A 10 Golden Rules
- The most important thing is that you feel comfortable in your suit. Make sure that the suit and shirt underline your personality – not the other way round. Less is often more.
- Invest in quality. A well-made-suit and shirt will last for years and look better than a cheaper alternative. It is worth investing in tailormade quality pieces that fit well and make you feel confident.
- Fit is key. Make sure your suit and shirt fit properly. So take your time and be sure to get support by a second person when taking your measurements.
- Dress for the occasion. Different occasions call for different levels of formality. And know your place: As a guest at the wedding, for example, you should not outshine the groom in terms of outfit.
- Accessorize thoughtfully: Ties, cufflinks, pocket squares, and belts can add flair to your outfit, but do not overdo it. Choose one or two accessories that complement your suit and shirt, rather than overwhelming them.
- Wear the right shoes. Dress shoes in black or brown are essential for any suit and shirt combination. Make sure they are clean and polished and match your belt.
- Pay attention to details. Make sure your suit and shirt are properly pressed and free of wrinkles. Ensure your tie is straight and your shoes are polished.
- Keep your grooming in check. A good hairstyle and a freshly styled beard round off your outfit.
- The classic suit is the single-breasted suit with two buttons, two slits and matching lining and buttons. The classic shirt the classic shirt is long-sleeved, with a Kent collar and no breast pocket. You certainly will not go wrong with it.
- Classic colors: Black, navy, and gray are timeless suit colors that never go out of style. White, light blue, and pink are classic shirt colors that pair well with these suits. Classically, the shirt is lighter than the suit. The accessories such as the tie or bow tie are darker than the shirt.




Body types
Most men’s body shape is set by the time they purchase their first suit, with only the chest and waist potentially fluctuating over time. However, their height, shoulder width, and limb length remain constant. With these fixed attributes, it is beneficial for a man to understand how a suit’s design can accentuate or mitigate them.
Whether tall or short, broad or narrow, or of average build, there are several factors a man should consider when buying a suit. Narrow men should follow the tactics of the tall man, and large men those of the short. It is important to note that the following recommendations are not strict rules. As a short man you can dress in any style you like of course. If you wish to appear taller, there are some things you can do to help, but it is ultimately up to you to decide if it is a priority.
Short and/or large stature
- Avoid excess cloth as it adds bulk and emphasises a shorter stature.
- Opt for a close fit to avoid a jacket that swamps the arms, waist, or hips.
- The skirt of the jacket should be relatively short to lengthen the legs but not as short as trendy “bum freezer” jackets.
- The waist of the trousers should ideally be high and at a man’s natural waist to make the legs look longer.
- Anything that removes bulk or the impression of width from the look of the suit is beneficial, so avoid ticket pockets, large pocket flaps, and patch pockets.
- Avoid pale tones, bright colours, and large patterns, but a fine pinstripe can elongate.
- Dark shoes and a simple tie will accentuate the look. Avoid the contrast of sports jackets or odd waistcoats.
Tall and/or narrow stature
- Avoid a too close fit, and leave some space – especially for your calf measurement. This will create a more balanced look for your tall frame.
- For a tall man, it is best to interrupt the look with ticket pockets, patch pockets, and wide checks.
- Go for Italian Style and have the sleeves slightly shorter to break up the lines.
- Wear a belt and a watch, opt for trouser cuffs, and some textured shoes like brogues.
- If you must wear stripes, choose fine and narrow-spaced ones on your suit, even though the old saying about vertical stripes adding height is well-known.
- Choose two-button suit jackets as they are more suitable. Avoid three-button jackets as they draw attention to your height.
Color combinations
- Start with a solid navy or mid-grey suit, as they are versatile and appropriate for most occasions.
- Charcoal grey and dark brown are also versatile options that are appropriate for more formal settings.
- Lighter-colored suits in shades of beige or tan are appropriate for summer and less formal occasions.
- The absolute MVP among shirts is white – followed by light blue and pink. They go with almost every suit.
- Patterns should be chosen based on personal preference and the formality of the occasion. Conservative patterns like pinstripes and herringbone are appropriate for more formal settings, while bolder patterns like checks or windowpanes are more appropriate for casual occasions.
- Consider the scale of the pattern in relation to your body size. Larger patterns are more appropriate for larger men, while smaller patterns are more appropriate for smaller men.
- Especially for your first suit: less is often more. If you go with a patterned or striped suit, a plain shirt is recommended. Also avoid too many colors. If your suit comes with 2 or more colors, a shirt in white or a color that is also found in the suit fabric is the best choice. Keep in mind that your belt, shoes, and accessories will add at least one more color to your outfit.




Details & Accessories
- It is important to distinguish between visible details such as buttons, tie, and shoes and details that are not visible at first glance, such as lining and piping.
- Accessories like ties and pocket squares can add interest and personality to a suit, but should be chosen carefully to complement the color and pattern of the suit.
- Especially for your first suit, which should work for different occasions, it is advisable to avoid too many special details. If you want to go all out, go for the invisible details: for example a paisley or crazy color lining.
- A good way to use details and accessories is the tone-on-tone principle or the contrasting colour principle.
- The classic colors for belts and shoes that go with almost all suits and shirts are black and dark brown. With very light suits, the contrast with black shoes can be too strong.
- Cognac is also a popular color for belts and shoes. Because cognac brings more colour to the outfit than black and dark brown, it can overload your outfit and make it look cheap.