There is going to be a time in every man’s life when wearing a suit is the only option. Whether it’s for work, a wedding or a cocktail party, the casual attire will have to be replaced with threads that are befitting to the environment and occasion.

The question is, when you put on the suit, are you wearing it properly? While there have been many articles published that address the “proper” way to wear a suit, the ill-fitting suit seems to still surface from time to time.

You shouldn’t beat a dead horse, but here is my attempt at making this point clear. There are a few things every man should know before he decides to wear a suit to any occasion and I am here to help.

Tailor it, before you wear it

Unless you are an extremely lucky guy, chances are, your suit will need to be tailored to fit you properly. While your suit should not be baggy or loose in any areas, it should not be too tight either. You should have a full range of motion in your suit jacket when it is buttoned and unbuttoned.

Your jacket should also lay smooth over your back from shoulder to shoulder. There should be enough space to fit one finger between the collar of your shirt and your neck. When you put your shirt on, raise your hands to make sure your shirt cuffs do not rise up. Buttoned cuffs should stop right at the wrist while French cuffs should stop 1/2 inch further then the buttoned cuff.  The suit pants should be comfortable and worn higher than jeans.

When wearing a dress shirt, you want to make sure you button every single button on the shirt, even the buttons on the placket. On the suit jacket, never button the bottom button unless going to a funeral.

Color is essential

When choosing the color of a suit, it’s best to stick with black, navy blue and gray when you are going to be in a professional setting. Neutral color suits are acceptable depending on the special occasion.

Accessorize Properly

Once you have the perfect fit and color, then you want to accessorize your suit. You want to make sure you wear a belt at all times! The color of your dress shoes and belt should match.  Always wear dress socks with suits, they are more comfortable. Your dress socks and your pants should match, but if you are going to a cocktail party, you can match your shirt and your socks – as long as your shirt is not white. A tie should always be worn with a suit. Be very mindful with the color of your tie and the color of your shirt. Try to choose subtle patterns for your ties and always wear cuff links when wearing a french cuff shirt.

After accessorizing, make sure your suit is well pressed and you are groomed properly. You are now ready your wear your suit, but in case you don’t get it, I can recycle this topic in a few months.