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How to Care for Your Favorite Suit

September 22nd, 2009 by Victor R. Santerino

by Victor R. Santerino

Suits require some care. Usually all we do is hang them up between wearing them. When we buy a suit, it is probably for a specific event and once that event is over, the suit gets cleaned and hung in the closet until next time.

The next time we need to wear the suit, we will take it out of the closet, put on again, clean it if needed and put it right back in the closet again. You will notice a tradition here. This is all that you will do with your suit and you think this is enough.

Once again, you will need to wear your suit, and you remove it from your closet but this time you realize that moths have ruined your thousand dollar suit. Only then will you think that you really should have taken better care of your suit.

Moths don’t need to be left alone with your suit for too long to destroy it. Cedar is a great repellant. There are many products available to deter these little critters, but the ultimate is a wardrobe made of cedarwood.

After a men’s suit is cleaned, it should be hung up without creasing. You should hang it straight, just as you would wear it. Avoid sunlight. If the sun shines in the direction where you hang your suit and this occurs regularly, you will notice that your suit will lose its color in the area where the material is exposed.

When you take a trip, put your suit in a travel bag. These nylon bags come equipped with a hanger for your suit and the bag can be zipped up. A high quality travel bag will let you fold your suit carefully and won’t leave too many creases. When you arrive at your location, you should straighten out your suit and let it hang in a natural position for as long as you can.

As for cleaning, look around and ask for advice. Pick a dry cleaners that has been in business for a long time. A lot of the newly opened dry cleaners hire young people and don’t actually do the cleaning at their own business. They ship all of their clothes away for cleaning. Find a cleaners that cleans at the same place where their business is located.

At the same time, try to find a cleaner who will also carry out suit care alterations if required. Even if it’s simply a case of an expanding waistline. None of us stay the same shape forever.

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Discount Suits. Are They Worth The Money?

September 17th, 2009 by Victor R. Santerino

In the old days, if you wanted a suit, your choices were limited. You could visit a tailor and have a suit made or you could visit a department store. Today, options are much greater. Discount suits are available all over. Big-box discount stores carry suits as do, surprisingly, grocery stores in large cities where you can find a suit, ties, and even a dress shirt for less than $100.

When considering how much to spend on a suit, think about how often and in what context you plan to wear it. If it will be something you intend to wear often it might be wise to invest money in something of better quality. There is, after all, truth to the old saying, “You get what you pay for!”

Although you may have a choice in suit colors, a black suit would be a wise purchase for the occasional suit wearer.

The two most popular occasions for wearing a suit are weddings and funerals, a black suit would fit in perfectly in both situations.

A less expensive suit will most likely crease after a full day of wear. If you plan on wearing your suit to work each day, this can leave your garment in less than desirable shape. After several weeks of this, you may be considering purchasing a more expensive suit made of virgin wool or other crease-resistant fabric.

However, for the occasional wearer it could be the answer. When sold with a suit and tie you can even be fairly certain that the colors are correctly co-coordinated.

Cheaper suits are not hand made, so it is more likely for some defects to occur. A lining may come unstitched, or a button may become loose, but don’t panic. Since you have spent a relatively small amount on this suit, you should not be overly concerned with small flaws.

Buying a less expensive off the rack suit can help you avoid a trip to the tailor for alterations. However, due body shape differences, it may be difficult to achieve a perfect fit with a standard size. If you are able to find a discount suit that fits reasonably well and you know you will not wear it often, it may be the ideal choice for you.

Looking for higher quality suits like saville row suits and other popular brands? Come to our website and read about fantastic suits like hardwick, brioni, calvin klein, zegna, and even the ralph lauren suit

Men’s Wool Suits. What’s So Special About Wool?

September 11th, 2009 by Victor R. Santerino

Wool has many individual characteristics making it the perfect choice of suit material. It’s not just sheep that provide the raw material, but also some goats, camels and even the llama.

Even though wool may be more expensive to produce, the costs to purchase may be higher, and efforts to maintain may be more work than some synthetics, wool is still the number one choice of that portion of the public that is fashion conscious and particular. Suits made from wool not only look fabulous, but they are warm and comfortable.

Virgin wool, which means wool being used for the very first time is of better quality than recycled wool, although more expensive, but all in all, in grading wool for quality, the best wool is that which has the thinnest strands and no imperfections.

For additional qualities and better appearance, sometimes it is made with a combination of wool and polyester. In fact wool is considered to be the best choice for the industry. The suit made out of original wool is most comfortable to wear.

Men’s suits made from wool have much to offer, and those made from slightly heavier wools are ideal for winter, or in generally cold climates. The loft of wool, which allows air to be trapped in the fibers, which then heat from the body can warm, makes an excellent insulation, much as occurs from the thin layer of water in a diver’s wetsuit. In wet weather, wool is always warmer because it has the ability to hold a lot of water before becoming soaked through.

Wool suits travel well. If the suit is made from virgin wool, it may often be taken from a suitcase after a flight, and be perfect and ready to wear. Wool resists creasing and maintains its shape well. Care must be taken, however, in using an iron on wool. Steam can soften it, and allow you to press it carefully into shape, but using a dry iron can damage the protein fibers, often beyond repair.

Always allow a wool suit to dry out naturally if it has become wet. It’s important to lay the suit out flat to relieve pressure on any part of it, as wool loses its strength when it is wet.

The wool suit is a proud symbol and every man should keep at least one in his wardrobe. Although it may initially cost more than other clothes, in the long run we will find it cheaper when compared to its longevity.

Searching for a superb new suit to wear today? Check out my suit store for some super deals on blue, black, charcoal, and many other shaded suits.

Discount Suits. Are They Worth The Money?

September 10th, 2009 by Victor R. Santerino

It is becoming more and more common to find ready-to-wear men’s suits being sold alongside groceries and other household wares in local discount stores and super centers. Often times, less than one hundred dollars can buy you a suit, shirt, and tie. But are these suits worth the money? Convenience-wise, yes. But if often depends on your intended use of the suit.

Much will depend upon how often you are intending to wear the new suit. After all, if there is one thing that can be certain, the quality and longevity of a hundred dollar suit cannot possibly match more expensive garments, but if you only wear a suit once or twice a year and cannot afford an expensive designer label, then it might just be worthwhile.

You can still have a choice, but almost certainly if you are the aforementioned rare occasion wearer, then you will surely decide upon black as the preferred color.

Lets be honest, if you are considering this as a cheap answer, you will probably only be needing to wear a suit to weddings or funerals. In this case, black is a perfect choice.

An additional benefit of buying a discount suit off the rack is that they often come paired with a color-coordinated shirt and tie. For many of us, an innate sense of fashion is not a strength. The convenience of this is wonderful.

For those that only need a suit on occasion, the less expensive option could be the perfect solution. A suit set sold together will most likely have properly coordinated colors.

Cheaper suits are not hand made, so it is more likely for some defects to occur. A lining may come unstitched, or a button may become loose, but don’t panic. Since you have spent a relatively small amount on this suit, you should not be overly concerned with small flaws.

Buying a less expensive off the rack suit can help you avoid a trip to the tailor for alterations. However, due body shape differences, it may be difficult to achieve a perfect fit with a standard size. If you are able to find a discount suit that fits reasonably well and you know you will not wear it often, it may be the ideal choice for you.

Searching for better quality suits like saville row suits and other popular brands? Come to our website and read about great suits like gucci, prada, calvin klein, burberry, and even the ralph lauren suit

A Few Tips on How Heavy Men Can Look Great in a Suit

August 13th, 2009 by Victor Santerino

by Victor Santerino

While there are ways to worry about losing weight, you should not have to worry about figuring out how to look your best now. Anyone will look good in a suit, and many big men are suit wearers. Suits can allow you to create the most favorable visual image when dressed appropriately, while adding a sense of style and class to your image.

Curious to find out what we are talking about here? Well, there’s a lot of information out there on what kind of suits compliment the figure of a tall well-built man. But what if you are of a shorter kind and, in addition, somewhat overweight? How can larger men choose a suit that will disguise unfavorable features of their bodies? We are not talking about a suit that will necessarily make you look thin, but the one that will not make you look bigger and heavier.

What about finding the right suit? The right suit to provide the right enhancements of some features, while possibly disguising others. Well, to be honest you will probably have to have a suit made by a professional tailor who understands how lines, colors, and the cut of a suit will affect your appearance. Keep in mind that albeit it pricey, a personalized professionally made suit will fit better than anything else you own, while being an investment that can last the rest of your life.

Next, the color. As we all know, black has a slimming effect. Choose black or a very dark gray or blue alternative. Start with this in mind when you go for your first measure.

Consider a pinstripe. A pinstripe can do a lot for the look of the suit, and the slimming effect. Avoid patterns, but keep in mind a thin pinstripe on a dark blue suit would be a great look.

Stick to the lightweight materials. Again, you should discuss this with the tailor and he will inform you of the options. Many lightweight materials are available that can be tailored to fit beautifully.

Quite important also is the often overlooked fact that you may lose weight. Consider this before you purchase any men’s suit, because there could be nothing more pointless than having your suit made to measure, then changing your measurements.

The final step is to complement your suit with the right dress shirt and tie. These additions should also work with your body, not against it. The best shirt color to go with a dark suit is white.

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What Style Shoes Go With My Suit?

August 6th, 2009 by Victor R. Santerino

by Victor R. Santerino

Nothing will detract from the look of a great suit more than choosing the wrong color or style of shoes. Don’t make the common mistake of thinking that one pair of dress shoes will match every suit in your wardrobe!

Classic black dress shoes will always be the number one choice with conservative suit colors such as navy, black and dark grey. If you must use brown shoes, be sure to pick a very dark brown. Medium to light brown will certainly clash with dark suits.

Just the opposite effect is needed with light colored summer suits, or white suits. Choose a shade of light tan or light brown to minimize the contrast between the shoes and the suit. A belt with more color contrast will help draw the eye away from the shoes.

Remember, when people see you they will see your whole outfit, including the shoes. Too often wearers only check their appearance in the mirror from the waist up! A simple and effective way to “tie” your look together is to always choose a tie that is the same color, or contains some of the same color as your shoes. This will help bring your ensemble together, even if you are not sure your shoes are a perfect match.

Slip-on shoes should never be worn to any formal event. Always use lace-ups. Remember too, that even lace-ups with wide spaces between crossovers can appear casual, so choose carefully.

The material or finish of the shoes is also significant. Shiny shoes of black leather may work well with a black business suit.

There are certain shoe materials and styles that should be avoided. Suede shoes (such as Hush Puppies), slip-ons, and loafers are not appropriate with business suits, and don’t work well with suits in general.

Keep your shoes clean and polished. Be sure your socks match the color of your pants, unless you are wearing a light brown suit, in which case you should match your socks to your shoe color.

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Are You Dressing for Your Body Type?

August 1st, 2009 by Torrey Lee

by Torrey Lee

Dressing for your body type is crucial for men of style. Simply put, the best dressers understand the importance of dressing for body type. This is an essential skill for men of all sizes.

A man’s suit should always fit with ease, a well dressed man will not find it a need to constantly pull here and adjust there instead his clothes will be in constant harmony with his body frame. That is why dressing for your body type is so key to men’s fashion. You will look great and feel good about your look!

It’s important that a man not rely on salesmen to tell him if a garment fits, after all, they ARE salesmen, the way your suit fits is not even of secondary importance to them. They are concerned with a commission while you are concerned with looking great. You need to now your stuff and be able to call your own shots when it comes to dressing for your body type.

Heavy set or bigger men often look for clothes that give a “slimming effect” or atleast help hide the extra baggage. Some things he can do is dress in dark, striped or solid, 2-button single breast suits. These are wonderful because they do not draw attention to horizontal lines or a man’s bulk. He should look to emphasize height because it draws away from the emphasis on bulk. He should wear suits jackets that are cut generously around the waist. His suit pants should be worn at the natural waist(fastens at the belly button or above), this helps to lengthen the leg line(to look taller) and cover the stomach.

Taller men try to stay away from looking gangly and/or gawky. A few things that they can do is wear heavier cloths and also patterns that are a somewhat busier, such as windowpanes and plaids, these make him look fuller and less like a toothpick. Accessorize in detail, his breast pocket should always have a handkerchief, and his shirts should have cufflinks. A tall thin man’s jacket shoulders should extend slightly past his natural shoulder width. His suit jacket should always have atleast 3 outside pockets, some fashion experts suggest 4 pockets instead. A tall man’s suit pants should always be cuffed atleast an inch and a half.

Shorter guys should try to wear clothes that accentuate length visually and avoid cutting the torso in half. This is easily done. In his case, solids and stripes are his friend. Solids should be a staple of the shorter man’s arsenal, because they help make him appear taller and leaner. Stripes are great because they encourage the eye to view in a up and down pattern, but be aware that the stripes on a suit should be no more than 3/4 of an inch apart and even less for shirts. He looks much better in suits than in odd jackets and trousers because the latter cuts him in half visually causing him to appear shorter than in reality.

Very muscular men want to find suits that accommodate their large upper physique without making their waist and lower physique appear large as well. This is easy when dressing for your body type. He should look for unpadded or lightly padded shoulders, others wear padding to have shoulders that look like his, he doesn’t need them. Adding extra will only be overkill. He has a big chest, so he should choose suit coats that have a bit of waist suppression (meaning that it comes inward a little bit at the bottom). That way his waist does not look as wide as his large chest.

Dressing for your body type is both an art & a science. Tons of research has been done on behalf of men who wish to dress well. So please use it, and remember to have fun while selecting your clothing and stylings. The clothes don’t always make the man but sometimes they can!

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The Ideal Dress Shirt For Your Suit

July 14th, 2009 by christopher schopf

by Victor Santerino

It is universally accepted that you are judged by your appearance. Nothing else in your wardrobe other than an attractive suit can stand testimony to this statement. But, your suit is complete only when it is donned with the right additional items like, shoes, tie, shirt, etc.

The most important of these accessories is a compatible shirt. Just as you must ensure that your suit fits you, the shirt you wear with it must fit the suit. If they are not well-matched, then you can be sure that the impression that you are trying to convey about yourself will be lost.

It is common these days for celebrities in magazines and on-screen to loosen their ties or undo the top few buttons on their shirts to achieve an air of informality. It is advisable however, to leave that style to the stars. While some individuals have been inspired to imitate this look to appear younger, it rarely fools anyone. But it will encourage others take you less seriously.

Actually, it is quite simple to match your suit and shirt. If your closet can boast of a collection of suits and meticulously selected shirts, you are ready to dress immaculately for any event. Following are a few tips which should prove useful.

With solid colored suits wear shirts with thin strips for business or patterns when attending social events. Black suits should be accompanied by shirts in pastel shades of yellow, blue, beige and white. If wearing a brown or tan suit, you can look refined in a pale blue, pink or off-white shirt. However if it’s cream or white, the same pastel colors will appear washed out, so darker tones should be used.

A navy blue suit appears gorgeous with a light pink, light blue, navy blue or white shirt. In case it is pin-striped or designed, you may go for bright colors.

We may be giving the impression that we are concentrating a lot on looking perfectly attired, instead of trying to appear elegant. But, we are frequently known by how we present ourselves and first impression matters a lot. If you do not succeed in creating the right first impression, you are running behind in the race.

Apparently, these are a few tips of value in the business arena. You have to remember to create the right impact instantly. Donning the well-matched suit shirt will certainly enhance the effect you wish to create.

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Easy Ways To Buy A New Suit

June 25th, 2009 by Ronald B. Sachron

by Ronald B. Sachron

Sometimes it can be hard to buy a new suit because of all of the contradictory advice that hits you from all sides. People claiming to be style experts recommend all kinds of crazy outfits and the latest styles coming down the runway, but just because they look great on a model doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to be the best choice for the average guy. Here are the things that really matter when buying a suit.

You must decide upon the right color for your required use of the suit. Many of these choices are dependent upon whether or not you will be wearing your suit for business or social gatherings. For example a pinstripe suit looks fantastic in the office but there is no place for such attire at informal occasions.

Style is also quite important. You can choose between single or double breasted. double breasted suits have recently experienced a resurgence in the fashion world, and are once again quite in vogue.

Have your suit custom measured to your body. It doesn’t cost much, and a tailored fit always looks better than an off the rack item.

Of all the fabrics available for suits today, wool is generally the most popular and best choice. Wool fabric has qualities of durability and longevity which other fabrics simply cannot match.

Consider your surroundings when you choose a suit. If you wish to wear your suit every day to a hot office, you should steer clear of both heavier wools and linen suits, because heavy wool will make you sweat, and linen suits will crease after a days work. So for work, choose a wool and polyester blend which will give you the best of both.

Consider your entire ensemble. You must match your shirt and tie carefully, and your shirt must be nice enough to wear alone. You need to have the freedom to remove your jacket without your shirt embarrassing you.

Finally, you might want to get some advice from your partner or spouse. After all, they will always give you good and critical advice. Even though you have the building blocks to make some good choices now, your other half can give you that confirmation and help you know how great you look in your new suit!

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Learn How To Match Your Suit And Tie Perfectly

June 12th, 2009 by Finatta R. Correl

by Finatta R. Correl

Sometimes people never look right in a suit and tie, maybe it is because they are the wrong type of person for the suit. Some people may look untidy even though they are wearing a suit. I have a son who is like this. No matter what he would be wearing, he always looks like a pile of junk.

Another reason for this could be that the suit, tie, shirt and shoes just do not complement one another. In a number of cases, this is the very origin of the problem. A majority of the men are not in a position to match the entire outfit, or just couldn’t be bothered with it.

Most of the time you should try your best to look great according to the phrase: “clothes maketh the man.” This should always be the case for all situations. It isn’t very hard.

It’s nowhere near as easy to pick a suit that will look great with a shirt and tie you already possess, so start with the suit. Hopefully, when you bought it you gave plenty of thought to the style, fabric and color. If it’s a made to measure variety, the tailor will certainly have had some input regarding each of these points. Unless feeling a little outrageous, stick with plain dark colors.

If you are looking to have a powerful suit, look for the suit to contain navy blue, the shirt to be white, and a regular dark tie. This combination will make you look professional and formal. A few alternative choices could be blue pastels. Just make sure that the tie contrasts with the rest of the color scheme.

Ties with a design are prone to be more casual in their use and ought to be worn that way. They should not be worn along with printed shirts as the overall effect will signify that you have gone a bit too far with your efforts.

Men’s suits having light shades need shirts of lighter shades to go with them. These can agree well with printed ties. A beautiful, preferably striped, silk tie would seem ideal.

Lastly, while wearing shirt, suit and tie all of which have more than one shade, make sure that each one of them has a semblance of the main suit color. Give a long and hard look in the mirror or seek a second impression which will always be very handy.

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