rules for buying an off-the-rack men’s suit this summer 2

Jacket length.

Generally, the suit’s jacket should be long enough to cover your pants zipper and your rear, while sitting flat on your back. Make sure the jacket isn’t crinkling, nor pulling.

Vents.

Judging by what’s trending on the runway, double vents in the back are a more modern and fashionable approach to a summer suit. Vents are the flaps of cloth located below the waist, at the back. They should cover your entire rear end and they should never be separated unless you’re bending or sitting down. Otherwise they should lay flat against your backside, particularly as you’re standing straight. This look is known to also flatter the larger figures.

Waist.

If your pants are flat front, make sure they fit perfectly in the waist. This will translate to a nice straight fit down to the break on your shoe. Also, you should be able to insert one finger into the waist of your pants while wearing them and still feel perfectly comfortable.

Break.

The break refers to the crease formed where the pants hit the top of the shoe. Here is where you should opt for a medium break as it will bring the back of the pant leg about halfway down the heel of your shoe. However, for more of a fashionable look, the pant hem should hit right at the top of your shoe, or a little bit higher, exposing a little bit of ankle.

Pleats, cuffs, rise.

The modern take on men’s trousers is based upon a flat-front for an overall polished and sleek appearance. 

Suit pants should almost always have cuffs, at least that’s what one of the unspoken rules of tailoring states. Cuffs will help your pants hang properly, although they do tend to look best on taller men.

The length from the crotch to the waistband is called the rise. The summer pants suit’s excellent fit at the waist should help you avoid extremes such as the high-rise pants, or the low-rise trousers. They’re both a definite no.