
Robert. L - 31 / Aug / 2020
How To Buy A Suit Online
It's said "clothes maketh the man" and there's few things more important for your working wardrobe than an investment in the perfect suit.
Robert. L - 31 / Aug / 2020
It's said "clothes maketh the man" and there's few things more important for your working wardrobe than an investment in the perfect suit.
It's said "clothes maketh the man" and there's few things more important for your working wardrobe than an investment in the perfect suit. Fit, form and finesse make up the golden ratio of suiting and nothing demands attention to these details more than the purchase of an off-the-peg suit. Our expert advice to guide you, buying a suit online will be a cinch.
First up, take your measurements. It may sound obvious but it's always worth taking the time to be precise - especially when making an online purchase, as even if you're confident in your suit size, many brands will differ in their styles and cuts.
Measure up on your chest - from armpit-to-armpit, inside leg and waist size.
Measure your waist, then try on your most comfortable/favourite pair of trousers and compare the measurement. This will be more realistic and you can get your ideal (real) waist measurement. Most suits come with a generated drop system which means, for example, Drop 6 would be that the jacket size is 40 and the trouser size is 34 (take trouser size from jacket size), which may not be your exact spec, so make sure you have a handy tailor you can go to for alterations if needed.
A slim fit tends to follow the body’s contours and generally has trimmer features, including lapels and leg openings as well as a shorter jacket length. A tailored fit suit also has a slim silhouette, but with slightly more room, narrower shoulders and a higher armhole, while a classic fit is the most traditional of the three, allowing for more room in the shoulders and body.
For men with broad shoulders, lighter colours tend to narrow the frame. Shorter men should avoid long jackets, while tall men might find that two-button jacket styles work better. One of the most important factors is the fit of the shoulders as this is the hardest part to tailor.
A single-breasted, two button suit is the style most popular as it suits most body shapes - get it right and it'll be like your second skin. For a more formal take, opt for a single button, while double-breasted jackets should always be cut short and trim for a more relevant, contemporary look.
When you get to try on your suit at home, the first thing to do is be realistic - it may not be the perfect fit in all places at this point, but that's why it's recommended to have a tailor on speed-dial, for any nip, tucks and alterations required to finesse your final look. Here's what to check for using our diagram above…
Most suit trousers online come unfinished, which is great as you can get your ideal length and break which should be no more then 7/8th of inch for a clean sartorial finish. If the suit you've selected is finished, again, know your leg length when trying and measuring.