Not so long ago, there were only two traditional ways to buy a suit. The first was a trip to the mall and trying on ready-made designs. While the second, slightly more expensive, is to buy a tailor-made suit from a friendly tailor. The Internet has greatly expanded our shopping options. Now you have retailers from all over the world at your fingertips, presenting a wide, more diverse range of fabrics, patterns, materials and cuts
Buying a suit online, however, has its drawbacks. It’s easy to end up with something that doesn’t fit your proportions, or a product that looks good in the picture but not necessarily in reality. Buying a suit online is much more difficult than buying other pieces of clothing, such as a sweater or t-shirt. Prepare yourself by following some of our tips.
Buying suits online – three basic options
Secondhand: secondhand, used or unworn clothing is often the cheapest option. However, if you want to buy a suit that fits properly, this is quite a risky choice and it is better to expect tailoring alterations.
Chain stores and off-the-shelf stores: this is the most popular option and still as economical as possible. due to the ease of production and subsequent availability. You can buy a full suit in a matching set – jacket, pants and even a vest or you can opt for a single piece. These products already have accurate descriptions available that are worth reading. Check the real, actual size carefully. Read the size chart and match it to your present measurements. Don’t buy a suit if you can’t see it first on a model with the indicated height and weight/size you are wearing. Some stores also have a size generator based on this data (but still going by measurements and girth is a more reliable option). Also pay attention to the cut information in the description, the two basic cuts are regular fit (looser, with an unfitted jacket) and slim fit (fitted to the body). Check the return policy, just in case. Be aware that the suit may not fit perfectly and will need some alterations.
Online bespoke: yes, there is such a service! Online made-to-measure clothing has grown in response to tailors closing down or cutting back their business during the Covid-19 pandemic. This is obviously the most costly option, but a good investment for the future. An example of a website that carries out such orders is: mmsuits.pl. We have available there specific types of suits sewn from specific types of materials, in different colors, styles and number of elements. We also see pictures of the model in the given cut. After choosing a model, enter your measurements and choose slim or regular fit. There is also a possibility of sending our suit on a pattern (size, cut – sewing 1:1). You can also order fabric samples of your choice. If you have any doubts, for example about the correctness of the measurements, please contact the store’s staff, where you will get answers to all your questions. Check the terms of complaints and returns before purchase.
Photo Tim Miroshnichenko/ pexels.com
Size is important
Do not suggest the current size of clothes, as these may vary depending on the manufacturer. Measure your current figure every time before buying. Always check the size chart on the website carefully and match your measurements to them. This will usually be the circumference/width of your chest, waist or hips and the inside length of your pants.
Be prepared for tailoring alterations
If you want a perfectly tailored suit, be prepared for the fact that even the suit that is closest to your measurements and purchased online may still require alterations. The ideal suit looks as follows. The jacket should lie flat on the chest, without creasing or tightening. Well-fitting lapels also sit close to the body without sagging or tightening when the jacket is buttoned. Sleeves should wrap tightly around the wrists (not ending above them), allowing partial visibility of the shirt cuffs. Pants must fit well at the ankles, waist, and around the thighs. They must be neither too loose nor too tight, as this will distort the entire silhouette and take away from the elegance of the suit.
Read also: HOW TO TAKE CARE OF A SUIT SO THAT IT LOOKS IMPECCABLE FOR A LONG TIME?
Every man has his favorite white shirt in his closet. However, not everyone knows how to take care of it. Collar, cuffs, sleeves, button fastenings - shirts have a complex cut full of many nooks and crannies that can easily get dirty or damaged. If you're tired of deodorant stains, folds, and other signs of premature wear and tear on this garment, read this article. Here's how to take care of your white shirts.
Buy quality shirts
First of all, remember that you should always, or at least often, put quality over quantity. A 65% polyester and 35% cotton shirt made in Bangladesh for £50 will not last you for years, even if you try to look after it. Although the price is not a guarantee of quality, it is worth paying attention to the material.
Look closely at what the shirt is made of, how it is finished and make a checklist of points to check. When all of these points are "ticked off," you will know that a particular shirt will last with you for at least a few years
Don't always wear the same shirt
A practical rule of thumb for keeping clothing in good condition is to avoid over-wearing it. Just like with a pair of nice shoes, don't put on the same white shirt several times a week! The more times you put it on, the sooner you'll have to say goodbye to it
Choose the right wash program
The washing machine is a good friend to men, but it can quickly become your clothes' worst nightmare. For white shirts, try to follow the directions on the label. If you're not sure how to wash your shirt, don't go above 40° and don't wash it by hand. Also take care of the washing cycle, do not overload the machine and pay attention to the colors of the clothes you put into it. Wash white shirts only with other white clothes and use a special white washing powder. If necessary, use a stain remover before washing
Avoid the dryer, just use a good hanger
Once your shirt is clean, take it out of the washing machine as quickly as possible so that it doesn't wrinkle too much and absorb the unpleasant smell caused by moisture. Even if you have the option of putting it in the dryer, don't. Your best bet is to lay the shirt out on a fairly large wooden rack and stretch its sleeves well to keep them from creasing. This will make ironing easier later
Make sure the shirt is clean before ironing
Before ironing, take a close look at your shirt to verify that it is clean. If there is still a little dirt on it, wash it again and then let it dry. Stubborn stains can come from laundry detergent if you poured too much of it into the washing machine.
Hang up your shirt properly
If your shirt is clean and ironed, it's time to put it in the closet. After ironing, wait for the fabric of the shirt to cool down. Avoid metal hangers that can distort the sleeves. The hanger should be made of wood or plastic with fairly wide edges and, if possible, rounded on the sides
Make sure your deodorant has dried before you put on your shirt
Deodorants in beads or sprays provide an "anti-yellow stain" effect. However, yellowish underarm stains can still appear on your white shirt. To solve this problem, remember to wait for the deodorant to dry before you put on your shirt. Wet deodorant should not come in direct contact with the fabric
