If Deion Sanders and Steve Harvey can get their act together, anyone can. We have gathered the main suit faux pas past and present so that you can walk anywhere with confidence and poise.
The Zoot Suit
Remember the days when jazz first got its start, and people like Miles Davis were fresh on radio airways? Well, unless you are going to a themed party, there is no reason why you should still be wearing these "pimp" suits in modern times. Zoot suits at one time were indeed a fashion staple for musicians and entertainers. Later popularized by gangsters and southern pimps, colors are characteristically extravagant, pants oversized, and blazers have anywhere from 4-100 buttons.
As a general rule, any suit jacket with more than three vertical buttons is grounds for disposal. While we are on the subject, never ever button the bottom button of your jacket. The rule is Sometimes (top), Always (middle), Never (bottom). Learn it, live it.
The Big Brother
A lot of times, the suit isn't all your fault. Sometimes it's a gift that Mom and Dad give to you because they want to save money in the future. It's the suit that they buy a couple of sizes larger so that you can "grow into" it. A lot of times, athletes fall into this category because they are constantly working out and getting bigger. The problem is that there are usually glaring areas where there is a lot of slack leftovers. The blazer may be fine in the shoulders and chest, but the sleeves are well past the knuckles. The pants are great around the waist and through the thighs, but there are almost 4 inches of excess fabric dangling around your shoes (and that's with the cuff.)
Lucky for you, this is an easy fix. All you need is a good tailor. Sleeves and pant legs are their specialty, and they are magicians at bringing out the best in your suits. Now, if your suit is just too big for you in every sense, it might be better if you buy one that fits. The cost of altering everything from head to toe might end up being well above that of a brand new suit. Many men think that suits on the rack should fit perfectly in all areas to buy when that is not the case. Suits are made for standard body types, so even the priciest suits need to be tailored to fit the person exactly. Keep this in mind and develop a good report with your local tailor; they will prove to be one of your greatest assets.
The Douche
This suit is more reflective of the person than the suit itself. It may be perfectly tailored but perfectly absurd at the same time. Anytime you're thinking about wearing pastel colors to court or a funeral, please leave that foolishness at home. All it screams to people is that you desperately need attention, and you're out of touch with what is appropriate.
A well-placed handkerchief or vintage tie will get all the sophistication and praise a Ronald McDonald-themed tuxedo will never achieve. There is a time and place for everything, and true style is knowing exactly what to wear on every occasion.
The Mini-Me
Let's be honest, you're not the same size you were in high school or college. Your favorite blazer isn't "fitted"; it's way too small, and people can tell. If diagonal stretch lines are coming directly from your middle button down to your jacket mid-section, it's time to give it up. If your pants legs look like ladies' yoga pants, it's time to give it up. You can show off your muscles and great physique without wearing a suit that is coming apart at the elbows. Level up and get a suit that matches your latest measurements.