Help a college kid build a suit and shirt!

shadowsnuzzy · Jun 24, 2013

Hey guys,

I'm going to India soon and plan on buying a made to measure suits there (already have one). They are fairly cheap and good quality, but most importantly, allow for a large amount of customization. I also plan on buying shirts.

Here's a little information about me. I'm 18 years old. I like to dress down "dress" shirts with jeans or a sweater. I pretty much wear a shirt everyday in a casual setting. I'm 5'8" and very skinny. I weight 120lbs lol. I also have a rounder face (matter for the collar), I don't think widespread collars or double windsor knots are a good look on me. I plan on wearing these suits to business conferences, meetings, interviews, jazz gigs, ect. I plan on wearing the shirts both with my suits in formal settings as well as casually with jeans.

Note: Criteria in red is my priority for resolving. Either these are most important or I'm clueless when it comes to these features.

Suit:
Lapels: Lapels are suppose to be slimmer right? Any exact guidelines?
Pockets: 2 pockets? Flap, slanted, jetted?
Buttons: 2 buttons or 3? I have 2 right now and it's working pretty well.
Jacket Bottom: Round edge?
Vents: No vent, 1, or 2? I currently have no vents and it does compromise on my flexibility. I read that 2 vents makes you looks like a waiter. What's the deal here, 1 vent?
Material: Always 100% wool right? Some times my current wool suit gets itchy, maybe I can ask them to line the inside of the pants with cotton?

Pant:
Pockets: Vertical or slant pockets?
Pockets: 1 Back pocket or 2?
Cuffs: No cuff or cuffs?
Pleats: Definitely no pleats, this is one thing I know for sure lol

Shirts:
Collar: I'm totally lost here. All I know is widespread isn't a good fit for me. Semi-spread? Cut away? Classic (don't even know what that means)? Also the collar points should be hidden under the suit jacket right? Keep in mind since double windsor knots don't look good on me I"ll probably be wearing four in a hand a lot. Maybe half windsor.
Placket: If I want to wear the shirts casually too no placket is the best option right? I read that plackets are a more formal, dated look.
Back: Plain? Side Pleat? Dart Pleat? Box Pleat? What...?
Bottom: Rounded bottoms are better for casual shirts right? Straight for formal? I recall hearing somewhere that straight shirts tuck into dress pants better and don't have that gross "pillow" look when shirts have excess fabric at the waistline. So I want to get a good tuck, but at the same time I want many of these shirts to be versatile enough to wear casually and I don't think the straight cut looks very good in casual settings. Any advice on this? Maybe get two sets of shirts, one for formal setting and one for casual? That's a last resort as it costs more money.

I'm really just looking for some clarification and feedback as to what would look good on me based on my size, facial shape, and age. Hopefully I'll resolve some of these dilemas before leaving for India in a week!

shadowsnuzzy · Jun 24, 2013

Also, can the suit jacket be used as a blazer with jeans or does one specifically need a sports jacket for that? I've heard people say you can use a suit jacket without the pants while others have said that's a strict "no-no." Thoughts?

PhiPsi32 · Jun 24, 2013

You have quite a bit of latitude in selecting a suit. Wool is a safe choice. Mohair, cashmere, or blended fabrics are also reasonable choices. For your stature, stick with a two button jacket. Creates a deeper "V" and accentuates the vertical line. Stay away from three button or double breasted jackets. Omit the cuffed pants and shoot for a one inch break on the trouser hem. You can go with a single or double vent. Opinions may vary, but the vents make it easier to access your trouser pockets with minimal disruption of the jacket fit.

The trousers should have slant pockets. The jacket pockets are again a matter of personal style. With a round face, stick to a traditional point collar (classic). Use a four in hand knot on your ties. Omit the full or half Windsor. Plackets are always fine unless you want to look "trendy". Do what you like with the back as long as the shirt fits well. The "pillowing" of the shirt is usually a sign of too much girth. Have the shirt taken in at the sides or with darts. Otherwise, focus on the length of the tails. Many dress shirts are designed to be tucked in, and hence have longer tails that hang below the crotch of the trousers. If you want an untucked shirt, keep the tails shorter.

Generally, don't wear a suit jacket as an "odd" jacket. Get a sport coat.

shadowsnuzzy · Jun 24, 2013

Damn, exactly the kind of response I was looking for.. thanks!

Quick question: Obviously 4 in a hand is my go to for ties but is there any knot that's more "formal/sophisticated", perhaps for special occasions, that will suit a round face or should I just 4 in a hand everything forever?

jaywhyy · Jun 24, 2013

shadowsnuzzy said:
Also, can the suit jacket be used as a blazer with jeans or does one specifically need a sports jacket for that? I've heard people say you can use a suit jacket without the pants while others have said that's a strict "no-no." Thoughts?

A solid navy suit jacket can double as an odd jacket, and you'll get away with it unless you meet a real sleevehead. Any striped jackets can absolutely not be used as an odd jacket (unless youre going for the hipster look). Greys should also be avoided.

The giveaways that its an orphan suit jacket will be the buttons. Typical navy blazers will have gold/pewter/MOP/horn buttons that contrast with the jacket. A suit jacket will have darker buttons. Another problem you face using your suit jacket as a blazer is that it will wear much more quickly than your trousers. This can become quite obvious with suits.

In general, I don't recommend it, but it can work in a pinch.

GBR · Jun 25, 2013

Duplicate again

GBR · Jun 25, 2013

shadowsnuzzy said:
Hey guys, I'm going to India soon and plan on buying a made to measure suits there (already have one). They are fairly cheap and good quality, but most importantly, allow for a large amount of customization. I also plan on buying shirts. Here's a little information about me. I'm 18 years old. I like to dress down "dress" shirts with jeans or a sweater. I pretty much wear a shirt everyday in a casual setting. I'm 5'8" and very skinny. I weight 120lbs lol. I also have a rounder face (matter for the collar), I don't think widespread collars or double windsor knots are a good look on me. I plan on wearing these suits to business conferences, meetings, interviews, jazz gigs, ect. I plan on wearing the shirts both with my suits in formal settings as well as casually with jeans. [COLOR=FF0000]Note: Criteria in red is my priority for resolving. Either these are most important or I'm clueless when it comes to these features.[/COLOR] [COLOR=FF0000] [/COLOR] Suit: Lapels: Lapels are suppose to be slimmer right? Any exact guidelines? Pockets: 2 pockets? Flap, slanted, jetted? Buttons: 2 buttons or 3? I have 2 right now and it's working pretty well. Jacket Bottom: Round edge? [COLOR=FF0000]Vents[/COLOR]: No vent, 1, or 2? I currently have no vents and it does compromise on my flexibility. I read that 2 vents makes you looks like a waiter. What's the deal here, 1 vent? Material: Always 100% wool right? Some times my current wool suit gets itchy, maybe I can ask them to line the inside of the pants with cotton? Pant: Pockets: Vertical or slant pockets? Pockets: 1 Back pocket or 2? Cuffs: No cuff or cuffs? Pleats: Definitely no pleats, this is one thing I know for sure lol Shirts: [COLOR=FF0000]Collar[/COLOR]: I'm totally lost here. All I know is widespread isn't a good fit for me. Semi-spread? Cut away? Classic (don't even know what that means)? Also the collar points should be hidden under the suit jacket right? Keep in mind since double windsor knots don't look good on me I"ll probably be wearing four in a hand a lot. Maybe half windsor. Placket : If I want to wear the shirts casually too no placket is the best option right? I read that plackets are a more formal, dated look. Back: Plain? Side Pleat? Dart Pleat? Box Pleat? What...? [COLOR=FF0000]Bottom[/COLOR]: Rounded bottoms are better for casual shirts right? Straight for formal? I recall hearing somewhere that straight shirts tuck into dress pants better and don't have that gross "pillow" look when shirts have excess fabric at the waistline. So I want to get a good tuck, but at the same time I want many of these shirts to be versatile enough to wear casually and I don't think the straight cut looks very good in casual settings. Any advice on this? Maybe get two sets of shirts, one for formal setting and one for casual? That's a last resort as it costs more money. I'm really just looking for some clarification and feedback as to what would look good on me based on my size, facial shape, and age. Hopefully I'll resolve some of these dilemas before leaving for India in a week!

Trousers I would suggest always two back pockets, the symetry looks better and they are useful. Whilst you are thinking about pockets think about inside pockets in the coat as well. Get those that you want including pockets for iphone and so on. There is no need to just have the standard three or four.

Stylishmartita · Jun 25, 2013

Classic shirt collars = straight point collars: they offset facial rotundity so they are generally the best choice for men who have quite a round face.

Some examples of straight point collars:

http://www.neronote.com/nn/guides/shirts-straight-point-collar.3sp

patrickBOOTH · Jun 25, 2013

This thread is like the blind leading the blind.

Two buttons, navy or charcoal, 100% wool, bemberg lined. At least 3.5" lapels with notches. Two standard flap pockets. Always get 2 vents, your waiter analogy makes no sense. The only thing that shouldn't have vents is a dinner jacket. Trouser pockets make no difference, slant is easier to get your hands in. If you get pleats, get one single forward pleat with cuffs, if you get flat front cuff is optional. Your distaste for pleats is irrational. For shirts placket doesn't matter, but always get a spread collar. Point collars don't look good on anybody regardless of face shape. The collar/face shape correlation is bullshit.

Most of your preferences and ideas here stem from the fact that you are young. Go with what I just said to you and you won't kick yourself for making silly mistakes in 5 years if the suit is still around and you will look mature and people will take you more seriously rather than a young fashionista trying to look "fly".

archibaldleach · Jun 25, 2013

patrickBOOTH said:
Two buttons, navy or charcoal, 100% wool, bemberg lined. At least 3.5" lapels with notches. Two standard flap pockets. Always get 2 vents, your waiter analogy makes no sense. The only thing that shouldn't have vents is a dinner jacket. Trouser pockets make no difference, slant is easier to get your hands in. If you get pleats, get one single forward pleat with cuffs, if you get flat front cuff is optional. Your distaste for pleats is irrational. For shirts placket doesn't matter, but always get a spread collar. Point collars don't look good on anybody regardless of face shape. The collar/face shape correlation is bullshit.

Most of your preferences and ideas here stem from the fact that you are young. Go with what I just said to you and you won't kick yourself for making silly mistakes in 5 years if the suit is still around and you will look mature and people will take you more seriously rather than a young fashionista trying to look "fly".

This, though I dislike pleats as well (perhaps it is irrational).

shadowsnuzzy said:
Damn, exactly the kind of response I was looking for.. thanks!

Quick question: Obviously 4 in a hand is my go to for ties but is there any knot that's more "formal/sophisticated", perhaps for special occasions, that will suit a round face or should I just 4 in a hand everything forever?

Unless you are wearing a tuxedo, in which case you need a black self-tie bow tie, a four in hand knot is fine. If you like it and prefer it, wear it. For a "formal" event which requires business attire, just wear a dark suit, white shirt and dark conservative tie. The knot you tie is a distant secondary consideration.

PhiPsi32 · Jun 25, 2013

shadowsnuzzy said:
Damn, exactly the kind of response I was looking for.. thanks!

Quick question: Obviously 4 in a hand is my go to for ties but is there any knot that's more "formal/sophisticated", perhaps for special occasions, that will suit a round face or should I just 4 in a hand everything forever?

Keep it simple. Master the four in hand.

shadowsnuzzy · Jun 25, 2013

patrickBOOTH said:
This thread is like the blind leading the blind.

Two buttons, navy or charcoal, 100% wool, bemberg lined. At least 3.5" lapels with notches. Two standard flap pockets. Always get 2 vents, your waiter analogy makes no sense. The only thing that shouldn't have vents is a dinner jacket. Trouser pockets make no difference, slant is easier to get your hands in. If you get pleats, get one single forward pleat with cuffs, if you get flat front cuff is optional. Your distaste for pleats is irrational. For shirts placket doesn't matter, but always get a spread collar. Point collars don't look good on anybody regardless of face shape. The collar/face shape correlation is bullshit.

Most of your preferences and ideas here stem from the fact that you are young. Go with what I just said to you and you won't kick yourself for making silly mistakes in 5 years if the suit is still around and you will look mature and people will take you more seriously rather than a young fashionista trying to look "fly".

Thanks for the input.

Pleats to me don't look great on younger slimmer people. GQ agrees with this as well, it just goes better with the older audience. And I think the collar thing has some merit because it's not so much that the collar itself looks bad with a round face, as it is the fact that you can't wear four in a hand knots properly on a widespread collar. You need fatter knots to take up all the space like double windsors, and those do not flatter a round face by any means.

brokencycle · Jun 25, 2013

shadowsnuzzy said:
Thanks for the input.

Pleats to me don't look great on younger slimmer people. GQ agrees with this as well, it just goes better with the older audience. And I think the collar thing has some merit because it's not so much that the collar itself looks bad with a round face, as it is the fact that you can't wear four in a hand knots properly on a widespread collar. You need fatter knots to take up all the space like double windsors, and those do not flatter a round face by any means.

I'm pretty sure you just committed blasphemy by using GQ to defend your position.

Two buttons, navy or charcoal, 100% wool, bemberg lined. At least 3.5" lapels with notches. Two standard flap pockets. Always get 2 vents, your waiter analogy makes no sense. The only thing that shouldn't have vents is a dinner jacket. Trouser pockets make no difference, slant is easier to get your hands in. If you get pleats, get one single forward pleat with cuffs, if you get flat front cuff is optional. Your distaste for pleats is irrational. For shirts placket doesn't matter, but always get a spread collar. Point collars don't look good on anybody regardless of face shape. The collar/face shape correlation is bullshit.

I pretty much agree with Patrick. A single pleat is actually my favored style. I don't like how the crease on flat-front trousers just end somewhere on the thigh (full disclosure: I'm wearing flat-front today). 3.5" lapels are probably best, but you might be able to do skinnier, but <3" is a no-go: they'll be out of fashion before your first post-college interview. I also think single-vent is perfectly acceptable.

patrickBOOTH · Jun 25, 2013

shadowsnuzzy said:
Thanks for the input.

Pleats to me don't look great on younger slimmer people. GQ agrees with this as well, it just goes better with the older audience. And I think the collar thing has some merit because it's not so much that the collar itself looks bad with a round face, as it is the fact that you can't wear four in a hand knots properly on a widespread collar. You need fatter knots to take up all the space like double windsors, and those do not flatter a round face by any means.

Step one: Don't listen to anything GQ says.

The whole spread collar fat knot thing is nonsense. Spread collar, four in hand knot.

shadowsnuzzy · Jun 25, 2013

patrickBOOTH said:
Step one: Don't listen to anything GQ says.

The whole spread collar fat knot thing is nonsense. Spread collar, four in hand knot.

brokencycle said:
I'm pretty sure you just committed blasphemy by using GQ to defend your position.
I pretty much agree with Patrick. A single pleat is actually my favored style. I don't like how the crease on flat-front trousers just end somewhere on the thigh (full disclosure: I'm wearing flat-front today). 3.5" lapels are probably best, but you might be able to do skinnier, but <3" is a no-go: they'll be out of fashion before your first post-college interview. I also think single-vent is perfectly acceptable.

Lol I posted a picture of me in a spread collar with a 4 in a hand knot on another thread for something else and someone commented to use a fatter knot to take up the space. I kind of knew it in the back of my head but was hoping no one would notice... I guess it comes down to personal preference

My current suit lapel is 2.5", I guess that seems slimmer but I'm a very thin guy. Also, I pretty much wear only slim ties (2.5 inches) as well so I think it works fine. Probably go for this size again. As for my colors, I was definitely thinking charcoal and navy. I currently have black - probably not the best first choice but I didn't know any better.

Help a college kid build a suit and shirt!

Well-Known Member

Well-Known Member

Distinguished Member

Well-Known Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Well-Known Member

Stylish Dinosaur

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Well-Known Member

Moderator

Stylish Dinosaur

Well-Known Member

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: