Few things in life are as essential to a man’s closet as an expertly tailored suit. It’s an investment that, if made wisely, should occupy a place in a young professional’s wardrobe for years to come. On the latest episode of ‘Itemized’ — our bi-weekly show exploring how to rock and where to buy fashion’s biggest trends — Highsnobiety’s Noah Thomas takes us to Suitsupply’s flagship store in New York City to figure out exactly what you need to look for in a perfectly-fitted, quality suit.
Founded in 2000 and originally based in Amsterdam, Suitsupply is a European fashion brand that's since grown to over 125 stores worldwide and established itself as a purveyor of high-quality suits at attainable price points — all with an emphasis on outstanding service. Noah is met by Suitsupply Vice President Nish de Gruiter and the two hone in on the basics every guy needs to know to achieve an impeccable fit. “One of the most important things is the interior construction of a suit,” Nish explains. “You always want to make sure that the suit has a canvassed interior — in [Suitsupply’s] case all of our suits have that interior — that basically gives it its shape.”
Another factor that tends to be overlooked is getting the proportions of your suit right relative to your body type. While some guys may be tempted to go for a too-slim cut in an effort to emulate impossibly perfect magazine spreads, ensuring the overall fit is comfortable enough for you to move around freely is crucial. “Fit is key; so the right sleeve length, the right length of your pants, the jacket length — it needs to flow really well around the body,” Nish emphasized. “Fabric, construction, and fit — those three are the key components.”
After his crash course in Tailoring 101, Noah finally picks out his ensemble. For those who are just starting out with their first suit, Nish recommends a navy or grey option for maximum versatility. Noah opts for Suitsupply’s Traveller suit in navy, made for the frequent flier who’s always in need of a crisp suit no matter where they go. Lightweight, breathable, and fully unlined, their Traveller suit keeps you cool while maintaining its shape thanks to the special crease-resistant Italian wool used.
Nish and Noah show us several ways to break up the suit for more casual wear, like rocking a polo underneath in lieu of a button-up shirt, or layering with a puffy vest when temperatures dip as a chicer way of keeping warm. You can get even more laidback by pairing it with just a simple graphic tee, but if there’s one big takeaway from all of this, it’s that “your suit should never be louder than your personality.”
Check out the full episode above to get all the details on how to rock the perfect suit in any season, and check back for new episodes of Itemized dropping bi-weekly.
