Top 5 Mistakes Men Make When Buying a Suit
Buying a suit can be a real nightmare – there are so many rules, fabrics and styles in a mens suit shop it’s easy to get totally overwhelmed and make a bad choice. And trust me – a bad suit is something that just screams ‘look at me – I’ve made a fashion disaster’. To help you avoid this fate , here are the top 5 mistakes guys make – and how you can steer clear of them to look like a million bucks.
1. Ignoring the Shoulders
Listen up, the shoulders on a suit jacket or a man’s tuxedo are crucial. If they stick out beyond your actual shoulders you’re going to look like a lineman from the NFL back in the 80s – not a good look at all. If they’re too tight you’ll get those tell-tale creases and bunching where the fabric just gets all bunched up. And the worst part is that this is something that is seriously hard and very expensive to fix if you get it wrong the first time round. Get this bit right or you might live to regret it.
2. Not Choosing the Right Fabric for the Occasion
A sports jacket made from that shiny sharkskin stuff might be just what you need for a night out in the clubs – but it’s going to stick out like a sore thumb in a boardroom. On the other hand a heavy tweed suit is perfect for a wedding in the countryside – but it’s just completely wrong for a job interview in the summer. So think about where you’re going to be wearing the suit most, and go for something that will work in those situations. A good rule of thumb is that a charcoal or navy wool worsted suit is a safe bet for being really versatile.
3. Pants that are Just Too Long
The bit of the leg of your trousers that folds over where it hits your shoe is called the “break”. A break that’s too full (where the fabric just bobs up at the bottom) makes you look shorter and a little sloppy. On the other hand a break that’s just right – where the pant leg rests on the shoe without being too obvious, is a much better look. Try to avoid letting your trousers just puddle around your ankles
4. Sleeves That Stick Out a Bit Too Far
A jacket shouldnt have sleeves that are a completely wrong length – that’s just plain awkward. The ideal length is right up to the wrist bone, but you want to show a tiny bit of that shirt at the cuff. A half inch of shirt poking out gives a super tidy line between the suit and your hands, and makes your arms look like they’re in proper proportion with the rest of your outfit, which is a big deal for looking put together.
5. Buying a Suit Just Because Its Trendy
Those super thin lapels and tight trousers might be popular for the moment – but a good suit is meant to be timeless, not just a flash in the pan. Stick with classic silhouettes – they’ll still look great in a few years, whereas the trendy stuff will just look dated. You can be modern, but go for subtle updates, not wild extremes – that way your suit wont end up looking silly in a couple of years.
Getting The Right Fit
The best way to avoid all the silly mistakes is to get some proper advice from someone who really knows their stuff. Don’t guess your size online and hope for the best – get in a shop, get properly measured, and try some things on for size. A good shop like Karako Suits will have staff who’ve got loads of experience, they can guide you clear of all the common pitfalls and help you find a suit and some shoes that really make you look like a million bucks. A bit of expert advice can make all the difference.
