© Saville Row

The modern style of men’s suits date back a hundred years, and though details may change, the basic elements of matching jacket and trousers worn for non-casual occasions or business stays the same. Saville Row is still seen as the pinnacle of men’s suits, but a guy can be well dressed without spending Saville Row money. And I remember long ago reading a Which? Magazine article that compared Saville Row with other high quality suits and declared little or no difference.

While a good tie is still a must for formal and most business occasions, there is a recent men’s fashion trend to wear a suit with no tie, but with a silk pocket handkerchief. This isn’t quite as bad as no tie/no hankie, but these guys still don’t look finished off to me, and I’m expecting this fad to be short-lived.

Imagine Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton du Beque wearing a suit and no tie. That’s right, you can’t because it doesn’t look right. Call me old-fashioned, but men’s style demands certain standards to look good, and wearing a tie with a suit is one of them.

A blazer or well tailored jacket and trousers is still an acceptable alternative to a matched suit a lot of the time. But again, you need a tie and handkerchief to finish it off. And please, no leather patches on the elbows!

xxxx

Sarah

Rated: from 3358 votes

© Ted Baker

It’s perfectly possible to look stunning without wearing tailored suits. But when a guy wants to feel extra special, there’s nothing beats a hand tailored suit. My favourite Strictly Come Dancing hero of all time, Anton du Beke, is never seen in public in anything else, and you’ll struggle to find a more elegant man than him.

The fashion trend changes in men’s suits as in other men’s clothing, but well tailored men’s suits are timeless and don’t follow the extremes of fashion. So whether you want bespoke or ready made, here’s what to look for in a well tailored men’s suit.

1 - The material

Pure wool is best for wearability and to get the right hang or drape. Choose a discreet pattern to complement your body type. Pinstripes or chalk stripes make you look slimmer; checks make you look more well-built. And avoid bold checks unless you want to look like a dodgy bookmaker.

2 - The cut of the jacket
A well fitting jacket will follow your body shape and touch in the right places. Longer leaner jackets will hide fuller figures, while double breasted jackets will make the slim guy look broader in the chest. A nice single or double vent at the back gives it a sleeker more elegant line.

3 - Pleats
Pleats in the trouser front will make a suit more comfortable. Trousers should be just long enough to break gently over the shoe, and cuffs or turnups are best avoided - though they would be ok with a double breasted suit. No sock should be visible when walking.

4 - How does it feel?

The main thing about well tailored suits is that they should make you feel good. If something about your suit doesn’t feel right - even if you don’t know what - then it’s the wrong suit for you. The feel, hang and cut of a tailored suit should give you that “just right” feeling. Ignore your mates, ignore your mum, trust how it feels on you and you won’t go far wrong.

xxxx

Sarah

Rated: from 3357 votes