There’s no other way around it: every man needs to own a suit. Whether you’re attending a wedding (as a guest), job interview, graduation or any other formal event, you’ll need to wear a suit. But with so many different types,  how do you know which one to choose?

#1) Fabric

First and foremost, consider the fabric or material from which the suit is made. Cotton has long been the preferred choice of fabric, as it offers a balanced combination of comfort, strength, softness and durability. However, men’s suits are available in other fabrics as well, including linen, wool, corduroy and various synthetic fabrics and synthetic blends.

#2) Bespoke, Made to Measure or Ready to Wear

We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that men’s suits are sold in three different ways: bespoke, made to measure and ready to wear. Off-the-rack suits are characterized by fixed sizes without any additional customization, whereas made-to-measure suits are customized according to the wearer’s measurements. The highest level of customization, however, comes from bespoke suits.

#3) Lapels

Don’t forget to check the lapels when choosing a suit. Suit jackets are designed with variety of lapel styles, the most common being notched lapels, peaked lapels and shawl lapels. Of those three, however, the notched lapel is the most popular choice for use in single-breasted suit jackets. It’s a classic, stylish appearance that’s sure to compliment your outfit.

#4) Pockets

Additionally, you should check to see how many buttons the suit jacket has and where those buttons are located. While there are always exceptions, most suit jackets have several inner pockets as well as two main outer pockets. You may also find a “patch pocket” with a piece of cloth sewn into the front.

#5) Buttons

Of course, different suit jackets are designed with different buttons. Normally, most single-breasted jackets feature just two or three buttons. There are a few styles, however, that have three or more buttons, though these styles typically consist of double-breasted jackets. Regardless of which style you prefer, it’s a good idea to leave the bottom button undone.

#6) Quality

Perhaps the most important thing to consider when choosing a suit is the quality. You might be able to save a couple bucks by choosing a low-quality suit, but you could end up paying more later down the road once the suit becomes damaged and degraded. You have to think of a suit as an investment. Like any investment, it requires money to purchase. As long as you choose a high-quality suit, though, it will pay off.

References:

https://mantalks.com/5-things-every-man-know-buying-suit/

It’s frustrating when you grab your favorite sweater from your closet, only to discover that it’s shrunk a size or two. Instead of fitting properly, it’s not too small to wear. The shrunken sweater look and feels awkward. This is an all-too-common occurrence that nearly everyone has experienced. The good news is that you can usually prevent it by following some simple steps, the first of which is to understand why sweaters shrink.

Synthetic Fabrics

Not all fabrics and textiles are susceptible to shrinkage. Some are more likely to shrink than others. Synthetic fabrics like polyester and nylon, for instance, are typically the most susceptible to shrinkage. In comparison, natural fabrics like cotton, hemp and linen are the least susceptible to shrinkage. If you’re worried about this phenomenon occurring to your sweaters, stick with natural fabrics.

It’s Not a ‘Pre-Shrunk’ Sweater

Sweaters are more likely to shrink if they haven’t already been shrunk during production. If you look at the tag, you’ll notice many say “pre-shrunk.” This means the manufacturer has already shrunk them; thus, minimizing any shrinkage that occurs from washing and drying. The sweater may still shrink somewhat, but it’s minor compared to sweaters that haven’t been pre-shrunk in production.

Washing with Hot Water

Conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that washing your clothes in hot water increases the risk of shrinkage. When a sweater is washed in hot water, it may come out smaller than before. This is why it’s a good idea to get into the habit of washing your clothes — especially sweaters — in cold water. Contrary to popular believe, cold water is just as effective at cleaning as warm water. However, it doesn’t carry the same risk of shrinkage as washing with hot water.

Using a Clothes Dryer

Granted, it’s probably easier and more convenient to dry your sweaters by placing them in a clothes dryer than line-drying them. After all, it takes less than a minute to transfer your sweater from the washing machine to the clothes dryer and hit the “start” button, whereas line-drying is a more time-consuming and laborious process. Nonetheless, clothes dryers increase the risk of shrinkage by exposing your sweaters to additional heat.

Not Following Manufacturer’s Instructions

Finally, make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding how to clean and maintain your sweater. You can typically find this information listed on the care label, which is usually found inside the collar.

References:

https://www.thespruce.com/prevent-clothes-from-shrinking-and-stretching-2146151

The single most important accessory to wear with a suit is a belt. You can choose a high-quality, premium men’s suit. But it’s not going to look complete without the right belt. A belt creates greater symmetry in your outfit while also adding new colors and style. For these reasons and others, you should always wear one with a suit. So, consider the following tips when choosing a belt to wear with a suit.

The Color

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a belt is the color. Some men assume that it’s best to wear a belt in the same color as their trousers. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s not recommended either. If your belt is the same color as your trousers, it will remain somewhat concealed; thus, offering little-to-no benefit. A better option is to choose a belt in a slightly different tone than your trousers. If you are wearing gray trousers, for instance, consider a dark gray or black belt.

Genuine Leather

When wearing a suit, it’s best to stick with genuine leather for your belt. Some retail and department stores sell belts made of fabric. These are usually more casual, however, and not appropriate for formal attire. Belts made of genuine leather offer a more formal appearance that reflects the elements of a high-quality suit. You can expect to pay more for a leather belt, but there’s no substitution for its exceptional style.

The Fit

Of course, you should also choose a belt that fits your body. Just because you can wrap it around your waist, however, doesn’t necessarily mean that it fits. If there’s too much or too little material remaining after the belt has been secured to your waist, it may look awkward. Ideally, your belt should be secured right in the middle. In other words, if the belt has 12 holes, it should be secured in the sixth hole. If the belt has 10 holes, it should be secured on the fifth hole.

Thin vs Thick

Finally, you’ll need to consider the thickness of your belt. Some belts are thick, whereas others are thin. A good rule of thumb, however, is to choose a thin belt for formal wear and a thicker belt for casual wear. Thin belts usually fall somewhere between 1 and 1.5 inches wide, whereas thick belts are 1.5 to 2 inches wide. Along with their formal appearance, thin belts also have a slimming effect, making you appear thinner.

References:

https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/mens-belt-guide/

With winter right around the corner, many men are trading in their short-sleeved shirts for sweaters. Whether it’s made of cotton, wool or cashmere, a sweater is guaranteed to keep you warm and comfortable amidst the winter weather. However, one of the problems you may encounter with sweaters is the presence of fuzz balls. Known as “piling,” it’s a common phenomenon that occurs on sweaters. So, what can you do to prevent piling on your sweaters?

Choose the Right Sweater

Not all sweaters are susceptible to piling. Usually, this phenomenon occurs in sweaters with short fibers. After washing and drying, the short fibers become intertangled with one another; thus, creating the characteristic fuzz balls known as piling. Choosing high-quality sweaters made of premium, long fibers can prevent this from happening. On the other hand, knitted sweaters with short fibers are more likely to develop piling.

Use the Gentle Wash Cycle

When washing your sweaters, set your washing machine to the gentle cycle. Heavy or even regular cycles are often too aggressive for sweaters, resulting in damage to the fibers. And when the tips of the fibers become damaged, they may lock together with other fibers to create piling. If you choose the gentle wash cycle, however, you can often prevent this from happening. The gentle cycle washes clothes more slowly and with less force, reducing the risk of damage to your sweaters.

Alternatively, you can hand wash your sweaters if your washing machine doesn’t have a gentle cycle.

Line Dry

Rather than placing your sweaters in the clothes dryer, consider line drying them instead. Of course, it takes longer for a sweater to dry on a line than it does in the clothes dryer. However, this will protect your sweater from damage caused by the clothes dryer, as well as piling.

Check the Care Label

Finally, try to get into the habit of checking the care label on your sweaters. Typically found inside the collar, the care label is a small tag with specific instructions by the manufacturer on how to clean and care for the garment. If the care label says “dry clean only,” you should avoid washing it and instead take it to the dry cleaners.

It’s nearly impossible to avoid piling on sweaters, but following these tips will help you control it. And when you discover these characteristic fuzz balls, use a fabric comb or lint roller to remove them.

References:

https://www.today.com/style/pilling-preventable-how-avoid-those-annoying-fuzz-balls-t101329

When dressing a formal event or occasion, there’s no substitution for a button-up dress shirt. Even if you choose to leave your suit jacket or coat at home, you should still wear a button-up, long-sleeve shirt. In doing so, however, you may get hot throughout the day, which is why many men choose to roll up their sleeves. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to roll up your sleeves.

Casual Forearm Roll

There are several different ways to roll up your sleeves, one of the easiest being the casual forearm roll. This involves unbuttoning your shirt cuffs, flipping the cuff inside out, and folding it over about the length of the cuff. When performed correctly, your cuffs will remain hidden behind the shirt fabric.

While optional, you may want to tuck any exposed edges or corners into the sleeve. The casual forearm roll is simple and easy to perform, but it doesn’t provide the same high-end style as some of the other methods.

The Basic Roll

Another easy way to roll up your shirt sleeves is the basic roll. This is done by folding the cuffs three times, or until your sleeves go past your elbows. Because of the additional fabric placed above your elbows, your sleeves should remain securely in place. Many blue-collared working men prefer the basic roll over other techniques, as it’s cool, comfortable and easy to perform.

The Master Roll

Perhaps the most formal way to roll up your shirt sleeves is the master roll. It allows for a clean, stylish appearance while also revealing underlying colors or geometric designs of the shirt. To perform the master roll, roll up your shirt sleeves to about your elbows. Next, press down against the fabric to smooth out any wrinkles. You can then roll the bottom half of the folded fabric up to cover the exposed top half.

Other Tips for Rolling Up Your Shirt Sleeves

Regardless of which method you choose, make sure it doesn’t restrict your movement. If you fold your sleeves up to high or too tight, it may prevent your from moving your arms in a full range of motion. You should still be able to move your arms with your sleeves rolled up.

Also, some shirts have buttons and fastening swatches designed specifically for rolling up sleeves. If your shirt has these, you can use them to secure your sleeves in place after rolling them up.

References:

https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/roll-shirt-sleeves/