Men Suits & Formal Wear - Your Suit, Your Body, Your Style

In order to look your best, and to order the best2. A solid line of color, rather than contrast on
made-to-measure suit for your body shape/sizejackets and pants.
and life style, you need to know what would best3. Clothes need not be looser.
enhance you. The following provides basic4. Any color that fits the complexion.
knowledge. It will assist you in making the right5. Short jackets would work well.
choices. However, do not forget- this is your suit6. Single breasted would be best.
and your choice. That is the beauty of having aTall men:
suit or jacket custom tailored, clothing should1. Long jackets.
reflect your preferences and your life.2. Jackets sloped gently downward
PROPORTION3. Double breasted and single breasted both work.
Jackets and pants should fit the wearer. There4. Single pleats in front of the pants for thin men
are a number of basic style rules that have beenand double pleats for larger men.
shown over time to enhance different physiques.5. Stripes, if worn, should be thicker.
There are exceptions- some men have madeAthletic build (defined as chest is 8" larger than
non-traditional choices and have looked well. Thethe waist):
following are merely guides:1. Shoulders should be soft.
Shorter/less tall and heavy men:2. Single breasted with a peak lapel
1. Solids and vertical stripes, but not large.3. Cuffed bottom.
2. Looser fitting. While some larger men think tightThe following are some guides as to making the
clothes will make them look smaller, the oppositeright choices as to fit:
is true. They merely emphasize girth. A little extraSuit jacket:
room in the clothes hides better.The suit jacket should provide a good balance,
3. The leg line should be longer; therefore themaximize the length of the leg and appropriately
jacket length should be on the shorter side.frame and enhance the face. To measure the
4. Double-breasted jackets with notch lapels willappropriate length of the jacket, put the arms
create a V effect that sculpts the torso and slimsstraight down. The bottom of the jacket should
the waist.line up with the knuckle of the thumb. A second
5. Side vents work well.method, especially if an arm is unusually long or
6. Pleats in front of the pants offer more roomshort, is to measure the distance from the collar's
and the downward folds de-emphasize theseam to the floor. The jacket should end at the
stomach.half-way mark.
7. Colors should be medium to dark, light colorsJacket sleeve:
emphasize size.Sleeves should taper to the wrist and end where
Short and slim men:the wrist breaks with the hand. There should be a
1. Plaid, windowpanes, solids, flannel and tweed arelittle edge, about one-half inch, of shirt showing.
all acceptable.