How to choose the perfect suit for work
A fitting suit can elevate your confidence and professionalism, setting you on the right track for the day. Whether you've just got a new job working in an office or want to upgrade your attire, you may be wondering how to choose one.
From the fabric and colour, there are a few things to consider when buying a suit, and nailing the dress code can sometimes be tricky.
Whatever your work environment, we've got you covered with our buying guide so you can look and feel your best at work.
What to consider when choosing your suit
When picking a suit, the ultimate decision will depend on your personal preferences so you feel comfortable throughout the day. However, there are a few details to consider for a professional work setting, like style, colour, and fabric.
Your office dress code
First, you must know the dress code, especially when starting a new job. You don't want to wear a three-piece suit if the policy is business casual, but showing up in jeans and a blazer when the code is formal may look like you haven't made an effort.
Before looking for a suit, check with your manager what the dress code is so you can make the best decision.
The style
The type of suit you need will usually come down to how formal the workplace is. Although a three-piece suit offers impressive tailoring, a two-piece is your best option for everyday workwear.
Two-piece suit
Tailored Fit Navy Plain Two Piece Suit — £149
The classic choice: a two-piece suit offers versatility and is ideal for an average day in the office.
A tailored fit may be best for work, as the sleek design with tapered trousers still has a roomy feel for comfort — perfect if you're sat down most of the day.
If your workplace is business casual, you may be able to lose the tie to give you more of a relaxed, yet still professional, look. In some cases, you can ditch the blazer jacket and opt for smart trousers, shirt and brogues combination instead.
Find out more about casual suit style with our guide.
Three-piece suit
Tailored Fit Grey Check Three Piece Suit — £299
Although it won't be your everyday attire, a three-piece suit is a great choice to impress in a big meeting at work. Designed with sophistication in mind, this style will be a welcome change from your standard go-to suit.
Pair with a crisp white shirt and tie to finish your polished look. Keeping your accessories simple will let the suit do the talking.
Read our 9 top tips for when to wear a waistcoat to learn more about how to style your three-piece suit for work.
The fabric
The fabric of your suit can make a difference to your overall look. For example, velvet may be too fancy and is best reserved for black tie occasions, whereas wool is the classic choice for an office environment.
Wool
Tailored Fit Plain Two Piece Suit — £145
Wool is a popular fabric choice for a business suit due to its refined aesthetic and durability. A high-quality wool suit should last you for years if taken care of, so you won't have to buy a new one too often.
The natural thickness of wool is also a preferred material of tailors as it can hold shape well, flattering any body type.
Although a wool suit will provide warmth during the colder months, it can be worn all year round. Due to the natural, breathable fibres, wool allows body heat to escape when it's hot and traps it when it's cool.
Wool also has a resistance to wrinkles, so you won't have to worry about creases sitting at your desk.
Discover our top tips for looking after your wool suit.
Linen
Tailored Fit Linen Blazer — £99
If your work has a more casual dress code, it may be your opportunity to invest in a linen suit for the warmer months. Thanks to its lightweight and breathable qualities, linen provides comfort during hot conditions. Besides — offices can get stuffy.
But remember — linen creases easily, so regular dry cleaning will be needed to keep it looking fresh.
If your workplace has a formal dress code, it may be best to stick to a traditional wool suit.
The colour
Regarding the colour of your suit, you generally have three options for the office: navy, charcoal, or grey. Although black is a versatile choice, it can often be seen as too formal.
Navy
Tailored Fit Plain Two Piece Suit — £145
Navy is a standard option for everyday workwear due to its versatility: it can be styled in many different ways. A navy suit can be paired with various shirts, and you can always add a splash of colour and personality with a bright tie.
Or, you could opt for a pinstripe navy suit, with a simple tie and shirt combination, for a classic workwear look.
Charcoal
Regular Fit Plain Two Piece Suit — £115
The perfect alternative to black: a charcoal suit is a sophisticated choice for any gentleman. Whereas black suits look best with black accessories, charcoal is more versatile and can be combined with various colours. Choosing a shirt and tie combination will also be much easier.
Charcoal is also often considered the best colour suit for wintertime. You could even add smart knitwear, like a jumper, underneath on cold days if your workplace is more relaxed.
Grey
Regular Fit Grey Check Two Piece Suit — £75
A lighter grey suit is best reserved for summertime, as they tend to reflect heat rather than absorb it to keep you cool.
If your office is more laid back, you could opt for a subtle check suit for a touch of distinction.
Grey suits look marvellous combined with a blue tie or shirt for a fresh, clean look.
Top tips for choosing a suit
1. Get the fit right
Ensuring your suit fits correctly is crucial to looking your best and feeling comfortable. Besides — if your suit is for the office, you're likely to wear it most days!
From skinny to tailored fit, knowing which cut and style suits your shape best will also help you to make an informed decision.
To learn more, read our suit fits explained guide.
2. Accessorise
Adding accessories to your suit can elevate your look. Although a navy or charcoal suit may seem bland, you can easily dress it up with a brightly coloured tie or pocket square.
Accessories give you various styling options and the opportunity to inject your personal style. Details like cufflinks and a watch will also give you a polished look, helping you to stand out.
Read our guide on how to perfectly match your shirt, suit, and tie to learn more about styling and colours.
3. Aim to have at least two suits
You'll need at least two suits in your rotation, preferably a navy and a charcoal. This will give the fabric — which may have stretched slightly — a chance to rest and return to normal, increasing your suit’s longevity.
You could also have a fancier one in your wardrobe for special meetings, but this is optional.
4. Choose a comfortable fit
You'll probably wear your suit all day, five days a week, if you work in an office. Therefore a design that provides comfort is critical so you can focus on getting your job done.
At Slaters, we provide a free alternations service so you can find the perfect fit and feel your best in your suit.
5. Skip the waistcoat
Unless your workplace has a strict dress code that includes three-piece suits, you can usually skip the waistcoat.
Three-piece suits may feel uncomfortable if you wear them all day. Therefore, they're best saved for special events like formal meetings. You can look just as professional in your everyday workwear with a stylish two-piece.
Selecting a suit for work with Slater Menswear
Now you've learnt the things to consider when selecting a work suit, as well as our top tips, you can put your knowledge to the test. From checked grey suits to two-piece navy designs, we've got you covered. Find the perfect ensemble for the office with our collection of work suits.
Or, if you require even more expert fashion advice, head over to our style inspiration page.
