How to Buy a Suit
January 3, 2008 by stergeron
photography by Mr. Delgoff
So you’ve got a job interview, an important business meeting, a hot date or a wedding coming up. Whatever the case, if you’re in the market for a new suit be sure to check out this video on how to buy a suit.
The video explains how a suit should fit, why one might want to go with a 1, 2, or 3-button suit and what is the correct amount of cuff to show.
If you have other tips on buying a suit, be sure to leave a comment.
GQ creative director Jim Moore and style editor Adam Rapoport show you everything you need to know on how to buy a suit.
(4 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)
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Good tips here…wish I could afford the suits that they show as examples.
A funny side note is that any time I’ve dressed up for an interview I haven’t gotten the job. Maybe this is because I’m a web designer and nobody cares what I look like, as long as I do the job right.
Tips that I’ve learned after buying suits:
1. If they ask what side you dress on you should calmly collect your things and leave (Everyone knows it’s to the left)
2. Buy the simple suit. If you buy the flashy suit you may get compliments, but you can wear it 2x max and then everyone knows it’s old. The good old solid colors and striped suits last forever and are always in style.
3. Take your shoes that you plan to wear with the suit to the tailor, that way the pant legs will flow correctly.
4. Ask for suspender buttons to be attached to the pants. You might never use them, but it doesn’t cost extra and it might come in handy if you ever chose to rock the suspender look.
Shine your shoes. The old guys that run the world look at your socks and your shoes. Find an old t-shirt, spit on your shoes (works much better water, trust me) and clean off all the dirt with your spit. Then open the shoe polish can, light it on fire until it turns blue, then blow it out (heat upons the pores on the shoe). Wrap the t-shirt around your point finger and put a small dab on your finger. Then very lightly, just barely touching the shoe, make circular motions to rub it all in. Start with the toe, then the sides, then the back, and don’t forget the tongue (take the laces out). Then put on the shoe, hold the t-shirt tight with both hands, and wipe back and forth to wipe off the access. If you take your time with this it will last for months. All you have to do is spit on it a little and wipe them down with a paper towel and they will shine.
If you can afford it, get a custom M2M (made to measure) suit. Trust me, you’ll never buy off the rack again.
[…] 10. Bring your suits to the tailor. It might cost you a few bucks, but there is simply no substitute for well-fitting clothes (even better if you can swing a made-to-measure suit). Here’s a great video we posted before, “How to Suit Yourself.” […]