Formal suits: A sartorial elegance
A famous menswear blogger, Allan Flusser once said “As long as male elegance is in season, a well-tailored formal suit will always have a special place in a stylish man’s wardrobe”
Formal suits for men have become a luxury item, it is as dear to a man as his expensive cars, pens, cigars or whiskey. As we cover the topic of the formal space of clothing, there has been something of a small but telling resurgence in bespoke craftsmanship. Men are gaining interest in better-made clothing and with the process itself. Detailing and design are becoming ever more important. Before technology ruled the world, there was value in hand-made craftsmanship. In other words, the renewed interest in personalized clothing from a traditional perspective is an evergreen concept. Men may wear rugged jeans and go for a casual or streetwear look these days, but nothing can replace the phenomenal formal suit attire.
There are 3 basic types of formal suits that are perfect for men.
Two-piece men’s formal suit: A two-piece suit consists of a blazer or coat with matching trousers. Choose this type for a job interview, offices or any business exhibit of sorts. In this setting, go for a black, grey or navy formal suit with a solid tie.
Three-piece men’s formal suit: If you have a wedding reception or any special occasion, by all means, select a three-piece suit. It includes a coat, trousers and a tailored-fit vest.
Tuxedo: To turn it up a notch, go for a tuxedo. This one is to follow decorum at a black-tie event. Well, definitely have fun with it because it is a dress-code par excellence. To epitomize the phrase fancy, go for the most traditional form of a tux, which would be a black coat with satin lapels, crisp white shirt, a self-tie bow, cufflinks and a stud set. Don’t forget tuxedo trousers and an elegant pair of tuxedo footwear.
Let’s get started with the many styles and ways to wear a formal suit:-
Classic fit men’s formal suit
For those who don’t want to overthink the process, a well-fitted classic formal suit is the way to go. It comprises of a jacket that covers your rear end while the arms stop at the end of your fingers. The shoulders are comfortable and soft. The lapel calls for a standard collar design suitable for all suit jackets and your regular fit pants.
Modern fit men’s formal suit
If you wish to escape a slim-fit formal suit, but still want to exude a heightened style sensibility, definitely go for a modern-fit formal suit. The jacket is contoured and shorter in length, the shoulder is squared-off style with a slim lapel. Lastly, the pants are a flat front. This combination, by all means, will deliver a tight look with breathing room to spare. Modern fit suit styles are born to conquer any room.
Single-breasted men’s formal suit
These are sleek, modern and stylish! It has a single or one column of buttons and no overlapping of fabric. As a general rule, the more buttons on the suit, the shorter will be the lapels, and more attractive the suit will appear.
Double-breasted men’s formal suit
These are classic, vintage, and elegant! It is narrower at the waist and simply longer. The focus of attention is the top with two columns of buttons. One column is functional whereas the other is ornamental. This type of formal suit in classic navy or steel blue would make anyone give the man a second look.
Notch lapel on a men’s formal suit
The most common type of suit lapel as you may know. A notch is a V-shaped indentation where the lapel meets the jacket collar. It is traditional and classic. A versatile choice that fits a casual event and exudes a professional look.
Peak lapel on men’s formal suit
A peaked lapel looks fantastic on both a single-breasted and a double-breasted suit. The top lapel has its edges facing upward at sharp angles, immediately below the collar. Wear it wisely as this type of suit lapel emanates pure sophistication and high-end style.
Shawl lapel on men’s formal suit
One look at a shawl lapel with its smooth, uninterrupted lining, and you are already picturing yourself at an elegant black-tie affair. Entailed in the shawl lapel’s aesthetic is a timeless sense of class and distinction. These lapels provide a welcoming complement to most men’s formal wear styles.
To summarise, a gentleman is always looking for a statement suit worthy of a place in this attention grabbing wardrobe. Whether bound by an office dress code or personal preference for subtlety, formal suits for men is without a doubt the way to impress. No matter the age, a man in vibrantly-coloured and well-fitted suit combination reflects confidence. Confidence that comes with style and energy!
Lastly, let’s leave you with an all-time favourite quote about formal suits: -
“The more that suits disappear as a mandatory business uniform, the more they will gain power as a status symbol of taste and refinement." - W. David Marx