Understanding Suit Sizes How To Find Your Suit Size

A suit is the single most important element of a man's wardrobe. If you want to be well-dressed, nothing looks better than a perfectly tailored suit. If you want to look unprofessional, nothing is more off-putting than an ill-fitting suit.

Holistically, clothing is a form of self-expression. The suit is a man's most formal clothing and it can communicate messages about social status, occupation, and personal taste. A suit demonstrates a person's ability to care for themselves, their appearance, and how they want to be perceived by others.

A well-fitting suit is a powerful tool in the hands of a man. Since not all suits are expensive, every man can have one and use it to their advantage when it comes to their success throughout both their personal and professional lives.

A poor-fitting suit suggests the opposite. It can suggest that you are not in control of your life, that your time is not valuable, and that you do not care about yourself or others.

Knowing how to buy a suit that fits perfectly is an art in the age of mass-market fashion and it's something that will make or break you. Here are a few tips to get you on the right track:

How Should a Suit Fit?

How should a suit fit? From a professional standpoint, the suit jacket is a language of its own. People are drawn to those who look put together and seem more trustworthy. A suit is about demonstrating your authority, knowledge, and command over yourself and the situation around you. For the most part, that's why we wear suits in the first place; we want people to take us seriously.

For example, if you want a prospective client to think you will bring them value, looking like you can bring them value is just as convincing an argument as whatever comes out of your mouth. If you can show that you care enough about yourself to wear a well-tailored suit, they are more likely to trust you. This means understanding how a suit should fit and what the objective is when it comes to clothing.

Ideally, a good suit should look like a man's body was engineered specifically to fill out that suit. If you take a look at a well-fitting suit, you should see sharp lines and creases where the individual pieces of the garment come together. There should not be any bags or loose fabric anywhere on the suit jacket, but there also shouldn't be any tight spots. In addition, the person wearing the suit should be able to move freely and comfortably.

When it comes to suits, nothing looks worse than wrinkles. Wrinkles suggest that you couldn't take the time to steam your shirt before you went out or that your mother didn't teach you how important it was not to sit down for fear of wrinkling your clothes. It also suggests that you are not in control of yourself or your appearance.

●  The Shoulder

The shoulder should be the most pronounced part of your suit. If they are too large or rounded, you will not be able to fill out the rest of the suit properly and it will look like a bad fit. The shoulder must lie flat and it should not move around when you lift your arms.

If the shoulder of the suit causes your shirt to rise up at all, either shorten the shoulder or choose a suit with a larger shoulder. This is often referred to as a "military" cut and is best for those who have larger upper bodies and want to look both powerful and fashionable.

Be sure to purchase a suit with a good shoulder, to begin with; it is the hardest part of the suit to get right.

●  The Seat

The seat of the pants is another difficult element to get right. You need a suit that fits in this area but you don't want it to be too tight, as you will look like an overstuffed sausage and it will cause wrinkles when you sit down. If it is too tight, it will also restrict your movement and be uncomfortable.

If your seat is too large or baggy, then your pants will fall down when you move. Seats can be adjusted by tailoring or by purchasing a suit with a smaller seat in the back. A good rule of thumb is that you should be able to fit no more than a finger between the back of your pants and your skin.

●  Trouser Break

The "break" refers to how much or how little fabric there is between the bottom of your pants and the top of your shoes. A full break means that there is a lot, which does not look very good for most men because it makes them look shorter than they are.

A half break suggests that you have an average leg length, which is generally considered to be more flattering. A quarter break, which is the most common with modern styles, suggests that you have short legs and lets people know that your pants are hemmed correctly.

While this is a small, subtle feature, it makes a big difference. Usually, one crease or horizontal dimple at the bottom of the shoe is ideal, but for most styles, the pants must make contact with the shoe. Keep in mind that this is one of the easiest alterations to make. You can reliably have this tailored to whatever your specific needs are.

●  The Jacket Closure

The jacket closure should be smooth and unbroken in order to indicate that you are comfortable in your clothes. It should not be too low or too high, too tight or too loose. The buttonholes should not gape open when the buttons are fastened and the waistline of the suit cannot stick out when you fasten all of the buttons. The buttons and the button-holes must lie flat against the material and there should not be any "pulls" or ripples.

While this may seem like a simple part of the suit, many people neglect to keep an eye on this detail. If it is too loose, then you will constantly have to pull your jacket together; if it is too tight and you can barely get it closed, then you will look like a little kid trying on his father's suit.

A good tailor can sometimes alter the jacket closure to fit your body perfectly, but this has its limitations; these sorts of alterations won't do much if the jacket looks significantly bad unaltered.

●  Jacket Sleeve Length

The sleeve length should not extend past the wrist or be too short, it should just cover just about the large bone in your wrist and upper thumb. If you have a shirt with French cuffs that are longer than your jacket sleeves, for example, then you're going to look silly and disjointed if your sleeves are too short.

You also don't want your sleeves to be too long. Your sleeves must reveal a little bit of your sleeve (about 1/2 inch) in order to create a balance between your body and the rest of your suit.

A tailor can easily make adjustments to your jacket sleeve length but go a little bit longer as opposed to a little bit short if possible.

●  Jacket Length

The length of the suit jacket should come down below your waistline and drape just below the buttocks. If the jacket is too long, then it will look awkward and taper off your body. If it comes down too far, then it will also make you look like a little kid playing dress-up in his dad's suit.

The same goes for if the jacket comes up too high, as it will make you appear stiff and uncomfortable. As a general rule of thumb, if there is a small flare or it sits at the top of the butt, it is too short.

●  Jacket Collar

The collar should lay flat on your shirt and not push up against the back of your neck, even when you turn or tilt your head. If it is tight, then it will cause discomfort and make you look like a turtle sticking his head out from his shell due to the scrunching.

If it is loose, you will see a gap between the shirt collar and the suit collar, which is not ideal. If your neck does not have many circumferences, then it may be difficult to fit the collar correctly and you may have to opt for a lower button stance or take out some of the material in order to get it right. In general, however, the suit should sit comfortably against your neck.

Different Suit Sizes

Depending on your body type and the look you're going for,  you want to make sure that your suit size is the correct size. There are many different sizing standards for suits, but typically, you should go for a slim and trim fit. You don't want it too tight (it will look like a rubber band stretched around your body), and you don't want it too loose either. For some who are skinnier or going for a trendier look, a skinny fit suit is a better option because it can bring out their body type better and make a statement.

For Suit pants, it's important to make sure they sit neatly on your waist and do not slide down because the lining is too big. Suit pants can sit really low or quite high, depending on your preference. If you choose to have your pants sit higher, then make sure that the material is "shrinking" down so it doesn't bunch up around the crotch area.

It's also important to ensure that there are no wrinkles in your suit pants because they will give off a sloppy look. Wrinkles can occur if the pants are too long or if you gain weight. If this is the case, then your tailor will be able to make the necessary adjustments for you.

●  Classic Fit

The classic suit is the most traditional form of wearing a suit. It allows you the opportunity to use your sartorial imagination. With this style, you can wear it with almost anything, and it will always look good on you. The classic suit has a narrow silhouette that tapers just below the waistline. The jacket has an unbroken double-breasted front with two rows of buttons, which extends down to the bottom of the thigh. It also has two full-length side pockets on either side of the jacket with flaps.

It comes in single or double-breasted versions and is designed for seated job interviews or professional appearances where you are required to tuck your shirt into your pants (Lawyers, Bankers, etc.)

●  Skinny Fit

A skinny-fit suit can be a great option for those who are looking for a more trendy look. It shapes the natural silhouette of your body, while still giving you plenty of room to move. This suit is very slim and trim, so it hugs your body tightly in order to show off your curves. However, it is not too tight so that you do not feel like you are being squeezed or smothered either.

This suit also has a narrow silhouette that tapers just below the waistline. It comes in single or double-breasted versions, and is designed for skinnier-built people. This type of suit also has many applications, some of them trendier. Wear your skinny fit suit to a job interview with a collared shirt or wear it to dinner on Friday night over a graphic tee with jeans.

●  Slim Fit

The slim fit of the suit is the style that will show off your natural figure without smothering you. This suit will hug your figure, accentuating your curves while still giving you plenty of room to move. The fabric is not too tight either, so you won't feel like you are being squeezed or squished. Because this type of suit hugs your body closely, it is best for skinnier builds, but there is more leeway than a skinny-fit suit. It comes in single or double-breasted versions and is ideal for both professional environments and more trendy settings.

When it comes to slim-fit suit pants, it is important to make sure they are slim all the way down your legs. If the pants are too loose around the bottom, you can have your tailor taper them for a cleaner look.

One common mistake that men often make with their suit pants is not having them tailored properly. You see if they are way too long or way

Aspects of Measuring for a Suit

If you're going to get a suit tailored or made, or even if you're just going to purchase it, you have to know how to properly measure yourself. Once you know the measurements, you'll be able to choose your size and even buy online. There are three main factors of measuring: shoulder width, sleeve length, and overall length. There are, however, several subcategories to measure for:

Neck Measurement

This is the circumference of your neck. To get this measurement, you should start with a tape measure about an inch below your Adam's apple. Wrap the tape around your neck to the front and leave space for a finger or two.

Shoulder Measurement

This is the measurement from the seam between your shoulders to the outside of your arm. To get this measurement, stand with your arms relaxed at your side and measure along the top of one shoulder blade and then find where that point meets on your other shoulder and measure across to it. If you're looking for a comfortable fit, add an inch.

Sleeve Measurement

This is the measurement from your shoulder to your wrist. To get this, pick up where your shoulder ends and measure down to the end of your sleeve (where your wrist meets the top bone of your hand) while keeping it level.

Chest Underarm Measurement

To get this measurement, measure around the widest part of your chest. To make sure you get the measurement right, have someone help you measure.

Chest Overarm Measurement

To get this measurement, measure around the widest part of your chest. This time, though, go all the way around your arms in addition to your chest. To make sure you get the measurement right, have someone help you measure.

Waist

This measurement is also known as the circumference of your waist or midsection. This is not necessarily where you wear your pants, but around that whole area. When measuring, leave a finger's distance between your body and the tape measure.

Outseam Measurement

This is the length from your ankle to the point where you want your pants finished. To get this measurement, measure from where your pants normally fall down to where you want them to finish on your outer leg.

Suit trousers are typically finished with unfinished hems, which can be altered by your tailor to the perfect length. 

Shirt Length

The shirt's length is measured from where it would naturally fall on your neck to the bottom of the cuff along the same line as if you were wearing a suit jacket. This measurement includes how much extra length you want in the sleeve and in the body of your shirt.

Shirt Waist

This is measured around the area you normally wear a belt or waistband. This measurement also includes how much extra fabric you want in the dress pant's waistband.

Chest measurement

When it comes to chest measurement you can measure around your chest, under your arms, and across the fullest part of your chest.

Chest measurement is key when determining your suit jacket size. If you are purchasing a button-down shirt simply use the neck, shoulder, chest, waist, and sleeve measurements to ensure that it will fit you perfectly.

How to Measure Yourself for Custom Made Pants

This is basically exactly how it sounds. You're going to measure yourself to make sure that your pants are made perfectly.

Waist

Your waist measurement is the most important part of this process. To get your waist, measure around your belt line with a tape measure or string where you want your pants to sit. Make sure that it's level and comfortable for wear with belts or suspenders. Add two inches just in case.

Hip

To get your hip measurement you're going to measure around the fullest part of your hips. This should be right below your waist, which should be where you measured earlier.

Inseam

The inseam is the length from the crotch to the bottom hem of a pant leg. To get this measurement, use a tape measure or string to measure down the top inside of your leg. This can be troublesome if you're short-legged, but try to get it as close to your crotch as you can without bumping into it with your hand or pulling on your balls too hard. You want to pin it in place with a good, strong grasp of where the pants will sit once they are hemmed.

More on Waist measurement

To get your waist you're going to take a tape measure and measure it right across the area where you want your pants to sit. Make sure this is comfortable for wear with belts or suspenders.

It's very important to get it as close as you can because if it's not, this could lead to a pant size that is too big. Waist size is a tricky thing to get right. If you can't figure it out, ask someone for help or consult a tailor.

Also with waist size, you need to factor in the extra 2 inches of fabric I mentioned earlier. This is so they can be altered to your exact waist size by a tailor if need be.

Inseam Length

To get the Inseam length of your pants take a tape measure or string and measure from the crotch all the way down to where you want your pants hemmed. This measurement should

Shirt collar size

The collar measurement is taken from the center of your neck to the top edge of one shoulder and then to the same point on your other shoulder which should be direct across from it. The ends should line up with each other so that both the jacket and the shirt fit correctly.

Inseam Measurement

This is the length from your ankle to where you want your pants to meet your crotch area. To get this measurement, measure from the top of your inner leg all the way down to where you want your pants to finish.

Dress shoes

When it comes to dress shoes we need to know what we're working with. To get these measurements you'll want another human being to help you out so you don't have to bend your pants on and off repeatedly.

The Suit Measurement Process

When you measure for a suit, it is important to go over where you're going to measure and how exactly you will be doing that. Make sure that your tape measure pulls the fabric tight as you take the measurement (but not too tight). You don't want any slack in your measurements. When measuring, keep the side of the tape that you're using flat against the side of your body, instead of pulling it away. This will ensure that you have the correct length measurement and a perfectly fitting suit.

Here are the specific steps for measuring your suit:

Take the Measurements for Your Suit Jacket

Measure the circumference of your neck and then find that number on a size chart to determine what kind of suit jacket you can wear. Keep in mind that the larger your neck, the less likely it is for a smaller-sized coat to fit correctly; therefore, go with a bigger size jacket if you have a large neck (such as 18").

Use a measuring tape to measure around your shoulders. This number is commonly referred to as "the shoulder width."

The jacket length is the measurement that indicates the length of your torso. To get this number, start on one side of your neck and then bring it by your shoulder. Then measure on the other side to get the same number. Your sleeve should be about an inch above where your wrist bone is located on either arm.

Take Measurements for Your Dress Pants

Measure the circumference of your waist at this point in time because it could change. This means measuring around your natural waist, where you bend side to side . Keep in mind that if you lose or gain weight, you will have to adjust this measurement.

Make sure that your thumb is pointing straight ahead and measure the circumference of your chest by using a measuring tape or string. You want to go underneath the armpits so that you are measuring the widest area of the chest. To get this measurement right, make sure you do not draw it too tight.

With the measuring tape, measure the circumference of your hips. Stand with your feet together and then measure around the fullest part of your hips. This should be right below your waist, which should be where you measured earlier (and should hopefully coincide correctly with the first measurement you took).

For a dress shirt, measure the circumference of your neck by using a measuring tape or string. Make sure not to draw it too tightly around the neck.

For jacket chest size, measure around the fullest part of your chest with a measuring tape or string. Make sure not to draw it too tight across the chest.

For sleeve length, start at the center of one shoulder and then bring the measuring tape down by your side all the way to where you want your suit jacket's sleeves to finish (which should be about an inch above your wrist bone). This will make a suit fit perfectly.

Measure the length of your arm by pointing one arm directly forward towards you. Then place the end of the measuring tape at the center of your shoulder joint and then down to either wrist bone (depending on which hand you're using).

After you have your measurements, it is important to determine what each of these numbers means and apply it to your dress shirt. Think about the attire that you already wear on a regular basis and why it fits right or doesn't fit correctly. That way, you will understand how "off" certain measurements can be if they deviate from what you normally see in stores.

Figure Out your Height in Feet and Inches

To get this, measure the distance from your head to the floor. To make sure you get an accurate height measurement, have someone help you out. This can be done in a variety of ways, but the best is to use foldable tape and put it on your head and then to the floor.

Measure your Inseam

Most places won't require an inseam measurement, but it can help you figure out what type of pants will fit best. Keep in mind that this measurement may fluctuate slightly, depending on your personal preference for a relaxed or tight fit.

Measure your Outseam

This measurement is just from your hip (where your pants sit) straight to the ground.  This is not to be confused with your inseam.

Measure your Rear End

To measure this, stand with your feet together and pull a measuring tape around. This will help you get the right-fitting dress pants to break.

Figure Out your Sleeve Length

Get a side view of yourself with your arm bent to 90 degrees. This will help you get the right fit if the sleeves on your suit wear too long or too short. Keep your arms relaxed and make sure you can see the base of your thumb.

Suit Size Chart

https://flexsuits.com/pages/sizing-measuring-guide

Conclusion 

Conclusion paragraph: If you’ve ever wondered how to find your suit size, or if it even matters what your suit size is when ordering online, then this blog post should answer all of your questions. Finding the perfect fit for a suit can be difficult and time-consuming in stores that carry an assortment of sizes. Luckily, there are some great resources available to help guide you through finding the right sizing for any jacket or pant! We hope our tips will make shopping easier and more successful next time you need a new wardrobe addition (or two!).

We hope this article has been helpful in understanding how to determine your suit size. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for future articles, let us know! For those that want a more personalized experience and the best quality suits, try FlexSuits.com where you can find the perfect fit suit from over 200 brands at an affordable price.

People have Also Asked:

-How do you determine suit size?

Suit size can be determined by three factors: height, weight, and build. If you can assess all of those categories, you'll be able to find your size quickly and easily with a little bit of research and what we've outlined above.

-What size is a 42 regular suit?

42 regular is approximately a size L. The "regular" indicates that it runs about the normal size for modern sizing. It may also be denoted as "42R"

-What is a 36S suit?

A 36 short is approximately a size S. The "short" indicates that it should fit people who are shorter than average, which can vary by brand and style.

-How do you determine a woman's suit size?

A woman's suit can be measured and sized based on many of the same factors. There will, however, be some fundamental differences based on how women are built versus how men naturally are.