The art of customizing your suit

Wearing accessories

The pocket square is one of the essential accessories for a suit. It’s available in a wide choice of patterns: floral, stripes, polka dots and more. It also comes in several types of fabric, including silk, satin, cotton and wool.
When it comes to folding, there are many possibilities. The three most common styles are :

• knot fold;

• peak fold ;

• square fold.

Wearing a pocket square adds a touch of color and avoids the monochrome look of the outfit. However, it is essential to choose the right color to match the suit.

Originating in Italy, the buttonhole flower is another ideal accessory for personalizing a suit. It’s more discreet than the pocket square. In terms of price, it’s less expensive. This accessory is placed on the lapel buttonhole of the suit’s jacket. Its main advantage is that it’s suitable for almost any occasion. You can wear it with a pocketkerchief or tie if you like.

Many men are uncomfortable without a tie. If you’re one of them, it’s advisable to wear it slightly untied, but not too much. For a more casual look, leave the last button of your shirt open. This style is not recommended for formal events such as business meetings.

Replace the shirt with other garments

It’s common to wear a shirt with a suit. However, it’s not compulsory.

If you want to stand out from the crowd, you can replace the shirt with a turtleneck sweater. Admittedly, this outfit is no more elegant than the tie-dyed shirt, but it’s still quite chic. This is the look to go for in winter. To ensure that your sweater matches your suit perfectly, there are a few rules to follow.

First, you need to choose the right material. You need to match the thickness of your turtleneck to that of your suit to promote balance. The second rule concerns color. The color of your sweater should match that of your suit. You can, for example, wear a red or light blue sweater with a navy blue suit. Or a purple sweater with a light gray suit.

The shirt can be replaced by a long-sleeved polo shirt. It adds a casual touch, without impacting too much on your style. Choose polo shirts with buttoned sleeves, much like shirts. Avoid sweatshirt-style fleece sleeve ends.

Instead of the classic jacket, you can also wear a thin cardigan over your shirt. This piece enhances both your shirt and your suit. It can be worn with or without a tie, depending on your mood and the occasion.

To complete your outfit, opt for a cardigan with 5 or 6 buttons. Avoid closing the bottom button to create a vest effect. Match the fabric of your cardigan to that of your suit (same rule as for turtlenecks).

Add other accessories

Assuming your intention is to personalize the outfit, you can dare to add fashion accessories. Let your imagination run wild.

Don’t hesitate to add a scarf, stole or chèche to your outfit. Each of these accessories is available in different styles:

• Plain ;

• Flowery ;

• Patterns ;

• Dots ;

• Gingham ;

• Etc.

In addition to personalizing your outfit, these accessories keep your neck warm. They are highly recommended for the winter season.

The originality of a scarf is perfectly apparent, even with a sober outfit.

There are many different ways to wear a scarf. You can throw it over your shoulder. Alternatively, you can wrap it around your neck. You can also tie it in the Parisian style.

Buy your scarf from leading men’s fashion brands such as Curling, Arthur&Fox or Nodus. For a wider choice, you can also visit women’s fashion boutiques. These stores sell unisex scarves.

Bracelets are another accessory you can use to personalize your suit. Avoid bracelets. Instead, opt for more original models such as braided bracelets in fabric or leather, wooden bracelets or beaded bracelets.