It’s something to keep in mind, not only for yourself and store staff, but also for customers. Our advice? Get to know the men’s stores and tailors in your town and point customers in the right direction, especially if you see they’re shopping for an engagement ring or a graduation present that may indicate a big event on the horizon.

Of course, wearing a suit isn’t like pulling on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. To be comfortable, it needsto fit right- and when one does fit right, you’ll feel as though you were wearing those comfortable items! For that there’s a range of options that will work for almost any budget. Even if a vintage sport coat is picked up at the local thrift shop, spending a few more dollars at a reliable tailor can make it fit better and wear like a favorite broken-in denim jacket.

Know your terms!

Just like fine jewelry, it’s important to know what to look for. If you’ve got the means and the inclination to make a purchase that also becomes an experience, have a bespoke suit made. The very highest level of suit making, bespoke indicates that a tailor will draw a unique pattern by hand based on your measurements. Creating a bespoke suit will require several fittings and a lot of time. (Do not embark on this path when realizing that you’ve got a formal affair in two weeks. Allow yourself several months and look on it as an experience to be savored over time.) The tailor will work with you to design something that works well with your body, expresses your personality and tastes, and that is of the highest quality to stand the test of time. You can also get a personalized touch at madeto- measure or custom shops. Very often a fine gentlemen’s clothing store will offer these services as an add-on to their “off-the-rack” sales. Here a tailor will take some measurements and make subtle adjustments to an already existing pattern to create something that fits most men quite well.