Purchasing that Go-To Suit

January 10, 2018

Here are some responses I’m given when guys find out what I do for a living:

“All of your suits look awesome and I would love to buy one but I don’t want to spend money on something I’ll never wear.”

“I only wear a suit for weddings and (regretfully) funerals.”

“My job allows us to dress “business casual” so I never wear suits.”

And my least favorite/most disrespectful:

“I avoid having to wear a suit at all costs.”

….You don’t hear me saying “Oh, you’re a personal trainer? Well I hate working out.”

Here are my thoughts when I’m told this:
1. I highly doubt you only wear a suit or sport coat one time a year.
2. Do you not go to social events? Dinners? Go on dates? Attend networking events?
3. If you go to weddings, do you actually like wearing the one suit you own?

They’ll go on to tell me the one suit in their closet they wear each time is a suit they’ve had since college and it fits terribly.

The #1 reason I believe people dread having to wear a suit is because they’ve never owned one that actually fits them. They neglect wearing suits because they know theirs is too big, too wide, and too long. I can guarantee their one suit is probably that deep shade of navy blue (you know, like your “dad’s navy blazer”) and has double pleated pants, cuffed bottoms, and a center vent in the back.

Pictured above is the difference between an off-the-rack vs. Richards Bespoke Custom suit

If this is the case (and I’m not fully doubting that you only wear a suit a few times per year), why not invest in that one go-to suit you’re actually excited to wear for those events? I’ve had multiple clients to purchase their first custom suit and their reactions when they slip it on is always the same:

“Wow, this actually fits!”

They end up becoming some of my best customers because

1. The suit I make them fits so well they won’t wear any other suit in their closet- resulting in them wanting to trade everything else out

-OR-

2. They’re hooked and now choose to wear suits more often because they’ve discovered the perfect fit- In fact, they look for any excuse they can to wear suits

Your “go-to” suit doesn’t need to be flashy and it doesn’t need to be bold. It just needs to fit well and make you want to wear it. Even the most simple, solid color suit will attract the positive attention of others if it fits YOU.

Here are a few recommendations to achieve this:
1. Solid Grey
2. Solid Charcoal
3. Solid Blue — Preferably in a lighter shade
4. Either of the three colors above with a subtle light blue check or windowpane pattern

And with solid colors, don’t be afraid to select a sharkskin, birdseye, nailhead, or other textured weaves.

With all of these options, you can pair just about any color shirt and tie with it so you don’t look like you’re wearing the same suit to every event. And if you’re wanting to step up your game, throw in a pocket square every once in a while.

I’m not trying to make my clients wear suits. I’ll never try and pressure someone into changing their look–But I’m also not encouraging my clients to only purchase one suit either. Otherwise, I would be a terrible salesman. My main goal is to assist with the needs you may have and to make you more confident in your appearance!

As always, please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns regarding your wardrobe!