Following post copied and pasted from my advice within an older thread for tips on buying that one solid staple suit necessary for any guy's arsenal to have at the ready. (work dinner, funeral, anniversary celebration, wedding, etc.).
----------------------------
I avoid the wholesale type places like Men's Wearhouse. I'd probably start off at Boston Store type place and see what there selection is like and go from there...then for sure get it tailored to properly fit you.
Some tips:
- No double breasted jackets or 4 button jackets.....go with 3 or 2 buttons. 2 buttons with a higher stance are coming back into style now and are suggested. (little tip: always leave the bottom button unbottoned....if 3 button suit, only button the top two buttons. If 2 button suit, only button the single top button)
- No pleats on the pants. Also for the leg hem, get no cuff...looks smoother and more tailored.
- I'd avoid true Navy Blue...tough to match up the belt and shoes properly. Brown suits are just kind of lame to me. Since this will be your one main go-to suit stick with greys, charcoals, and blacks as will be more timeless and can be worn to many different occasions. (Midnight blue is also a solid choice...it's a very dark navy blue that almost looks black)
- a subtle pattern is nice and makes the suit a little less formal, but don't get crazy with it. Leave the thick pinstripes and checkerboard pattern to Michael Irvin.
- One thing these days which shows off a nice, modern suit compared to a cheap standard suit is the pocket design on the front. The cooler suits now a days have 2 pockets right on top of each other on one side and only one pocket on the other side...kind of an assymetrical thing.
Like this:
http://www.stylenerds.com/site/wp-content/...8/12/suits1.jpg
if you really want to add some flavor to it some "trends" these days:
- small pocket square showing
- wide, visible tie clip
- skinnier lapels on the jacket (careful with this one though as this could go out of style fast...it's in now though)
All of these can be seen here (also shows the "double pocket" I was referring to earlier)
http://keepingitreal.typepad.com/.a/6a00d8...1b2fc970b-800wi