Aaron Recommends: How to Shop Suits

Are you looking to build, revamp or add to your suit wardrobe? Check-out my guide where I share what suits to buy, when to buy them and what to use them for, see below:

(Thumbnail Photo: Foursquare)

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The Workhorse

The first suit I recommend any man (or person who wears traditional men's suits) buy is what I call the workhorse suit. This suit should be more simple and classic than not, single-breasted with two or three buttons and a notch lapel. It should be in either navy blue or charcoal gray and should be made with an all-season fabric so that you are able to wear it through-out the year. I call this the workhorse suit because you can wear it for pretty much any occasion that requires a suit, from job interviews to weddings.

The Workhorse Suit, With a Twist

The second suit you should buy is similar to the first, but with a twist. This suit should still be in navy or charcoal, depending on the color of the first suit, and also done in an all-season fabric. With this suit, you can have more fun stylistically. For example, instead of single-breasted you could go with a double-breasted version and you can also buy this suit in a classic print like a pin or chalk stripe. You can also wear this suit to a variety of occasions, but should probably steer clear of wearing it to job interviews or to most office settings.

The All-Season Special

Next I would buy what I call an all-season special. This suit can be a little more stylized than the first two. While I would still go with an all-season fabric, you can choose a less-traditional silhouette in any neutral color. This is a suit you can wear to social events, dinners or other events that are more dressy, but don't require a more classic look.

The Spring/Summer Seasonal

Once you have the all-season fabric suits down, you can go for a season-specific suit. For spring/summer, linen is a great fabric to go with.

The Fall/Winter Seasonal

For fall/winter suits, go with a thicker fabric such as a heavier wool in darker colors.

The Recreational

If you really love suits, you might want to consider getting what I call a recreational suit. This suit can be pretty much any style, color or fabric, depending on your taste (as long as its tasteful lol). I would wear this suit to more fun events where dressing up was still expected or required, but the exact dress-code isn't super strict.

The Classic Black Tux

As a bonus, I believe that every, or at least most, men should own their own classic black tuxedo to wear to black-tie and very formal events (if you can get a bespoke version, go for it). For your first tuxedo, definitely go the more classic route in either a single or double-breasted version and in a fabric that is versatile to wear year-round. Oh yea, and always satin lapels!