MEN'S SUITS GUIDE

A great suit is less about rigid formality and more about how it makes you feel – confident, effortless and completely at ease. This guide is your roadmap to finding, styling and caring for your favourite suits.

Once you have your measurements, the focus moves to how the fabric behaves on your body. A truly great suit shouldn't feel like a restriction - it should feel like a natural extension of yourself. When trying on your suit, here are the key elements to look for.

The Shoulders
The jacket should sit smoothly across your back. The shoulder seam should end exactly where your natural shoulder ends – flat, clean and with no bunching.

The Buttons
Fasten the top and bottom. The jacket should close easily without pulling or creating an X shape across your chest, meaning you can move and sit without feeling restricted.

The Lengths
Your jacket sleeve should finish just above your wrist bone to let a hint of shirt cuff show. Whilst the jacket hem should ideally cover your seat, creating a balanced, elongated profile.

Styling a suit is all about adaptability. Allowing you to move from formal settings to relaxed weekend plans simply by changing what you wear underneath. It’s less about strict dressing codes and more about creating a cohesive, intentional look.

Core Pairings
For classic tailoring, you can’t go wrong with a crisp cotton poplin shirt and a silk tie. To modernise the look, swap the shirt for a fine-gauge merino wool crew neck or a refined knitted polo – this instantly softens the aesthetic while keeping it elevated.

Smart Layering
As the seasons shift, consider layering. A lightweight waistcoat adds traditional depth, while a slim roll-neck jumper underneath a flannel suit offers a sleek, minimal alternative for cooler days.

Footwear and Accessories
Your choice of shoes sets the tone. A leather Oxford keeps things strictly professional, a polished loafer lends a relaxed European edge and a clean, minimalist leather trainer grounds the suit for a contemporary, smart-casual setting.

Colour Co-ordination
Keep your palette deliberate. Pair tonal shades (like a navy suit with a soft blue knit) for an understated, modern look. If you’re mixing colours, ensure your accessories and footwear complement rather than compete with the fabric of your suit.

By experimenting with textures and layers, a single suit can easily transition from the boardroom to a dinner date, proving itself as the most versatile asset in your wardrobe.

Finding the perfect suit comes down to three elements: fit, fabric and function.

Fit
The jacket should lie flat, with the seam ending exactly where your natural shoulder does. If it drops over your shoulder, it’s too big; if it bunches, it’s too small. When buttoned, you should be able to slip a flat hand easily underneath between your chest and the jacket. Finally, with your arms relaxed at your sides, the hem should hit the middle of your palm. Trousers should just touch the top of your shoe with a slight wrinkle.

Fabric
Comfort is key. Wool is the timeless, year-round champion; it breathes well, holds its shape and always looks premium. For summer occasions, linen or cotton suits are wise, lightweight choices. They crease easily, but that relaxed look is all part of their charm.

Function
Match your suit to the occasion. A lounge suit (matching jacket and trousers) is ideal for the office or special events. It can be single-breasted or double-breasted. A single-breasted suit features one or two buttons on the front and is the ultimate classic. A double-breasted suit is designed with a wider overlapping front closure and two rows of parallel buttons, offering a bolder yet traditional look. Save tuxedos and morning suits for ultra formal events.

For colours, you cannot go wrong with navy and charcoal grey for their versatility. Black is great for black tie events, but can be too harsh for everyday daytime wear.

When the invite requires it, a tuxedo is the ultimate style statement. Strictly reserved for weddings, evening and black tie events, the tuxedo suit’s defining feature is a satin or grosgrain lapel detail on the jacket lapels and buttons, paired with matching trousers that boast the same detail down the outer seams.

It should be worn with a white tuxedo shirt, bow tie and cummerbund to cover the waistband. Complete the look with black patent Oxfords or loafers and black dress socks - no skin should show when you sit down. The devil is in the detail: don’t forget cufflinks and shirt studs.

Whether you are the groom or a guest, a wedding suit is an opportunity to showcase your personal style, play around with colour and find a style to suit the venue. Summer weddings at home or abroad are the perfect setting for a linen suit in lighter shades.

Meanwhile, a tailored two or three-piece wool suit in rich navy or charcoal grey lends itself to autumn and winter church ceremonies. Ultimately, the more formal the event, the more classic the look should be. Consider details such as lapels, a waistcoat and pocket squares that will elevate the look - especially for the groom and groomsmen. Finally, for a style that looks perfectly polished, always keep shoes and belts matching in colour.

The suit’s place in the office has evolved over the years, with more modern iterations coming in but it still remains a professional tool for making a good first impression.

Keep it classic, the workplace is not the space for bold, statement colours. Instead, think suits in navy and shades of grey that will work all year round in presentations, meetings and interviews. Pick fabrics that are made for all-day activities, from the commute to long periods sitting at a desk, such as wool that naturally resists creasing.

Different offices will have different levels of formality. A contemporary office may allow you to forgo the tie, swapping out a shirt for a classic polo or fine gauge knit jumper for a layered look. Chinos with a suit jacket are a great option for dressed-down days, completed with a smart pair of shoes. Meanwhile, more corporate workplaces will require dress shirts, Oxford shoes and a silk tie in jewel tones or with a subtle print.

Suit colours
Choose your colour according to the context. Take into account the season, the setting and your skin tone. Greys and navy are classic and work in most situations. Black is timeless for evening but is not as versatile for daytime. Lighter months call for lighter hues such as tan, khaki and stone, while the wintry season suits richer, heavier and darker colours.

Suit and shirt pairings
You can never go wrong with a crisp white shirt in most situations, but don’t be afraid to mix colour combinations such as light blue and grey or navy blue with pale pink for a bolder choice. When it comes to prints, always keep one part of the outfit plain. For instance, a white shirt paired with a pinstripe suit or a solid suit with a striped shirt.

Tie styling
Your tie choice is important. It is the focal point of your outfit and it’s where the eye is naturally drawn to. Have fun with prints and patterns, but be mindful of the scale. Pair a bigger print shirt with a tie that has a smaller print and vice versa. Same with fabrics, clash smooth silk ties with soft cotton shirts and enjoy knitted ties in the colder months and linen when it warms up. When it comes to colour, tonal is always a wise choice or mix it up with darker, intense colours against classic monochrome tailoring.

Pocket squares
Let your personality come through with your pocket square. A flash of colour or print will stand out against a classic solid suit. The golden rule is never to match your tie and your pocket square - they should complement each other. Like ties, switch up your fabrics with the seasons.

Tie clips and accessories
Paying attention to the finer details is important. A well-placed tie clip, coordinating cufflinks and shirt studs will punctuate your look. Make sure metals are always matching and remember: less is always more.

Footwear considerations
Don’t overlook your feet; the right shoes will anchor your look. The Oxford is the most formal option and is non-negotiable in corporate settings, black tie events and interviews. Meanwhile, loafers offer a dressed-down and slightly more contemporary look that is perfect for weddings and more modern workplaces.

Smart casual vs formal styling
Understanding the difference between smart casual and formal styling is key. Formalwear is more traditional with a uniform approach: the two-piece suit matches, the shirt is crisp, the tie and pocket square are silk and the shoes are smart leather or patent. On the other hand, a smart-casual dress code allows for more personality and the freedom to mix and match. Pair chino trousers with a sharp blazer, or style your suit trousers with a fine knit jumper or polo. It requires far fewer accessories, allowing you to swap out stiff shoes for relaxed loafers or Chelsea boots.