The Basic Rules For Picking Your Suit For The Races

If you subscribe to Hardy Amies’ famous maxim that a man should look as if he has put on his clothes with care and then promptly forgotten all about them, you may well be sceptical of the statement suit. But with careful planning and precise attention to details, it can pay to be bold. “When wearing strong colours and patterns, having your suit altered to fit is vital,” says James Jee, head of menswear at luxury Brit brand Jaeger. “If you’re going to draw attention, the basics need to be right: trousers that don’t pool at the ankle, sleeves cut to allow your shirt cuffs to show, and so on.”

The shortcut to a great fitting suit? Start with the shoulders. Your jacket’s shoulders should sit just on the end of the bone in your shoulder. Get that right and any other adjustments to the body of the suit or trousers can be made relatively cheaply. If you have broad shoulders and a big chest, try a suit with a decent lapel width. The extra fabric will draw the eye across the chest, ensuring your head looks in proportion with your body.