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2205
2206

A Guide to Looking Snazzy in a Suit (i.imgur.com)

submitted ago by Lingua_Franca2

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[–]lebowskisweater 437 points438 points ago

Step one: lose 20 pounds.

[–]JuddRunner 117 points118 points ago

Step two: don't lose 50 lbs. Step three: weep.

[–]Fuqwon 54 points55 points ago

Step Two: Have your suits tailor made by a little 85 year old Italian guy that's been working as a tailor since he was 8.

[–]blowcarrot 14 points15 points ago

Relevant

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    [–]crocodile7 96 points97 points ago

    No way I could buy a suit for £20...

    [–]E-Step 38 points39 points ago

    Shit I'd look like Christian Bale in The Machinist if I did that.

    [–]Takaian 19 points20 points ago

    I already look like that... I suppose I'd look like a Holocaust victim if I lost 20 pounds.... (6 feet tall, 120 pounds)

    [–]sfacets 15 points16 points ago

    Hey, at least you could make your living as an extra in the next holocaust film. They seem to churn them out pretty regularly.

    [–]TehGogglesDoNothing 4 points5 points ago

    We should be friends. I'm 5'11" and 135 lbs. I need someone to make me look beefier.

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      [–]makesureimjewish 102 points103 points ago

      don't be unattractive

      [–]JohnScribbles 22 points23 points ago

      You forgot the most important half of this tip: be attractive.

      [–]slayerboy 37 points38 points ago

      Step one: lose 20 pounds buy a suit.

      FTFY

      [–][deleted] ago

      [deleted]

      [–]AllpowerfulGenie 67 points68 points ago

      That fedora looks retarded.

      [–]Stick_em_Cuh 22 points23 points ago

      Much better.

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        [–]GodDamnItFrank 10 points11 points ago

        How did you manage to find a picture of Matt Bomer where he doesn't look fantastic?

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            [–]captain_smartass 63 points64 points ago

            Buy a suit that properly fits.

            Sometimes off-the-rack suit separates fit well, but still consult the store tailor to make sure you picked the right size if you don't know what you're doing. If possible, get a tailored shirt for those special occasions/power meetings (or alternatively, again ask for help picking the right size shirt).

            [–]UnorthodoxGentleman 8 points9 points ago

            And if you're rich, go to Savile Row.

            [–]Atersed 5 points6 points ago

            Like really rich. Those suits are like £3-10k

            [–]Comma20 1 point2 points ago

            Good suits are investments. They last lifetimes if you treat them right (and your body). People drop 10-30k on cars that last them 5-10 years, why not a set of suits to last you a lifetime.

            [–]JackBlacket 2 points3 points ago

            I don't want to get a loan to pay for a suit, even a set of suits. Moreso when the resale market for suits doesn't compare to that of cars.

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              [–]lfzero 3 points4 points ago

              You can only trust the people selling the suit so far. At the end of the day, they might just be telling you it looks good to get you to buy it.

              My advice is to do some reading and viewing at Ask Andy About Clothes forum and/or Style Forum and figure out what type of fit you're looking for.

              You can even take it one step further if you want; go to the store, try on a few suits and take pictures/video of them on you. Post the pictures/videos on both of the aforementioned sites and request opinions. Those folks will be far more unbiased and picky than the person trying to sell you the suit AND they'll probably be able to suggest a far better alternative if they don't like the way the suit looks on you.

              [–]Comma20 2 points3 points ago

              /r/malefashionadvice here can help you out a little too, but be prepared to be told you look terrible.

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                [–]dominiktesla 59 points60 points ago

                I actually have this book, it has so much useful information in it.

                [–]Lingua_Franca2[S] 33 points34 points ago

                i had no clue this was a book! What is it called?

                [–]dominiktesla 71 points72 points ago

                Show Me How, It really is a great book.

                [–]JuddRunner 16 points17 points ago

                Meatspace LPT!

                [–]NNYPhillipJFry 7 points8 points ago

                You guys should also check out

                http://www.amazon.com/The-Art-Manliness-Classic-Manners/dp/1600614620/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344199802&sr=8-1&keywords=art+of+manliness

                and

                http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Mans-Survival-Guide-Rediscovering/dp/1596985704/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1344199802&sr=8-4&keywords=art+of+manliness

                [–]primatesandme 5 points6 points ago

                Thanks! I'm going to add it to my wishlist.

                [–]Isatis_tinctoria 4 points5 points ago

                Is there a similar book online?

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                      [–]JackDostoevsky 96 points97 points ago

                      Never button your bottom button

                      I don't know anything about suits so I have to ask, why not? Is there any reason for this? Or is it purely a fashion thing?

                      [–]Commander1812 39 points40 points ago

                      Top to bottom: Sometimes, Always, Never. That's how I learned it and I'm not going to be the trend buster on that one.

                      [–]ponchobrown 12 points13 points ago

                      when would you ever button the middle button and not the top one?

                      [–]SirVanderhoot 15 points16 points ago

                      Depends on the jacket style. Some have a 'roll' on the top button, meaning that the lapels go a bit deeper. Called a three roll two three button, it's a pretty subtle variation. Really, it depends on how sharp the crease is on the bottom of the lapel.

                      [–]RedYeti 4 points5 points ago

                      Because suit jackets are supposed to fasten about the natural waist, which usually means the top button on a 2 button suit and the middle one on a 3 button.

                      [–]DouggyD 2 points3 points ago

                      Usually on a coat where the lapel rolls over the top button. They're called 3/2 jackets. Kind of retro now, very American. Kind of ivy/prep.

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                          [–]retrophrenologist 135 points136 points ago

                          Don't know where or why it originated, but modern suits are simply not constructed to have the bottom button buttoned. It's for show and serves no purpose unless it's a very special suit. Some fashion-forward suits only have one button.

                          [–]Uncoolio 259 points260 points ago

                          This is true. And to elaborate further as to "why"

                          A lot of neckbeards like to pounce on this tradition as the reason that fashion is stupid or irrational. But the counterintuitive nature of the bottom button fulfills a useful purpose to the socially observant. It marks the difference between someone who wants to look nice, and someone who is being forced to. Because it's not a rule you'd come across naturally, it indicates you've done some study in the area.

                          In this respect, it's similar to the correct pronunciation of foreign words. Aside from tradition, there's no good reason to spell it "filet" when it's pronounced "fil-a." But if someone insisted on pronouncing the silent T, reddit would flip its shit about declining standards of education.

                          In fashion, as in speech or writing, mastery of irrational traditions is the essence of sophistication. It shows that you have an active interest in the subject. Did someone say "We're literally going to put a fake button to confuse the plebes?" No. But that's why it's persisted.

                          [–]42420 55 points56 points ago

                          You pronounce the 't' in the UK. Yep. . .

                          [–]_AdamC 28 points29 points ago

                          It's also spelt differently in the UK, too. Fuck the french.

                          [–]42420 17 points18 points ago

                          Oh, I just thought Uncoolio misspelt "fillet".

                          [–]Uncoolio 2 points3 points ago

                          I did. In my defense, I grew up in a part of the country where a lot of people actually do spell it "fil-a."

                          [–]42420 10 points11 points ago

                          I was actually talking about your single-L "filet" to our double-L "fillet".

                          [–]scottb84 21 points22 points ago

                          Yeah, it's somewhat counterintuitive but the English upper class always anglicize foreign words. I always assumed it reflected Victorian assumptions about the superiority of English culture.

                          [–]42420 6 points7 points ago

                          Anecdotal, but I know a lot of Irish words were anglicised when the Brits came over, but then we gaelicised some English words too, like "craic". Makes me think it's not such an "English upper class" thing.

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                            [–]weaselstomp 4 points5 points ago

                            Is it unacceptable to don both a neckbeard AND a suit?

                            [–]gargamak 5 points6 points ago

                            only if they touch

                            [–]tetsuooooooooooo 52 points53 points ago

                            So the bottom button is there to make people feel better about themselves, by making fun of those who use it.

                            [–]pahncrd 35 points36 points ago

                            Yes, it is merely another way of looking down on people. We are all guilty of looking down on others at some point, but there is no way anyone can know every quirk and facet of every subject in life.

                            I try to cut people a little slack when mistakes are made in my areas of expertise, such as referring to a monitor as a computer, or pointing to a router and calling it the internet. We can't know everything about everything after all.

                            I personally think that humility is one of the most important traits an expert can have, as it shows me that they are not afraid to admit mistakes, learn and teach without hubris.

                            [–]DreadNephromancer 12 points13 points ago

                            Humility is one of the most important traits anyone can have.

                            [–]Trixter800 7 points8 points ago

                            You are totally right. I mean, I don't know anything about interior design, so why would it be fair for someone to berate me about my interior design? Nor am I very knowledged in rocket science. I can't say I know about the history of Hungary during the Middle Ages, either - and I wouldn't like it if people made fun of me for not knowing these things. I do, however know a lot about computers, but that doesn't mean I'm going to berate them about their lack of knowledge about computers.

                            There are millions of skills and topics out there in this world. You can't expect every person in the world to be a master of all of them.

                            [–]not_legally_rape 13 points14 points ago

                            I have a story about a girl calling a computer a router. When I get to a computer I'll tell it in all its glory

                            Edit: STORY TIME!!!

                            I was in school and they had just "upgraded" their computers to where everything was virtualized. So instead of full sized towers we now had little (router sized) Linux terminals (under-powered computers, but computers none the less) which connected to the servers and the servers did all of the actual computing.

                            Well, one girl was complaining about how she couldn't turn up the volume on her YouTube video. Enter Haley.

                            Haley: "You can't turn up the volume because this isn't actually a computer, it's a router and the real computers are upstairs so you'd have to go up there to change it."

                            Girl: "Oh okay."

                            Me: "That is a false statement. These are computers."

                            H: "No, they're routers!"

                            Me: "They... Are you serious? They're computers running Linux which then connect to the servers upstairs"

                            H: "They're routers; I would know, I take apart computers"

                            And that, kids, is why I killed your mother.

                            [–]eyebrows360 6 points7 points ago

                            I have a story about a redditor using it's when he meant its.

                            [–]not_legally_rape 7 points8 points ago

                            Sorry, I just forgot to end the sentence. I meant I'd tell it in all. It is glory.

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                                [–]Bing10 7 points8 points ago

                                By keeping to Uncoolio's example: you could just as easily say the "t" in "filet" is just there to make people feel better about themselves by making fun of those who pronounce it. Similarly I could tease you for your superfluous comma.

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                                  [–]Comma20 4 points5 points ago

                                  It's actually got something to do with King Edward VII being too fat to button the bottom button, and it stuck.

                                  [–]HappyMeep 13 points14 points ago

                                  Congrats, sir; you have changed my opinion on this issue with your well-articulated argument.

                                  [–]albequirky 4 points5 points ago

                                  It really boils down to "you're supposed to". I'm surprised that changed your mind.

                                  [–]zuulthedestroyer 5 points6 points ago

                                  Holy shit I never made the Chik-Fil-A connection.

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                                    [–]urfloormatt 4 points5 points ago

                                    Not just fashion forward suits. A proper dinner jacket only has one button.

                                    [–]manunited97 0 points1 point ago

                                    I heard it was because in the days when men rode horses around they had to unbutton the bottom button to sit on the horse comfortably, kind of like unbuttoning your suit jacket button when you sit down.

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                                      [–]Adenil 27 points28 points ago

                                      It's partly fashion, but it does look better because of the way suits are constructed. You should also unbutton when you sit and button the second you stand up.

                                      [–]TomB69 18 points19 points ago

                                      all of what everyone has already said, but another thing is that it actually comes from English history and a fat King Edward VII. "This is said to have been started by King Edward VII (then the Prince of Wales), whose expanding waistline required it. Variations on this include that he forgot to fasten the lower button when dressing and this was copied." Source

                                      [–]Domdeb 7 points8 points ago

                                      Just to let you know, you cited a paragraph from Wikipedia which has no citations.

                                      [–]Qreeuss 4 points5 points ago

                                      Usually misinformed American here. My dad, who was raised in Liverpool, used to tell us something about an obese King (Prince maybe?) who was unable to button his bottom button on suits he liked, and the public observed this and repeated it as some sign of respect.

                                      Excuse the fact that I can't remember the name of the royalty. Of course this is most likely just a bit of a story and it got me to remember to leave my bottom unbuttoned as a child.

                                      Edit: King Edward VII, and TomB69 beat me to it down there.

                                      [–]igotahugedick 3 points4 points ago

                                      It's both functional and for style. The bottom button constricts movement making it harder for you to be a pimp...I kind of associate it with buttoning the top button of a polo. It's just not meant to be buttoned.

                                      [–]capnawesome 2 points3 points ago

                                      This is purely a guess, but if you had it buttoned, the suit would bunch up and look stupid when you put your hand in your pocket.

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                                        [–]mcnaughtier 27 points28 points ago

                                        Here's a good tip that I learned from an Air Force officer: melt the shoe polish before you apply it. Just put it on the stove until you see liquid around the edges of the tin.

                                        [–]Kabakov 44 points45 points ago

                                        This is true with some shoe polish but not all. Helpful tip is never to heat polish that is bees wax-based.

                                        [–]upvoteOrKittyGetsIt 39 points40 points ago

                                        My shoe polish ingredients is none of your bees-wax.

                                        [–]dudeabides86 9 points10 points ago

                                        Veteran here: apply shoe polish to boots. Take lighter to the polish. Heat. Buff. Repeat. Shine is unreal.

                                        disclaimer: only works on REAL leather shoes.

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                                          [–]AfroKona 10 points11 points ago

                                          Get it tailored, fit is 90% of looking good.

                                          [–]variantmoronic 8 points9 points ago

                                          As someone into men, there is nothing more attractive than a man who can really wear a suit. Suits are to men as lingerie is to women, if that makes sense.

                                          [–]pac212 5 points6 points ago

                                          Somthing we might not get to wear often, and we can't always pull them off, but those who can look damn sexy.

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                                            [–]moxiedrinker82 18 points19 points ago

                                            This tells me nothing about using Dapper Dan instead of Fop!

                                            [–]Oriden 5 points6 points ago

                                            I don't want Fop, God damn it, I'm a Dapper Dan man!

                                            [–]Readingrainboom 78 points79 points ago

                                            Slenderman

                                            [–]silent_p 40 points41 points ago

                                            Suits look much better, if you're a... Slender man.

                                            [–]koreaneverlose 21 points22 points ago

                                            LPT: don't look at him or you die

                                            [–]kyzfrintin 11 points12 points ago

                                            TIL people only know about slenderman through the game...

                                            [–]Erzsabet 6 points7 points ago

                                            There's a game?

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                                                [–]Wilibine 7 points8 points ago

                                                He paid for, designed, and sponsored this guide.

                                                [–]Commander1812 6 points7 points ago

                                                I always followed the following rule as far as tie length goes: top of the buckle with jacket, bottom of the buckle without.

                                                [–]prepping4zombies 22 points23 points ago

                                                I can never get my bow tie to stretch down to even the top of the buckle.

                                                [–]scuba7183 2 points3 points ago

                                                Yup.. I hate seeing the bottom of the tie at the bottom of the jacket

                                                [–]iamiamwhoami 4 points5 points ago

                                                Does leaving the bottom button unfastened always look better?

                                                [–]Banannylle 13 points14 points ago

                                                Yes.

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                                                  [–]EnlightenedTruth 75 points76 points ago

                                                  http://i.imgur.com/vtlGI.gif

                                                  [–]Lingua_Franca2[S] 40 points41 points ago

                                                  Thanks

                                                  [–]0x537 19 points20 points ago

                                                  Yay!

                                                  [–]oananbr 8 points9 points ago

                                                  Watched the film for the first time a week ago. Holy shit, it was so bizarrely hilarious. I wasn't really fond of Christian Bale before, despite the Batman movies, but I was really really impressed by his performance in American Psycho.

                                                  [–]Metal_Lyrics 4 points5 points ago

                                                  American Psycho is my favorite film after Drive. When I watch it, I mouth every line to myself and chuckle in complete glee every time somebody says something quotable, which is nearly every line. Bale's performance really couldn't be better. He nails the role flawlessly, from the cold gaze to the erratic movements that seem superfluous but make the film that much better. The film itself really is dark-comedy genius, because if you're in on the joke you can find yourself laughing at literally every line.

                                                  [–]virtu333 1 point2 points ago

                                                  I fucking love his opening monologue about skin care. Bale's enunciation is just so....crisp and satisfying.

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                                                      [–]Vaeltaja 23 points24 points ago

                                                      Don't match your pocket square with the tie.

                                                      [–]cyberslick188 31 points32 points ago

                                                      I really dislike platitudes like this.

                                                      If it looks good, do it. If it looks tacky, don't do it. It wasn't that long ago that wearing loose and baggy suits was all the rage in the fashion world, now having a suit that actually bulges out at some of the seams is becoming high fashion. Just wear what you think you look good in and leave the "rules" out of it.

                                                      [–]scottb84 50 points51 points ago

                                                      These guidelines exist precisely because many people (and most Redditors, I'd dare say) are clueless as to what looks good/tacky.

                                                      [–]nonobu 1 point2 points ago

                                                      Exactly! How does one learn to distinguish good from tacky, though, without having to resort to looking it up every time?

                                                      [–]scottb84 5 points6 points ago

                                                      I can’t profess any special expertise in this area, but maybe I can offer a few pointers:

                                                      1. Think about what/who you’re dressing for. If everyone in the room is in tshirts and jeans and you show up dressed like Don Draper, you won’t look ‘classy as fuck’ (to use the Reddit parlance)—you’ll look like you’re wearing a Halloween costume. That’s not to suggest you can’t or shouldn’t develop your own personal style, only that you should pay attention to your surroundings. If you’re buying clothes for work, for example, think about the range of styles at your office and work roughly within that range.

                                                      2. Understand colour. Learn a bit of basic colour theory. Also, bear in mind that colours which work well in the abstract may not work well on you. Your skin tone, eye, and hair colour will all impact how certain colours look on you. Trial and error/a trusted friend are your allies in this regard.

                                                      3. Don’t change everything all at once. If you’re trying to improve your personal style, work with one variable at a time. Figure out what cut of suit works with your body type, then experiment with more unorthodox colour combinations, then think about accessories, etc., etc.

                                                      4. Buy comfortable clothes. A suit will never be as comfortable as a cotton tee and cut-off jeans, but it shouldn’t be overtly uncomfortable. You probably won’t wear anything that feels off; even if you do, you probably won’t carry it well.

                                                      [–]Motafication 1 point2 points ago

                                                      Buy comfortable clothes. A suit will never be as comfortable as a cotton tee and cut-off jeans, but it shouldn’t be overtly uncomfortable. You probably won’t wear anything that feels off; even if you do, you probably won’t carry it well.

                                                      I agree with all of your points, but a nice suit is very comfortable. Looking relaxed in a suit is a the key to wearing it.

                                                      [–]LeTigreLeTigre 13 points14 points ago

                                                      You need to know the rules before you can break the rules. If not, you will look tacky and like you don't know what you're doing.

                                                      [–]Vaeltaja 5 points6 points ago

                                                      Given the "rules" within the image, I'd say mine is relevant as well. Sure, there are exceptions, but since the image is going for a certain look, it might as well do it the "established" way.

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                                                        [–]InvisiblePanda9 2 points3 points ago

                                                        can ask why you arent supposed match the square with thr tie? that seems opposite to me.

                                                        [–]LeTigreLeTigre 13 points14 points ago

                                                        It's not that you aren't supposed to, per se, it's just seen as a move done by people who don't really know a lot about fashion and kind of a prom-level move - not an event that's known for sophisticated style. It looks like you bought the matching tie-and-pocket-square combo set from Macy's and you didn't put any thought into your outfit.

                                                        It's really easy and fun to play with color complements in clothing - if you learn your stuff even basically and use that knowledge, it will go a long way in broadcasting to others that you know what you're doing and you care, even a little bit.

                                                        edit: for any prom-destined Redditors, you don't have to match your tie/pocket square/entire suit with your date's dress. The same concept applies (color theory rules!)

                                                        [–]RainbowUnicorns 2 points3 points ago

                                                        Thanks for that second link. Bookmarked!

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                                                          [–]diearzte2 13 points14 points ago

                                                          I'd like to add that a button down collar is actually less formal than a traditional collar. The button down collar was created as a casual style to keep it in place while playing polo. Wearing a tie with one is a faux pas.

                                                          Edit: I should clarify, some people think that a collar with buttons is more formal than one without. Obviously if you spend an inordinate amount of time telling other guys how to dress on the internet, you might have different opinions about wearing a tie with one, but you weren't the intended audience.

                                                          [–]GodDamnItFrank 3 points4 points ago

                                                          I'm not sure where you're from but, but the button-down tie combo is quite American.

                                                          [–]fastdub 2 points3 points ago

                                                          Dependent on the look you're going for. Mod's would disagree with you, as would plenty of young well dressed men in the 60s from Redford to Hoffman.

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                                                            [–]StealthNinjaKitteh 7 points8 points ago

                                                            I thought most of stuff is common knowledge... Also: When you stand, button the suit as depicted and as soon as you sit, unbutton it completely. And as you stand up again, button it like before. Repeat.

                                                            [–][deleted] ago

                                                            [deleted]

                                                            [–]kqr 3 points4 points ago

                                                            A bit more in-depth video about measurements. (Warning: Has a "random video" button.)

                                                            [–]MightyMinneapolis 8 points9 points ago

                                                            Could've save the entire graphic with one tip: Look good in a suit? Be SKINNY.

                                                            [–]virtu333 3 points4 points ago

                                                            not necessarily skinny, just not very out of shape.

                                                            Daniel Craig is definitely more built than skinny, obviously looks good.

                                                            One nice thing about suits is that since they accentuate broad shoulders and a nice one should have some waist suppression is that they can "smooth" your body out if it fits well.

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                                                              [–]Manger57 1 point2 points ago

                                                              Don't forget the classy looking watch

                                                              [–]Nezperdia 1 point2 points ago

                                                              Yes, i want my shoes to smell like bananas.

                                                              [–]juanshot 1 point2 points ago

                                                              If I can afford a suit I can afford some fucking shoe polish.

                                                              [–]EtherMadness 1 point2 points ago

                                                              One thing that's left off of the graphic (but is shown in the image) is to have a jacket taper just above the waist. That will make it look like you're actually wearing a nice suit and not a suit shaped bag.

                                                              Also, sometimes esquire has a lot of stupid/laughable/idiotic male fashion advice, but this book has most of the essential info re: suits and how they should fit and more.

                                                              [–]vorlik 1 point2 points ago

                                                              much more important than this is to have a suit that fits well, especially in the shoulders. If your suit is comically big, no one will notice your pocket square or lack thereof.

                                                              [–]sicilian504 1 point2 points ago

                                                              For all those times I have a banana peel handy but not a brush of any kind.

                                                              [–]Gustomaximus 2 points3 points ago

                                                              They should be clearer on the buttoning;

                                                              1 button suit: do it up

                                                              2 button suit: only button the top button

                                                              3 button suit: only button the middle button

                                                              4 button suit: button the top 3

                                                              Double breasted: You can button all or leave the bottom undone. Personally I button all.

                                                              You should always button your suit unless you are sitting.

                                                              [–]t8nlink 9 points10 points ago

                                                              Optional: Wear a bow tie. Bow ties are cool.

                                                              [–]LeTigreLeTigre 35 points36 points ago

                                                              This is a next level LPT, because you (yes, you) can almost certainly not pull it off.

                                                              [–]newtothelyte 0 points1 point ago

                                                              But they are such a pain in the ass to tie, at least for me

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                                                                [–][deleted] 3 points4 points ago

                                                                If I have no polish handy, I put on my socks and rub my shoes with my feet while I'm putting on my tie.

                                                                (I had to wear a suit to work for several years)

                                                                [–]TheBakedPotato 6 points7 points ago

                                                                I like that this is a useful guide for anyone to follow, not instructions on how to spend all your money like /r/malefashionadvice often is.

                                                                [–]makemeking706 20 points21 points ago

                                                                Although I i rarely agree with MFA's taste, to be fair to them, general information regarding how things should fit/look has been requested ad nauseum, and can easily be found on the sidebar.

                                                                [–]LeTigreLeTigre 4 points5 points ago

                                                                Short bit on MFA from someone who frequents MFA a lot: don't trust MFA's taste as the end-all-to-be-all for fashion. Its system and purpose just don't really allow for anything other than generic business casual to set in.

                                                                Little bit more here.

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                                                                  [–]Warbane 10 points11 points ago

                                                                  To defend MFA, the sidebar really does have tons of information like this - even better, really. The issue is a lot of redditors really just want someone to tell them some specific examples to start. As the subreddit has grown, it's ended up with a lot of people who have some basic clothes that look good and have lurked a lot and start to think they really know fashion when they don't.

                                                                  You can get some good advice if you're clueless, but if you're interested in much more it's a crap shoot to see if you'll be overrun by a horde of the self-proclaimed expert hivemind.

                                                                  tl;dr, MFA has great sidebar articles, but has gotten too large for the community to be consistently valuable in answering more particular questions.

                                                                  [–]hooplah 12 points13 points ago

                                                                  I'm guessing you spent all of about five seconds on MFA. If you took some time to read the sidebar, you'd see that a significantly more comprehensive amount of information exists there than in this "infographic."

                                                                  [–]Over_9k 2 points3 points ago

                                                                  I'm 23 and have never owned a suit. I've been wanting one. Everytime I try one on, they don't fit well. I'm thin and they look too loose on me. Nothing like Barney Stinson.

                                                                  [–]cl0ckwork 6 points7 points ago

                                                                  If you aren't a "typical" size you may require lots of alterations. Almost all pants need to be altered as well.

                                                                  [–]makemeking706 4 points5 points ago

                                                                  You have to find one for someone with your frame or a good tailor.

                                                                  [–]Over_9k 3 points4 points ago

                                                                  Would buying the more expensive suits have a better fit? A slimmer more modern fit is what I'm looking for.

                                                                  [–]Tactful 8 points9 points ago

                                                                  Buy a slim-fit suit.

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                                                                    [–]foregoneconclusion 3 points4 points ago

                                                                    Come check out /r/malefashionadvice, the sidebar has a lot of great information.

                                                                    [–]virtu333 2 points3 points ago

                                                                    If you want a cheap one that will fit well on your slim frame, H&M works well.

                                                                    Otherwise there are some somewhat slim fit suits around you can get tailored further. J. Crew, Banana Republic have some somewhat slim ones, and Macy's also has a few slim fits.

                                                                    Or, you can try a made-to-measure brand like Black Lapel, Indochino, Thick as Thieves, or Suit Supply, where you can send measurements and get one made based on them.

                                                                    [–]UnDire 2 points3 points ago

                                                                    My Great Grandfather was a banker and never dressed down less than a white long sleeve collared shirt, polished shoes, and his dress slacks. I was just talking to my mom about his classy ass yesterday. That was back in the day, of course. he died about 1980. I think that is kind of cool.

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                                                                      [–]Niggre 0 points1 point ago

                                                                      Lol at all the neckbeards upvoting this and thinking it'll help them. You're all so fat and ugly that no amount of clothing or fashion advice will make you desirable. All these upvotes just show that you're vain fucks who hypocritically pursue beauty while pitchforking those who deny you for your ugliness. Sad

                                                                      [–]Picnicpanther 3 points4 points ago

                                                                      Though this dude said it in a totally tactless way, it's true. Not even designer clothes and the best tailor in the world will make you look good if you don't put any effort into maintaining a healthy body.

                                                                      Hell, I've always been a skinny fuck (130 lbs, 5'9), and suits still looked terrible on me. When I started working out and getting muscle, it made all the difference.

                                                                      Being attractive doesn't mean being born good-looking. It means putting some effort into not looking like a complete tool.

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                                                                        [–]Mitiger 0 points1 point ago

                                                                        I love that Book!

                                                                        [–]bwever 0 points1 point ago

                                                                        *Banana for scale.

                                                                        [–]UnDire 0 points1 point ago

                                                                        This is why I am learning how to use a sewing machine.

                                                                        [–]marnargulus 1 point2 points ago

                                                                        What if you are wearing a paddock coat?

                                                                        [–]bilbobagg1ns 0 points1 point ago

                                                                        Learn how to fight a shark...and 493 more essential life skills.

                                                                        [–]Capn_Of_Rum 0 points1 point ago

                                                                        Random question. Is there a compilation of all of these somewhere?

                                                                        [–]johnduck -1 points0 points ago

                                                                        A Guide to looking like Slenderman

                                                                        [–]npa_is_a_choice 0 points1 point ago

                                                                        button rule is: Sometimes, Always, Never

                                                                        [–]newtothelyte -1 points0 points ago

                                                                        what about skinny ties? Anyone a fan of these?

                                                                        [–]virtu333 4 points5 points ago

                                                                        width of your tie should match the width of your lapels.

                                                                        in any case, reserved for those under 30 and not for business formal either.

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                                                                          [–]norinmhx 1 point2 points ago

                                                                          Step one, lose the goatee, it doesn't go with you suit.

                                                                          [–]00zero00 1 point2 points ago

                                                                          Getting the tie to fall at that point is a challenge to me at least.

                                                                          [–]Igorman 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          If you are fit/average build buy a 2 buttons suit. If you are chubby - 3 buttons.

                                                                          Get your suit tailored! It's hard to find a good suit that fits you perfectly!

                                                                          Also If you prefer having a skinny trousers (preferably with turn-up), they can be a little bit shorted then the normal trousers

                                                                          [–]robociv 1 point2 points ago

                                                                          Don't forget: socks match the pants! Too many times I've seen people with mismatched sock/pant color.

                                                                          [–]DiaDeLosMuertos -1 points0 points ago

                                                                          Slender looking.

                                                                          [–]itssbrian 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          What I saw when I first looked at the top right was "shoe plus brush plus polish plus other brush plus clothe time banana."

                                                                          [–]AfroKona 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          The difference between formal oxfords and casual oxfords is whether they are polished or not, respectively.

                                                                          [–]meltedmuffin 1 point2 points ago

                                                                          if you want your shoes to look shiny as fuck google on how to bull them, it takes effort, but they will look like black mirrors.

                                                                          [–]thename226 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          That looks like it's from a book. Where can I find it?

                                                                          Edit: found answer here: http://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/xpyfv/a_guide_to_looking_snazzy_in_a_suit/c5ol77a

                                                                          [–]LaziestManAlive 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          "Never button the bottom button"

                                                                          Thank you! I've been telling my friends for years not to do this. I was beginning to fear this little piece of suit etiquette had died off.

                                                                          [–]SnoochieBoochies182 -1 points0 points ago

                                                                          Suit Up!

                                                                          [–]aliquidcure 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          None of this really matters - if you want a suit that looks good on you, get a tailored suit. Simple as that.

                                                                          [–]iwishiwasrelevant 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Just watch Put This On for the basics and stop fretting about the little details so much.

                                                                          [–]DocJawbone 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Did not know that about the tie. I've been riding too high this whole time!

                                                                          [–]ggrieves 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          I wanted to buy cufflinks once. But my gf said "you don't own any shirts that use cufflinks." I said "why would I own shirts that need cufflinks if I don't have any cufflinks?" she said "why would you own cufflinks if you don't have any shirts that need them?" I guess to her it's only natural to have to buy everything, all at once, every time.

                                                                          [–]srock456 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          what if your suit only has one button

                                                                          [–]iEatPickelz -1 points0 points ago

                                                                          SLENDER

                                                                          [–]sfacets -1 points0 points ago

                                                                          Doesn't really give many tips - I don't count polishing my shoes and optional handkerchief advice as contributing towards looking snazzy in a suit. More useful would be what kind of suit for which occasion, body type, and what kind of fitting you get from different suits (sleeve width, lining, pockets...) so much to say that this guide really doesn't.

                                                                          [–]hero0fwar 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Saved, with the hope of having an occasion to wear a suit

                                                                          [–]burl462 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          I'm pretty sure this is Barney Stinson.

                                                                          [–]Ravek 1 point2 points ago

                                                                          And open both buttons if you're sitting down.

                                                                          [–]lethargic1 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Ever since I started watching Mad Men, I've been wanting to dress more like Don Draper. Thanks for the handy guide, OP.

                                                                          Where's a good place to buy shirts with link cuffs? Are they terribly expensive?

                                                                          [–]burnabee13 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          While being slender is definitely a plus, I think not being so doesn't pose too much of a problem when wearing suits. However, being a short guy is a bummer. In college, I am required to be wearing suits several times throughout the year, and I struggle so much to find great suits that fit well when I'm a small guy :/

                                                                          [–]zoologic0 -1 points0 points ago

                                                                          Bananas attract fruit flies. Why would someone think rubbing it on leather shoes is a good idea?

                                                                          [–]suction 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Good, but do you have a guide on looking jazzy in a snatch?

                                                                          [–]Squirly_Burly 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Tag

                                                                          [–]Omega52 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          LPT: check out MFA for fashion and style tips.

                                                                          [–]AnAverageDino13 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          I feel like this is Barney Stinson's checklist when he suits up every morning.

                                                                          [–]MolsonIce 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          /r/malefashionadvice

                                                                          [–]omegacv93 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          You forgot the part about being Don Draper

                                                                          [–]lperdahl 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Wow I want to look dapper.

                                                                          [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Sometimes I wish I were a guy so I could wear a suit.

                                                                          [–]Yofi 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Am I the only one who thinks it's really lame that men's "personal flair" is restricted to cufflinks?

                                                                          [–]oskarrrrr 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          I've seen several of these illustrations reach highly in LifeProTips and even this came in second on the front page. I found the book at my girlfriend's house and spent a good 45 minutes reading through it (to her annoyance) and found it really good so I would rather redditors buy it than have scanned pages show up every couple of days. PS: I promise I am not Derek Fagerstrom

                                                                          [–]daotime 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Can anyone confirm the effectiveness of the banana?

                                                                          [–]HouseOfHouse 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Give MY shoes a shine?

                                                                          http://i.imgur.com/bOAIq.jpg

                                                                          [–]Fighterhayabusa 1 point2 points ago

                                                                          I prefer this infographic

                                                                          [–]JackImpact 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Are there more of these?

                                                                          [–]electric_creamsicle 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Thank you. I've been looking for the website that posts these forever so that I could find the one to train for long distance running.

                                                                          [–]KingPillow 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          I needed this. Have an upvote as my thanks.

                                                                          [–]Ravenen 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          buy the book...

                                                                          [–]konkydong 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          I don't know why the cuff links bother me so much. They look like fins like that to me. I guess I am just crazy:/

                                                                          [–][deleted] 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          look like slenderman

                                                                          [–]Original_Reposts 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Step one: become slender man

                                                                          [–]Element_Scrolls_v 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Mother of god... that is SLENDERMAN!!

                                                                          [–]Rowsncrantz 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          One of the most important parts of any suit, any outfit, moreover, is the alignment of your gig line. The buttons of your shirt, the length of your tie, the buckle on your belt, the fly of your pants should all align.

                                                                          [–]lowtoast 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          You need a banana to get your shoes shined?!

                                                                          [–]RotaryBoost 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Scared the shit out of me. It's 3 in the morning, and for the last 6 hours I've been watching Slenderman videos, creepypastas, and other things that have me on edge. Just a little redditing before bed won't hurt, right? WRONG.

                                                                          [–]Lion_HeartVIII 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          I can't stand how folks despise the bottom button...it's an old English fashion invented by some king. This is 2012 in the United States of America. let's actually use that button...I, for one, use it because I've accidentally pulled my top button off by only buttoning that one. So I button both, and, well, I'm snazzy enough.

                                                                          [–]Motafication 1 point2 points ago

                                                                          Folded hankerchief is for posers. Everything is else is spot on.

                                                                          [–]Johwi 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          Why can't you button your lowest button? I think it looks awfully careless to just button your upper jacket button, unless you plan on sitting down, where if you have both buttoned, the jacket will end up looking more "puffy".

                                                                          [–]rasmus9311 0 points1 point ago

                                                                          I think it's more important to have a suit that fits you than all these small tips.

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