Learn the simple yet essential rules of suit etiquette that can preserve your suits and make you ever comfortable in them.
When you combine a well-tailored suit with proper suit etiquette, it will elevate you into the class of the sophisticated and enviable, even if it is a cheap suit. A proper suit fit commands respect by drawing attention to the fine qualities of both the suit and the wearer. On the other hand, your suit etiquette preserves your suits, but goes further to reveal several other things about you.
First, you stay comfortable and confident in your suit by obeying suit wearing rules. Again, suit etiquette exposes how much you care to preserve your suits and the accompanying accessories. It also reveals the degree of refinement in your personal style and taste. A good suit etiquette will further ensure you are properly dressed for every occasion.
It may take time and some thinking, but obeying the do’s and dont's of wearing suits consistently will mark you out as a man of excellent taste. You can bet that without suit etiquette, your wardrobe will suffer. Because you will manhandle and misuse your suits and accessories in a short while, but surely that is not your goal.
Let's take you on a short journey to unpack simple suit wearing rules that can refine your style game and keep your suits in good shape over time. One more thing - you need a men's suit brand like Twelve19Styles, confident in delivering thumbs-up sartorial craftsmanship, as your preferred style partner. We are ready to deliver value for your money in your quest to assemble a collection of top-notch customized suits you will be proud of as the years go by. Visit us today and return fulfilled.
Never Ignore These 12 Rules of Suit Etiquette
What essential do’s and don'ts of wearing a suit should you not ignore? Let's walk you through 12 key rules of wearing a suit below.
Unbutton Your Suit Jacket Before Sitting
You can protect those fine buttons that adorn the front of your suit jacket by refusing to stress them out. The rule is simple - unbutton your suit before ever sitting down. You will breathe easy, feel more comfortable and relax by doing so - it's a no-brainer. Again, you enjoy better arm and shoulder movement. That habit will also preserve the shape of your suit.
Reveal Those Sleeve Cuffs with Confidence
If you ever tried to wear a shirt completely concealed under a jacket, and another shirt with the cuffs showing, you will appreciate the greater visual appeal of revealed cuffs. When your shirt cuffs are exposed up to at least one-quarter of an inch beyond your jacket sleeves, it shows that the shirt is of the correct length. The combo looks and feels better.
With cuff links or quality buttons in place, your overall aesthetic is pleasing and magnetic. If the cuffs are hidden, either your jacket is too large or your shirt is smaller than usual, and you will somehow feel uncomfortable.
Add a Pop of Colour
It is wise to thread in the safe zone by not indulging in flashy colours when attending formal events. However, a subtle spray or splash of colour (and possibly pattern) here and there can take the dull and boring out of your suit. It will brighten your appearance, as long as you do not overdo it.
Suggested Reading: 5 Ways to Style A Steel Jacket for Effortless Sophistication
Your Suit Jacket Needs to Be a Perfect Fit
Your suit jacket draws so much attention to you that most assuredly, it must fit your frame well. Anything outside this is not good enough. The jacket should never be tight or loose around your chest; it should fit snuggly with some room for free movement.
Test it by placing your hand flat between your true chest and that of your jacket with the buttons on - there should be no discomfort or resistance to your hands. Check for snugness around the stomach area by placing three fingers perpendicularly between your stomach and the jacket; there should be just enough room for free movement.
Leave the Last Button Free
The last button of your suit jacket or blazer should remain unbuttoned at all times. This holds true for 2-buttoned and 3-buttoned suits. In a 2-buttoned suit, button the top button and leave the lower button free. In a 3-buttoned suit, leave the middle button always fastened and the topmost button loosened occasionally. But NEVER fasten the last button to avoid looking (and feeling) choked. Do the same to your waistcoat.
Avoid an Exact Match of Pocket Square & Tie
So much as the idea may appeal to you, don't use a tie with the exact pattern or colour of your pocket square. The better option is to pick a pocket square in the same colour as just one of the colours on your jacket, tie or shirt - that is adequate.
Set the Belt and Shoe Colour to Match
One of the best colour matches while wearing a suit is the belt-shoe colour pair. It looks more coordinated if your shoe and belt are within the same colour family and close enough to each other. Again, consider using darker colours like navy blue, black, brown, or olive green. So a black coloured belt goes with a black shoe, a navy blue belt with a similar colour of shoes, and so on.
Never Put Black and Brown Together
There are folks who think there is nothing wrong with it, but wearing black and brown together is poor taste. You should not wear a black suit with brown shoes, and the other way round.
Be Moderate in the Use of Accessories
While adding a few accessories can uplift your appearance and strongly highlight your personality, they should remain few. Just two or three of them will make a clear statement: a good quality shoe, a leather watch, maybe a gorgeous belt. Keep them moderate, never over-accesorize.
A quick note on shoes - that foremost and necessary accessory for everyone (since no one can possibly go around barefooted). You should invest in top quality, long-lasting, and comfortable shoes, and be sure to pick your right size. Your first choice should be pure leather.
Premium leather shoes like Oxford shoes, Chelsea boots, and Derby shoes are timeless classics you will enjoy over a long stretch of time if maintained well. Quality leather shoes in this league are breathable - they allow enough air flow around your feet, further elevating your comfort and putting out odour. Other good picks include versatile loafers and brogues often paired with casual, formal, and semi-formal attires.
Assemble a dedicated collection of shoes beginning with durable black and brown dress shoes. Include one or two other shoes like loafers and sneakers for casual wear. Then gradually add more.
Shoe maintenance is serious business that can both extend the longevity of your shoes and keep them looking good. So it is wise to indulge in regular cleaning, airing, polishing, and proper storage of your shoes.
The Best Suit Colours Are The Solid Dark Ones
The all-time favoured colours in suits remain the solid dark colours like brown, charcoal gray, other shades of gray, olive green, and in some cases black.
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Navy blue is versatile and can go into suits meant for different occasions.
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Several shades of gray also meet the need for formal wear. For instance, charcoal gray looks professional and polished, making it a good choice for business, office and evening wear. While medium to dark gray functions well in both formal and semi formal suits, including wedding garb, with a touch of modernity. Light gray is suitable for casual and warm weather events, and can match with several tie and shirt colours.
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Black goes very well with strictly formal gatherings such as black-tie events and evening parties. Black should not be used for everyday or frequent wear.
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Pinstripe suits in charcoal gray or navy blue give an appearance of extra height and trim build.
Remove All Temporary or Extra Stitches, Except …
Remove all leftover stitches used during suit construction - except the stitches on the pockets. The suit pockets appear flat and structured with those stitches still intact, so you can leave them as they are.
You Need Smart Trousers
Your trousers should be well balanced on your natural waistline, neither sagging nor stretched, and fitting well around the seat. It should not be too slim or baggy. It should be just long enough to skim the top of your shoe or with a slight break, not shorter or longer. Give the leg area a tapered trim to look modern. You may add one or two pleats to create extra room for movement at the thighs.
Final Thoughts - Why Suite Etiquette Matters
Your willingness to obey suit wearing rules will preserve your suits for longer. Suit etiquette will give you a smart appearance and boost your comfort and confidence. Just as well, it promotes greater freedom in movement while wearing a suit. Again, suit etiquette reveals how refined your personal style is.
So anytime you don a suit, remember to apply at least these few rules to stay fresh, energized, and at the top of your style game.
We hope the article has been truly helpful. Any additional thoughts or suggestions on how to enforce suit etiquette? We would love to hear from you. Please feel free to drop your comments below.
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