Suit Yourself!
A guide that explores a variety of suits and tuxedos to make you look awesome.
Image credit: Harry Styles by Kevin Mazur/Getty images; Bradley Cooper by Getty images; Robert Downey Jr. by Sam Jones/Vanity Fair; Will Smith by Getty images. (From left to right)
“Suit up!” the iconic Barney Stinson catchphrase is a green signal for guys to don a suit, because why not? A suit enhances a man’s physique transforming him from casual to appealing. It is a must-have wardrobe essential that can be worn to the office, formal events, weddings or even every day if you find it comfortable.Not to get confused with a tuxedo – that comes with satin. Typically, a tuxedo has satin on the lapel, buttons, the rim of the pockets and at the end of the trousers. A stark contrast to the suit that usually has plastic or fabric buttons.
Like Cinderella and her glass slipper, a suit is not going to work for you unless it fits right! Here are a few ways you can ensure you end up with a suit that is right for you. Selecting the right suit can be a daunting task for many, but fear not! From different cuts to different cufflinks and collar types, to different materials and various patterns and designs to choose from, we have scoured the depths of the internet to make his process easy for you.
⦁ Get to know the basic styles of suits
These are the three basic types of suits that distinguish a boy from a man!
The Classic Suit:
Image credit: Robert Downey Jr. by Pinterest and Bradley Cooper via Bauer Griffin.
Vintage and versatile, this type of suit is timeless and will never go out of fashion. Seamlessly transition from morning to evening when you don this suit. While the classic colors like black, grey and white work best, feel free to experiment with your color choices. (Think Ranveer Singh and his wardrobe choices!)
The Black Tie Suit:
Image credit: Michael B.Jordan by Getty, Leonardo DiCaprio by Jason Meritt/Getty Images.
Also known as a tuxedo, this is the perfect go-to option for any corporate gatherings, weddings or red carpet events. As the name suggests, it is an all-black affair with a black dinner jacket, pants, waistcoat and cummerbund (optional) with a classic white shirt. This ensemble pairs nicely with black dress socks and shoes.
The White Tie Suit:
Did you know, the British consider the white tie to be the most formal way of dressing? This is a dress code followed only when events of high importance take place! Here are a few things to keep in mind when putting together a white tie ensemble:
The jacket must be an evening tailcoat (refer pictures) and must be left unbuttoned with peak lapels. The trouser must be high waisted, a low cut white evening waistcoat is a must to go with the attire and last but not the least, a white bow tie!
Image credit: Bradley Cooper and Benedict Cumberbatch/Getty images
There is more to a suit than just a jacket and pants. Here is our comprehensive guide on how you can get your overall outfit right! Let us start with lapels.
Image credits: Real Men Real Style
The word “lapel” refers to the two flaps on each side of the jacket of the suit below the collar that is folded on either side of the front opening. The lapels come in three basic styles: The Notch Lapels, The Peak Lapels and the Shawl Lapels.
The Notch Lapel is a the traditional and most common lapel. It is the perfect lapel that blends well with a professional look and also the casual dress look. A notched lapel looks the best on a single breasted suit.
Image credits: Justin Timberlake and David Beckham via JB Suits
As the name suggests, the peak lapel comes to a peak at the lapel edge pointing upwards. This lends a professional feel to the suit and is ideal if you want to show people you mean business! This looks good on both single and double breasted suits. Take a leaf out of Harvey Specter’s (Gabriel Macht) book who can be seen donning it every week on the super hit show Suits.
Image credit: Harvey Specter aka Gabriel Macht in popupal drama ‘Suits.’
The Shawl Lapel is to be found mostly on tuxedos and looks very trendy. This lapel has no notch nor peak style folding at the opening and is very common on the red carpet.
Image credits: Bradley Cooper via JB Suits; Ryan Gosling via Ties-necktie.
Quirky and Bold Suits:
Suits are a symbol of sophistication but as the trends in clothing have started to evolve, so have our beloved suits. They transition beautifully from sophisticated to quirky. While all suits are beautiful, here are a few unique ones that can take your style quotient up a notch!
Image credit: Harry Styles via Pinterest; Shawn Mendes via Pinterest; Harry Styles by C. Flanigan/Getty images; Zayn Malik by Getty images.
What suit do you feel best in? Let us know in the comments below!
