“Wearing a suit is too formal, wearing a T-shirt is too casual” – many men have such confusion in their daily wear. The emergence of men’s casual suits just solves this pain point. It not only has the neat texture of a suit, but also abandons the stereotypical constraints of formal wear, and can be easily adapted to a variety of scenarios such as business, dating, and commuting. But in the face of a variety of styles, fabrics and colors on the market, how to choose the one that suits you? This guide will help you understand men’s casual suits from basic knowledge to practical skills.
1. Look at the fit first: choosing the right style is more important than choosing the right size
The version of a casual suit directly determines the effect of the upper body, and the corresponding version of different figures and styles is very different. I once helped a 175cm, 80kg friend choose a suit, he was initially obsessed with slim tailoring, but the tight waist after wearing it exposed the shortcomings of the figure; After changing to a loose dropped shoulder model, it not only modifies the figure, but also has a bit more casual temperament. That’s the importance of choosing the right fit.
Fit type | Core features: | Suitable for the crowd | Matching suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|
Slim tailoring | The waist is slightly retracted, the shoulder line is closed, and the lines are neat | Well-proportioned, thin males | Pair it with a tight T-shirt or shirt to accentuate your curves |
Loose shoulders | The shoulder line naturally sags and the fit is loose and not tight | Men who are slightly chubby, muscular, or like street style | Wear a hooded sweatshirt underneath with cargo pants |
Italian style has no structure | No shoulder pads or lightweight shoulder pads, no lining | Men who pursue a simple texture and like commuting style | Pair it with a knit and loafers for a sense of elegance |
Short box type | The length of the clothes is short, the fit is square, neat and capable | Men under 175cm tall | Pair it with high-waisted pants to optimize body proportions |
In terms of collar and buckle type, a single row of two buckles is the most classic and versatile choice, whether it is a daily or light formal occasion, you will not go wrong; Styles with mixed material splicing (such as suit collar patchwork denim) are more suitable for young people who pursue individuality.
2. Look for fabrics: the core of comfort and practicality
The fabric directly affects the wearing experience, texture and applicable scenarios of the suit. I did a test: throw the cotton and linen blend suit and the anti-wrinkle polyester suit into the washing machine at the same time, and the cotton and linen model is slightly wrinkled after washing but has excellent breathability, suitable for spring and autumn; The polyester model is completely wrinkle-resistant, making it suitable for business people who travel frequently.
- Natural breathability: cotton and linen blend is moisture-absorbing and breathable, and it is not stuffy to wear in summer, but it is easy to wrinkle and needs to be ironed; Wool youth cloth has a delicate texture, suitable for autumn and winter, warm and stylish; Tencel ™ Lyocell is soft and drape, taking into account comfort and wrinkle resistance, and is the best choice for all seasons.
- Practical and functional: anti-wrinkle polyester iron-free, easy to care for, suitable for lazy people or business travelers; Tech-wear functional fabric is water-repellent and quick-drying, with a hidden zipper pocket, it can also be worn in sports or outdoor scenes; Recycled environmentally friendly fibers are the first choice for environmentalists, such as fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles, which are not inferior to natural materials.
- Style and personality: denim suit cloth is casual and casual, with T-shirts and white shoes to become trendy men in seconds; corduroy casual suits come with retro filters, suitable for retro outfits in autumn and winter; Seersucker fabric has a concave and convex texture, which is breathable and is a personalized choice for summer.
3. Color pattern: easily improve the texture of the outfit
Colors and patterns are the “pluses” of casual suits, and if you choose the right one, you can instantly enhance your taste. Beginners recommend starting with basic colors and then experimenting with patterns and bright colors.
Classic colors
earth-colored suits (khaki, brown) are versatile and suitable for all skin tones; cement gray muji style is simple and high-end, and it is very textured with plain underwear; Although black is formal, you can also wear a casual style with a half-mile design.
Popular colors
Haze blue casual suit is fresh and white, suitable for spring and summer dates or café offices; Olive green men’s clothing is retro and calm, and it is very atmospheric to wear in autumn and winter; Gradient linen is an artifact for vacation photography, and it can be taken on the beach or on the street.
Popular patterns
Plaid casual suits, thin houndstooth classics will never go out of style, and be paired with solid colors to avoid clutter; Herringbone tweed fabric has its own texture, which is very textured in autumn and winter; The washed distressed solid color comes with a retro filter, which is suitable for those who like vintage style.
Tips: If you wear a patterned suit, choose solid colors for the inner layer and bottoms; If you wear a bright suit, such as haze blue, you can match it with a contrasting pocket towel to echo the details more exquisitely.
4. Scene wearing: A suit is suitable for the whole life scene
The core advantage of casual suits is the “versatile scene”, and different combinations can adapt it to various needs from business to leisure. The following is my summary of the high-frequency scene dressing formula:
Business leisure/creative industry interview: slim earth suit + knit + loafers, both formal and non-rigid; Friday casual wear/café office: loose dropped shoulder suit + T-shirt + white shoes, comfortable and textured; Wedding guest outfits/dates are light and formal: Italian structureless suit + shirt + leather shoes, with plain pocket scarves, decent and not eye-catching; City commuting/plane travel: functional fabric suit + hooded sweatshirt + leggings for comfort and practicality.
When I defended my graduation on campus, I wore a light gray casual suit with a single row of two buttons and a white shirt underneath, which was more important than my classmates’ T-shirts and not as rigid as formal clothes, and finally won the favor of the defense teacher. This is the “scene adaptability” of casual suits.
5. Brand and budget: the best choice for different price bands
Whether you are a student party or a working person, you can find a casual suit that suits your budget. The key is to choose the right brand type according to your needs.
Budget range | Recommended type | Features and brand references |
|---|---|---|
Less than 500 yuan | Affordable fast fashion suits | The style is novel, updated quickly, suitable for student parties or trying new styles, reference: Uniqlo, ZARA |
500-2000 yuan | Light luxury entry-level model/national tide suit | The texture is better, the version is corrected, suitable for newcomers in the workplace, reference: Peacebird, GXG, designer co-branded model |
2000-5000 yuan | Niche original/custom casual suits | The fit is exclusive, the design is unique, avoiding collisions, and is suitable for people who pursue individuality |
More than 5,000 yuan | High-end Italian handmade/eco-friendly and sustainable brand | The fabric is top-notch and the craftsmanship is exquisite, making it suitable for mature men who value quality |
In addition, outlet discounts and second-hand vintage suits are also cost-effective choices, with the former being able to buy light luxury brands at half price and the latter being able to find unique vintage styles.
6. Purchase and maintenance: make the suit last longer
Purchasing tips
- When trying on, focus on the shoulder line: the shoulder line aligns with the outermost part of the shoulder, does not slip or is not tight, which is the key to fit.
- Check the details: Machine washable suits are more suitable for lazy people, elastic waistband trousers are more comfortable to wear, and detachable collar panels can be worn multiple times.
- Choose functions according to the scene: choose water-repellent casual suits outdoors or rainy days, choose anti-UV fabrics in summer, and choose styles with mobile phone radiation-proof inner pockets if you often use mobile phones.
Care methods
Even wrinkle-resistant polyester suits require proper care to extend their lifespan. Natural fabrics are recommended to be dry cleaned, and synthetic fabrics such as polyester can be machine washed, but choose the gentle mode; usually hang on the wide-shoulder hanger to avoid deformation; Wipe the stains in time and do not accumulate for a long time.
7. Procurement perspective: choose cost-effective suits from the source
Hello everyone, I am Yigu, a purchasing agent. From a procurement point of view, choosing a casual suit should take into account both “cost performance” and “adaptability”. If you are purchasing employee tooling in bulk, it is recommended to give priority to wrinkle-resistant polyester or recycled environmentally friendly fibers, which are durable and easy to care for, and can also reflect corporate social responsibility; If you are choosing goods for offline stores, you should have more Italian unstructured and denim suit cloth styles, which are popular sales in recent years. In addition, when docking with the factory, you can ask for practical designs such as hidden zipper pockets and elastic waistbands, which can significantly enhance the competitiveness of the product.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: Are chubby boys suitable for casual suits? A: Yes. Give preference to loose dropped shoulders or Italian unstructured versions, and avoid slim fits; Choose draped Tencel ™ Lyocell or polyester fabrics to avoid expanding corduroy and effectively modify the figure.
- Q: Can casual suits be machine washed? A: Look at the fabric. Machine washable suits, polyester, denim, etc. can be machine washed; Natural fabrics such as cotton and linen, wool and other natural fabrics are recommended to be dry cleaned to avoid shrinkage and deformation.
- Q: How to buy a casual suit with good texture when the budget is limited? A: You can pay attention to outlet discounts, or choose affordable and fast fashion basics, such as Uniqlo’s cotton and linen suits, which are very cost-effective; You can also look for second-hand vintage suits, many old fabrics and craftsmanship are excellent.
- Q: What is the difference between a casual suit and a formal suit? A: The casual suit version is looser, mostly half-mile design or no lining, and the shoulder pads are thinner or no shoulder pads; the fabrics are richer, including cotton and linen, denim, etc.; The combination is more free, you can wear a sweatshirt and T-shirt inside, and the bottoms can be paired with jeans and cargo pants.