There’s something classic, elegant, and timeless about wearing a suit. It’s an outfit that oozes subtle confidence and when worn the right way, it’s a powerful statement.
But when a suit doesn’t fit right, or ankle skin is exposed, or your button etiquette is all over the place, then it’s a hot mess.
If you want to find out how to wear a suit the right way then you’ve come to the right place. This guide gives you seven rules for wearing a suit that will guarantee that you always look your best.
- Fit is Everything
There are many different types of suits out there but the one hard and fast rule for every style is to make sure it fits perfectly. It doesn’t matter how great a suit is, a bad fit ruins everything.
If you can’t afford to get a tailored suit then take your time finding a brand that matches your size. Trousers should never be baggy and should fall neatly at the top of your shoe.
Make sure that your jacket sleeves aren’t too long and drooping over your hands, nor too short and exposing your arm.
You want to ensure that the jacket sits flat against your shoulder. Look for a blazer that has the same shoulder-length as the bone underneath it.
Lastly, look for a blazer with a slim waist that complements your natural body shape. However, you should be able to button it up easily without creating strain.
This may all sound a bit overwhelming but if you get the fit right, everything else is just a bonus.
- Get the Buttoning Right
Knowing how to wear a suit includes knowing the rules of buttons. First off, never button the bottom button of your blazer. Blazers are designed to fit perfectly with only the middle button fastened. You’ll look like a complete amateur if you fasten the bottom button.
While on the subject of blazer buttons, make sure that you always unbutton your jacket before you sit down so that it doesn’t bunch up awkwardly.
If you’re wearing a tie then you should always button the top button of your shirt. Don’t think that fastening the tie over an unbuttoned button does the job — it doesn’t. If you feel like you’re suffocating, then it’s time to get a bigger shit.
- Match Your Leathers
Matching your belt and your shoes is a simple way to look stylish and good in a suit. The colors don’t need to match exactly, but they need to be as similar as possible. It’s a complete fashion faux pas to wear brown shoes with a black belt, or vice versa.
If you’re opting for brown shoes then wear a brown belt to really bring the whole look together.
- Don’t Over Accessorize
A suit is classic and timeless and you don’t need to jazz it up with a million suit accessories. Think about the look you’re going for and add some simple accessories to finish it off.
For example, a tie and pocket square work wonderfully together. A lapel pin is a nice touch but causes chaos when you’re also wearing a pocket square and tie pin. As a general rule, stick to one or two accessories.
- Make Sure Your Socks are Long Enough
You can have a whole lot of fun with suit socks. Depending on the occasion you can demonstrate a bit of your personal flair with colored or patterned socks. If you’re not confident about choosing the right style of socks then black always works great (avoid white at all costs).
Try experimenting with solid or color-blocked socks. Otherwise, stripes or polka dots are safe pattern options that are popular to wear with suits.
Regardless of the sock style, always make sure that they’re long enough that none of your skin is exposed when you sit down. Choose mid-calf or over-the-calf socks.
- Opt for Creative Pocket Squares
Pocket squares add a touch of elegant eccentricity if done right. If done wrong you’ll end up looking like a stuffy 1800s aristocrat. Always opt for creative pocket squares to avoid looking too conservative.
Experiment with different tie and pocket square combinations, but never match the two exactly. You can have fun with matching colors with different patterns or vice versa.
- Consider Your Colors
Subtle color considerations go a long way when wearing a suit. For example, knowing how to wear a tie properly comes with the knowledge that a tie should always be darker than your shirt. It also shouldn’t be longer than your waistline, and never have a knot that is too big.
If you wear a vest, make sure it’s the same color as the rest of your suit for an elegant look. Light-colored suits look good with dark-colored ties and ties in very bright colors should be avoided altogether.
Take into consideration your skin tone when choosing the best color combinations to look great in a suit.
Always Look Good When Wearing a Suit
If you follow these tips and guidelines as hard and fast rules then you’ll always look good wearing a suit. Remember, by far the most important thing is the fit, so take your time finding suits that fit you perfectly. Have fun displaying creative flair, but don’t over-accessorize!
Did you enjoy this post? Our site is full of amazing fashion content and is your number one resource for dressing to impress — keep exploring for more tips and tricks!
