Men’s Suit Fashion: All Your Questions Answered

Men’s fashion has evolved over the years to encourage more creativity and style. If you’re still sticking to the fashion rules your father passed down, you might be a bit behind the times. Read on as SUITS by Curtis Eliot answers some of the most common questions when it comes to styling and accessorizing your suit.

Question: Do I still need to match my shoes to my belt?

Short Answer: Yes and no.
While there are absolutely some rules when it comes to which belt you pair with your shoes, there is definitely some wiggle room for you to flex your creativity. Here are some easy guidelines for you to follow:

• Mixing black shoes with a brown belt is never okay. If you are going to be mixing it up a bit in terms of colours, make sure you keep it in the same tonal family.
• In professional or formal situations, play the match game. A matching shoe and belt combo offer a polished, cohesive look. Casual situations are better for mixing, as being too matchy matchy can make it seem like you’re trying too hard.
• If you’re unsure about how to start mixing it up, try matching the colour of your belt and shoes, but changing up the texture.

Question: When should I wear a pocket square?

Short Answer: When you’re not wearing a tie (casual), or heading to a formal event.
The thought of having to figure out how to fold a pocket square alone is enough to scare a man away from adding it to his outfit. However, there are plenty of great uses for pocket squares. For example:

1. Add a pocket square when you’re looking to make your blazer or suit more festive. A bold, fun pocket square is the perfect addition to your Christmas party outfit.
2. Wear a pocket square when you’re looking to make your blazer or suit more formal. It’s best not to match your pocket square and your tie, and if you’re worried about choosing the right colour combo stick with a white pocket square as it goes with everything.
3. Add a pocket square when you don’t feel like wearing a tie. This works well for casual or smart casual looks. A pocket square will add a touch of class without the restriction or formality of a tie.

Question: How do I button my suit jacket?

Short Answer: It depends on the type of suit jacket.
With so many different styles of coats out there, it’s no wonder men have trouble knowing what to button and when. Luckily, we’ve made it easy for you:

• One-Button Jackets: We’ll start with the easy one; it should be buttoned while standing and unbuttoned when you sit down.
• Two-Button Jackets: Another relatively easy one. The top button is all you ever need to worry about as this style of jacket should never have both buttons fastened.
• Three-Button Jackets: Just remember “sometimes, always, never”. Sometimes fasten the top button (if you feel like it), always fasten the middle button, and never fasten the third button.
• Double-Breasted Jackets: Fasten every button except for the bottom one. You can even keep your blazer buttoned when you sit.

Question: When should I tuck in my shirt?

Short Answer: Check the hem of the shirt.
There is a quick and easy way to determine whether or not you should be tucking in your shirt or not, you just need to look at the bottom of the shirt.

• A short, even hem (ex. polos or t-shirts) means no tucking required.
• An uneven hem with “tails” in the front or back, and meeting on the sides by your hips is meant to be worn tucked in.

A good tuck should make the front of your body smooth and flat. There should be no wrinkling or blousing of the shirt. Note: any time you’re heading to a formal event you should tuck in your shirt. Casual or smart-casual events are where you have some more leeway.

SUITS by Curtis Eliot specializes in truly unique suits. To get started on your made to measure suit, contact us today.