The only acceptable attire for a true Gentleman is a suit and should thereby be carefully chosen. Get rid of your t-shirts, jeans and sweatshirts and take a step towards the future. Your first suit will be like an armor, making you feel self-assured and recognized by people. A suit is a timeless piece of clothing and can be your partner for plenty of years. But only if you make the best choices. The following hints and tips will help you get your perfect first suit.

The initial thing to accomplish is to choose the best store. When choosing a suit you may want to remember one crucial aspect: Your suit will probably have to last for a long time. Thus you might want to invest more money into it unlike in a t-shirt you will use just for a season. Don’t go to a budget suit chain store. Not only will you find low value products, but also uninspired salespeople. Pick a more pricey shop, they have more affordable suits, as well. The lowest priced suit in a high-quality shop is a lot better than the high-priced suits you may find in big suit chains. Search the web for the next recommended store or ask a person you know who dresses good. When ever you notice another person walking around the city wearing a good suit you may well even ask him, where he acquired his suit. Don’t be afraid, he will feel flattered by your question.

As soon as you’ve picked a good store, you may want to dress up accordingly. You don’t have to wear a suit to buy a suit, but you should wear the shirt and the shoes you want the suit to fit to. White socks are a total no-go.

The most critical element in a good suit shop (other than the suits of course) is the salesman, who will be your specialist and your best friend for the following minutes. In contrast to you he knows what he is selling and is going to find you a proper suit. But be careful and don’t trust in everything he claims. He will make an effort to sell you the more costly stuff. You ought to fully understand where your price range lies and what you can afford to pay for and what not. If you are unsure about the suits the salesperson is about to recommend, there are a few things you can look out for. First of all the materials. You will definitely want a suit made from 100% wool. It is a natural fiber that breathes and will let you perspire much less and feel more comfortable. Worsted wool is the very best. In case you are not able to pick a suit with 100% wool that fits your budget you can shop for a mix of wool and polyester, but by no means (really never!) buy a suit made from 100% polyester. Plus keep an eye on the fabric weight. Mid-weights are perfect for wearing the whole year. If you’re from a very warm or very cold area then you might have to shop for a different fabric weight. Just ask your salesman, he will know.

When you’ve determined on a suit it is time to put it on. The salesman will still be at your side, commenting on your outfit and how you look, taking measures and telling you if the in-house tailor might be able to make certain corrections.

But there are also some points he will NOT tell you. At least directly to your face. Occasionally it is required to read between the lines.

Part 2 will deal with exact those problems. In the meantime you can head over to The Gentlemans Guide. They have some tips on how to dress like a gentleman as well.

See you next time!