How to Choose a Suit

The best suits are wool suits. Wool absorbs dyes better and it fits well and does not lose its shape. It can also be woven into many styles with an attractive cut. The next best fabric is a wool-polyester blend suit, which tend to be less expensive than wool suits, but still possess many of wool's positive attributes. Polyester and cotton suits are one more notch down on the totem pole, and are relatively inexpensive. The fabric makes for an excellent light-weight suit, but they are far less durable.

The most traditional colors for you to choose from in selecting a suit are blue and gray. Brown and black suits are OK for certain occasions, but are far less versatile than some version of the blue or gray suit. You will do a good job choosing if you stick to the traditional color suit, with a tasteful pattern, and you will find you can wear such a suit to many different places, both professional and personal.

Suit patterns are usually relatively simple. The most common is the pinstripe, which is usually very narrow and vertical, and usually in white or blue. Chalk stripes are wider than pinstripes, and can make you look like a 1930s-era Chicago gangster. If you go with chalk stripes, try and find a conservative style. Plaid suits can be fine, but again, err on the side of conservatism.

Apart from color and pattern, all suits have a style, or cut, which can be either conservative or modern. You need to decide for yourself the kind of personality you wish to exude, and choose appropriately. Remember, your business suits should be generally conservative - no fancy buttons or wild styles.