How To Wear A Suit

Every respectable, well-dressed man needs to know how to wear a suit. A suit is oftentimes considered the epitome of a corporate tool, but you can use it to show others how you can take an old thing and make it new again! So are you going to buy an oversized, cheaply-tailored suit that makes you look like George W. Bush, or a spic-and-span, new, daper one? If your answer is the latter, then its time to learn how to wear a suit properly!

1. First of all, don't try to make a suit out of "matching" clothes; buy one. When you purchase a tailored, unique suit it is just that: a suit. Don't take the easy way out and opt for a blazer and matching pants, because it isn't a suit and it definitely won't match (no matter how close in color they look). Besides, any fashion-saavy friend will be able to dissect your faux-suit. When you wear a suit, you wear a suit, no substitute.
2. Make sure the suit is custom-tailored upon purchase. Very few men are able to buy a suit straight off the rack that fits him properly. More than likely you will need to have your suit tailored (we're talking 99% of the time). Oh, and buy your size. If you are short, don't buy a regular-size, buy a short! If you are hefty, buy a larger jacket (It can hurt the ego, but it will make you look better in the end anyways).
3. Try to move around in your newly tailored suit. Stick your arms straight up. The shoulder pads will be blocking your arm length, but the jacket should not be riding up your face. Pants should be about an inch off the ground when standing at the back-tip for a medium break. Make sure you have a full range of motion. Although these are rules of thumb, its very important to make sure the tailor did a good job on your new suit!
4. Wear your suit appropriately. Unless you are going to star in the next season of "Burn Notice", you'll need a tie Michael Westen. Some less-than-formal occasions will dictate smart casual or business casual, which generally indicates a removal of the necktie, but stick with one for those oh-so-important meetings and interviews. Cuffs should be showing a little, yet not too much to look like your thirteen year old Easter Sunday attire. Shoes need to match the color (ask your wife if you have no clue what that means) of your suit, and darker shoes (such as jet black) generally indicate a funeral or an event with more formality.
5. Clean, lean, hygiene. Nothing makes a suit better looking than the man under it: you. Take a shower, go to the gym, and shine your shoes. Anything to make you look the business part is what you are looking for. A nice suit is one thing, but if the man is a slob then everyone will see right though it.

When you think about it, wearing a suit properly is all about foresight. The more preparation and thought put into your new suit the better appearance and confidence it will return back to you. Good luck, and may the fashion be with you!