Your First Suit

   We have covered where and why you can wear a suit, and you are ready to suit up and get out there. But hold on you don't own a suit yet and you can't wear something you don't have. But where do you start, there tons of options with patterns, colors, fabrics, styles, and much more, it can be very overwhelming. However, you need not worry because in this post I will go over the best suit for the first time buyer.

   With the way fashion and trends go you see guys on the cover of GQ Magazine wearing double breasted suits, pinstripes, three piece suits, and innumerable amounts of different colors, it would make you think you need to buy something like that as your first suit. I am here to tell you that when it comes to suiting the last thing on your mind should be what is currently "in style," because if you do you will be left in the dust when it goes out of style. There are certain types of suits that to this day remain as in style as they were when they were invented and will continue to be in the foreseeable future. The style I am talking about is a suit two buttons, notch lapels, and side vents. As seen in this photo here

  While this type of suit is the most generic it is also the most versatile and timeless.

   Next we need to look at color, you can have a basic style suit, but it loses the classic feel if you get one in bright purple or pink. The best colors for a first suit are either navy blue or charcoal gray. Which one of these colors you choose is really up to which one you prefer, navy in my opinion is probably a bit more versatile because it can be matched with more colors of ties and shoes. Charcoal, on the other hand, is going to give you a bit more of a classic look and probably wouldn't stand out in a crowd. It isn't as versatile because it needs to be paired with darker colors in regards to ties and shoes. But if you are just going to wear a black tie and black dress shoes either of these colors would be perfect.

   Then there is the topic of patterns, and the right pattern can make a good suit look amazing but if this your first one ever stick to solid colors. I know it is tempting to get a pinstripe or check pattern, but the idea of your first suit is to be versatile and able to work in any situation. Save the patterns for your third or fourth purchase and focus instead on getting the right fit and fabric of your first one.

 Finally, there is fabric, and honestly I would say not to worry too much about this one if you just getting into Men's suiting. The best suits are normally made of 100% wool, but that can get expensive and depending on where you shop can be hard to find. Most big department stores such as Macy's or JcPenney have suits made out of a fabric blend to drive down the cost. Normally you will find suits made out of a polyester and rayon blend or polyester and wool blend, that is not to say that there aren't any suits made out of just wool, they will just be harder to find and more expensive. If you pick up a suit made out of a blended fabric chances are unless you go somewhere with experts on fabrics no one is going to know the difference let alone care.

  Finally, the pants, I saved this for last because to be honest there isn't much to talk about. There are only a few things you need to look for and they are easy to spot. One of the biggest thing to avoid is pleated pants. If you are wanting to for a look that makes you look fat and sloppy then get only pleated pants, but if you want to look fit and well put together then avoid them like the plague. If you don't know what pleats are, they are the little creases on the front of the pants up around the crotch area. Also, one thing to look for and is really up to personal preference is where the pants break. This is referring to where the bottom of your pant leg touches your shoe. I would say if the pants fall past the half way point on the back of your shoes then they are too long, and if you can look in the mirror and see your socks they are too short.

  So to wrap up, just keep it simple with the details. Charcoal gray or navy blue fabrics, and flat front pants. If you stick to those you won't stand out in a bad way, and you will look like a suit pro assuming that the fit of it is good. I hope this helps you get started on wearing suits and answers any questions you may have had!