THE RIGHT WAYS TO INVEST IN SUITS

I have recently been offered a job with a corporate company in DIFC. I am looking to invest in a couple of new suits, but I’m not sure what I should be looking to buy. Please advise.

AWhen starting a new job, where your mind is on your new role and work, consider purchasing clothing that can ‘work’ for you. Start building a ‘capsule’ wardrobe based around a few key pieces that can rotate and work for you in different settings and manners.

A good starting point is to go with a solid navy blue three-piece suit. Navy is such a great colour to pair with black or brown shoes, various shirting options and is easy to accessorise with some unique pieces such as a nice pocket square or a tie. It will really look sharp, and give you some solid sartorial credit. Not only that, a three-piece can be broken up into three different looks, affording you greater mileage for your purchase.

The full three-piece can take you through a power meeting in the boardroom; the jacket and trouser combo work well for daily wear with a smart shirt and tie; while the waistcoat paired with trousers is great during the hotter months in this region. Other solid, safe options in suits would be to consider charcoals and greys as well. They are what I call great workhorses.

I’d recommend you invest in at least five good quality, well-tailored shirts. Nothing says sophisticated and smart better than a shirt that is clean-cut and well-fitted. Opt for three whites and two in colours that suit your skin tone and that add a dash of personality – a lilac, or a blue and white candy stripe, for instance. All will work well with the workhorse suit while also offering the versatility of sporting them with a plethora of complementary ties and accessories.

That said, while the amount of suit accessories may seem limitless, the pieces should be chosen carefully and thoughtfully. Make your mark with an unexpected shade that plays off in a minor colour in the pocket square you buy, either in your jacket or tie. We recommend clients get a contrasting tie and pocket square combination that will accentuate the outfit.

The navy blazer alone can also be paired with a beige chino for casual Thursdays or for a more social relaxed affair. Durable, versatile and when cut right, super stylish, a neutral pair of chino trousers is the ideal substitute for your heavier wool trousers that you will wear through the cooler months. The key in finding the right pair is in the fit and build quality – they should sit a little lower on the hip than the suit trousers, maintain the same rise and length in the leg and taper towards the ankle. Should your job involve travel, these are a real winner as they fold easily and look great in social and even more formal settings when paired with the right blazer and brogues.