Mens Fashion Tips - A Guide To The Best Suit Colors And Cuts

By: Hendrik Pohl

Buying a suit is far from straightforward. Back when you were getting your first one for prom, your dad or older brother was probably there to do all the talking with the salesman, while you simply said yes or no to the color choices. Now that you're all grown up and much more fashion-conscious, it's time to learn how to buy a suit from the store yourself.

What Color Do You Need?
Suits are worn for baptisms, burials and everything in between. But even if you wear the same kind of clothing to all those events, you don't necessarily wear the same color. Different colors have different moods and messages, so you have to get the purpose of your suit clear before you buy.

Are you buying a suit for work? Get a color like black that you can wear on any day and with virtually any other piece of clothing you have. Additionally, black disguises dirt and stains so you can get away with not visiting the dry cleaner's for long periods of time. It's a very formal color too, and is flexible enough to be worn to occasions outside the office.

More casual needs like a date suit or one for just going out are best satisfied by a more casual color like navy or beige. The lighter color makes them seem happier than sombre old black, while the suit as a whole will keep you from looking too casual. These colors of suits can also be worn for occasions in the morning like a baptism or a birthday brunch in the garden.

Which Cut Will Look Good?
Although most of them look completely identical, there are many nuances to the cuts and fits of suits. It's usually personal dressing preferences that make the choices in this area, but it's always your body type that will limit your options and have the final say.

Slimmer guys will want to look at the English style of suiting, which involves a very slim silhouette and an emphasized waist. The 'dapper English gentleman' is often idealized as a thin, inscrutable guy, and the region's suits reflect that. For thin guys, going thin helps keep your entire look in proportion and help you look more amply endowed physically.

Bulkier guys, meanwhile, should look at the American cuts from the other side of the Atlantic. These have wider, more forgiving cuts that are best filled out by a stockier build. As always, avoid getting things that are too big, as they'll make you look even more out of proportion.

European cut suits might be a good idea if you're used to wearing suits, have an average body type and are willing to try an unorthodox style. Although mildly more generous with the cuts than their English counterparts, European suits are no less exacting. The shorter sleeves and pants hems combined with the relatively thin silhouette of the suit are best done with a tall, slim bod.

When looking for suits, you'll have to rely on yourself and what you know about your body. Besides, the salesman will just tell you that everything will look good on you anyway.