Contributed by Info Guru Paul Seaburn
The traditional definition of a suit is a jacket and trousers cut from the same cloth, sometimes with a vest as the third piece.
From that basic design comes many types of men’s suits for all occasions that dictate wearing a suit and some that don’t. Choosing a suit depends first on the occasion, then on your body shape and personal style. Suits are also defined by occasions, shape and style, as you will see in this list of types of men’s suits.
10. Double Breasted Suit
David Letterman still wears them but the double breasted suit isn’t as popular as it once was. With six buttons in two rows, the jacket looks better on taller men, but it will fit average sizes if tailored well. Double breasted suits accentuate the shoulders to give the wearer a broader look.
9. Morning Suit
When you think of “tails,” you’re thinking of the morning suit with its long coat. Worn to formal events that occur in the morning or afternoon, the morning suit consists of a long single button coat, matching trousers and a waist coat.
8. Mandarin Suit
The mandarin suit is occasionally seen in the U.S. but is extremely popular in India, the Mid East and Asian countries. The distinguishing feature of the mandarin suit is the Nehru collar on a jacket with all buttons buttoned. These tapered jackets look best on leaner men.
7. Tuxedo Suit
Black tie and formal affairs call for the classic tuxedo suit. While James Bond looks the best in a tuxedo, the single breasted style with a shawl (rounded) collar will fit most men. Double breasted tuxedos are better for taller men. Since most tuxedos are rented, it’s easy to get a good fit with the wide selection and quick tailoring at tuxedo shops.
6. Zoot Suit
Worth mentioning only because of its famous and unusual, the wide-lapel, high waist, bold color and wide-pinstripe zoot suits were popular in the 1920s jazz age and evoke a wild and party atmosphere. Not for business or formal occasions, the zoot suit is fun for swing dancing or parties and looks good with a wide-brimmed Fedora.
5. Two Button Suit
Not as common as the three button suit, the two button suit is a good business or dress suit for men with shorter torsos. It also works well as a casual suit.
4. Three Piece Suit
The classic three piece suit with matching vest is a good choice if your workplace calls for a more formal look. It’s also great for winter wear and for situations where you’d like to remove your jacket but still look well dressed.
3. Lounge Suit
For non-business or casual occasions that still require a dress attire, the lounge suit is the way to go. Anything goes with lounge suits – wild colors, unusual fabrics, no ties and sometimes no socks or shirts either! Linen and seersucker are popular fabrics for lounge suits, especially in the summer.
2. Three Button Suit
The three button suit is the most common suit style and the workhorse of business and office wear. While it can encompass a wide variety of cuts and colors, three button business suits are generally a dark color, possibly with a pinstripe or subtle plaid, cut from a durable fabric and tailored well.
1. Blue Suit
The most versatile color gives the navy blue suit a category all its own. It looks good on everyone in the two-button style and is easy to pair with a white shirt and light-colored tie. It can be worn for business, evening and formal occasions and the blue jacket can be worn with chinos or jeans for a casual look.