Suits cannot be considered an extraordinary uncommon clothing item talked about only in a limited context and for limited use, they are, in fact, one of the most indispensable wears when it comes to male fashion trends. Knowing the various types of suits for men will help enhance the formality and appropriateness of the outfit to wear for a particular occasion.
Within this guide, you will get to learn about the different types of suits and their styles, as well as when it is appropriate to wear them.
Understanding Suit Basics
To begin with, there are some key aspects that every suitor for male must understand concerning the general construction of the suit. It can be distinguished between a two-piece or three-piece suit where some or all of the fabric of the jacket is made use of in constructing the trousers.
- Jacket: This is the most distinctive garment that is available in different designs, and fits or thrusts of modern fashion.
- Trousers: These are clothes, which are meant to be worn with the jacket and may have the same material and color as the jacket.
- Vest (Optional): Worn over the waistcoat, thus it is more formal and is worn, for instance, with the three-piece suit.
Wool, cotton, linen, and some blends form the basic fabrics used in the production of suits; each of the material has its feel and properties. This is on the basis of the time of the year and the formality that comes with the event of the day.
Types of Suit Cuts
Single-Breasted Suits
Single-breasted suits are said to be well-known most especially because they have just one column of buttons at the front of the jacket. They are appropriate to wear for both official and semiformal events and have a slim-cut design.
Variants and Details
- Two-Button: This means that it has only one breast pocket with only two buttons in total. This style is simple and elegant that does not look out of place even in today’s modern world.
- Three-Button: Incorporates an additional button, this is relatively modern cut that has gained popularity more so today.
- Notch Lapels: Usually suited for business man’s suit, it is slanted and ends in a point to provide a more fashionable look to the suit.
- Peak Lapels: More formal than notch lapels, peak lapels are those, which are characterized by points, protruding outside the body, they are common in tuxedos and posh business suits.
Occasions
Single-breasted suits are a better choice to wear when attending business meetings, weddings or other formal occasions. Italian shoes also give between the styles and functions, which makes them essential part of the man’s dress code.
Double-Breasted Suits
Double breasted suits contain two rows of buttons, and they have a traditional and a more classic-cut look. Although rare in the current fashion world, they are best worn correctly as they stand out.
Variants and Details
- Traditional Double-Breasted: This style has buttons about six to eight in number and a large part of the lining overlaps on the body.
- Cutaway Double-Breasted: It is a little more contemporary compared to the standard double-breasted suit as having fabric removed from the sides gives it a slimmer looking appearance.
- Waistcoat Option: Many a time the double-breasted suit comes with a waistcoat and it is advisable to use the same for a three-piece occasion.
Occasions
These suits are especially appropriate for very formal occasions such as wedding, state affair and evening affair. Still, they are not very frequently used in businesses but can have quite an impact.
Types of Suits Based in Fittings
Classic Fit Suit
The classic fit suit is a comfortable type of suit and comes as a traditional style. It gives modest coverage, but not skin-tight or loose and therefore, it is timeless.
Variants and Details
- Traditional Fit: A size category that is less tailored than the slim fit and is designed for men who do not like having their chest and shoulder area restricted.
- Modern Fit: A cut that is slightly adjusted from the traditional one to give the customer a more up to date aesthetic while still being comfortable.
Occasions
The regular flannel suits can be worn in business environments, at business and business-formal events or weddings. They can be used in any occasion that one would like to introduce some color to their life.
Slim Fit Suit
The slim fit suit is a slightly more modern and sophisticated cuts of the other two styles. It is intended to stretch snugly on Different il y’s body contours to give it a sleek and fashionable look.
Variants and Details
- Tailored Slim Fit: This style is somewhat looser in the shoulders but still rather close to the body in the chest and the waist.
- Ultra-Slim Fit: It means that garments will be rather tight fitting, designed to highlight the lines of the body. This variant is perfect for people who would wish to stand out in terms of fashion.
Occasions
Such great fitting outfits are best to be worn in the new workplace, evenings, and other essential situations where one has to dress appropriately and be stylish.
Modern Fit Suit
Fit suit as far as the contemporary society is concerned is a mixture of classic and slim appearance of suits. It offers logical design and capacity of additional lining and padding for additional comfort for people of current generation.
Variants and Details
- Soft Modern Fit: Superior in loose allowance than the modern fit, accommodated through chest and waist.
- Smooth Modern Cut: This is a version that blends with a more traditional style and offers a neat look.
Occasions
Getting a modern fit suit will be very appropriate for business wear, parties and any other occasion that you would want to dress formally but without exaggerated fashion.
Types of Lapel Suits
Notch Lapel Suit
Notch lapel is the most popular today and the most diverse as it contains a single notch at the top of the lapel that sits on the collar. It is can fit any type of social gathering including business and corporate meetings as well as social informal affairs.
Variants and Details
- Standard Notch: The most common variant, suitable for all body types and occasions.
- Wide Notch: It is a modern look design which is more relaxed and fashionable compared to Wrap Robe.
- Narrow Notch: It is best for individuals with slim stature as it provides a stylish appeal.
Occasions
Notch lapel suits can be worn to any kind of occasion imaginable and can easily suit any occasion, style or dress code. It can be for business purposes or it can be casual worn for different occasions as preferred. Hence, they are observed to be an essential part of some of the most masculine apparels for gentlemen.
Peak Lapel Suit
Peak lapels are characterized by long fronts that are pointed upwards coming from the collar line making them look more formal and angular. Currently they are usually connected with tuxedos but recently they are becoming more common in business and formal costumes.
Variants and Details
- Double Peak: It has two cones, giving the look more elevation and a more official appearance.
- Single Peak: A less graphic or obvious choice, which is suitable for those, who want to combine tradition and contemporary styles.
Occasions
Floppy lapel suits can be worn only for formal occasions such as wedding, functions, gala dinner and important business occasions. It is for this reason that they serve as great companions for occasions as they give an outfit an organized appearance.
Shawl Lapel Suit
The lapels of shawl are seamless without any indentation at the edges and are very neat. They are more or less associated with dinner jackets and tuxedos.
Variants and Details
- Business Shawl: The modern design, which has become popular in recent years and is most preferred by business women.
- Extended Shawl: It is also longer and more fashionable than the traditional shawl, associated with more aggressive style.
Occasions
Worn with narrow, diagonal bands across the chest, shawl lapel suits are perfectly appropriate for black tie occasions and weddings and similar styles of event. It is what most often comes to mind when thinking of the name and is more suited for people who would like more elegant bags.
Types of Suits by Occasions
Business Suits
Business suits can be exclusively identified for business and serious work places among other types of suits. It gives the message of professionalism, strictly business, and the confidence which the message sender has in the message recipient. The business suit is quite flexible and an article of without standing just like any LBD, although it is worn to various business-related occasions, corporate functions and meetings.
Variants and Details
- Single-Breasted Suit: It is a business suit in which the jacket of the apparel has only one line of buttons. It provides the elegance and simplicity as far as one, two, three, or more buttons on the front part according to the length of the jacket.
- Double-Breasted Suit: In this design there are two buttons’ rows and this offers the suit somewhat a more formal aura to it. It is not very popular in the contemporary business uniform but it can be worn during formal occasions or during organizations or firms that would prefer a more traditional look.
- Two-Piece Suit: Consists of a jacket and trousers. Well, this is the traditional type and allows versatility for the different business environments.
- Three-Piece Suit: Includes a jacket, trousers, and a matching waistcoat (vest). This style is somewhat more formal and can only be used in business meetings or when attending an interview.
- Pantsuits: This type of clothing is associated only with women, but today’s business men are accepting this type of clothes too. They are trendy, and their design does not leave much space for femininity but is appropriate for business and formal environments.
Occasions
Business suits are worn at the workplace, when going for an interview, attending official meetings and dinners, official ceremonies etc.
Wedding Suit
A wedding suit to be particularly worn by a groom or groomsmen is a balance between style and practicality, the aim being to match the attires of a wedding event. Whether to wear a tuxedo and a more conventional suit depends on the style of the wedding which is to be held.
Variants and Details
- Morning Suit: This is among the formal wear which is mostly worn in strict occasions such as weddings. It consists of the black tailcoat, striped trousers and a waistcoat.
- Tuxedo: one of the most popular outfits that is commonly associated with grooms and groomsmen. It involves the satin collars, the fancy facing of the buttonhole, the silk bow tie and the cummerbund or the waistcoat.
- Full Suit: Though, getting into more detail, it will be appropriate to wear a three-piece suit in case the wedding you are attending is rather formal. This should be a dark color such as charcoal or navy in order not look overwhelmingly black tie but still be formal.
- Short Suit: A stylish choice for less formal or outdoor weddings. Wrist heaters are short-sleeves that are not as formal as the single-button or double-button jackets and lay above the wrist.
Occasions
Usually, the wedding suits are used in weddings and receptions, and in some occasions in the rehearsal dinner.
Tuxedo
The tuxedo is also referred to as a dinner suit and it ranks among the most popular formal wear for men. It is fancy gown that is normally associated with formal occasions such as black-tie events.
Variants and Details
- Single-Wooled Tuxedo: This style consists of one or two buttons and come with either satin or grosgrain collars.
- Double-Breasted Tuxedo: This gives a classier and more stylish look based on the two buttons and matching lapels found on the outfit.
- Shawl Collar Tuxedo: Lacks a coat front, as it has a shawl collar and not lapels as part of its design and appeals to individuals who prefers a neat and sophisticated look.
- Peak Lapel Tuxedo: This is a tuxedo style which has the peak lapels; it also has the classic style with a touch of the contemporary touch.
- No-Tax Jacket: Introduced for more modernism in its appearance, this particular type does not even require a tie.
Occasions
Tuxedos can be worn on formal dinner, gals, and other elegant weddings occasions among others.
Casual Suit
It is between formal and informal, and can be worn in events like dinner parties hence the reason casual suits may be important.
Variants and Details
- Khaki Suit: This suit comes in earth colors and it is best for any occasion and especially suitable for any outing under the sun.
- Denim Suit: Presents an urban and fashionable approach of wearing a suit simultaneously, formal and casual.
- Lincoln Suit: This suit is made from satin and gives out a cool and breathable texture which makes it ideal to be worn in warm seasons.
- Novelty Suit: It has a new style to break away from the traditional one by offering different patterns, colors, or textures thus fitting for casual occasions.
- Sport Coat: This comes with jeans or chinos and are relatively less formal but quite suitable for casual wears.
Occasions
Some of the occasions that are appropriate for providing casual suits are brunches, casual occasions, outdoors, and daylight dates.
Sports Suits
Sports wears are worn during any other form of activities or sports to achieve fashion during such activities or exercise.
Variants and Details
- Performance Fabrics: Ideally it should be made from fabric that allows for free air circulation to avoid accumulation of sweat and body heat during activities such as walking, jogging, running among others.
- Slim Fit: They are worn relatively loose as they were designed to accommodate movements.
Occasions
Suitable for golf purpose, tennis or any sports wearing, sports suits are stylish dresses which do not compromise on comfort and mobility.
Seasonal Suit Variations
Summer Suits
Summer wears are intended for warm climatic conditions; however, the look is not compromised at any point. They are usually light in materials and dyes used hence light colored.
Variants and Details
- Linen Suit: Associate with airflow and light weight, it makes linen suits highly suitable for the hot environments.
- Seersucker Suit: It has fabric with puffy surface and is worn in warm weather due to the nature of the material.
- Light Wool Suit: These are fashioned from materials that contain lesser percentage of wool and they are perfect for formal occasions without the density of winter wool clothes.
- Navy and Light Colors: For summer, navy, light grey or pastel shades are suitable to suit the warm weather as they are not as heavy to shed the sun’s heat as dark colors.
Occasions
Summer suits can be worn in summer weddings, business meetings, informal occasions that takes place in hot weather, and other social functions.
Winter Suits
Coats are needed during winter season to give users an elegant look and to protect against cold situation. They are manufactured mostly from thick fabrics and somber colours to ensure they produce heat.
Variants and Details
- Heavy Wool Suit: This type of suit is made from thick wool thus making them ideal to wear in cold climatic conditions.
- Flannel Suit: Worn and constructed from flannel fabric with the material providing warmth and the surface resembling a check pattern or plaid designs.
- Tweed Suit: These are normally dark colored cloth like navy blue, charcoal or black and are known to be durable and warm.
- Colors: To some extent; plain dark colors like black, navy or charcoals are somewhat allowable for winter suits because of the reason that such colors absorb heat and also seem to give body lesser width as compared to lighter colors.
Occasions
Winter suits are worn during winter occasions such as weddings that may be held in winter, business meetings or any other formal function that may be conducted during the chilly seasons.
Conclusion
It is not possible to define a man without the type of suit he wears and for this reason, every man must to know the different types of suits to keep at his disposal. When it comes to suits, the appeal can be divided into three types of suits – Single-breasted Suits, Tuxedos and Casual Suits and each is good in its own way. Get to know the specifics and intentions of each kind of suit in this type of clothing, and you are well-equipped to level up your style game. Every man knows that each occasion requires an adequately fitting suit, whether it is for a formal business attire or a weekend wear.
