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How to wear a suit: The unspoken rules (and 2 styles you need to know) - The Manual

If you're not in a setting where you're expected to wear the best suits all the time, staying current with the style rules takes time and effort. Many of these rules are unspoken, and unfortunately you're only clued in if you're doing it wrong or you live and work as an expert or avid fashion follower.

To help you avoid any awkward fashion conversations, we took the time to compile these essential rules for how to wear a suit. Below is a simple, condensed cheat sheet that you can easily refer to whenever you find yourself neck-deep in a three-piece. Also, if you're building "your suit wardrobe," the good news is you only need a few staple suits that will work for any occasion. Family Outfit Sets

How to wear a suit: The unspoken rules (and 2 styles you need to know) - The Manual

There are always exceptions and qualifications for each of these rules, so don't take them as the end-all-be-all. Adding some personal flair is vital to building your own unique look. Remember that menswear has some rules, guidelines, and moments that allow you to occasionally color outside the lines.

Eric Powell, Founder of Ratio Clothing, a digital and brick-and-mortar business that custom-tailors shirts and suits, says these two suits should be the building blocks of your suit wardrobe:

“If you only want one suit in your closet, this is the one. This is the all-purpose suit you can wear to weddings, funerals, job interviews, and everything in between. Dark charcoal or navy is the move here — not black. A black suit can look stark in daylight and is generally reserved for service staff uniforms,” says Powell. “Keep things simple on this one with a two-button, notch lapel. A solid fabric will make it versatile, so you can pair it with virtually any shirt or tie. We like a Super 110’s or Super 120’s gabardine that will be comfortable to wear in any season.”

“Not a suit exactly, but these days the situation often calls for something less than a full suit. The navy blazer is your friend when the formality is unclear or if you want to kick your casual wear up a notch. Wear them with jeans or your finest wool trousers. Throw on a tie. Or not. If you wear a navy blazer, you’ll rarely be underdressed or overdressed,” Powell says. “We like a travel-ready fabric like hopsack for your navy blazer. Connoisseurs will often go with an unconstructed model for their all-purpose blazer. This keeps things less rigid, literally and figuratively, and will be comfortable for long days that take you from the office to an evening on the town.”

It's important to have a variety of suits in your wardrobe, as wearing the same suit daily can become a monotonous fashion faux pas. Remember the five-suit rule, which states that every man needs to own a black, navy, gray, brown, and tan suit. These colors complement each other well, giving you a wide range of versatile options for any occasion.

Having a variety of different suits guarantee you'll always have something fresh and fashionable to wear anytime, and you can experiment with various combinations and styles to look your best.

Break free from the boring everyday suit and level up your style with a diverse suit collection.

This should get you started on building a stellar wardrobe with quality, fit, and versatility. No matter who you are and your lifestyle, every man needs a fitting suit. Follow these tips, and you will be the best dressed man at the office or in any casual setting or social event.

Here we are, getting into the cold, wet winter. While you are undoubtedly trying to stay inside and avoid the frigid temperatures, there are some instances when you must emerge from your blanket cocoon and venture outdoors.

When you do need to go out, you pile on the layers that end with a stellar overcoat that keeps you warm, dry, and stylish. Luckily you have already chosen the best men's overcoat for yourself; now you just need the finer details to help you wear it confidently and keep you looking great, even if you're eager to rush home and get back under the covers for the next Netflix binge.

Crocs are some of the most divisive items in fashion. Some people think they are the pinnacle of functional comfort. You can wear them anywhere in place of sandals and they are waterproof, comfortable, and keep your feet cool in warm weather. If you're feeling squirrelly, you can even put them in sport mode when you are ready to feign athleticism. The other side of the debate sees Crocs as children's shoes. While they may be functional, they tend to look best in middle schools and high schools.

While we can admit that we see credibility to both sides of the debate, there's no doubt that the footwear company has done a great job of inserting itself into today's cultural zeitgeist. One of the ways it accomplished this feat is by using kitschy ideas and collaborations. Earlier this season, Crocs released some pretty interesting cowboy boots. Now, it has teamed up with one of the most iconic fast-food chains in the world -- the one associated with Ronald McDonald.

While Taylor Swift didn’t exactly put Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on the map, she’s helped place his style in the spotlight. Recently, Kelce’s outfits have caught the eye of fashion enthusiasts enjoying his out-of-the-box outfits, which are a substantial departure from the typical styling we see from athletes. Instead of polished suits and sleek black pieces, Kelce rocks washed denim suits and sports the seasonal shawl cardigans that play into his more creative side. And while "Swifties" enjoy getting to know the Super Bowl champion’s style week after week, this isn’t new for Kelce.

A glance at Travis Kelce’s Instagram shows that this athlete is anything but your run-of-the-mill footballer. Besides his insane and established talent on the field, Kelce and his team have mastered the art of styling, whether it’s bold prints or bright colors off the field. Not afraid of making a statement, Kelce is the prime example of how to ditch the typical look of an athlete and have fun experimenting with fashion.

How to wear a suit: The unspoken rules (and 2 styles you need to know) - The Manual

Blazer Suit For Men The Essential Guide for MenThe Manual is simple — we show men how to live a life that is more engaged. As our name implies, we offer a suite of expert guides on a wide range of topics, including fashion, food, drink, travel, and grooming. We don’t boss you around; we’re simply here to bring authenticity and understanding to all that enriches our lives as men on a daily basis.