How to wear a suit: Dressing for success

6 min read

So, you have a big interview or a new job. It’s perfectly understandable if you’re wondering how to wear a suit. It can feel intimidating not knowing the dress code for work. But we’re here to tell you it’s OK. We’ll talk you through how to wear a business suit, how to wear a suit casually and answer the dreaded question: “Must I wear a suit to an interview?” We’ll also touch on black tie to clear up any confusion! Let’s get into it.

Should I wear a suit to an interview?

There’s no simple answer, I’m afraid. But when you dress for an interview, be sure of one thing: You look like you care. If you’re asking yourself “should I wear a suit to an interview”, think about the job. You want to work as a banker, consultant or lawyer? Wear a suit. Want to work in the creative industry? Dress smart but mirror the office culture. But never wear jeans. They just aren’t serious enough. You want to look good, sure. But you want to look like you care about getting the job.

What is a business suit?

What we know as a business suit in the 21st century used to be called a lounge suit. This differentiated it from tuxedos, morning dress or evening suits. These three are all for social occasions. The business suit is for work-related formalities.

A typical business suit is a “two-piece” suit. That means a suit jacket with matching trousers. The jacket can either be double or single-breasted and the trousers tend to be pleated or flat-fronted. Acceptable colours include navy, blue, grey and charcoal. You can add a waistcoat to the outfit for an added touch of style.

Can you wear a suit to a black tie affair?

It’s a good question. The answer is, traditionally, no. At least not the business suit you wear to work. A black tie event typically involves a bow tie with a white dress shirt, a black or midnight blue tuxedo, and matching dress trousers. It’s become fashionable to go without the bow tie and wear an open collar with the tuxedo. But bear in mind that’s not your standard look. Black-tie events are formal and take place after 7pm.

Extra tips on how to wear a business suit

Circling back to our trusted business suit, we have a few extra tips for you to bear in mind. Each of these comes with the disclaimer that, while there are traditions and guidelines, you should ultimately dress in a way that you feel comfortable. At IE Business School, we believe in becoming the best version of yourself rather than moulding yourself into what other people expect of you. Do what you will with our advice. But remember that how you dress is simply an extension of your own sense of character.

What colour for a business suit?

As touched on before, business suits tend to be navy or charcoal. But you can push the boat out with a mid-blue or grey and you’ll still be dressed appropriately.

What fabric for a business suit?

Your standard choice is worsted wool. If you see the word “Super” followed by a number when shopping, that’s an indication of the wool’s fineness. Higher means lighter, lower is heavier. This isn’t a case of better or worse—you should just bear in mind that finer wool needs more care. Choose Super 110-130 for your day-to-day suit. Super 140-160 is more appropriate for special events.

How should a suit fit?

We can’t all afford a designer suit, though this is always preferable. The best pointers to picking a suit that fits well is to ensure the sleeve, should and trouser measurements are a match to your frame. Pick a business suit that makes you stand straighter but doesn’t cling tight. The jacket should fit comfortably across your shoulders and button up easily.

What suits should I wear for work?

The best suit style tip is to find a cut that suits you and purchase it in three to four different fabrics and colours, then mix and match with various shirts and ties. With this initial investment, you’ll have countless business outfit options for years to come.

How do you button your suit?

If your jacket’s single breasted with three buttons: Always button the middle, never the last, sometimes the first. You can unbutton it all when sitting. If your jacket’s double breasted, then fasten all buttons apart from the bottom one. A double-breasted suit should stay buttoned when you sit down.

What shirt to wear with a business suit?

Choose a crisp white twill or cotton-poplin shirt. Pale blue and lilac can also work if they match the color of your suit. We would suggest avoiding patterned shirts, but if the rest of your outfit is muted enough, that’s down to your judgment. Buttoned cuffs are perfectly acceptable for day-to-day wear. Stick to a point or spread collar for a classic aesthetic.

What tie goes with my business suit?

You can’t go wrong with a satin or silk necktie. A plain or patterned tie can work with a simple businesss suit, but a novelty tie isn’t appropriate. Muted colors and pastel tones will work well for a professional look. When tying the knot, ensure your tie falls to your belt. Just above is too short and just below is too long. A relaxed half-windsor knot will do just fine.

What shoes do I wear with a business suit?

Black or dark brown leather Oxfords or Derby shoes are a safe choice. Find business shoes made with good quality material—it may cost a little extra, but they’ll last you many years if properly cared for.

What accessories can I wear with my business suit?

There are plenty of options. Watches, tie pin and cufflinks are smart choices, but make sure you don’t mix gold and silver. The same applies for your leather items, such as your belts and bags. They should all be the same shade as your shoes, be that dark brown, light brown or black.

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