First, determine what kind of suit is right for the occasion. The suit you wear to a disco club might be very different than the suit you would wear to church. Determine the location and who your “audience” is. Give attention to the colour of the suit, the most comfortable fabric, the brand name (oh yes, people will ask) and the appropriate size. You have to balance comfort with style. Going to the extreme is not a good idea.

You also must consider what type of secondary clothing you can wear with a suit. Give attention to the fit of the trousers and make sure two fingers can fit inside the waste while you try the pants on. You should also consider the length of your coat sleeves. Make sure the sleeves do not cover your shirt cuffs. The sleeves should leave half an inch of your shirt cuff. Also, consider the hem on your trouser and the waist of the jacket. Do not buy a suit assuming you will lose weight and “grow into it.” Make sure the jacket comfortably fits across your stomach. A good-size suit allows you to stretch and bend your arms with easy effort. Bring your arms out in front of you to test the level of comfort.

You should also make sure the suit fits your shoulders. This is not a case of “growing into” the suit. If the shoulders don’t feel good right away, they probably never will. Choose cotton in the summer months as it breathes easier than other materials.

Lastly, get your suit tailored made by a reputable professional. A suit ideally fits a man not just a mannequin.

Some of the top designers of quality suits are Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Banana Republic and Kenneth Cole. Choosing a designer is all about what style you are trying to project. Ralph Lauren tends to focus on more romantic styles, while Banana Republic’s suits tend to have a more casual, preppy feel. Make sure your first suit is in a slimming dark colour like black or gray, as these colours are more versatile to begin with.

Next, get yourself to a tailor. We know the thought of a guy getting that close to your junk isn’t necessarily your idea of a fun afternoon. However, you owe it to yourself, as does every man, to have one perfectly fitting quality suit. Besides, a tailor can also custom make or adjust your pre-bought suit. A tailor-made suit will give you complete control. You get to pick everything from the fabric such as tweed or linen, to the design such as single or double breasted. You can even choose special touches like the type of buttons you want. You must admit you thought Heath Ledger’s Joker in the latest batman film was pretty cool, and all the more hip because he wore only custom-made suits and clothing.

Having a good fitting suit can make any man feel like a dashing James Bond type. Did you ever wonder why he always got the girl? It wasn’t that “Bond, James Bond” pickup line. It was how good he looked while wearing those fashionable suits! That is what really attracted the ladies! From date night to the boardroom, a suit should be an important part of a man’s wardrobe.

A Good Fit

An ill-fitting suit will make you look messy and uncomfortable which is not the image that you want to convey. You may think it’s expensive, but having a custom-tailored suit that fits your body is well worth the money and effort. Buying directly off the rack to save a few bucks is the wrong move to make. Fork up the extra cash to have your suit fitted to your frame. The way a suit fits is a huge consideration that should never be overlooked.

The Right Style

Your next consideration will be on style. You don’t want to show up for an important business meeting wearing a 1970s leisure suit. Maybe you won’t make that big of a mistake but choosing a style that does not go with your look or the occasion can be just as bad as if you did. Be careful because you may be overwhelmed by the different number of styles and cuts there are to consider when purchasing a suit. Find the style that looks best on you, but be sure to get a second opinion; you won’t always notice the little things about a particular cut that someone else will be sure to spot.

Fabric Choice

Finally, it is important that you choose the right fabric. A 100% wool suit is recommended over other fabrics because it is more attractive and comfortable. A suit that looks great, but is uncomfortable will be more trouble than it is worth. As you are considering fabric choices, factor in colours and choose the combination that is most flattering to you and your style.

You are going to wear your suit more than once, so look at it as a type of investment. Be sure to take all of these factors into consideration and remember to choose a suit that fits well, is stylish and is made from quality, comfortable fabrics. If you follow these general guidelines you will definitely be “dressed for success.”

Many men make mistakes when selecting a suit because they forget that it is important to choose one that matches their personality. Always remember that what looks good on someone else might not necessarily work for you.

Purchasing men’s suits for general purposes is another problem. It’s much better to select each suit for a specific purpose or event. Is it for a wedding? Or is it for business reasons? Always keep in mind the exact occasion where you will be wearing the suit.

Another question most men fail to consider while fitting a suit is how often they will be wearing it. Answering this question makes it easier on settling on the right type of fabric. If the suit is going to be worn regularly, the quality of the fabric needs to be comfortable and durable. This fabric tends to be very different from that of a wedding suit.

Finally, another important question you will need to ask yourself is how well the colour of your suit goes with the colour of your skin. An extremely pale person can choose a suit colour that will easily make them look like a ghost rather than enhance their looks. The best way to get the colour right is to hold the fabric next to your skin. These days we have software that makes the selection process for colour even easier. Use these tips and make your next suit a real head turner for the right reasons.

For instance, it is very important to buy a shirt and a tie that goes with your new suit. Too many times people focus on the suit and assume that they will find something in their wardrobe that will go with it. Don’t make this mistake because you will only be disappointed and frustrated at the last minute when you are about to go out for that important function.

You would never know it, but the most important factor that is often forgotten or overlooked are buttons. Buttons are supposed to add value to a suit and are even capable of giving a very ordinary fabric the royal look. Bottom line, spend more time and care selecting the right buttons to go with your new suit.

Another critical detail has to do with your choice of accessories that go with your suit. What watch will you wear? How will it look with the expensive pinstripe suit you’ve have selected? What about the shoes? What colour should they be? Is there a danger that they will clash with the colour of your suit rather than complement it? These are important questions you need to ask yourself before purchasing a suit.

There are many fabrics to choose from for men’s suits. In fact there are so many that it can get confusing very quickly. But do remember this important tip. You will rarely go wrong with a good quality wool fabric that is wrinkle free.