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Suits for Civil Servants and Officials: Fit, Color and Fabric

How to have a suit made for civil servants and officials: choose navy or charcoal, a comfortable fit, breathable wool, and how many suits to own for the office.

First published on 25/03/2020 on the former monamie.vn. Prices and promotions may have changed — our stylists will confirm current details.

Monday morning briefing, end-of-quarter conference, receiving a visiting delegation: on these occasions, the suit of an official or civil servant does not need to stand out, but it must not be wrong. Tidy, refined, well-fitting and durable: those are the four criteria. This article suggests how to have a suit made for officials and civil servants according to exactly those four criteria.

Quick answer

A business suit suitable for officials and civil servants is usually navy, charcoal or black, solid or with a very faint stripe, in a classic or regular fit, in breathable blended wool that holds its shape. Have at least two suits to rotate, and always check your organization's dress code before having one made.

Color: few, but dependable

Color Suits Notes
Navy Most office occasions The least risky color, suits every skin tone
Charcoal Meetings, receiving guests, conferences Serious, easy to pair with shirts
Black Ceremonies, formal events Better reserved for ceremonial occasions, as it is a little heavy for everyday wear
Light gray Daily work, hot weather Light, elegant

Patterns should be discreet: solid, a very faint pinstripe, or a subtle small check. Large patterns or bright colors are usually not suitable for an office environment.

Fit: a good fit matters more than fashion

  • Classic or regular fit: comfortable when sitting through long meetings, not tight, not loose.
  • Right shoulders: the shoulder line sits at the shoulder point, neither drooping nor protruding.
  • Sleeves: show about one finger joint of shirt cuff when standing straight.
  • Trousers: waist at the natural waist, the hem just resting on the shoe without bunching.
  • Two-button or one-button jacket: neat, easy to wear, suits most body types.

People who work in offices sit a lot and move around a lot, so avoid fits that are too slim. A well-fitting suit looks better than one that is "in fashion."

Choosing fabric by budget

Breathable blended wool that resists wrinkles and holds its shape is the practical choice for office wear. Mon Amie has three lines:

Line Full-suit price (jacket + trousers) Fabric
Essential VND 4.8 – 10 million Kevinlli 40–70% wool (100s–140s)
Signature VND 10 – 20 million Kevinlli 80–100% wool 140s–150s, Dolce & Taylor, Luciano, Salford, Vercelli
Heritage Over VND 20 million Canonico, Holland Sherry, Dormeuil, Scabal

For daily wear, the Essential line is the standard starting level for a good fit. The Signature line is one of the most commonly chosen by people who wear a suit often and want it to last longer. See the price list.

Two suits in rotation beat one expensive suit

A suit needs rest between wears so the fabric can recover its elasticity. That is why two suits worn in rotation last longer than one worn continuously. A suggested basic pair: one navy suit and one charcoal suit, paired with white and light blue shirts. These two suits are enough for meetings, conferences and receptions on most occasions.

Putting it together neatly

  • Shirt: white or light blue, with a collar that fits and is not too loose.
  • Tie: a solid color or a small pattern, not flashy.
  • Shoes and belt: in the same tone, in polished leather.
  • Socks: the same color as the trousers, long enough not to show skin when seated.

Tips from Mon Amie's master tailors

  • Recheck your organization's dress code, because each agency has its own rules.
  • Get measured when your weight is stable. If your weight changes often, tell the stylist so that allowance can be planned in the seams.
  • Hang the suit on a wide-shouldered hanger, not a thin wire hanger that damages the shoulders.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make suits for a whole group of colleagues at an agency?

Mon Amie's mobile made-to-measure team comes to your home, office or hotel within Ho Chi Minh City, which suits groups of colleagues. See made-to-measure at home.

Does Mon Amie advise on office dress codes?

Yes. Mon Amie's specialists run workshops on dress codes and office dress culture for businesses, schools and conferences. See dressing and etiquette consulting.

Which line should I choose for daily wear?

The Essential or Signature line is reasonable for most people. Talk with the stylist about how often you wear a suit so you can choose correctly.

An invitation from Mon Amie

A well-fitting office suit does not need to be elaborate; it only needs to be measured correctly and chosen correctly. You can book an appointment or visit one of our 5 showrooms to be advised by a stylist.

Want to touch what you've just read about? Book a fitting with Mon Amie's artisans.

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