Hey, it is what it is. And clothing is expensive. And since they know that girls are buying clothing like they are breathing they can keep it cheap, but since guys only buy it on rare occasions they soak you for it. But it evens out. Good suits last and last and if you look at being able to use it for a decade, and if it's $900, then it's less than $100 a year (hell, most professional women spend that in a year on nylons alone).
It's not going to be possible to get all this on your first suit being an overnight deal, but keep it in mind as you watch and pay attention to what people in the real world are wearing and how they are wearing it.
First, you are 100% correct in assuming that 'Business wear' translates to 'suit' and not 'sport coat, Dockers and open shirt'. A suit is a basic business uniform in the US. And like all uniforms, the point is to be, well, uniform. The same. Indistinguishable at a distance. Next one just like the last one. Blend in, as opposed to standing out. At that level your work and charming personality is supposed to make you stand out, not your suit. Dressing to 'stand out' is poseur nation stuff anyway. Not 'standing out' however is not to say that you can't look/be 'outstanding'. And the right suit, worn correctly - can be outstanding.
Properly done, a good suit can do several things. It can cover up and conceal a big pile of body mistakes, and they can also give an optical illusion that actually corrects some of those things. For example (but not limited to): wide hips, big gut, sloping shoulders, height (some patterns make people look taller, some shorter, stripes for example). You want to work with your salesperson (find a good one) and choose the right color, cut and fabric.
You want to get the lapels with the 'classic' measurements, not this years trendy 'wider or narrower' than classic, you want the standard business color suit which tends to be shades of gray and deep blues, for some people (and this has to do with their coloring) deep browns. But unless it's some color-theory deal I'd even avoid the browns. Black is out. Black is for a) funeral attendants and morticians b) waiters c) ushers d) tuxes e)all of the above. Really, black suits scream 'service industry' not business. Gray is also easier to keep clean.
Stripes or no stripes depends on the effect you are going for. I can live with chalk stripes (though not on me), but not pinstripes.
No vest. 3 piece suits went out a long time ago and haven't made a comeback. Far too 'banker.'
This is my preference, but I'll state it go with suspenders. Much better to wear with a suit than a belt, creates a better line, keeps the trousers at the exact right height. And get simple one color suspenders, they stand out enough on their own without drawing more attention to them.
Tie - the tie is the deal. In terms of a suit, wearing a suit - being a 'suit kinda guy' all of your creativeness, your statement to the world, your boldness, good taste, fashion sense and all that comes down to the tie. That's why good ones are expensive. Nothing looks cheaper than a cheap tie. (Think Animal House: Nice tie! Is that a clip-on? Boon, come check this out. Ninety percent rayon! Very nice.) If you are facing a choice of buying 3 $10 ties or one $30 tie - buy the one $30 tie. Ties are like a secret guy cult - inner temple kind of stuff - its' a real 'cut of your jib' kind of flag to fly, it's also something the ladies notice too. For sure on that. The right tie really brings the look together. Having one or two of the 'right' ones is far better than a collection of the on-sale at the K-Mart Fashion Barn ones. {Here, I'll tell you one of my best secrets. Dry cleaners often sell stuff that no one has ever claimed, and lot of those things are ties. I've found some awesome picks for like 70% less than the "non-used, but still looks the same tie" at Macy's or Bloomies. Hell, it's just been cleaned. OK, there you go, check out dry cleaners}
- Macys' might be expensive but sometimes you get what you pay for, and part of the deal in Macy's is that they will be more than happy to help you find the perfect suit and get it tailored right - and they don't care who you are. When you start to pay $700 for some clothing they (damn well better) treat you very differently. Macy's also hires people who know something about what they are doing. It's a huge help.
Oh yeah, a suit and that whole look is like a prom dress or a LBD cocktail dress - it takes time and practice to learn how to wear it right. Wear it well. So once you have your first one, you can use it for that - a training suit. Create and invent excuses to wear it. The more you wear it the more comfortable you feel in it, and that's the secret - you can't look uncomfortable (even if you are), and you can't look 'restricted' (even if you are). But if you wear it enough you'll be able to ignore that stuff and you will look better in it at that point.
PS - don't forget the 'right' shoes. The 'wrong' shoes are always a dead give-a-way. You know that's how a lot of big city clubs rate the guys when they are deciding who to let in. The shoes. It's easy to go out and buy a trendy ->-bleeped-<-, but most guys won't have the cruel shoes to go with it. It's a Bouncer trick
