Mens Fashion Tips - Buying Mens Suits Off The Rack

In the world of men's fashion, suits can be some of the priciest items you'll see. Not only are they accorded a lot of respect in the universe of apparel, but it also takes the skill of a true craftsman to create each one. The suits you see in department stores and boutiques, that is, pre-made ones, are often seen as 'lower' than their bespoke counterparts.

But bespoke gets pricey. If you're like most people, you can probably only afford one or two of them without having to mortgage your house. Buying off the rack is often a more practical option, but that doesn't mean you have to look cheap in the process. It's all about knowing how to work with the suit and the conditions that you're given.

Choose a Color
Your hunt for the best store-bought suit should start with the color. Different colors suit different needs, so you have to have a clear idea of where you're going to wear your suit.

For the office, you'll want something in gray if you'll be wearing it strictly within office limits, or black if you intend to wear it to after-work cocktails. A casual suit that you wear to parties will be best done in navy or black, while a suit for mornings and afternoons will be most comfortable in khaki or tan. Those colors aren't fixed by any means, but you'll find that they're the most versatile options given those purposes.

Cut to the Chase
Once you've determined the color you need, it's time to choose the cut you want. You can bring out your personal style in this respect because there's no single 'right' cut for any one person. There are, of course, certain cuts that work better for certain body builds.

Slim English cuts, for example, are suitable if you're on the slim side because the svelte silhouette of the English style helps give you a bit of curve and body. European cuts are more generous and are a better fit for more athletic builds because of their extra room. Regular builds and stockier guys will want to look to American cuts, which can give the most allowance for that additional junk in the trunk.

A Discussion on Buttons
The number of buttons on your suit is a matter that's as important as anything else. Each extra button will make a difference in how the suit will finally look once you wear it.

Suits with three buttons are the typical office guy's choice, and you can't go wrong with three buttons. For shorter guys, however, having just two buttons could help correct the lack in height (at least visually) by showing a little more shirt and tie. And if you feel especially debonair today, you could try going the single-button route. It's a little riskier, but looks very suave if pulled off properly.

How Fitting
Fit is one thing you should never compromise when buying a suit from the store. Though some salesmen will tell you that a tailor could correct excesses or shortages in the suit's measurement's, there's only so much that the craftsman can do. Besides, you run a real risk of ruining the suit by adjusting it. You're better off buying a more expensive but well-fitting suit than an affordable one that's a whole size too big.

The shoulders are the most important things you should consider in a suit. If the shoulder area is off, put the suit back on the rack because there's no correcting that. Once you get a suit with ill-fitting shoulders, the whole thing will look odd.

Chances are good that you'll end up spending hours in the fitting room, especially if you wear a particularly rare size. The benefits of a well-fitting suit, however, will be worth the time and effort.