How To Wear A Three Piece Suit – SUAVE OWL Suiting Basics
Three Piece Suits For Men
When it comes to the world of fashion, there can be an assumption that you know more than you actually do. There’s a world of reasons for an individual to be new to men’s fashion and men’s formal fashion, whether a person’s circumstances, a new outlook on style, or just the events of life by itself. At SUAVE OWL, we believe every gentleman should be able to find the perfect suit for them, including somebody new to men’s suits for whatever reason. While our friendly team are always happy to help and answer any questions you have about men’s suits, you may be nervous to ask. If so, this blog is for you. For answers to the questions of ‘what is a suit?’ and ‘how to wear a three-piece suit’ and more information about the fundamentals of men’s three-piece suits, read on…
Ted 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set
What Is A Suit?
A man’s suit is a set of men’s formal clothes, consisting of outerwear worm over a shirt. A men’s suit usually consists of a suit jacket, suit trousers, and a waistcoat all made of identical fabric, creating a classic menswear look that we all know and love.
Men’s suits have been around for hundreds of years, all the way back to Tudor England. However, they would have looked a bit different to our suits today. The modern suit style appears in the early 1900s, where a shirt, trousers, and waistcoat were worn. However, it was commonplace to wear a long suit jacket, potentially with tails. After the first world war, a shorter jacket became a popular fashion choice, with a longer jacket only saved for the most formal of occasions as it is now. The modern suit has been worn since the 1920s, wearing one makes you part of a hundred year long legacy of style and sophistication. If you want to get involved in this legacy, or simply cover some more of the basics of men’s style, carry on…
Joe's Countryside Wedding Suit
What Is A Three Piece Suit?
A three-piece suit has three main components: a suit jacket, waistcoat, and trousers. These will usually all be of a matching pattern, creating the sophisticated look that we know and love. Whilst you can wear mix and matched patterns and you can also wear a 2-piece ensemble, often consisting of a suit jacket and trousers, a three-piece men’s suit is the classic style you will associate with men’s formal fashion. But, of course, how to wear them? And how to make a three-piece men’s suit look it’s best?
HM5 Stone 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set
How Should You Wear A Three Piece Suit
When it comes to getting the best-looking men’s suit, each part must be considered! The suit jacket, the waistcoat, and the trousers all must meet certain requirements. However, you also need to consider your formal shirt, formal accessories, and formal shoes when putting together your men’s formal outfit.
Read on for a breakdown of each part of a men’s three-piece suit and how to get the best results for you…
Dion 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set
Men’s Jacket
A major part of the 3-piece suit for men is a suit jacket. Often worn over a men’s formal shirt and waistcoat, they complete the look of the suit ensemble and provide a resound formal touch to any outfit. Suit jackets are built to flatter, creating a silhouette that accentuates the shoulders and brings in the waist, creating a quintessential V shape.
When it comes to suiting basics, understanding the difference between single-breasted and double-breasted items is a must. This appears in both suit jackets and waistcoats. The simplest way of describing it is that a single-breasted suit jacket will have one line of buttons down the centre of the suit. A double-breasted suit jacket will have two lines of buttons with a cross over of material. Both styles have their pros and will work better for certain styles and individuals.
Jenson 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Paisley Tie & Pocket Square Set
The differences between the two create different results in the garment itself. The double-breasted suit jacket is the older, more traditional style. The fabric’s cross over creates a firmer structure, making a strong silhouette. To effectively work, it needs to be well fitting. It can be a good look for medium or larger built men, as it brings attention to the upper chest and attention to the intricate details of the lapels, a common feature of the double-breasted jacket.
A single-breasted jacket is a more modern style. The simplicity of the V neck lapel into a straight line of buttons down the torso brings attention to the upper chest and makes for an easily flattering suit look. The streamlined suit look makes for a suit that you can accessorise and style as you please. It works particularly well for minimalists as it has less visual details than a single breasted jacket.
Cody 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set
Whether you choose to wear a single or a double-breasted suit look is up to you. The best way to decide to is to try out options in both styles and see which one works best!
As always, the fit of your suit jacket will make a big impact on the overall look. A suit jacket that is too big will add bulk to your frame. One that is too small will constrict you, making for an interrupted silhouette and an uncomfortable wear. Read more about the specifics of a men’s suit jacket fit in our blog: Suit Jacket Style Guide For Men. For a suit that looks the best it can, do not neglect fit!
Men’s Waistcoat
A waistcoat is a standard part of a 3-piece men’s suit. Often, it is the piece disregarded for a more casual look. However, it adds a special touch of formality to a men’s outfit that simply cannot be ignored at a formal event. Almost always worn over a formal shirt, a waistcoat smooths the silhouette, defines the torso, and creates a seamless blend between the torso and trousers.
Caridi Jacket, Ted Waistcoat, SUAVE OWL Pink Shirt, Paisley Tie & Pocket Square Set
Another piece that offers a single-breasted or double-breasted option, a waistcoat in each of these styles offers the same pros and cons as displayed in suit jackets. These are listed above.
Read more about the specifics of a men’s waistcoat fit in our blog: Waistcoat Style Guide For Men.
Men’s Trousers
Suit trousers are an often neglected but key component of a men’s 3-piece suit. They continue the formality of the torso into the lower half of the body. Practically, they mark where the waistcoat and jacket should end on the body. In short, your suit trousers keep the entire outfit looking formal, are a key finishing piece of a man’s suit, and they should not be underestimated.
Read more about the specifics of men’s trouser fit in our blog: Suit Trouser Style Guide For Men.
Elwood 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, Plain Twill Tie & Pocket Square Set, Braces
Men’s Formal Shirts – SUAVE OWL Shirts
A classic suit look or a classic three piece men’s suit is not complete without a formal shirt. It provides the base of the look, the formal collar, and is what holds several of the classic men’s formal accessories when it comes to men’s three piece suits. It deserves just as much attention as the rest of your men’s formal outfit.
At SUAVE OWL, we always recommend a SUAVE OWL shirt for this purpose. Our shirts are made of a cotton blend, allowing breathability and a comfy day-long wear. Not only do they come in a diverse size range, available in S to 6XL in some styles, they also have extra length in the torso, allowing for additional comfort and making this an exceptional choice for a taller gentleman. Our shirts also come in.a wide range of colours, with classic neutrals and statement choices available. They also all feature our SUAVE OWL logo for a bit of additional visual intrigue. Check out our SUAVE OWL collection today for all of your choices. For a shirt you can wear over and over again, for both formal and smart casual outfits, a SUAVE OWL shirt is a must.
SUAVE OWL Pale Blue Shirt, SUAVE OWL White Shirt, SUAVE OWL Plain Pink Shirt
How To Make a Three Piece Men’s Suit Look Its Best
Now you know exactly what a three-piece men’s suit is, what comprises it, and what is important to look for in each piece. If you want to make your men’s three-piece suit look that little bit better, here are a few final pieces of advice that will take your men’s formal outfit from great to excellent.
Jenson 3-Piece Suit, SUAVE OWL White Shirt
Iron your items. Going that extra step and ironing or steaming your clothes will go a lot further than you think. Don't neglect the smaller details. In the same vein, making sure to polish your shoes can be very beneficial!
Keep it clean. Check over your three-piece men's suit in the run up to your event and make sure there's no marks or spots on it. Giving yourself plenty of time to get your outfit fully clean will not be something you regret.
Lastly, don't neglect the little details. Your favourite accessories are sure to make you feel more confident, as will knowing exactly what you'll be wearing before the day itself. Consider all of the elements of your outfit in advance, all the way down to the accessories. For bigger events, such as a wedding, try on the whole outfit too to make sure it looks how you planned!
More Suits From SUAVE OWL
For more about men’s formal style, read our other blogs including Mastering Men's Formal Fashion: How To Find Your Formal Style, Seasonal Suits With SUAVE OWL, Navigating Men's Formal Wear: A Comprehensive Style Guide, and The Ultimate Guide To Men's Suits.
For in-depth style advice for each piece of the three-piece men's suit ensemble, read our blog series:
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