How to Buy Your First Suit: The Ultimate Guide

For most young guys setting out to look sharp, figuring out exactly how to buy your first suit can be a little overwhelming.

There’s a seemingly endless array of options available, to say nothing of all the questions to ask and decisions you have to make.

And much like one of life’s other memorable firsts, it can be easy for guys to overthink it and put way too much pressure on themselves — after all, you never forget your first time suit.

But unlike that other pursuit, buying your first suit is one endeavor in which extensive – ahem – “internet research” can actually make you look like a pro your very first time.

In this post I’ll lay out everything you need to know about how to buy your first suit and outline 10 straightforward steps you can follow to find the perfect kit to fit your body, budget and style.

By the end of this post you’ll know:

• What to look for in your first suit
• How much you need to spend
• Where to get it
• How to make sure it fits like a glove
• How to make yourself and your new suit stand out from the crowd

So with the foreplay (and this terrible sex metaphor) officially over, let’s dive in and unpack exactly how to buy your first suit.

Note:

If you’d prefer to skip the deep dive, I’ve created a PDF Checklist outlining the 10 steps that you can save on your phone and take with you when you go to try on suits.

To download it, click here.

How to Buy Your First Suit

Everything You Need to Know in One (Ridiculously Comprehensive) 10-Step Guide

Step 1: Define its Purpose

Before you can even start to think about what to buy, make sure you’ve defined why you’re buying it in the first place.

Answering a few simple questions about your suit now, before the process has even started, will ensure you buy the one that suits your needs.

(Yes, that was a suit pun. And yes, I am the worst.)

A few key questions to ask yourself include:

• Do you want to wear it year-round, or just during one season (i.e. only during summer or only during winter)?
• Are you mostly wearing it to weddings and other social functions, or for work/business?
• Do you expect to wear it once or twice a year, or more like once or twice a week?
• Do you plan to wear the pieces separately (i.e. wear the jacket as a blazer or wear the pants without it)?

Jot your answers down in order to really entrench them in your mind and keep yourself laser-focused on what you need.

Depending on where you go to buy a suit (much more on that below) you may find that salespeople try to push you in one direction or another.

Having a clear idea of exactly what you want will make you less likely to be led astray by a sales clerk who’s more concerned with making a sale than meeting your needs.

Stylish, Versatile, Affordable

Since you’re obviously wondering how to buy your first suit, I’m going to assume that you have a lot in common with most first-time suit buyers.

Which means you probably…

• Want a suit you can wear year-round
• Want something you can wear to both social and business functions
• Expect it to wear it roughly six times a year (for weddings, job interviews, funerals, etc.)
• Might need to wear it more often (depending on your job)
• Might want to wear the pieces separately

The rest of this post will be geared toward these assumptions, but if your needs differ significantly, feel free to email me with any specific questions.

Your Move:

Opt for a good, multi-purpose suit that you can wear year-round to any occasion that calls for something a little spiffier than a blazer.

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Step 2: Pick Your Price Range

A (Quick) Guide to Buying a (Great) Suit on a Budget

When getting your first fix you can either opt for the lower-end cheap stuff, the most prime product, or something in between.

It all depends on your personal preference—and your budget.

Price ≠ Quality

When learning how to buy your first suit, one of the biggest early hurdles is figuring out exactly how much you need to drop.

It’s important to remember that the most expensive suits are not necessarily the best.

There are lots of other factors that better indicate a suit’s quality.

Things to Consider:

• Fit (much more on that below)

• Material
  • Is it lightweight, heavy or in between?
  • Is it shiny or matte?
  • Does it look cheap?
  • Does it feel like cloth, or like it has some kind of light plastic coating?
• Craftsmanship
  • Is it fused, full canvas or half canvas?
• Style
  • Does it have notched or peak lapels? And how wide are they?
  • Does it have an extra ticket pocket?
  • Does it look classic and evergreen, or modern and trendy?

Fortunately, thanks to the explosion of the menswear industry over the past few years, there are now more options than ever for a suit that meets all of your criteria without breaking the bank.

A Word of Warning:

Don’t Go Too Cheap

It’s definitely possible to get a well made, good-quality suit for a few hundred bucks, but I’d be very wary of any suit priced at less than $100.

Better to invest a couple hundred now in a suit you can wear for years to come than to spend a quick hundred on a piece of crap that’s going to rip, wrinkle or go out of style in the next 12 months.

For your first suit, I’d recommend something in the $300 to $500 range.

Even at the low end of this range, you should be able to find a suit that you can wear for years (and maybe even decades), without having to choose between suiting up or paying your rent.

Your Move:

Spend at least $300 (but probably no more than $500) for a well-made and well-fitting suit that will last.

Where to Buy Your First Suit:

We’ve put together a whole post outlining some of the best places to buy an affordable suit, but here are a few favorites:

Hockerty

A great place to get a custom-fit suit that not only fits like a glove, but allows you to fully customize all the little details, like button color, lapel style and more.

Nordstrom Rack

They sell a lot of the same big brand names that you’d find at the flagship Nordstrom store, but at significantly discounted prices.

State & Liberty

We love their suits because they’re designed with athletic guys in mind.

In addition to a great cut, they come in performance fabrics that look as sharp as a regular suit, but move and breathe better, which gives them a lot more versatility and flexibility.

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Step 3: Get Measured

I alluded to this above, but it’s worth repeating.

No matter what budget you’ve set for yourself, there’s one factor – above all others – that determines how good a suit looks:

How it fits.

I’ve seen very rich men wear very expensive suits that look like total crap.

And I’ve seen fiscally challenged men wear inexpensive suits that make them look like f@¢&ing movie stars.

With suits, as with all clothing, fit trumps price. So before you decide which suit to buy, you want to make sure you’ve got an accurate set of measurements to work from.

There are two ways to find your measurements.

1. Go to a Tailor

By far the best and most accurate way to get measured for a suit is to simply head into any tailor or suit store and ask to get measured up.

Tailors will know exactly which measurements to take and how to do so accurately.

2. Do it Yourself

It’s a little tricky, but if you’ve got a measuring tape, it can be done.

Wikihow has a great little tutorial, complete with illustrations, laying out exactly how to do it.

Your Move:

Either take your own suit measurements or have a tailor do it for you.

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Step 4: Picky Any Color You Want

(as long as that color is navy blue)

This may be the most controversial thing I say in this entire post:

Your first suit should absolutely be navy blue.

I know, I know. There are dozens if not hundreds of other perfectly viable colors out there.

And yes, I’ve heard all the arguments in favor of grey, that other stalwart of a man’s wardrobe.

But for your first suit, there’s simply no more classic, versatile or sophisticated choice than navy.

Classic:

Color trends come and go pretty quickly in the fashion world, but navy blue is always in style, always masculine, and it works with any complexion.

Versatile:

A navy suit looks sharp in literally any setting, from weddings and funerals to job interviews and corporate functions.

Sophisticated:

James Bond wears navy suits. Need I say more?

(Come to think of it, I probably should have led with that.)

In addition to all of that, the dark hue is much more forgiving when it comes to stains, dirt or other grime.

That means you can wear the hell out of it and not feel like you need to run to the dry cleaner after every wear.

Hopefully I’ve convinced you that navy is definitely the way to go for your first suit, but if for some reason you’re still entertaining other colors, I certainly won’t judge you.

(Unless you go with black.)

Your Move:

For your first suit, go with navy blue.

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Step 5: Choose Between Custom Made or Off-the-Rack

Since choosing the color is really no choice at all, this is where you’re going to have to make your first real decision:

Do you want to buy a suit off the rack or have one custom made just for you?

Let’s define each option and then break down the pros and cons.

Off-the-Rack

What is an Off-the-Rack suit?

An off-the-rack suit is one that you literally take off a rack in a clothing store (or order online).

How does it work?

It’s pre-made according to standard suit sizes, which use your chest size as a rough approximation for the size of your body.

The chart below from suitupp.com outlines each standard size.

So if you’re trying to decide which off-the-rack suit to try on, you’d take a look at the measurements you (or your tailor) took earlier.

If your chest size says 40, you’d go for a 40 suit in one of the three fit options.

If you’re shorter than 5’6” you’ll want a 40-short, or 40S.

If you’re 5’7” to 5’11” you’ll want a 40-regular, or 40R.

And if you’re 6’ or up you’ll want a 40-long, or 40L. (Sidebar: Why isn’t that last size just called “tall”?)

Pros:

Price

Off-the-rack suits are generally a much more affordable option when compared with custom made ones, which are usually more expensive.

Availability

It’s easy to find an off-the-rack suit.

The menswear department at any department store will be packed full of ‘em, as will stores you can find in any mall like Banana Republic and J.Crew.

Cons:

Imprecise Fit

It’s very rare to find an off-the-rack suit that fits like a glove.

Instead, what’s more likely to happen is that you’ll find a suit that fits you in the chest and shoulders, but is a little bit off in terms of sleeve length, waist size or pants.

If you choose the right size off-the-rack, a good tailor should be able to make some tweaks so that it fits you (almost) perfectly, but you’ll have to factor that cost into the overall price of the suit.

Quality

Don’t get me wrong: many off-the-rack suits are exceptionally well made.

But because they’re often mass-produced, some are going to be cheaply assembled.

If you decide to opt for something off-the-rack, choosing the right brand will be crucial (more on that later).

Generic Styling

Because you’re choosing a suit that’s already been manufactured, you have no control or input into details like the color, material, lapel style, button stance, etc.

All you can do is sift through the racks to find one that you like.

(But to be fair, there are so many options out there that this usually isn’t a problem.)

Custom Made

What is a custom made suit?

A custom made suit (also called a Bespoke or Made to Measure suit) is exactly what its name implies:

A suit custom made just for you, to your exact specifications and preferences.

How does it work?

You visit a suit maker, who measures you even more thoroughly than your tailor would.

They’ll ask you questions about every facet of the suit’s style and fit:

What kind of lapels do you want? What kind of fabric? How many pockets? How long do you want the jacket? And so on.

They then go off and cut the fabric of your choice into a pattern tailored just for you.

The end result is a one-of-a-kind suit that’s specifically made to fit you perfectly.

Pros:

Perfect Fit (obviously)

There are other reasons to get a custom suit, but this is the main one.

A man never looks better than when he’s decked out in a custom kit made just for him.

Quality

Custom suits are usually made with high-quality fabrics and a great attention to detail.

As a result, they not only look great on their intended wearer, but can last a lifetime if properly cared for.

It’s Classy as Sh*t.

People who have custom suits made include Steve McQueen, James Bond and Harvey Specter.

And yes, two of those people are fictional.

But they could both kick my candy ass – and look dapper as shit while they’re at it.

Cons:

Price

To paraphrase an old adage: there’s always a catch – and the catch is usually money.

A custom suit will fit you perfectly and meet all of your criteria for the perfect suit, but you’ll pay for the pleasure.

Scarcity of Sources

While it’s easy to wander into a mall and find a ton of great off-the-rack options, it’s a lot harder to find a good suit maker who will craft something custom for you.

But, harder doesn’t mean impossible. Brands like Indochino (more on them below) and Hockerty have popped up over the past few years to make custom suits more widely available.

Your Move:

(aka The Verdict: Custom or Off-the-Rack?)

For your first suit, I’d definitely recommend going off-the-rack.

As mentioned, you can easily find plenty of stylish and well made options, then have a tailor tweak it so it almost looks like it was custom made for you – all for a hell of a lot less money than you would drop by going custom.

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Step 6: Choose a Store/Brand

As I mentioned earlier, the world of menswear has exploded over the past few years.

So if you’re wondering not just how to buy your first suit, but where, the good news is you have a ton of options to choose from.

The bad news is you have a ton of options to choose from.

After all, some psychologists have argued that increased consumer choice can lead to anxiety and paralysis by analysis.

Suiting up should be fun, not nauseating.

So to make your decision more manageable, let’s review a few of the most popular stores and brands that sell stylish, well made and (mostly) affordable suits.

J.Crew

For most guys looking to buy their first suit, I highly recommend J.Crew. Their off-the-rack suits come in two main fits, which they call their Ludlow and Crosby lines.

They’ve had their Ludlow line for years, and it’s become a staple for guys looking for a sleek, modern and crisp-fitting suit that doesn’t break the bank.

Their newly added Crosby line is similar, but is specifically made with a little more room to accommodate guys who have been sticking to their workout plan. (If you’re not sure which line is right for you, Dappered has a great summary of the differences here.)

Both lines are well made from fabrics that look and feel like they should cost twice what they do, which make them an obvious and excellent choice for your first suit.

J.Crew Factory

Think of J.Crew Factory has J.Crew’s kid brother: it’s got many of the same sensibilities, but not quite the same level of refinement (or budget).

At J.Crew Factory you’ll find the Thompson line, which is similar to the Ludlow in style but lacks the quality that really sets J.Crew’s main line apart.

The boys over at the subreddit r/malefashionadvice have summed up many of the differences between the Ludlow and the Thompson here.

Personally I’ve tried on a few different Thompson suits and found them a bit uninspiring.

While a 40S in the Ludlow fit me like a glove and cut a striking profile right off the rack, the Thompson in a 40S ran considerably bulkier, so my tailor would have to work a bit of magic to get the slimmer profile I’d prefer.

With that said, it’s probably doable for the tailor, so if you’re not too picky about fabric and you’re on a stricter budget, the Thompson is a perfectly legitimate option.

Banana Republic

Like J.Crew, Banana Republic (BR) has a pretty wide selection of suits that cut a trim and modern profile.

They also have the advantage of being easily found in almost any mall.

They also offer two main fits, but avoid J.Crew’s penchant for cute names:

BR just calls them the Slim Fit and the Standard Fit, which is pretty self explanatory.

For the first time suit-buyer, the difference between a J.Crew suit and a BR option is going to be pretty minimal.

I find that the shoulders on BR’s suits have a little more padding, as opposed to J.Crew, which is more natural.

Which you prefer will depend on your build and personal preference.

In general, both are fine options, and you should spend some time trying on suits in both stores.

Suitsupply

Moving out of the mall, Suitsupply is a more recent addition to the North American market that sells suits both online and in a few select stores across the continent.

Unlike J.Crew and BR, which only offer two basic choices in style, Suitsupply offers 13 (each with a fancy sounding Italian name), which can be a little overwhelming for first-time suit buyers.

Another downside with them is that their suits are not sold in separates.

Suit separates means you can choose whatever size jacket you want, then also choose a matching pair of pants in whatever size you want.

You might say it’s a system that makes total sense, which is why you’ll find it being offered by most modern suit vendors, including J.Crew and BR.

But Suitsupply is old school.

They sell one jacket and one corresponding pair of pants together, and mixing/matching is verboden.

So if you take a 40 jacket but would rather have a 34 waist instead of the 32 waist that comes with it, you may be out of luck.

One thing they do have working in their favor is an excellent staff who really know their stuff.

At Suitsupply, selling suits is literally all they do, and they’re definitely experts.

As a first-time suit buyer, you could probably just explain that you want a good all-purpose navy suit you can wear year-round and trust that you’re in good hands.

(For a little more context, check out Dappered’s review of the entire Suitsupply experience.)

But you’ll have to be able to find them in order to do that, and unfortunately their coverage isn’t very broad.

They have 11 stores in the US with five more on the way, along with one here in Toronto and another one coming to Montreal.

Even though the pre-determined pant size thing is a bit of a bummer, if you happen to live in close proximity to one of their stores then I would still definitely recommend them.

Other Options:

Indochino

They actually make custom suits, so their prices can run pretty steep.

(To learn more about Indochino’s made-to-measure process, check out this review from friend of the blog Brock McGoff over at The Modest Man.)

Pop into any of their 10 North American locations, get measured, choose your fabric and details, and they’ll make something to your specs.

Unfortunately, their showrooms are clustered along the east and west coasts, so if you’re in the heartland you’re out of luck.

Department Stores

You can still do what our fathers did, which is head down to the menswear section of a department store like Macy’s or Nordstrom.

You’ll find some decent options there, but more often than not they’ll be priced somewhat exorbitantly, and potentially be less modern than you’re looking for.

Proceed with caution.

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Your Move:

Survey the brands/retailers above and familiarize yourself with the landscape.

Check out their websites and narrow down the top three that you think you’d like to try on in person.

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Step 7: Try it On

Most of the brands I mentioned above offer e-commerce, but it’s worth emphasizing how important it is to try your suit on in person.

Buying any clothes online is a bit of a gamble.

And just as the size of a medium sweater or a size 9 shoe will vary from brand to brand, so will suit sizing.

See It (On You) to Believe It

Don’t think that just because you’ve taken your measurements, you’re safe to order that size 40R Ludlow from J.Crew.

What if you’re actually more of a Crosby fit? Or maybe the Banana Republic or Suitsupply 40R fits closer to your frame? There’s only one way to find out.

I’d recommend trying on at least five different suits before buying your first one, ideally from at least three different brands/stores.

It’s easy to look at a model on the J.Crew website and think “I want that,” but how it fits, looks and feels on your body is an entirely different story.

Invest in Yourself

Keep in mind that you’re not just buying something, you’re making an investment.

You want to buy something you can wear for years to come, so taking the time to do your due diligence now is worthwhile.

Plus, once you’ve surveyed the landscape and have a feel for what you like, buying your second suit becomes a hell of a lot easier.

Love that first blue Napoli suit you bought from Suitsupply? They also make it in multiple shades of gray, any of which might be right for your next kit.

Your Move:

Try on five different suits from three different stores to get a sense of what’s out there, what you like and what looks, fits and feels right on your frame.

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Step 8: Pull the Trigger!

You’ve got your measurements, you’ve surveyed the landscape and you’ve even tried on multiple options.

It’s time to pull the trigger and buy your first (motherf@¢&ing!) suit!!

Of course, just because you’ve made the purchase doesn’t mean you’re ready to step out in your suit just yet…

Your Move:

Go for it: purchase your first suit.

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Step 9: Get it Tailored

If you’ve read this far, this one won’t come as much of a surprise.

Assuming you stuck with my advice and bought a suit off the rack, you’ll definitely want to get it tailored.

(If you sprung for a custom made suit than it should fit like a glove by the time you take it out of the store. Congrats! Now move on to step 10 to find out how to make it look even better.)

The exact tailoring your suit needs will obviously depend on you, your body and your new suit, but here are a few of the most common alterations you’ll want to consider.

Sleeve Length

A perfect fitting suit says, “I’m confident and in command.”

A suit with sleeves that are too long says “I borrowed this from my dad.”

When your arms are hanging straight at your sides, you want the suit to reveal about ¼ to ½ an inch of shirt cuff (assuming your shirt fits properly, of course).

Go any shorter than that, and the suit might say, “I borrowed this from my kid brother,” which is also not what you’re going for.

WARNING:

Do not let your tailor pressure you into leaving the sleeves long. (Actually, don’t let him pressure you into anything.)

Most tailors are from another generation (i.e. old guys) and have very different impressions of how your suit should fit.

Know what you want going in, explain it clearly and have them repeat it back to you. Be polite, but firm. You just dropped half a grand on this thing, and you want to make sure you’re getting the final product you want.

Pant Length

Again, you want to get this right so you neither look like you’re drowning in fabric nor preparing for a (handsome-ass) flood.

If you read GQ or other men’s fashion magazines, you might have noticed that the modern style is to keep the pant legs cropped pretty short and show a lot of sock (or bare ankle, weather permitting).

This looks great on some guys, but it can be a bit tricky to pull off without looking like you spontaneously went through an overnight growth spurt.

If you want to play it a bit more conservative, tell your tailor you want about ¾ of an inch of “break.”

The break is the part of your pant leg that crinkles a bit when it touches the top of your shoe.

You definitely don’t want to overdo it, but leaving just a little extra fabric will allow you to cross your legs without treating your wedding date or potential employer to that gnarly scar on your shin.

Jacket Waist/Midsection

You should be able to find a jacket that fits pretty well across the chest and shoulders based on your measurements.

But depending on how trim you are through the middle, you might find that the waist needs to be taken in a little bit.

As a general rule, when the top button of your suit is done up, you want to be able to fit your closed fist between the button and your stomach.

Leave any more room than that and you’ll find that the silhouette of your jacket looks too boxy. Any less and, well…

Pant Waist

If you opt for one of the brands above that sells suit separates, you should be able to find a fit off the rack that hugs your hips and butt appropriately.

But occasionally a little nipping and tucking is needed, particularly if you want to go beltless.

And just in case this doesn’t go without saying: it’s easier to take pants that are a little too loose in, than it is to let tight pants out out.

If you’re concerned about having room where it counts, consider sizing up when buying, then have your tailor take them down to a comfortable level.

(He can always let them back out again later if you add a little heft.)

Your Move:

Take your new suit to a tailor and have him or her make any necessary adjustments.

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Step 10: Accessorize

OK, so you’ve got a suit that fits like a glove and you’re ready to strike out on the town.

There’s just one problem: you can’t exactly pair your new suit with your Nikes and your gym clothes.

(I mean, you could, but… please don’t.)

You’re definitely going to want a shirt and tie, and maybe a few more accessories to take your look to the next level.

One of the many great things about a navy blue suit is that it can be accessorized in about a thousand different ways.

But to help get you started, here are a few recommendations that you can combine for an overall look that’s modern, classic and, as they say on London’s Savile Row, classy as shit.

(They definitely don’t say that.)

Shirts

A shirt isn’t really an accessory — it’s a necessity — which also makes it the best place to start.

With a navy blue suit, you really can’t beat a crisp white dress shirt.

Other viable options include light blue and a lighter shade of gray.

Where to Get Shirts:

Pretty much all of the brands/stores I recommend above will also sell good quality dress shirts.

(My personal go-to is the Banana Republic non-iron shirt pictured here.)

But keep in mind that unlike suits, which can last decades if cared for properly, shirts have a pretty short lifespan.

While you still want something of fairly high quality, shelling out too much for a shirt might not be a great long-term investment.

A More Casual Option

While a shirt and tie (more on those below) obviously make for the most classic combo to pair with your suit, they’re not the only options.

During warmer months, you can rock a polo shirt underneath your suit jacket, or lose the jacket entirely and pair your polo with your (perfectly fitted) pants for a look that’s casual but super sharp.

And to find the perfect polo, I (surprise surprise) once again recommend the Republic.

Check out my Banana Republic Luxe Touch Polo Review to find out why BR offers what, for my money, is the best damn polo on the market.

Ties

Few combinations are more powerful than a navy blue suit, a crisp white shirt and a maroon or burgundy tie.

(Brown, blue or even black could work well too.)

Unlike shirts, ties can potentially last a lifetime if you treat them well.

And while it’s certainly possible to shell out big bucks for expensive fabrics, personally I’ve always found the lower cost options to look just as good — if not better.

Where to Get Ties:

Amazon has a huge selection of high quality ties and other men’s accessories, and it’s become my go-to place for affordable (and often, surprisingly good quality) menswear of all sorts.

Belt/Shoes/Watch

A navy blue suit could work with either black or brown shoes, which is one of its (many) advantages – it gives you options.

But whether you choose to rock black shoes or opt for the classic blue suit with brown shoes combo, remember this:

Your belt and your shoes should always match – or at least be in the same family.

I go into much more detail about this in my post about how to wear a suit, so I won’t go too deep here.

But suffice to say, it means a brown belt gets brown shoes, and a black belt gets black shoes.

The same rule applies if you’re wearing a leather watch strap: you’re either going all black or all brown, not mixing it up.

The black shoes/belt/watch combo can work with a navy suit, but since brown and blue are such an excellent combination, I recommend sticking with brown.

Where to Get Them:

I’ve got a lot of great options for both shoes and belts listed in the Irreverent Men’s Shop, so head over there to see a few of my top picks!

Pro Tip:

With belts, the sleeker the better.

Thick, chunky belts can look good with jeans and casual looks, but not so much with suits. Look for one about 1 to 1.5 inches wide.

Watches can be found just about anywhere, and you can probably guess where I’d recommend looking online.

Pocket Square

Thank Mad Men for bringing the pocket square back to prominence.

Nowadays they’ve become so prolific that to not have one almost looks like you’re missing something.

Where to Buy Pocket Squares:

Buy a multi-pack at any of the discount department stores I mentioned above, or (here it comes) on a certain online retailing giant that shall not be named, and get one with multiple colors/patterns.

Just make sure it also includes a plain white one; you can use that one with your navy suit (or any time you where a white shirt), and keep the rest for future shirt/tie/suit combos.

Pro tip:

Mad Men made the razor sharp corners of the perfectly folded pocket square the go-to move for awhile, but the trend has evolved.

Fold yours in a way that’s purposely less precise (like in the photo above) to add a bit of personality to your look.

Tie Bar

Though not necessary, the tie bar makes a great addition that brings the whole look together and helps set you apart from the crowd a little bit.

Where to Buy Tie Bars:

As mentioned, The Tie Bar has a ton of cool and affordable options to choose from.

I also found this cool little online start-up that apparently sells stuff.

(Spoiler alert: it’s exactly who you think it is.)

Pro tip:

If you opt for a metallic tie bar, make sure the color matches the metal on your watch and belt buckle.

BONUS:

Socks

Socks are… well, they’re f@¢&ing socks.

You could hardly be blamed for thinking no one’s going to notice or care, and most of the time, you’d be right.

Pull on a pair of navy blue socks that roughly matches the hue of your suit and you’ll be totally fine.

But as you may have gathered by now, in suits, as in life, details matter.

Rocking a pair of socks with a funky pattern or a pop of color is just another way to stand out from the generic-looking crowd.

Where to Buy — Oh, F@$& It

You know where.

Pro Tip:

While not 100% necessary, try to keep the colors in the same family as the rest of your get up.

If you’re wearing a burgundy tie with your blue suit, look for socks that utilize those two colors in a cool pattern.

The pattern on the far right in this picture fits the bill, and you can get them as part of a multi-pack with other patterns in the same family.

Your Move:

Use a few of the tips above to sharpen up your new suit and stand out from the crowd.

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BONUS:

Step 11: Look Handsome as Hell

If you’ve followed all the steps above, this part will be a given.

You’ve chosen the right suit for you.

You’ve had it tailored to perfection.

You’ve nailed the details by accessorizing.

Now stand up straight, hold your head high, go forth and conquer – actually, that’s a bit much.

Maybe just go forth and confidently be a man of style and substance.

People tend to like that more than conquering.

For more tips about how to step up your style game, sign up for my free email series below and discover nine details that have a huge impact on your overall look—and how to nail them.

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More Resources ↓

More Men’s Suits and Style Advice Irreverent Gent:

• The Ultimate Guide to Rocking the Blue Suit and Brown Shoes Combo
• How to Dress Better for Guys
• How Should a Suit Fit? The Definitive Guide
• Where to Buy Affordable Suits Online 
• In Review: Alain Dupetit Suits
• The Ultimate Guide to Semi-Formal Attire for Men
• What to Wear to a Funeral: The Complete Guide to Proper Funeral Attire
• The (Absolute) Best Athletic Fit Dress Shirts for Muscular Guys
• The Most Stylish, Stretchy & Comfortable Suits for Men
• The Best Peaky Blinders Suits for Sale Online
• The Best Suit Brands for Men of Every Shape, Size & Budget
• The New Rules of Business Casual
• The Best Athletic Fit Suits for Muscular Men
• Where to Buy Tuxedos for Weddings & Formal Events
• In-Depth Indochino Suits Review – Are custom suits worth it?

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Photo Credits:
Banner image via Alexander Naglestad on Unsplash
Waist-measuring photo Douglas LeMoine via Flickr
Custom suit tailor photo Rprakash1782 via Wikimedia
Suit rack photo Robert Sheie via Flickr