From the days of the Raj, when prominent Indian men were photographed wearing them, down to being the preferred garb in today's busy offices and boardrooms, business suits have only gained more importance in the Indian executive's wardrobe. Never considered a piece of traditional Indian attire and neither the most comfortable clothing option in local weather conditions, the suit is nevertheless the quintessential businessperson's 'uniform' of choice.
Here are a few tips to help you get the right business suit:
Measure up
Unlike regular pieces of clothing a suit has to fit perfectly to look good. So the usual clothing sizes are not helpful when picking the right suit. A trip to the tailor is highly recommended to get measured before buying a suit. We tend to assume we already know our measurements and that our sizes don't change much over time. But the fact is our sizes can shift. There are subtle changes happening to our bodies even when we think our basic measurements have remained the same. While these can be overlooked when choosing other types of clothes, they can affect our fit when it comes to picking a suit. Getting our measurements taken can ensure the suit we invest in fits perfectly.
Fit in
There are several things to keep in mind to help ensure a suit fits just right. Most importantly it needs to feel comfortable and be easy to wear. On the other hand, comfort doesn't mean the jacket and pants are large. A good fit usually has the shoulder pads ending right at the shoulders and arms hanging nice and straight, not needing to be rolled up the forearms. There are a few ways to get a well-made suit. You can walk into your preferred menswear store and pick up a suit you like and then have your tailor alter it to get the right fit. Or you can have the store craft a suit specifically for you from scratch. Another popular option is to buy the suiting material and have it crafted by your tailor. Whatever you choose, make sure you select a good design and work out the measurements to get fit right. Employing a good tailor who can work contemporary designs into a good fit can go a long way in getting the right business suit.
Style, Colour, Fabric
Suit styles should be as per the body type. Slim persons can have jackets with broad lapels to look broader and just a single vent. The suit can be shaped at the waist with broad shoulders. Those with larger waists can have a double-breasted suit with two vents for more comfort. Tall ones should avoid pinstripes and go for a well-tailored, double-breasted suit. A single-breasted, one- or two-button suit will help short ones look taller. The slim fit, single button suit is probably the most popular style. And the two-button, single breasted suit tends to have a more functional quality. While a plain black suit is often used at formal occasions, tinted charcoal or navy blue generally work well and are more versatile. Plum, berry and wine tones can have a rich appeal. A camel-colour suit can feel cool for the summer.
While wool is generally considered suitable for colder weather, wool blends for suits actually 'breathe' better than most fabrics and keep the wearer feeling cool and comfortable. Light-weight blends like wool with linen and wool with lycra allow for good shape and stretch. However, wool and wool blends have the best feel and finish while complementing the wearer's personality.
Accessorise
Accessories enhance the appeal of a good suit. Ties, shoes, belts, watches and cufflinks can go a long way in completing the well-suited look. A suit is simply incomplete without a necktie. A slim tie looks good on slimmer suits and thin suit lapels. A broader tie matches bigger silhouettes and can even look good without a jacket. Conservative tie colours and patterns are suited for formal occasions while at other times bolder colours can brighten up the mood. A stainless steel watch generally goes well with a business suit. It can be with sophisticated functions or an elegant design. More formal occasions can have a softer watch with a leather strap. Leather shoes and belts add to the already dapper look of a good business suit. Darker shades usually work well. A good pair of oxfords or loafers and a belt buckle that goes well with the watch make for the look of 'a complete man'.
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