A suit gives a man more confidence in his interactions and makes a good impression on his partners. The appearance of a suit adds to the grandeur of an evening party as well as to the standing of the person who wears it.
The basics of suits
To choose a suit you are happy with, it is not enough to look at the outside of the suit jacket; a gentleman must choose carefully from the inside out. Any premium fashion product, especially a suit, needs sewing and design that are perfect down to the last detail.
A suit jacket should be examined carefully, inside and out, before you buy.
When choosing a suit jacket, gentlemen should note that the length of the jacket, measured from the top down, should reach the tip of the thumb when the hand is pressed against the body. This is the standard length for an elegant suit jacket. However, for summer jackets worn as a light layer, or for youthful fashion styles, the length may be shorter.
A longer suit jacket gives the wearer a more confident look, while a shorter jacket reduces the formality of this type of garment. A sleeve that falls at the middle of the palm is just right.
However, for young people today, suits can be styled with ruffled fabric, lace or embroidered and painted decoration, and the sleeve length may be shorter or longer, like the lace-trimmed sleeves of medieval knights. The shoulder must sit upright over the upper arm, and the width of the jacket should follow the man's chest closely, neither loose nor tight.
This size is determined from the chest measurement plus about 12 cm for movement and for enough layers of lining to give the jacket an upright shape while letting the wearer work. Each person has a different shoulder slope, and the cutting technique of a professional tailor must give the shoulder a smooth line by calculating this slope accurately.
The way to tell is to look at the lapel or the skirt of the jacket. If the shoulder slope is wrong, the front panels tend to splay out in a V shape when unbuttoned instead of hanging straight like the body, or, when buttoned, the two lapels tilt out of line and do not sit properly on the body of the jacket.
In addition, with a well-made suit jacket you can see with the naked eye that the front and back skirts lie on a straight line, neither curling up nor sagging at any point.
On which occasions should gentlemen wear a suit?
In Western countries, the suit is common, everyday wear. But in Vietnam, suits are currently worn only to parties, receptions, as required uniform for staff or in certain professions, and as a kind of coat in cold weather.
Based on how Vietnamese men wear them, there are three common types of suit to choose from.
A formal suit for attending parties.
First is the suit for parties and festivals, also known as the groom's wedding suit. It is usually in deep colours such as black and navy to bring out an air of luxury; in light colours such as white and cream to show the solemnity of the ceremony; or in red, blue or yellow to bring out a necessary distinction. For this type of suit, choose good fabric, a fabric that holds its shape, and have it made with interfacing and a stiff lining.
A lightweight suit to throw on for outings or a stroll around town.
There is also the suit for work and everyday interactions of businessmen or employees of foreign companies. Choose light colours that are not showy but still formal, such as moss green, light grey and light brown... For this type of suit, choose a fabric with a little polyester or a natural fibre that resists creasing and can be washed and ironed, for ease of use and care.
Avoid, as far as possible, expensive fabrics that must be dry-cleaned, or natural silk that creases easily. Choose a thin, light lining and interfacing so that you can wear it comfortably all day.
Everyday suit jackets for work or business trips.
The most common type is the suit worn as a light jacket, also called a blazer, for summer or travel. You can choose stripes, checks or floral fabric... in thin, light, breathable material, even slightly creased and rustic, such as cotton and linen. This suit can be made with a single layer so that it is easy to wear and easy to wash and iron.