Choosing the Right Suit: A Guide to Styles and Fits

Now that you have read “The Essential Features of a Well-Fitted Suit,” let’s discuss what suit is best for you and what styles fit your personal sense of individuality. 

The standard suit features a two button single breast with a standard, two-inch notched lapel and a mid-depth plunge. Most sleeve buttons are flat or kissing, though imitation only. A pic stitch along the lapel is not uncommon. Flat besom pockets with flaps are most typical. This is the suit you will see most of in any suit store you may choose to walk into. It does well with solid colors, patterns, textures… the whole nine yards. The most versatile suit, it can come in a variety of cuts including slim, modern, and classic. 

These suits can be used in a variety of occasions. It is popular for funerals as well as weddings, and with how versatile its styling is it can come in many different shapes and sizes., tailoring itself quite nicely to events such as quinceneras, Sunday service, the symphony, and much more. When push comes to shove, this is the suit for the every day gentleman.

The double breasted suit is one I have seen the beginnings of make its way back into fashion, as sported by celebrities such as Travis Kelce, Tom Holland, and Tom Hiddleston. The proverbial baton is being passed on by these figures and carried on by more and more people each year. The trending style nowadays: the double breast. You will most likely see this with a two or three button, and almost never with just one row of buttons. These are typically in the realm of the skinny or slim cut. 

With how fashion forward this suit seems to be, the best places to wear this will be where its style will be appreciated. Church service? Perhaps not. A gala or wedding? Perfect choice! However, this suit is not for the feint of heart. It takes someone who is already very confident in their style and fashion choice to pull this off correctly. For this I will say this suit if for those who are comfortable and confident both in their own skin as well as in their own fashion choices.

The modern suit (not to be mistaken for a modern cut of suit) is one we are beginning to see more and more these days. It can usually be either of a slim or modern cut. They typically feature slanted ticket pockets, accented buttons and buttonholes, wide lapels, and lapel pic stitches. Usually, these have slightly shallower plunge lines with the lapels, though not quite as high as the double-breast. 

This is the suit you want if you give frequent business presentations. But it is also a current favorite for wedding suits. This suit tends to draw in the young crowd, making this the perfect suit for men in their twenties.

The classic suit is typically crafted for the modern day businessmen who are on the larger side of things. They should look into the executive, portly, or classic cut suits. These will typically have a lower lapel plunge to help with a wider girth. They are typically basic in design, similar to the standard suit, but have some play room with styles and patterns. A few artfully chosen accented buttons could go a long way for a suit like this. Finish it off with a pic stitch and you’ve got yourself a suit! 

The classic suit will feel most at home in the office building and to your weekly church attendance. Though I have also seen it frequently used at operas and every once in a while for weddings.

Leveraging these elements and features against each other in your new suit will be the key to unlocking your personal style.

Disclosure: As an affiliate, the author of this article may receive compensation for any promoted products purchased. I have personally tested the majority of the items, and do not promote any brands or products of which I have not had a reliable amount of experience with and whom I do not stand behind.