Slim Fit Suit = Bad Impression?

As the title states, if an analyst wears a slim fit suit to work, will that give a bad impression to your bosses? I'm aware that a lot of people like to wear conservatively meaning loose and classic fits. While some people like to be fashionable and wear fit suits.

Is It Okay to Wear a Slim Fit Suit?


The best suit to wear is one that fits your body. This could mean slim fit or classic fit, but it is more about personal preference and how it looks on you than what everyone else wears. If you go with an off-the-rack suit, you’ll likely have to get it tailored – a service that most stores offer for a reasonable fee – in order to get the best fit.

Where to Buy Slim Fit Suits

WSO users recommend the following stores and brands for high-quality yet affordable suits.

  • Theory
  • Boss Black
  • Z Zegna
  • Paul Smith
  • J Crew
  • Nordstrom
  • Saks
  • Brooks Brothers
  • Suit Supply
  • Indochino
  • Charles Tyrwhitt

Recommended Reading

 

Suits are all about fit. If a slim suit complements your body type (ie slim build) then by all means wear one. If you are not a slim build you will probably look rather silly.

 

Dress according to your body. A suit should fit you and not draw attention away from you.

If you look too dainty in a slim fit suit (maybe you are slim and short) you may want to get a different style that gives you more masculine look, but still fits. Most American style suits are too boxy and therefore give a pencil look in thin men and a garbage bag look for larger build men. You want something that gives you defined shoulders, waist and such in proper proportions.

Check out this clip (4.20 onwards deals with suits).

http://www.youtube.com/embed/wWqMzLxMj1c?rel=0

Get "Dressing the Man" by Alan Flusser... I highly recommend it as an guide to how to wear clothes that suit you and are timeless. Don't follow his tips in a dogmatic way, rather as a first step in moving away from wearing what is fashionable/Marketed to you and creating your own personal style.

 

Jimmy Fallen is the poster child for looking bad in a suit. Is it a slim fit? With his money I am sure he could have anything tailor made out of any material. Looks like he is stuffed in it. Check out those ads he is in, what are they Capital One, you can't take your eyes off that blue suit, one ad he is on a tricycle he looks like he is going to rip out of it. You just waiting to hear the "rip" noise.

Slim fit suits ooze fad and marketing, not style, hey, you're going like the way you look, I guarantee it. These suits are nothing more than a dated fad that in ten years will look as good as leisure suits. If a slim guy looks like a pencil in a regular suit, looking like an hourglass isn't the answer. You would be better off finding a good tailor and spend the money and have it gentle fitted.

 

I would say wear what you are comfortable in & look good in. Slim fit is all relative. In my opinion, all clothing for men should fit well/somewhat tight, but not uncomfortable at all. SO if you are skinny, slim is fine. If you LIFT, which you should, perhaps a straight fit (fits me snug). BRB, training legs.

** RIP ZYZZ ** We're all gonna make it brahs
 

Check the title :). But in all seriousness, it should be a matter of "fitted" instead of slim-fit or not. The shoulders of the jacket should hug yours and everything else will come naturally (after tailor). If you're slim by design, your tailored, fitted outfit will look slim. Otherwise, you'll just look stupid.

For instance, 90% of the male suit models you see in GQ are very slim hence their suits have a slim look. Suits are all about fit. Hope that helps!

 

Wear a suit that fits YOU. That's really all there is to it.

Wearing a suit that is too big/broad for your physique looks almost as horrible as wearing a suit that is too small/slim for your physique.

Just because half of American men don't know how a suit is supposed to fit doesn't mean you should wear the same boxy crap that they do.

 
aworldapart:
On the same wavelength, is it acceptable to wear skinny ties? I hate the wide traditional ones that fat old people wear. I like the skinnier ties, but I'm afraid it would be too unconservative. I'm not talking rock-star inch wide skinny, but skinnier than the normal wide ties.

The skinniest you want to go is 3" from the widest point of the tie (the side diamond points at the very bottom of the tie). Anything less than 3" is too rico suave for the office. The really wide ones you're talking about are 4" and the standard is 3.5". Just bring measuring tape with you!

Something else you might want to keep in mind is the type of shirt you're wearing. The 3.5"-4" ties look great on spread collars while the 3"-3.5" ties look better on button down or classic collars.

 
AltESV:
Handy tip: business cards are 3.5" x 2". No need to bring a tape measure with you every time you shop, just keep a business card in your wallet. If you can't estimate the half inch difference to 3", then just measure once and make a little mark on the edge of the card.

Genius. Good pointer!

 

what's wrong with slim fit? if a slim fit is better for your appearance, why would you ever pick a standard fit over a slim fit? seems like a weird question to ask, unless of course you normally buy shirts and jeans that are two sizes too big for you (strange behavior to be sure, but i hear the columnists at People magazine say that such style is almost acceptable if you are a rap-star)

​* http://www.linkedin.com/in/numicareerconsulting
 
numi:
what's wrong with slim fit? if a slim fit is better for your appearance, why would you ever pick a standard fit over a slim fit? seems like a weird question to ask, unless of course you normally buy shirts and jeans that are two sizes too big for you (strange behavior to be sure, but i hear the columnists at People magazine say that such style is almost acceptable if you are a rap-star)

I might be wrong but I was always under the impression that a properly tailored suit is fit -- regardless of your build. If you a slim but nature, it is a slim fit suit. If you've got a bit more human, then it would be more standard. The only time I thought a slim fit would be better for your appearance is if it fit and you were actually slim.

 

Even with OTR (off the rack), buy a jacket that fits you snugly on the shoulders and is of proper length (be able to cup your finger tips at the base of your jacket when your hands are by your sides). Then take it to a tailor and they will usually have to bring in the sides at the very least. Same concept though... if you are slim, after the sides are brought in you will have a "slim fit" jacket. If not, then well... gym time?

Even some of the more expensive tailors don't charge more than $45-50 to bring in the sides of a jacket. It should be something you always look into if you're buying off the rack (especially for a suit). Just make sure the shoulders of the jacket fit snugly... if it doesn't fit properly there, it'll never fit properly :).

Anyway, topics been beaten to death. You probabaly have the right idea by now.

 

i was in the same position - after a lot of searching, i eventually stumbled upon Theory suits - they're $325 on sale at woodbury common premium outlets, and they fit like nothing else i've ever found (and i've tried on quite a number of suits).

i will caution though that they really are very slim fitting - for reference i wear BB extra slim shirts, and my theory suits would be too small if they were just a tad smaller.

 
dublin:
i was in the same position - after a lot of searching, i eventually stumbled upon Theory suits - they're $325 on sale at woodbury common premium outlets, and they fit like nothing else i've ever found (and i've tried on quite a number of suits).

i will caution though that they really are very slim fitting - for reference i wear BB extra slim shirts, and my theory suits would be too small if they were just a tad smaller.

^^ This, Theory is an awesome fit because you can buy the jackets/ pants seperate so you can get the exact size for each piece. Another similar suit is Bonobos - although you would have to order online but the fit is awesome.

For a little more money, Boss Black, Z Zegna and Paul Smith all fit similar.

"Jesus, he's like a gremlin; comes with instructions and shit"
 

I tried on countless suits and couldn't find any that fit me right off the rack...until I tried JCrew's ludlow suit. At least for me, fits perfectly with no tailoring needed. Like someone else mentioned above, you can buy the jacket and pants separately so you can ensure proper sizing in both and you can get extra pants easily--good to have two pants per suit if possible as they wear out easier. The suits are probably over priced but the off-the-rack fit is worth it for me. also, limited colors and fabrics but if you hit up the men's shop (soho and rockefeller center) there are more options.

 

Never pay full price for designer suits. Go to Burlington Coat Factory on 23rd and 6th, NYC. Killer prices and a boatload of designer inventory (K,Cole, Hugo Boss, Zegna, etc.). Yes, it's a cheesy store, but no one will know where you bought the suit, they'll only notice how good you look. And just like ballmouse said, a tailor is a must. A great tailor can make off-the-rack look custom. I can't vouch for Burlington's on-site tailor, I've never used him.

What are you gonna do for a face when that baboon asks for its ass back?
 

Euro cut suits are fine. If you are in shape, there's no reason to dress in a baggy American cut (but who knows, Paul Ryan could bring that look back).

Regarding the suit you pictured:

-It should have some sort of shoulder padding. As it is, the model looks like a teenager.

-It should be let out at the waist. A tailored fit is good, but visible distress on the fabric is not.

-Most importantly, it is a one button. Buy a 2 or 3 button (2 button for a 5'7" guy). 1 Button says "I'm a hipster who bought this "suit" at H&M. "

Also, not related to the suit itself, but that guy's tie is too thin and the shirt has a terrible collar. Avoid both (and bright pink).

 
West Coast rainmaker:
Euro cut suits are fine. If you are in shape, there's no reason to dress in a baggy American cut (but who knows, Paul Ryan could bring that look back).
haha, I even noticed Romney wearing a pretty traditional fit suit (not baggy, but not fit). Does the 'tailored fit' rule not apply when you're in politics?
 
Best Response
West Coast rainmaker:
Euro cut suits are fine. If you are in shape, there's no reason to dress in a baggy American cut (but who knows, Paul Ryan could bring that look back).

Regarding the suit you pictured:

-It should have some sort of shoulder padding. As it is, the model looks like a teenager.

-It should be let out at the waist. A tailored fit is good, but visible distress on the fabric is not.

-Most importantly, it is a one button. Buy a 2 or 3 button (2 button for a 5'7" guy). 1 Button says "I'm a hipster who bought this "suit" at H&M. "

Also, not related to the suit itself, but that guy's tie is too thin and the shirt has a terrible collar. Avoid both (and bright pink).

Couldn't have said it better myself. One thing: having a good tailor that makes you look like a million bucks is priceless. Yea suit style matters but a good tailor can do wonders.

Maximum effort.
 

Well if you are short and not very heavily built this kind of suit should suit you fine but then remember that it should not be too slim, Yes some people think that this kind of suits are only for partying and stuff but trust me dude this stuff in interview means you are confident enough to take the job on.

In Time I wander
 

OP, while everyone before me is correct. I would also like to introduce the idea of getting a slim cut double breasted suit, while it will flatter your figure, it will also give the illusion of some wideness. It gives you a more commanding, and therefore confident presence.

Most importantly, just find a good tailor. Being so thin and short, you are especially susceptible to looking like you are wearing your father's old suit

Array
 
APAE:

I'm sorry, but how is 5'8" / 130 "athletic build?" Those are decent numbers for a woman. Do you even lift?

Haha with you on this one.

Bro, do you even legs?

Frank Sinatra - "Alcohol may be man's worst enemy, but the bible says love your enemy."
 
mb666:

Hugo Boss shirts tend to be too slim for me. I do have a beer belly.

Really perfect tight fitting shirts scream "trying too hard" imo. And it looks bad when you have a big chest, well not you at 130lbs

This is a dumb comment which I would ignore if I were you op. Good fitting clothing makes you look neat and tidy while huge shirts most people wear make them look like they picked up a parachute from macys. Tailor for $20 and never worry about it again.

 

Wtf? Troll post? I have never had a problem with any slim fit suits I have owned. Maybe try a different slim fit suit. Almost every men's clothing company has a slim fit suit. H&M has some that are pretty cheap.

 
phoenixfire:

Wtf? Troll post?
I have never had a problem with any slim fit suits I have owned.
Maybe try a different slim fit suit. Almost every men's clothing company has a slim fit suit.
H&M has some that are pretty cheap.

There is so much to laugh about with this post, from you low-key owning up to having a small package to you buying suits at H&M.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 
mrb87:

Have you measured the rise? I have a hard time believing it's so low that it squeezes your nuts.

Easy to believe at my age.

Recently, my wife told me that my jeans are looking ridiculously out of style since I had not bought a pair since the 1990's. Jeans were much roomier then. I tried on a few pairs of 'regular fit' jeans recently and my balls protruded so prevalently I thought it might be less conspicuous to just walk around naked from the waist down. I don't know how you young guys do it.

 

It squeezes my nuts when I sit down. I've owned Perry Ellis and Calvin Klein suits in the past and they all provided me with the same problem... Perhaps my hip bones are high up so the pants pull up high? Not sure. Just wondering if anybody else has this problem with slim fit suits.

 

I have this problem. Every time I sit down in a slim suit I rock a split formation in which my righty bulges to the right of the seam and my lefty protrudes on the left, and my miserable little chode just rolls with the tide. It’s terribly uncomfortable, and I can only imagine how unsightly it is for someone sitting across from me in a conference room.

While I love the way slim-fit suits look, I’ve gone away from them on my last two purchases. I have larger than average love rocks, so it’s just something I’ve had to come to terms with.

That’s my contribution: I feel your pain but have no solution. Wish I could help.

"Run for your life from any man who tells you that money is evil. That sentence is the leper’s bell of an approaching looter."
 

Sounds like all of you need to start buying tailored suits - the slimmer the fit, obviously the more the variations in the shape of your meatsack are going to have an effect on comfort.

"When you stop striving for perfection, you might as well be dead."
 

A suit should fit properly. That means not too tight or not too loose.

With respect to what you've "heard" -- there's slim and then there's tight. Tight is never a good look under any circumstances, business or otherwise. Slim fit depends on how you wear it and can be completely appropriate.

You do realize that you can take the suit to a tailor who can shorten the jacket, suppress or let out the waist of the jacket, slim the legs (if they're baggy), etc..., right?

 
ProspectiveIntern:

I've heard that for business a tight fitting suit might be considered too flashy or modern.

Fitted is good, just don't be that douchebag with the 1-inch lapel shawl collar suit, 1-inch tie, and Justin Bieber skinny pants. Use common sense and you'll be fine.

Commercial Real Estate Developer
 

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"Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face."
 

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