If you've never bought a suit before or just need a few tips on refreshing your occasionwear wardrobe, we'd be honoured to help with our tips from the experts here at RI HQ (our menswear designers and buying teams, of course). Gentlemen, assemble...
Fit is the number one priority; it’s what will make or break the suit. It shouldn’t be too tight or restrictive but should show off your frame and have a neat silhouette throughout the body. Make sure the proportion of your shirts complements the suit you're wearing, for example a slim shirt and a slim suit, a muscle-fit shirt and a super skinny suit.
Show some cuff – to follow traditional smart dressing rules our sleeve lengths, allow for 1-2cm of the hem to show outside of your suit jacket.
Get the trouser length right. Our debonair pairs are fitted to show a bit of ankle, but we also have longer leg lengths on our regular fits if you prefer. It’s also worth knowing a local tailor if you want that extra finesse on trouser length.
Be brave and try on different suit styles. There are single breasted suits with one or two buttons and double breasted suits that range from two to six. Although the double breasted suit could seem scary, it can look fantastic for weddings and the races.
If you can, purchase two pairs of smart trousers to keep them looking new and extend the longevity of the suit.
Remember to keep your suit stored in a protective bag and get rid of the cross stitch on back of the vents – these are just to protect the suit when being made. That little white thread just ruins the 007 illusion, you know?
