HOW TO SPOT A QUALITY SUIT
MEN SUITS:
HOW TO SPOT A QUALITY SUIT
These days when looking for a suit shop it can be daunting trying to navigate the wealth of information, sales techniques and options presented in the modern world. Internet shopping, fashion fast, brands (new & old) and quantity vs quality are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to finding your next outfit.
In this article we outline what to look for in a suit, how to dissect the suit construction and how to shop for quality, this is outlined via the following points:
Quality Suiting
Fine Fabrics & Quality Construction
Clean Stitching
Buttoned Cuffs
Flat Lining
Comfortable Movement
QUALITY SUITING
Shopping for men’s suits off the rack or custom made shouldn’t bring your style down a peg or two. Suit shop wisely, and you can pick up tailored quality for a stitch of the normal price. Read ahead on how to spot the little-known features that make for a money-looking suit.
FINE FABRICS & QUALITY CONSTRUCTION
Fabric is probably the most critical part of a suit’s make-up. It has the tough task of retaining its breathability and softness, while also being hardwearing enough to make it through countless events and office days. As such, some fabrics just aren’t up to scratch – we particularly recommend avoiding synthetic fibers like polyester. While initially looking passable, their propensity to retain heat often results in wrinkles after even a day’s wear. If you truly want a suit that will stick with you for years, check the tag and make sure it is a woolen fabric.
Additionally, synthetic fiber suits usually do not hold up to dry cleaning as well as natural materials as the heat involved in the process tends to warp the material. Quality is important when it comes to the materials used to construct the suit as well; from lightweight canvas to soft shoulder pads, strong stitching to flat lining. Like anything using cheap materials to construct a finished product will result in a shortened lifespan.
Looking further and past just the fabric to the components which make up the garment’s foundation will ensure you purchase a high-quality suit that will last over time.
CLEAN STITCHING
One of the easiest characteristics of a good suit to pick out, high-quality stitching looks clean and robust. The stitching of the suit is like the foundations of a house – while it may be unnoticeable if you don’t look for it, it will lead to problems down the track if left unchecked.
Look for consistent stitching patterns, avoiding low-quality suits with irregular patterns. In particular, you should always check a suit’s lining. A suit lining should lay flat, so bulges are often a tell-tale sign of poor stitching. If done poorly, this lining will strip away through use of the suit.
BUTTONED CUFFS
Most – if not all – suits have buttons on the cuffs, but fully-functional buttons are a sign of a quality. Working buttons mean extra effort has been taken at the construction stage – a very good indication of pride in the tailoring, and thus a top-quality suit. This is usually a great option for tailor-made suiting.
It should be noted that when purchasing suits off-the-rack if the sleeve length is outside 2cm shorter or longer than you desire you will need to invest in a sleeve alteration through the shoulder of the jacket. This is a substantially more costly job and one of the reasons off-the-rack suits usually do not have fully functional buttoned cuffs.
FLAT LINING
First and foremost, check that the suit lining lays flat. Poor stitching ensures bulges and ripples that make for a sub-par suit, and stitching to the edges should be checked for consistency. If you commit to a suit regardless of this, expect the lining to strip away over time due to poor construction.
COMFORTABLE MOVEMENT
A well-fitted suit should allow free movement. Look for a jacket with a chest front shaped through the waist – this’ll grant a masculine shape, and will move with your body allowing for a better fit. If you don’t have that off the rack, it may warrant a visit to your local tailor for alterations. Since a jacket should fit as opposed to hang, a minor alteration will result in a more flattering shape (and won’t cost the world, either).
Further, when it comes to your suit trousers; look for a comfortable fit in the thigh and a slimming cut toward the ankle. The waistband of a trouser can easily adjust to fit your shape, however if the thighs are too tight there is very little seam allowance to let the material out.
FINAL REMARKS
A quality men’s suit can be hard to find and discovering a great suit shop where you feel comfortable spending your hard-earned money really boils down to an element of trust. Don’t be afraid to raise what you have learned about quality suiting from this article today with the staff in your local suit store; if they are trained correctly, they should be able to easily navigate you through you purchasing journey and make you look and feel your best.
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