Find your type of suit

Tom and aspiring radio professional Nathanial Davidson, who is a third generation shopper at Tom’s Place.

“Fashion is about dressing according to what’s fashionable. Style is more about being yourself”.

Oscar de la Renta

Let’s face it – buying a suit may seem simple, with all the tailors and menswear shops out there. However, the art of choosing a suit for yourself, your style and your measurements is far from simple. There are simply a lot of details a gentleman should have in mind when purchasing his first (second or third) tailor-made suit.

The first thing that should come to mind if you are learning how to buy a suit is the style of the suit. After all, you must have an idea of the event you will be attending or the universal use of your suit. For example, if you need a suit for your new job, you need something formal from the start. And if you need a new suit for your friend’s wedding, you need something that is more informal and that can be customized to your personal taste.

The truth is, not every great suit is a black one with a white shirt and a black tie. Suits are an art nowadays – and buying one for yourself means expressing yourself and making a statement. Which leads us to the first step – suit construction.

Step 1: Find Your Type Of Suit

Once you get a good idea of the use of your suit, you should start looking for different suits and colours. For example, if you need a suit for formal events and meetings, you should go for a classic two-button suit that lays flat without puckering and has a bit of stiffness to it. It should fit comfortably, not reveal too much and feature a colour that is safe to use in the corporate world.

Which leads us to the next step, where you figure out the length.

Step 2: Aim For The Perfect Length (And Get A Tailor)

When figuring out how to buy a suit, you must have a professional by your side. Whether that professional is a friend or the expert salesman at the shop, they need to know a thing or two about tailoring. Basically, tailoring is all about making your suit a perfect fit to your body to make you look great.

Some of the rules about length are to not settle for too wide (especially when it comes to pants) or too short. The truth is, a suit can make or break the look – which is why you need someone who knows the details (ankle length, waist and chest measurements, shoulder length, jacket length etc.) – or a tailor who is able to style the suit to your measurements.

Step 3: Going Fashion-Forward

Last but not the least – is the step where you actually start learning how to buy a suit for different occasions – and when you are brave enough to try different colours and escape from the comfort zone. By all means, this should be the journey of every single man out there.

Going fashion forward means finding the colours that best suit you, choosing textures and details that make you look taller (if you are short) or covering some of the flaws you are not proud of. All the extra alterations, measurements and details can help you master the art of buying a suit – and always look good, no matter where you are.

A Final Word

In the end, it’s a common fact that every man out there should have at least one good suit. Obviously, different events call for different attire – and that is why one will never be enough. And although keeping multiple suits around is a luxury for most men out there, they are definitely the window to the sharp-looking world that every men deserves to be a part of.

I hope that this guide helped you learn how to buy a suit – or even convince you that the process of buying a suit doesn’t have to be tiresome and frustrating, as long as you know what you want.

Suit up – and show up!

About Tom:

A leading retailer of designer men’s suits and accessories in Toronto’s Kensington Market since 1958. Tom’s Place offers brand name men’s wear and business apparel at below retail prices.

Tom’s Place is unique. You’ll get a friendly welcome from the owner, Tom Mihalik, and helpful service from his knowledgeable sales staff and tailors.

Download PDF article