How to Buy a Suit

محروم.كوم · #1 03-14-2010, 05:20 AM

How to Buy a Suit
Get your career in gear with your wardrobe

by John Tantillo

The man about town’s personal brand is never the sum total of what he wears, but rather it is what he wears reflects his brand. Your packaging is first and foremost defined by your clothes. Too many men today simply aren’t learning about the art of dressing for work and buying a suit; in turn their sleeves are too short, pant legs too long and their suits are the wrong color and cut

So how do you buy a suit

Seek Out Quality
If you think this is just a sales gimmick, you’re wrong. People can instantly discern the good from the bad. Brooks Brothers, for example, has set the standard for how people of influence, power and success should dress. They are known for their conservative lines is exactly what you need to communicate if you want to be seen as a power player within your industry. But their suits can be pricey. Remember however here are always sales and a suit is an investment in your career - it’s better to have five great suits than twenty mediocre ones

Choose the Right Style

A suit jacket should have flaps on the pockets, the pockets should always be straight and not slanted and the lapels should not be too pronounced. Your pants should have the traditional 1.75 inch cuff. The vent in the back of the jacket should be in the middle (American cut) and not vented on the two sides (English cut). If you are short or overweight, never ever buy a double breasted suit especially if you are short or slightly overweight. If you do choose a double breasted suit, always keep it buttoned

Color is Critical
Tantillo’s rule: The darker the suit, the more authority you will have and the older you will look, even if you have the face of a baby. The first suit you should buy is a blue suit. The next should be a blue pinstripe, the third a charcoal gray and the fourth a dark gray pinstripe suit. You should start off with at least five suits and rotate them so they do not wear out. In the same vein, when you arrive home immediately place your suit on a hanger, so that it does not lose its shape

Fit is Key
Finally, make sure that your suit is tailored the correct way. Your suit jacket should fit as though it was made for you. Develop a relationship with the store’s tailor. Not only will a good tailor tell you whether the suit works for you, he will transform the way it fits

If you can manage it, bring an older man with corporate experience along as your suit-buying mentor. The fact is, sales people cannot always be trusted to put you in the right suit and a mentor of this sort will help you fine tune the guidelines above

Never underestimate the power of a suit to help propel you to ever more exciting and professionally rewarding heights

And, remember, things are always better when you keep your brand in mind
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