Buying a suit

Depends. If it's for business wear, a pattern in grey or navy perhaps. I like windowpanes better than stripes, because I think them more versatile. Not sure what you mean. I'll wear a suit tieless, but never (except for upcoming interviews) without pocket square. I would go for a soft-sided brief in tan or brown leather (far too much black in the world, in my view). A Hermes if you can afford it. If not, there's lots of leather specialists out there. Austrian shoe-craftsmen Ludwig Reiter have an accessoires lines now, for instance. If you find a good leather stockist than their house brand is often a great bet. I would recommend a camel one, double-breasted if it's colder where you live. I say camel because you can wear it with anything (can't really wear a blue coat over a black suit, and vice-versa), and I just like the colour. If camel doesn't agree with your skintone, try a medium grey. I have three I wear with suits. A black double-breasted one in cashmere, a navy single-breasted polo coat (that's a style, not a marque) in lambswool, and a traditional khaki-coloured trenchcoat for the rain. I plan to add a double-breasted polo coat in camelhair (colour and material) when I see one that I like. Peace, JG

This may seem obvious, and I don't know how old you are or if you always wear suits, but when you buy your overcoat, make sure to try it on with what you wear most underneath. When I bought mine last year, I made the stupid mistake of trying it on with a suit jacket underneath. At my regular size (38), I didn't feel I had the mobility I wanted in my arms, but now I've got one that's one size too big. I don't know, but when I bought it, I think i was a bit over-anxious cause I don't wear suits to school and that didn't seem to register till much later =/ When I have sweaters on underneath, I can feel that the coat is too big and I noticed it looks kinda sloppy in the back (when I tried it on, I got front and side views). I like really tailored things so that's a big issue for me heh. This year I'm gonna see if I can get it tailored so that it fits a bit better. If he thinks he can't change it too much because it'll ruin where the pockets are or something, I'll just have to buy a new one i guess... The one I have right now falls to just below the knees. It's a dark charcoal and it looks good with a lot of things. If you intend to wear the coat with things other than suits, you might want to consider not getting a full-length one. I find I look ridiculous with a full length coat on.. It's too businessy. The point is, don't be over-eager like me. Make sure it fits perfectly first.