How Should a Suit Fit?

John Miller
2 min readMay 27, 2022

A well-fitted suit is the best, so make sure you pay attention to the fit when shopping for a suit. These are just a few of the things that you need to consider, and here are some ways you can tell if you are on to something special.

The shoulders should be flat, with seams that end at your shoulder where the sleeves begin. The fabric should not be gathered or wrinkled. Shoulder pads can help to shape the natural shape slightly. The fit of your blazer on the shoulders is a good indicator of its size. Both the sleeves and the overall length of the blazer are important. The blazer should be fully covered from the bottom of the trousers to the point that it touches the zip/crotch seam. The sleeves should expose your wristbone. You should also consider the waistline of your blazer.

A sloppy blazer will do you no favors. The top button should be fastened so that the silhouette is slightly tapered without being too tight, and it should feel comfortable to slide your hand under the lower lapel.

The waistcoat is a very simple piece. It should be fitted close to the body without being too restrictive or gaping at the neckline. The shoulders, like the blazer, should be flat and not rise when you move. The reverse will have adjuster straps that allow you to nip in your waist slightly, but they shouldn’t be relied on too much. Your waistcoat should not be too long and extend to the waistband of your trouser. The fit of your trousers can achieve this.
Let’s talk about trousers a bit more. There are many styles and sizes of suit trousers. It’s open to debate what the “right” fit is.

However, some guidelines can help you choose the right size. They should be snug around your waist, without the need to have a belt. A belt can be added for styling purposes but not pull too tightly on the waist, and this will cause the fabric to gather. The seat should be snug without any sagging, pulling or ripping. There should also be minimal to no break between the trousers and your shoe. You want to avoid a complete break, which will result in a lot of fabric being pulled at the shoe.

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