Cotton suit, $546 by J.Crew

6

Suit Mistakes
to Avoid

We're a casual society these days. Most men don't have to wear a suit all that often. But when the occasion calls for getting dressed up and you put in the effort—pulling on the jacket, knotting up a tie and tucking in a pocket square, you want to look damn good when you're done. So make sure you're not committing these all-too-common suit blunders.

 
1

Keeping It "Store Fresh"

You might see some guys wearing suits with the brand's fabric label still stitched to the bottom of the sleeve. You don't want that there. Take it off carefully with a small pair of scissors or a seam ripper, and do it as soon as you get your suit home. The same goes for the small threads (known as tack stitching) securing the vents and pockets. Those are only used to keep the jacket's shape while it's shipping and on the rack at the store.

 
2

Not Having It Tailored

When it comes to suits, the fit is the most important factor in how good you'll look in it. Maybe you've hit the jackpot and found a suit that fits almost perfectly right off the rack. That's fantastic. But trust us when we tell you that no matter how nice you think it looks now, a tailor will undoubtedly improve it—by nipping in the waist a bit or hemming the pants and sleeves to the ideal length.

Cotton suit,
$546 by
J.Crew

 
3

Buttoning Your Last Button

If your jacket closes with more than one button, you always leave that last button unfastened. The reason why is a something of a murky myth: Many point to King Louis XIV, who became too heavy to close all of the buttons on his formal jacket before a grand ball. In deference to the king, the other men at court left their last buttons undone too. And now, it's simply a respected tradition that we've all agreed looks best.

 
4

Storing It Improperly

Don't simply hang your suit up, sealed in the plastic garment bag from the store. You want it to breathe and maintain its shape. Store your suit in a cloth garment bag (or at least, keep the plastic garment bag unzipped half way to allow air in). Your jacket may've come with a plastic hanger, but you should spring for a well-made wooden one. They have a substantial shape to the shoulder and arch forward slightly, supporting the jacket's shape. Keep pants wrinkle free with the "Savile Row fold," developed decades ago by British tailors. Grab the pants by the legs and fold one through the hanger until the hem reaches the crotch. Finish by folding the second leg similarly over the first.

 
5

Matching Your Tie and Pocket Square

Once considered a go-to move for groomsmen everywhere, this look tends to lack personal style and makes you look like you're wearing some kind of cheap suit starter kit. Remember the rule of thumb: Your accessories (be it your tie and pocket square or belt and shoes) should complement each other but not match.

 
6

Wearing Black

This one's pretty simple. A black suit is just too extreme and should generally be reserved for funerals and black tie events. Your best bet? Go with a classic navy or charcoal grey suit, paired with shoes in shades of brown. Bonus: Shirts of practically any color will pair nicely with navy or grey.

Ready for Wedding Season?

You'll likely be suiting up this spring and summer for a few celebrations. We provided some of our best tips and hacks on everything from style to grooming for Huckberry's well-stocked wedding shop.