal your business suit looks. Typically, patterned suits appear less formal than solid ones, so if you choose one with pinstripes as its pattern, then that should suffice.
While working with an outstanding tailor can make all the difference in your tailored business suit’s success, you should always be ready for anything unexpected. That is why it is best to partner with a company offering various services – such as alterations – so you can rest easy knowing it will be ready when it matters most.