Suits: Defined

Fundamentals Of Modern Men's Suits

A men’s suit is generally defined by a matching set of clothes made of the same fabric. A 2-piece suit comprises of a suit jacket and trousers, while a 3-piece suit adds a vest to this ensemble. The articles below will touch on a few key determinators of a suit, namely:

THE UMBRELLA DEFINITION

SUIT

SUIT FABRIC

SUIT CUT

The Umbrella Definition

There are 3 umbrella terms for which all suits generally will fall into. Below are Black Jacket Suiting’s detailed definitions of each type of suit you will come across from least formal to most.

Grey suit and purple tie available at Black Jacket Suiting in Brisbane

The Lounge Suit

The origins of the lounge suit trace back to 19th century Britain and was coined as a more casual attire for the gentleman of that time and to be worn when tuxedo’s or tails were over the top.

Most suits you will find in the modern day market place will be lounge suits and garment which comprise of all fabric material with no contrasting satin/silk as well as a shorten jacket back length that finishes around a man’s bottom.

These suits can be used for an extremely wide variety of events, from business to weddings, funerals to social occasions and everything in between. You will also find them in an array of fabric colours, designs and compositions to add unique style to your wardrobe

Tuxedo

A tuxedo is the pinnacle of formal menswear, designed for black-tie weddings, gala dinners, formal events, and special occasions where sophistication matters. Distinguished by satin lapels, refined detailing, and timeless elegance, a tuxedo delivers a polished look that never goes out of style.

At Black Jacket Suiting, we offer a premium range of tuxedos available for both hire and purchase, with options to suit modern weddings, black-tie events, school formals, and corporate functions. Whether you’re the groom, part of the wedding party, or attending a formal event, our experienced team will help you find the perfect fit and style for the occasion.

Man wearing tuxedo with bow tie by Black Jacket Suiting in Brisbane
Black coat and white bow tie with white inner - Black Jacket Suiting in Brisbane

Tailcoat or Evening Coat

Of the three suits the evening coat or tailcoat is the most easily distinguished and typically reserved for ‘White Tie’ formal affairs from royal and state dinners and extremely formal balls of societies elite (e.g. the royal wedding). Accordingly, this dress code leaves little room for a creative or fashion forward approach. 

The tailcoat is distinguished by its knee-length rear (tail) while mirroring a standard jacket through the shoulders and sleeves. The tailcoat itself is usually worn unbuttoned and paired with a formal waistcoat, white marcella shirt, gloves and a top hat. Finally, you can find tuxedo satin/silk detailing on particular tailcoats but the presence of the knee-length tail still defines it under this term.

Composition

The composition and construction of a suit is the foundation of the garment. Like making a car with a poor quality engine, cracks will appear when it comes down to business, no matter how slick it looks.

Modern day suits come in a wide variety of fabrics from polyester to wool, cotton to linen, rayon to silk as well as combinations of these variants in different proportions. Additionally, materials like elastane, serona and nano-fiber technologies have also been incorporated in small quantaties into suits in order to provide added flexibility or stain resistant characteristics. 

The components that make up a suit are equally as important. The canvas which provides the jacket structure, the lining which allows for comfort and feel, the shoulder padding that shapes to the wearer, the stitching that provides strength to the fabric and the waistband are there to bear the strain of movement. All these parts make up the composition of the suit and need to work in unison. 

It is important to understand that there will be trade-offs when it comes to budget and quality but investing in a high-grade fabric will reap rewards when it comes to longevity of your suit.

Customized suit style option - Black Jacket Suiting Brisbane
Man wearing black suit, white shirt and black bow tie

Suit Fabric

Wool suit fabrics are measured by something called a ‘Super’ number. This number indicates the fineness and diameter of the wool fibre used to make the fabric. These Super numbers range from Super 100s, which are durable fabrics for everyday wear, to Super 250s, which are ultrafine and luxurious fabrics.

The Super number is not the only determining factor of your suit fabric. The weight and finish will also affect how the fabric drapes over the body.

It should be noted that the finer the fabric the more delicate it becomes and as such less likely to be long-wearing. This is an important consideration when weighing up durability and longevity with feel and breathability. As mentioned above suits can come in a wide variety of different fabric compositions. For the best suit for your usage or occasion you should always consult a qualified, genuine and experienced tailor or suit shop.

Want advice tailorered specifically to you? Book an appointment with one of our highly trained and extremely knowledgeable staff who will guide you through your next amazing suiting exprerience.

The Cut

The cut of a suit determines its final shape and for the body shapes it will work best with. This cut comes from the silhouette (aka the pattern) of a suit which is created from a canvas fitting and acts as the foundation of the suit. Accordingly, there are only three ways to make a suit.

The Three Ways To Make a Suit

Man in blue suit browsing fabric swatches inBlack Jacket Suiting in Brisbane

Ready-Made

Which denotes a suit that is pre- made to certain sizing block specifications where with each increase in size the measurements increase a proportional amount. These are usually machine made in large factories in bulk and are sold at a lower price point.

Tailor smiling with measuring tape, fitting suit.

Made-To-Measure

Describes a suit that may be partly handmade but mostly machine made however it is a suit that uses measurements not shaping to achieve custom styles lengths and horizontal measurements. Usually manufactures will make the garments individually but have a bank of patterns they work off to pair the closest pattern to the clients desired measurements with adjusted measurements.

 

Test Suit - Black Jacket Suiting Brisbane

Bespoke

The epitome of the suiting world; these suits are entirely hand made with many hours of labour going into creating a unique to the owner garment. The term was coined from the pattern being cut for the individual and as such that pattern is ‘bespoken’ for them as a one of a kind. The process usually takes multiple fittings and shaping’s by a highly skilled tailor where the suit is built up in layers and progresses after every fitting.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of suits does Black Jacket Suiting specialise in?

We specialise in wedding suits, business suits, school formal suits, tuxedos, and event formalwear, offering options for hire, ready-to-wear purchase, made-to-order, and custom tailoring. Our range is designed to suit every occasion, budget, and personal style.

Yes. Our showroom operates by appointment to ensure every client receives dedicated time with a stylist in a private setting. This allows us to provide a personalised, seamless suiting experience.

For suit hire, we recommend booking your fitting at least 7 days before your event. For Ready-to-Wear suits, allow for 2 weeks. For Made-to-Order suits, allow approximately 5 weeks, and for Custom Tailoring, allow >10 weeks, depending on fabric and design selection.

We provide a 7-day hire period at no extra charge, giving you flexibility before and after your event. Additional days can be arranged for a small daily fee if required.

We carry one of Australia’s most diverse ranges, including skinny, slim, classic, and big-man cuts, as well as short, regular, and long fittings to accommodate a wide range of body shapes.

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Mon To Fri:

12pm-7pm

Saturday:

10am-4pm

Sunday:

Closed