I have one thing to tell you about a suit. You need one. There, now that we have that covered, you need to know how to buy one. Thankfully, I faced these questions. Through trial (and mostly error), I found and answered the five biggest questions when it comes to buying a suit.
Ready? Let’s go.
What material should you choose?
This is a trick question because the answer is all-season wool. Wool works in the winter and summer, morning and afternoon. And unless you’re attending a job interview in the desert at high noon, this is the material for you. If you are in fact interview for a job in Dubai, go for linen.
Should it be half-canvas, or fused?
Start by asking how often are you going to wear it? This can be a tough question to answer. If you’re starting a new job and foresee this suit as a focal point of your wardrobe, you’re going to want it half-canvas. Half-canvasing is the act of separating the lining of the coat and the exterior material which leads to a better fit and increased breathability.
If this suit is only for a couple of events a year, go with a fused suit. A fused suit has the two layers glued together. Due to the construction style, it lacks form-fitting though it will be significantly cheaper. Though most fashion websites will tell you to avoid fused suits, they are price-conscious, look good, and work for most situations.
Should I buy a white suit?
No, you shouldn’t.
Okay, so what colour should I buy?
If it’s your first suit, go with charcoal. It isn’t as formal as black and works at weddings, funerals and job interviews. If it’s your second suit, pick up a dark blue one. It’s perfect for all seasons and any event. Once you have these two wardrobe stalwarts, you can stray from the familiar path.
How should it fit?
When looking at the fit of a suit, keep a few things in mind. Most importantly, the shoulders are unadjustable by a tailor. The rule of thumb is the shoulder pads should follow the lines of the shoulder. With a proper fit, the pads will end where your shoulders do rather than below them.
The jacket and pants should skim your body rather than cling to it. Though a tailor can bring in the waist of both your pants and jacket, having it too many alterations will look funny. Avoid this by purchasing a slim-fitting suit and tailoring it to a perfect fit.
To make things easier, here are five tricks for when you’re trying on the suit. These will ensure suit fit with a minimal amount of alternations.
Where should I buy a suit in Halifax?
There a few sure-fire options.
The Suitor
Why it’s great: From my research, it’s the one spot to get a custom bespoke suit made in Halifax. Raad Daniel has over 20 years of experience as a tailor. Along with off the rack suits, Raad can create custom suits. He offers two options, Bespoke and Made-To-Measure. Your best bet would be to go with Bespoke. With this option, he’ll take a wide variety of measurements and create personal patterns including providing options for different materials.
A stalwart of Halifax men’s fashion for the past thirty years, Duggars is the go-to for both young and old suit-seekers. They offer made-to-measure custom suits along with an off-the-rack collection which the largest selection on the East Coast. After stocking up on formal wear, head downstairs to D2 where you can find high-quality casual clothes and shoes for any occasion.
Vogue Mens Wear
Nick Dimitropoulos started his tailoring in Greece and moved to Halifax in 1965 to continue his work. Since then, he has been prominent in the Halifax fashion scene. Vogue Menswear offers complete custom suit services for both men and women which include custom fabric, colours, and styles. They have off-the-rack clothes available, and full tailoring service for both suits and dresses.