25 Golden Rules of Suit Etiquette
The suit. Every man should have at least one. They are to women what lingerie is to men and a good suit can work wonders for relationships, careers, and your social life. But what constitutes a good suit? Are you wearing yours correctly? Is it the right fit?
There are so many golden rules to wearing a suit that it can be hard to follow. If you’ve just started a high-flying career that requires you to wear one, or you’re just after a little advice, you’ve come to the right place. Here, Love 2 Laundry has run down the 25 cardinal rules of suit etiquette that you should never forget.
Click on the different areas of the suit below to find out how it should be worn
Suit Etiquette
Select an area to find out the golden rules you should remember when next slipping into your suit
Tie
Tie width should match the width of your lapel
If you have a larger head, use a double Windsor knot. If you have a smaller sized head, use a single Windsor knot
Your tie should be darker than your shirt
Your tie should reach your belt and definitely never be longer than that
Lapels
Depending on your style know this: thin lapels are more modern and wider lapels are a more old school look
Shoulder Pads
Shoulder pads should end at the shoulders. No longer or shorter
Belt
Avoid thick belts. Go for a slimmer option
Match your belt with your shoes
Shoes
Worried about the colour of your shoes? Here’s the lowdown:
Black suit > Black shoes
Dark grey suit > Black shoes
Light grey suit > Black shoes / brown shoes
Blue suit > Black shoes / brown shoes
Brown suit > Brown shoes
Jacket
You should be able to slip your hand in-between your jacket and chest so that it feels snug, but still with room to move
Get the right fabric for the season. In summer, go for lighter materials like linen and cotton and in winter, thicker materials like cashmere, tweed, or merino
If it’s ill fitting, or a little off, get to a tailor. Tailors are often inexpensive ways of making any suit look sharp and made for your body
Charcoal or grey is a better choice for day to day wear over a black suit
Buttons
Never sit down with your suit buttoned up. It risks ruining it
If you’re wearing a two button suit, the top button should be level or above your navel
Always fasten the top button of your shirt. If it’s too tight, your shirts a bad fit
Waistcoat
Wearing a vest with your suit? Keep the button at the button undone
Your waistcoat should finish at your belt, too
Trousers
Trousers should sit at the top of your shoes. Too long and your suit will look too baggy, too short and all your socks (and maybe legs) will be on show
Pocket Square
If you go for a pocket square, you don’t want it to match your tie in colour or fabric
Cuffs
The cuffs of your sleeve should be exposed by around half and inch. They shouldn’t go too far down over your hands.
Socks
Your socks should be long enough to guarantee you don’t expose any leg when sitting down
Shoes
Worried about the colour of your shoes? Here’s the lowdown:
Black suit > Black shoes
Dark grey suit > Black shoes
Light grey suit > Black shoes / brown shoes
Blue suit > Black shoes / brown shoes
Brown suit > Brown shoes
Cuffs
The cuffs of your sleeve should be exposed by around half and inch. They shouldn’t go too far down over your hands.
Socks
Your socks should be long enough to guarantee you don’t expose any leg when sitting down
Shirt
If you find that you sweat a lot, wear an undershirt
Jacket
You should be able to slip your hand in-between your jacket and chest so that it feels snug, but still with room to move
Get the right fabric for the season. In summer, go for lighter materials like linen and cotton and in winter, thicker materials like cashmere, tweed, or merino
If it’s ill fitting, or a little off, get to a tailor. Tailors are often inexpensive ways of making any suit look sharp and made for your body
Charcoal or grey is a better choice for day to day wear over a black suit
Lapels
Depending on your style know this: thin lapels are more modern and wider lapels are a more old school look
Buttons
Never sit down with your suit buttoned up. It risks ruining it
If you’re wearing a two button suit, the top button should be level or above your navel
Always fasten the top button of your shirt. If it’s too tight, your shirts a bad fit
Buttons
Never sit down with your suit buttoned up. It risks ruining it
If you’re wearing a two button suit, the top button should be level or above your navel
Always fasten the top button of your shirt. If it’s too tight, your shirts a bad fit
Buttons
Never sit down with your suit buttoned up. It risks ruining it
If you’re wearing a two button suit, the top button should be level or above your navel
Always fasten the top button of your shirt. If it’s too tight, your shirts a bad fit
Buttons
Never sit down with your suit buttoned up. It risks ruining it
If you’re wearing a two button suit, the top button should be level or above your navel
Always fasten the top button of your shirt. If it’s too tight, your shirts a bad fit
Back
If you have a larger figure, go for a suit with double vents at the back of the jacket
Pockets
Unstitch the pockets, take out tack stitches, and take the embroidered label from the jacket sleeve. Do this carefully, though. You don’t want to ruin your suit!
If you have spent a lot of money on your suit, the last thing you’ll want is for it to look ill-fitting and un-stylish. Follow the 25 of golden rules we’ve run down here and you won’t go wrong.
