In the past, many people wore a suit on only three occasions: a wedding, an important family memorial ceremony and the day of signing a contract. A suit was put away carefully, hung in the wardrobe, and after wearing was carefully dry-cleaned and put back. Today that view has changed a great deal. The men's suit is understood as clothing of polish and care, wearable in more situations, as long as it fits. This article sums up those changes.
Quick answer
The idea of the men's suit today: it is no longer just clothing for big occasions but clothing for work and daily dealings. What is valued most is fit, light and comfortable cloth and flexible styling, rather than stiffness or a severe look.
Six shifts in how the suit is seen
| The old idea | The idea today |
|---|---|
| Only worn on formal occasions | Worn to work, to meet clients, for weekend coffee |
| The stiffer, the more "upscale" | Soft, light and comfortable to move in is what looks upscale |
| One suit for every occasion | A few suits, each with its own role |
| Buying a ready-made size and accepting the misfit | Prioritizing made-to-measure to fit the build |
| A tie is a must | Depends on the occasion; sometimes a shirt with the collar button undone is enough |
| Dark colors only | Opening up to blue, light gray, beige, brown |
What changes and what stays the same
Trends change constantly, but a few principles of the suit stand firm: the shoulders must be right, the collar must hug, the trouser legs must be neat, the cloth must drape well. A suit in a novel color but with off shoulders still looks bad. A suit in a traditional color but cut correctly always looks good. Understand this and you will not chase trends, but choose a suit you can wear for a long time.
How to wear the suit by the new idea
- Formal office: a suit in the same cloth, a white or light blue shirt, a plain tie.
- Relaxed office: a navy or gray jacket, a plain shirt, chinos or trousers in a different color, no tie.
- Weekends, meeting friends: a jacket in light cloth, a T-shirt or a thin shirt, dark trousers.
- Events, parties: a dark suit, with a pocket square and polished leather shoes. For weddings, see the groom suit.
A basic suit wardrobe for beginners
If you can only have two suits made, start with navy and charcoal. These two colors go with most shirts, ties and shoes, and suit both meetings and weddings. The third suit is the place to try another color or a stripe. See the lookbook for ideas, and the fabric library to choose the material.
Tips from Mon Amie's master tailors
- Comfortable does not mean baggy. A light suit still needs the right shoulders and a moderate fit.
- Light cloth for a hot, humid climate. Suits worn in Ho Chi Minh City should favor breathable wool that is less heavy.
- A consistent image across the company. Companies that want their team to wear suits in a consistent way can look at suit uniforms, measured individually, or a workshop on dress culture.
Frequently asked questions
Is the suit still in style?
Yes. The suit is not "in style" or "out of date" by fashion; it is always right when it is cut for the person. What changes is the styling and how it feels to wear.
Is wearing a suit to work every day too serious?
No, if you choose light cloth, an easy color and drop the tie when your workplace allows it.
How is a made-to-measure suit different from a ready-made one?
A made-to-measure suit is cut from more than 30 of your measurements and adjusted through a baste fitting, so it fits at the shoulders and the waist. A ready-made suit can usually only be adjusted at the trouser hems and the sleeves.
An invitation from Mon Amie
If you want a suit that is both in step with the times and right for you, see the price list and then book an appointment for a stylist to choose the cloth and style with you.