Give that man a suit

Give that man a suit

Why a suit is must have for every man

Broader lapel suit jackets, accompanied by a bow tie can illustrate a powerful story about a man. Photo by Blessing Mhlanga

By Blessing Mhlanga

19 August 2019

When a well-fitting suit meets an ordinary man, the world has only two choices: to take a bow or to applaud. In this modern era, suits have become more than just a corporate or matrimonial regalia because meticulous designers have proved that any man, can dress up his status, unleash his demeanor and tell his own unique fashion story by his suit.

There’s a suit for every man. If every face tells a story, so does every suit. It’s important that men understand their personality and then, discover their style of suit wear. Depending on his fashion style and preference, a suit can separate a man from the men.

Fashion designer, founder and creative director of IVLEAGUESA, specializing in fashion design for special occasions, Namhla Lebona asserts that, “Men are not complicated dressers, they like simple garments that are functional & ready to wear. The suit is a classic piece which has lived on for years, it’s timeless. A suit separates a gentleman from the everyday joe.”

With slim fits making waves world over, alongside skinny or broader lapels as well as single or double breasted suits, a suit is a valuable treasure in a man’s wardrobe - one that also needs to be complementary with his good looks and fragrant cologne.

"All men at some point of their lives want to be successful and be taken seriously. In order for a man to stand out in a room, they must dress well, smell good & most times a man in a suit stands out, he looks rich from a distance,” Lebona shares.

Clearly, clothes make a man. Cofounder of Peter Reso designs, Clive Lauter, who specialize in custom made suits, outlines the story that a suit can tell about a man, “A suit can tell a story of a man who likes to wear good quality and usually, who’s successful.”

"A man’s suit communicates his financial status and lifestyle, the tailoring of the suit & the fit define his style & class. Maybe his social standing as well,” Lebona affirms.

Although price is not that important, Clive further notes that an expensive suit has an influence on what people will think about a man and this also equates to the “same way people will think of a man wearing an expensive watch.”

The penetration of trends on suit wear definitely influence the design of a suit and may at many times force designers to adapt to the trends in order to keep their work highly fashionable and relevant to its clients.

In this Clive agrees that, “Yes. Trends do influence our designs. Of late, people are wearing slim fitting clothes of which 20 years ago they weren’t that slim. We then make what our customers asks for and what he/she requires.”

Despite the glorious assumptions that come with a man and his suit, it is crucial to understand that a suit may or may not match a man’s character as Lebona argues, “Yes & No. Yes because clothes are an instrument we use to express our personalities, but No because just wearing a suit doesn’t mean you’re of good character. In movies killers also wear good suits, but mostly a suit defines a well-mannered man.”

Subsequently, there are occasions where a suit can work in a man’s favor and earn him the accomplishments of his intentions.

Clive reveals that, “If you go to an interview and you are smartly dressed, the other guy comes in a pair of dirty shorts. The guy who’s in a suit has the advantage to get the job.”

It is with this factual revelation that leads to an inevitable principle that a man in a suit is likely to make an impression, gain positive responses, energeticly maintain his self-confidence and derive prosperous endeavors from it.

As such, the value that a suit carries in a man is factually priceless yet very precious. Lebona clarifies, “A man’s suit is very important. Tailors are respected, they are of a certain upper league. So a person who gets his suits tailored is a person respected in fashion. Take James Bond or Frank Martin in the transporter, even Keanu Reeves in John Wick, they wear suits for roles.”

Moreover, she explains that there is always a relation between a man’s suit and his inner motives. “The relation might be his urge & hunger for success. Some people live by the term ‘fake it till you make it’ - to be rich you have to practice the rich lifestyle, so he might wear a suit in order to feel like he belongs in that specific social league.”

To make the most of the suit wear, men may try different styles, fabrics, colors & also wearing suits up or down, pairing the pants with just a shirt & waistcoat, sometimes with the jacket on/off. This ensures that a man stands out while remaining stylish and fashionable.

Martine, who works alongside Clive opinionates that, “Men can also try skinny lapels suits, broader lapels or slim fits. Despite South Africa being slow to adapt to the ongoing trend of single breast jackets, pinstripe suits and peak lapels in Europe, it’s the ongoing thing that men can also look into.”

Both designers agree that every man needs to own at least one suit in his wardrope. With talented design creatives such as Namhla Lebona and legendary experienced designers like Clive Lauter on board, there’s no excuse for any man not to have a piece of a sensational and stylist fitting suit. Simply because, a suit is that timeless and classical piece that symbolizes a man’s lifestyle and persona.

A man can stun the crowd in a room just by his suit or he can turn them off just because he didn’t have a suit on. So what story do you want to tell about you? Suit your story and ignite the world.