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Harv
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Looking classy

Dear Young Professional:

First, for a person to look sharp and classy the most important factor is the fit, i.e., how does it fit you and your body type. Example, I think that a portly, overweight man looks better in pleated trousers than flat front ones. Also, my own feeling is that the portly man looks better in a double breasted suit than in a single breasted one. (But, these are my own opinions).

Next, since you mentioned a specific brand I take it that you are not thinking about a custom made clothes. With that in mind, I would still hesitate to recommend a specific brand because each manufacaturer designs its clothes differently. Some design the trousers with pleated fronts while others make flat fronts. As to jackets, do you prefer a 2-button jacket or 3-button jacket or a double breasted one? Some manufacturers design for a fuller figure while others design for a slimmer figure. This is particularly true with respect to shirts. There are some excellent branded shirts that I refuse to even consider because they are cut far too large for my body size so that to alter them would be like remaking the entire shirt. Remember that there are limitations on how much can be done with alterations.

So, my suggestion is that you go to a haberdashery store or higher end department store that carries a number of the better brands and employs only well knowledgable sales people (I hesitate to mention any store or brand for fear of shilling). Try on suits by different manufacturers and determine which ones feel best and fit best. Many stores have shirts that customers can try on for fit and size. Also, select your suit before you go to shirts because the two can either enhance or detract from each other. For example, think carefully before wearing a striped shirt with a suit having a large bold pattern. I think that the last item for consideration would be the tie. It should complement the shirt. Again, I don't think that you would want to wear a bold patterned tie with a striped shirt - but that same tie might look very well with a solid colored shirt. A knowledgeable sales person can help you bring everything together. In the final analysis, this coordination of elements is more important than the brand names. If your suit and shirt are correctly fit and properly coordinated you will look well even in lower end clothes.

Finally, I am pleased to hear that you are concerned about how your clothes will look on you. Unfortunately, I think, too many professionals are not.

Keep smiling

Harv