As an office worker, you probably spend the bulk of your workday sitting. Whether you work in a cubicle or an office with an open layout, you'll spend most of your time sitting at a desk. As a result, you need to wear a comfortable suit that's able to support your largely sedentary line of work. Countless office workers are guilty of wearing the wrong suit to work. They assume that all suits are made equal, so they choose the cheapest one they come across at the store. Unfortunately, this often results in discomfort and/or poor aesthetics. Thankfully, you can avoid these headaches by choosing a suit that's appropriate for office work. In this post, we're going to explore several tips on how to choose a comfortable suit to wear to the office. While you may already know some of these tips, chances are others will surprise you.
Choose Cotton or Linen
While men's suits are available in over a dozen different fabrics, not all of them are suitable for office work. Some fabrics are exceptionally thicker than others, which may cause discomfort when worn for long periods of time in an office. Therefore, it's recommended that you choose either a cotton or
linen suit to wear to the office. Both cotton suits and linen suits offer a superior level of softness and comfort when compared to suits made of other fabrics. You can wear them for eight or more hours a day without experiencing discomfort. In terms of appearance, cotton suits and linen suits look very similar. With that said, they are made of completely different types of fabric. Cotton is a fabric that originates from the cotton plant, whereas linen is a fabric that originates from the flax plant. Cotton is slightly softer than linen, but linen is lighter and more breathable. Regardless, you can't go wrong with either a cotton or linen suit for your office work attire.
Go for Pleated Trousers
In recent years, flat-front suit trousers have become more popular than pleated trousers. This hasn't always been the case. Several decades ago, most men preferred pleated trousers. In recent years, however, more and more men have since switched to flat-front trousers. While flat-front trousers offer a cleaner and more modern style, they lack the comfort of their pleated counterparts, particularly when sitting. As you may know, pleated trousers are characterized by the presence of two or more folded sections of fabric on the front, which are known as pleats. A typical pair of pleated suit trousers have one pleat on each of pant leg. The pleats are folded and sewn into the trousers, allowing them to flex when you bend your knees. As a result, pleated trousers won't constrict your body when you bend down or sit. Rather, you can comfortably wear them all day long while working at a desk. Flat-front trousers, on the other hand, may cause discomfort when worn while sitting. If you're searching for a comfortable suit to wear to the office, go for pleated trousers.
Choose a Relaxed Fit
While skinny-fit suits have become popular in recent years, you'll experience a greater level of comfort by wearing a relaxed-fit suit to the office. Relaxed-fit suits are characterized by a more loose, relaxed fit. They have more excess fabric, allowing them to flex without causing you discomfort when worn. Not only are relaxed-fit suits more comfortable to wear when sitting, many men will agree that they are also more comfortable to wear when standing or walking. The only disadvantage to wearing a relaxed-fit suit is that it doesn't offer the same form-fitting appearance as a skinny-fit suit. But if you work in an office, this shouldn't be a concern.
Pay Attention to Quality
When shopping for a suit to wear to the office, pay attention to the quality. Not all suits are made of high-quality fabrics, nor are they all made using high-quality craftsmanship. Some suits are lower quality than others. And while you may save a few bucks by purchasing a low-quality suit, you have to consider the impact it will have on your comfort level. Low-quality suits lack the high-end fabrics and expert craftsmanship of their higher-quality counterparts. When you're sitting at a desk in the office for eight hours a day, wearing a low-quality suit is likely to cause discomfort. But if you spend the extra money on a high-quality suit, you'll experience a greater level of comfort at the office, allowing you to work longer and more efficiently throughout the day.
Skip the Waistcoat
Unless it's required by your company's dress code, you shouldn't wear a waistcoat with your suit. What's wrong with wearing a waistcoat to the office? Well, in some cases, a waistcoat may restrict your ability to freely move your arms. And even if it doesn't restrict your arm movements, it will still add another layer to your suit, so you may feel hot when wearing it. Instead of wearing a waistcoat, stick with a traditional two-piece suit that consists of a high-quality suit jacket and a pair of matching trousers.
Leave Your Suit Jacket Open
You'll probably feel more comfortable when wearing your suit jacket with the front open rather than closed. Most suit jackets have a row of buttons on the front. If you are cold, you can fasten these buttons to close the front of your suit jacket, thus providing you with greater warmth. In the office, however, you probably won't feel cold. Rather, most office workers complain that their office is too hot. If your office feels uncomfortably hot on a day-to-day basis, try leaving the front of your suit jacket open. The suit you wear to the office will affect your appearance, comfort and overall performance. By choosing the right suit, you'll experience greater success in your professional endeavors.
