From business suits and workwear to black tie events and weddings, suits have been an integral part of male clothing for hundreds of years. Over this time a few bits of suit culture has emerged with its own little rules and regulations that most people should be following (unless you are an expert in this area and purposefully playing with conventions). If you are buying your first business or wedding suits and want to avoid the traps that many others have fallen into before you, then here are three of the most rookie errors that you should watch out for.

Sizing

The number one mistake people make when buying business suits is going for ones that are the wrong size. Of course, this isn't your fault as it is hard to pinpoint down your exact size when buying off-the-rack suits. However, you really should be taking any suits you buy like this to a tailor to ensure that they fit properly to your size. This service doesn't cost that much, especially when compared to the price of some suits, and it can make a world of difference. It also helps to try on a friend's suit to get some knowledge of the sizing before buying one for yourself.

Colour Co-ordination

There are a few rules when it comes to the colour of your suit that you should be aware of when buying one:

  • Don't get an all-black suit unless it is for a black-tie event or a funeral. 
  • Never get a colour that is very loud like burgundy or white. Suits are meant to be professional.
  • Always buy the jacket and pants in a set or from the same brand at least. Otherwise, it is virtually impossible to match the colours.

Make It Ready For Wear

When you first buy a suit, there will be a few bits of stitching that are there purely to make it look good in a store that need to be picked before you wear your suit. Check the side part on your jacket, and you will normally find a single stitch holding the two sides together that should be cut off. Also, if you buy business suits from popular fashion brands like Armani, then you will also probably have a tag gently stitched onto one of your sleeves. This must be removed before you wear it, otherwise, it is like wearing a hat or shoes with the price tag still attached. If you are unsure of what needs to be removed and what should stay, ask the associate who you buy your formal wear from. 

For help picking out the right business suit, talk to a formal wear store near you.

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