Hello handsome, planning to grace a formal occasion? Need some help in your office looks? Or just want to know what’s best when donning a suit? Here is the sacrosanct commandments of wearing suits.

Getting your tailoring right is no simple matter, which is why we’ve carved onto stone (or this post) the 10 unbreakable commandments of wearing suits and wearing it well. I believe this will be an eye opener for many of us.

1. I Am The Best There Is, Thou Shalt Rank No Other Outfits Before Me

No one is as powerful and as unstoppable as a man in a suit ready to conquer his day. All through history, no other form of male clothing has ever screamed “style, power, luxury, sex appeal and elegance” at once like a well-tailored suit has and still does. Every man, should have at least one dapper suit hanging in his closet; one that brings out the Adonis in him. It is also important to cultivate the habit of dressing formally, especially if you intend to widen your network and net worth. You can practice in bits till you get the hang of it.

2. Thou Shalt Not Wear An Ill-Fitting Suit

If you are a lover of men’s fashion, I’m certain you would be able to relate to the dull ache in the chest, brought on by seeing a man wearing a suit and looking like he is being worn by the suit instead. We are well aware that slim fitted suits are in trend at the moment. Regardless of this trend, your suits must always be the right fit. A good way to ensure this is by checking if you are able to slip your hand between your chest and your buttoned jacket in such a way that it feels snug, but at the same time, you have enough room to move your hand. The shoulders of your suit jacket should always hug your own shoulders. Also, try not to go overboard with the shoulder pads. Your suit pants should be a good fit and should NEVER be baggy.

ADVERTISEMENT

3. Thou Shalt Not Take The Name Of Pairing And Matching In Vain

It’s important to know that you cannot randomly pair a suit with just any color of shoes. There’s an art to it. First off, I plead with you, except you are experimenting and pushing boundaries, always ensure that your suits are paired with dress shoes. Please don’t pair it with loafers, sneakers, sandals or slides.

Now that we’ve gotten that out-of-the-way, here is a little guide for matching and pairing suits and shoes:

Black suits: Black shoes (never brown or burgundy shoes).

Navy Blue suits: Black, deep brown, tan or burgundy shoes.

Medium and light gray suits should be paired with black, deep brown or burgundy shoes.

Charcoal grey suits: Black or burgundy shoes (never brown shoes)

Medium to Deep Brown suits: Deep brown or burgundy shoes (never black shoes).

Tan suits: Black, deep brown or Burgundy shoes (never tan brown shoes)

Finally, keep in mind the rule of matching leathers. This is an unspoken rule that states that shoes, belts and other leather items (wristwatches, wallets, briefcases, etc).

4. Remember the Rule of Measure, Keep it Wholly

These are the few unspoken rules of measurement to be kept judiciously. There should never be a gap between the collar of your jacket and that of your dress-shirt. The sleeve of your jacket should be about half an inch higher than the cuffs of your dress-shirt. The hem of your pants must be just at the top of your shoes. The tip of your tie should stop just above your belt buckle. The width of your tie must match the width of your lapel, and the width of the tie bar must not be wider than that of the tie. The jacket must stop just below your pant’s zipper. And if you are extra when it comes to details, try to match the visible collar at the back of your neck to the amount of cuff that is visible (I.e half an inch).

5. Thou Shalt Not Over Accessorise

It is true that in wearing a suit, keeping it simple and minimal is always a safe bet. However, there are a few accessories and pieces of jewelry that are welcome, depending on the occasion. When it comes to jewelry pieces, cuff-links and tie bars are great for all occasions. If cuff-links and a tie bar are going to be worn together, make sure they both match, e.g gold cuff-links with a gold tie bar. Still on the jewelry, never wear a sports watch with your suit, and if you’re going with a leather watch, your safest bet will be a black leather watch, if not, then the rule of matching leathers apply. Other accessories like lapel

pins and pocket squares are welcome. However, with pocket squares, always keep in mind that they should always contrast with the color of your suit. Thus a dark-colored pocket square goes better with a lighter colored suit and vice versa. Finally, please do not play matchy-matchy with your tie and pocket square, the two should not match, either in terms of pattern or in terms of fabric choice.

6. Thou Shalt Not Sweat

This is really common sense. If your sweat glands tend to be disrespectful, please wear an undershirt. This will prevent swear stains. Also carry around a pocket-handkerchief in the inside pocket found on your jacket. Also be generous with the cologne and after shave. It’s not use looking dapper in a suit if you’re oozing that “man sweat” smell capable of wiping a person’s memory.

7. Thou Shalt Not Commit Treason of Creasing

Your suit should be as straightened as is humanly possible. This should be borne in mind at all times. In line with this, you must always unbutton your jacket before sitting down. Asides the fact that you risk looking like a sack of potatoes bursting at the seams, your jacket will remain un-creased when you stand. It is also important to be extremely conscious of this while driving.

8. Thou Shalt Knot Stylishly

When a tie is to be worn, the classic Windsor knot is your best bet. It is important to keep the size of your knot decent. In order to achieve this, you can use the size of your head as a guide on whether to go with a half Windsor knot or a full Windsor knot. Also brethren, may thy tie never be lighter than thy dress-shirt.

9. Thou Shalt Not Bare Thy Hairy Skinny Legs At Thy Neighbors

Please ensure that your legs aren’t peeking through from under your pants when you’re in a sitting position. This is easy, wear longer socks. Remember that your socks are a fashion accessory as well and are capable of making a statement, so choose your pattern wisely. When in doubt or when the occasion is black tie, go with pattern-less socks.

10.Thou Shalt Not Bulge

The general idea of a suit is to give a sleek and smooth look to a man. Brothers, it is foolishness to ruin that debonair sophistication by stuffing your suit pockets till they bulge. When wearing a suit, you should only carry your essentials like your phone, keys, a pen, your slim wallet (if you don’t own one, then just carry your credit cards and your cash), and your handkerchief. Everything else should be left in your car or at home. Another important thing to know is where these items should fit. Your slim wallet, phone, handkerchief and pen should be placed on the inside pockets of your jacket. Most jackets

come with pockets on either side of them. Keys and cash should be placed on either sides of the pocket of your pants. Remember to smooth down your pockets with your hands to ensure there is no tacky.

Other Rules of Suit Wearing to Note

Leave it to rest: Always rest your suit at least two days between wears. It will give fabric which has stretched a chance to relax and return to its original position.

Canvas over bonded: If possible always buy canvased suits as opposed to bonded.

The golden rule: Always ensure that the cuff of your jacket sits no lower than the base of your palm and no higher than your wrist bone. Also ensure that the hem kisses the top of the shoe without a break.

Choose the right fabric: Ensure that you’re wearing the right fabric for the season. Linen and cotton in hot weather and cashmere, tweed or merino in cold seasons.

Get the length right: Always ensure that the skirt of your jacket fully covers your seat.

Know how much shirt sleeve to show: Make sure that your shirt sleeve peeks out no more than a centimetre from beneath the cuff of your jacket.

See a tailor: If in doubt go made-to-measure or, if you can afford it, bespoke. There’s nothing better than having a suit cut to fit you.

Pick the right footwear: If you can avoid it, don’t wear any type of boots with a suit.

Understand what suits your frame: When it comes to choosing between double and single breasted suits, it’s really a matter of taste.

Don’t over accessorise: Only ever wear a maximum of three accessories with your suit.

That’s it on the Ten Commandment of Wearing Suits, do check out this page from time to time as we bring you style tips from time to time.

For general fashion and lifestyle inspiration on Instagram, tap that Follow button – @stylishgwin_africa

See also: Ways Men Can Rock Their African Prints

Tell us what you think in the comment section below.

View: All our Wedding Style Collection Lookbooks

Keep up to date with Stylish Gwin Africa via any of these links: Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter. Chat on Whatsapp