Business Dress Code Basics for Men

A successful CEO in a snappy Italian suit, a manager in a superb two-piece affair, a lawyer on TV in an impeccably tailored suit-and-tie: all of these members of the corporate world depend on their business suits to project certain images. Wearing an exquisite business suit is a statement of flawless taste and affluence. It says much about the person even before a word is spoken.

The business was and is an important in a man's corporate attire. But with the evolution of what constitutes attractive and appropriate fashion, every man must be updated on what is the ideal business suit.

Impress with a tie

Whether you are in a job interview, a social event, or a meeting with new clients, the goal of the suit-and-tie is to impress and project seriousness. In today's wide acceptance of casual attires, adding a tie to the business suit means you are after serious business.

Avoid t-shirt or polo

A t-shirt or polo will spell disaster if it goes with your suit. Whether you are wearing a tie or not, a long sleeve, collared button front is the most appropriate. Donning a t-shirt with a business suit will look like as if you have just finished taping Miami Vice.

Go for modern jacket

A single breasted, two-button jacket will give you an overall modern look. Three buttons can also work for taller men, but steer clear of the double-breasted ones. Button the jacket completely and check if your fist fits inside. It is too small if your fist does not fit and too big if it has a lot of legroom

The length of the jacket should hit a bit just below your crotch. When looking for the right shoulder padding, consider having a light padding that ends to the point where the natural shoulder starts sloping to the arm. Additionally, check the sleeves if they end about an inch past your wrist, and if shirt cuff shows about one-half inch.

Look for trousers that fit

When you buy a business suit, always remember that the ratio between the waist of the pants and the jacket's chest size is usually six inches. If you do not have the average body size, see a good tailor for the fit you want.

A good pant is one that enables you to fit two fingers in your waist. Also check the seat of the pants as well as the amount of the fabric found around the thigh area. You want a sleek and polished fit, not a spacey pants and low crotch. You also do not want an obvious tight fit.

The length of your pants should rest in the back about one-half inch above the ground while wearing shoes, creating a single and smooth break in the front of the pants.

Color is everything

You can always choose the basic black. If you want a little edge, look for black on black stripe. Add a great fashion with some dotted, thin colored stripes on your black business suit. Think blue, red, or green pinstripes. Light gray and charcoal gray are elegant picks for your suit.