Infographic | The ultimate guide to suits

We’ve put together a handy guide that shows you the ins and outs of buying his first (or second, it all applies!) suit, along with a brief history if you are so inclined. Let’s use a wedding as a nice light-hearted example;

What colour?

The first thing you need to decide upon is colour. Does he need to match the groomsman or does he just need to look the part? If a colour match isn’t needed then the best colour for a first suit is generally navy. It’s the perfect blend of formal and smart without looking too business smart, although if your four-year-old has business to attend to then we’re impressed, and recommend grey. It’s also the best colour for versatility. Do you already have a pair of brown brogues? Get a navy suit. Got a pair of black oxfords? Get a navy suit. You see the pattern emerging rapidly. It’s a colour that looks great throughout the entire year, so if you’re lucky enough to have a winter and summer wedding to attend, this kills two (love)birds with one stone.

What pattern?

For those that want to stand out ever more from the crowd, a patterned fabric is the way forward. Timeless designs such as the Prince of Wales check or herringbone take confidence to wear, but if you think your little man is up to the challenge then, by all means, go ahead! He’ll be the talk of the wedding but just be sure that the happy couple doesn't mind sharing the limelight.

How should it fit?

Once you’ve decided what colour and whether to go for a plain or patterned fabric, you have a good idea of what you want in mind. And here comes the hard part… finding a suit that fits as it should. While it may be easy to find a suit that looks about right, it’s much harder to find a suit that fits like a dream. If you’re a well-seasoned tailoring buyer or feel like a fish out of water, referring to our infographic will give you a great visual insight as to how all the important bits should fit. There should be no loose fabric, while there shouldn’t be a lack of material either. The suit should fall naturally while standing, and not look amiss walking or raising the arms. If your boy, like me, has an oddball body shape, then a small alteration can make all the difference between acceptable and Bond.

The golden rule to remember when buying a suit is that the shoulders MUST fit, everything else is easily alterable. A good way to check this is to get him to lean against a wall if his arm touches before the wall first – you have the right size. If the shoulder pad hits first, size down!
Now with this wisdom imparted to you, we hope it’s a little easier to know to look for when buying that all important attire.