No two men have the exact same body tape. Some men are short, others are tall. As such, choosing a suit can be difficult. If it doesn't fit for your specific body type, you'll have to put it down and move on to the next one. So, if you're a tall and slim guy, consider the following tips to find the perfect suit.
Avoid Thick Fabrics
First and foremost, it's best to avoid suits made of thick fabrics and materials like wool or corduroy. While they typically offer greater warmth and protection from the elements, they aren't as flattering as thinner fabrics when worn by guys with a tall and slim body type. Better fabrics to consider include linen and cotton, either of which are great choices. The lightweight design allows for a closer fit to your body, which in turn compliments your slim body type. Furthermore, lightweight fabrics such as these are generally easier to maintain than their thicker and heavier counterparts.
Classic Colors
If you've ever shopped for a suit before, you probably know just how many colors in which they are available. Normally, however, it's best to stick with a classic color, such as black, navy or charcoal gray, instead of a bolder color. Classic colors such as this offer the greatest level of versatility. You can wear them to business meetings, weddings, graduations and other formal occasions. Furthermore, they tend to look best when worn by guys with a tall and slim body type. For these reasons and others, it's recommended that you stick with a classic color for your suit.
Wear a Shirt with Longer Sleeves
Another helpful fashion tip for tall and slim men is to wear a button-up shirt with longer sleeves. If you're a short man, you can wear a shirt with a shorter sleeves. Tall men, however, look best when wearing shirts with longer sleeves, as it elongates their appearance to create a fuller and more flattering look. This doesn't necessarily mean that your shirt sleeves should extend past your fingers (that's simply not feasible). Rather, your sleeves should be just an extra inch long to create a more complete look that compliments your body type.
Choose a Narrow Necktie
Don't underestimate the importance of wearing the right necktie with your suit. As a tall and slim man, you should avoid wide neckties and instead choose a more narrow necktie. Doing so will create a more slimming appearance while enhancing your suit in the process. A wide necktie, on the other hand, will have the opposite effect by making you appear wider -- and that's exactly what you should try to avoid. And remember, the bottom of your necktie should stop at your belt. If it stops above your below, it's too short and should either be adjusted or replaced with a longer necktie. And if it stops below your belt, it's too long and should also be adjusted or replaced. When choosing a necktie at the store, take a few minutes to place it around your neck. This will give you a better idea of whether or not it's an appropriate length for your body type.
Custom-Fitted Suit
We've talked about this before on our blog, but it's worth mentioning again that suits are sold in several different ways, the most common of which are bespoke, made to measure and off the rack. An off-the-rack suit is made using standard sizes without any additional customization or personalization. As a tall and slim man, you probably won't find an off-the-rack suit that fits right. You can shop at countless different retail and department stores, only to walk away empty handed and frustrated. A better option is to choose a made-to-measure suit, such as those offered here at
StudioSuits. Made-to-measure suits are custom made according to your specific body type. You give us your measurements, and we'll use those measurements to create a suit that's custom fitted for your specific body type. This takes the burden of crossing your fingers and "hoping" you find the right size off your shoulders.
Consider a Vest
A vest, or what's more commonly known as a
waistcoat in the United Kingdom, is an optional suit accessory. Vests are typically worn for black tie and other extremely formal events. And while they look great on men of all body types, they are particularly flattering on tall and slim men. A vest will hug your upper body, creating the appearance of an even more slimming figure. Just remember to choose a vest that flows cohesively with the rest of your suit. For a traditional navy suit, a brown, gray or dark green vest is a great choice. For a black suit, consider wearing a white or charcoal gray vest.
Check the Buttons
Something else to consider when choosing a suit is the number of buttons the jacket has. Generally speaking, it's best to choose a jacket with fewer buttons if you have a tall and slim body type. There's really no need to wear a suit jacket with three or even four buttons. On the contrary, doing so looks awkward if you have a tall and slim body type. Instead, consider wearing a suit jacket with only two or three buttons, which will compliment your body type. Regardless of how many buttons your suit jacket has, a good rule of thumb is to leave all buttons undone unless the bottom. Following these tips will help you create the perfect look when wearing a suit. The single most important thing you can do, however, is choose a custom-fitted suit. Even if you somehow manage to find an off-the-rack suit that's not too big nor too small, you'll probably need to adjust it at least in the shoulders. With a
custom-fitted suit, you don't have to worry about this, as it's designed specifically for your body type based on your own measurements.
