Any suit that will be frequently worn should have some tailoring done to it to ensure that it fits perfectly.  A tailored suit jacket always looks professional, especially when worn in an office setting.  The hems on the trousers should be sewn so that they aren’t likely to be stepped on; angled hems work best with most trousers worn with a suit.

Double-breasted suits are designed to look good when they are properly buttoned up.  The buttoned-up look works especially well when the peak lapel is fairly wide.  Additionally, the bottom of the jacket should always be level with the pelvic area.  A wider tie should be worn to enhance this look.

Most often, men will wear the suit jacket with the trousers, a dress shirt, and a tie.  However, you shouldn’t rule out the possibility of using the jacket for a more casual look.  Many men have successfully worn double-breasted suit jackets with dark jeans, boots, and button-down shirts without ties.  When worn for casual occasions, you may want to consider keeping the jacket open.

You should get rid of any unflattering clothing in your wardrobe, anything old, anything that doesn’t fit anymore, baggy and faded and anything you just don’t wear anymore and then you’re ready to start afresh.

When buying new clothes you don’t have to flash the cash for everything, designer clothes are only really suitable for those with bank balances to go, so look at branded clothing such as 883 Police, Diesel, Firetrap and Henleys to name a few. They will still last you a couple of seasons especially if you buy suits, jeans, shirts, jackets and coats so they will make a good investment.

You can look at cheaper options of clothing for everyday clothing such as t-shirts, vest tops and accessories and anything that follows fashion trends. Basically clothing that you wear for casual or that is a fashion trend and you won’t get a huge amount of wear from it. Stores such as Primark or H&M as well as supermarket brands such as Florence and Fred and TU are ideal for this type of clothing.

Casual wear such as jogging bottoms and hoodies are quite popular at the moment and although they can fall in and out of fashion they are handy to have around, brands such as Franklin and Marshall, Jack Wills and Soul Cal are good brands and their clothing lasts a lot longer than some of the cheaper places.

With all your new purchases always try to get a second opinion to make sure what you have bought suits your body type and what you’re wearing fits properly and finally that you’re comfortable in it. If you’re not it will just sit there still with tags on.

A good item of clothing to add to any wardrobe is chino trousers.  These are loose-fitting and quite comfortable.  However, they also fit the dress code criteria for many offices.  Men who want to look good and also feel comfortable often choose these as an alternative to denim.

Most men will probably prefer to have a few casual button-down shirts available.  These look smarter than T-shirts, but don’t require that a jacket and tie be worn.  Many men choose to wear chambray shirts because they are very comfortable.  Casual shirts can be purchased in almost any colour that you can think of.

Boat shoes are a good casual choice for settings where wearing trainers is not recommended.  These shoes are non-slip, so they are ideal for a variety of settings.  Suede and canvas are popular materials.  You can also buy shoes in this style that are made from patent leather and other, similar materials.

There are any number of occasions for which men need to wear suits.  Sometimes, it is desirable to wear one made of lighter-weight fabric.  One favourite choice is seersucker, which is made from lightweight cotton and has a subtle striped pattern.  There are other types of cotton suits available in a variety of colours.

That said, suits do exhibit fashion trends of their own. Throughout 2009 and 2010, the double-breasted suit was gaining in prominence, with many designers showing them in both autumn and spring collections. Beginning in 2011, suits began to move back toward the classic single-breasted jacket, a look which never truly goes out of style. This emphasis on single-breasted suits is expected to continue throughout the rest of 2011 and all of 2012.

Two Dominant Styles

There will be two dominant styles of single-breasted suits, one sleek and suave, with the other using a fuller cut that denotes more self-confidence. A sleek suit will feature a breast pocket that can only accommodate a pocket square rather than a full-sized folded handkerchief. Sleek suits also feature slim lapels, though in 2012 collections these may widen a little bit until they reach a medium size.

The other style of suit to expect will offer additional tailoring and detail such as a peaked lapel that calls to mind both the 1930s and 1970s. The cut will favour the male physique and appear to the casual observer to revive the classic elements of suit including overt details that add a little bit of bulk to the silhouette.

Whatever the answer, you can put anyone in a suit and they instantly look as sharp as a blade.  Suits are not cheap and usually, the more expensive they are the better.  It is not just the material or the tailoring, but the prestige of owning a suit by the likes of Pierre Cardin or bespoke tailors King and Allen.

The suit is one of the few clothing items that go out of fashion as often as it comes back.  It has been a part of formal menswear for centuries, with its earliest recognition coming from the 17th century, but it was not until the Victorian era that the suit became more akin to what it is today.  With the popularisation of the morning coat, the suit became less formal and could be worn casually.

Fashion, being the fluid entity that it is, takes liberties and inspiration from anything and everything.  The old-style suit is synonymous today with gangsters, crooks and Dirty Harry-esque private eyes thanks to the classic writings of Dashiell Hammett and actors such as Humphrey Bogart, who was like that generation’s James Bond.  These fictional characters were as cool as ice and that idea bled over into reality, making anyone who wears a suit look and feel just as cool.

The suit has gone through many changes, colours and patterns.  Today, the road has split two ways:  Some styles have become more formal and expensive, bringing prestige to those who own it, while the other route has become more casual: a garment for the everyman’s daily activities.

The summer season means that much of the layering that kept bodies warm over the autumn and winter seasons are no longer needed; the current trend for bright block colours is now here to stay. Coloured shirts and ties can brighten up the office wardrobe and add a splash of personality to a neutral suit. Likewise, block colour t-shirts work well with dark coloured denims to give a contemporary seasonable look.

Another wise investment for the spring/summer season has to be a pair of brightly coloured Chinos. Pastel shades are going to work best over the summer and will be a lot easier to match to shirts and accessories. Neutral colours also always work well with pastels and will see many a wardrobe through to autumn once more.

Finally, the most important tip for spring/summer must surely be to have fun. This season’s bright colours and patterns work best with a touch of creativity and an air of freedom. If you’ve never worn Chinos before, just try them – you may be pleased with the result!

Last year harem pants came in, they weren’t embraced straight away, however as the season wore o last year they slowly picked up pace, This spring/summer they are back and a more popular and in demand, with various styles available. From plain khaki colours to in your face bright, patterns, they are an essential part of your summer wardrobe.

Palazzo pants or wide legged trousers as they are also known, come to us straight from the 70’s where this style of trouser we at the height of fashion. Many designers who went with the 70’s inspiration chose these trousers for their collection. They are a welcomed relief after all we have had the skinny trousers/jeans around for a while now so it will be nice to wear some looser fitting trousers.

Peg leg trousers are another retro style, mainly popular in the 1950’s, their tailoring may not suit every shape but they do make a nice change and look great dressed up or down.  If your shorter, look to wear them with boots to give you some height, and if you’re taller you can opt to wearing peg leg trousers with pointy flats for a smart look.

One of the most flattering parts of men-inspired women’s slacks is the cut.  While women’s bottoms tend to sit lower on the hips, men’s trousers often have a higher cut.  Slacks with a higher cut can be very attractive on women; they eliminate the appearance of the dreaded muffin top, the fat that can settle above low-cut trousers.  Since the slacks aren’t typically meant to accentuate the hips, they may skim the hips more and create a slimmer appearance.

The higher cut of men-inspired slacks may accentuate the waist and enhance a woman’s natural hourglass shape.  This makes men’s style of trousers ideal for women who don’t have a lot of curves and want to create the illusion of a curvy figure.

A very popular style of trousers for women is cigarette pants.  They lie flat across the front of the body and sit slightly lower on the hips than other styles of men’s trousers.  Cigarette pants are typically long, with hems that sit below the ankles. 

Matching a pair of pants inspired by men’s trousers with a top is easy.  Pick a feminine top, such as one with flowers, to offset the masculinity of the pants.  It makes for a wonderful combination.

From the clean lines of Hugo Boss and Armani to the delicate styles of Tom Ford, via the sophistication of all that Savile Row has to offer, looking dapper is not difficult.

There are four main styles to consider when choosing:

The British suit consists of a single breasted jacket with three outer pockets and is very good at hiding the excesses of the modern man.

The Italian suit comes with a double breasted jacket and suits a tall, lean man very well.

The Mandarin suit is a traditional, clean, oriental cut with five or six buttons.  The jacket is buttoned at the neck with a small, erect collar. Its most common western appearance is when worn by Catholic priests.

The American suit is the most relaxed of the four and a good choice for men with large chests.  President Kennedy was probably the most famous model of the American jacket.  The flat front trousers show off a man’s legs and overall, this suit looks to make the best of what a man has.

Each era offers its own variation on these basic styles and you may wish to indulge with a vintage suit.  The occasion is always the key to making the right choice; a job interview may require something more modern and impressive.  You may wish to match the style of your partner, and it is always possible to choose a tie or shirt that will set off any ladies’ dresses that are in season.

Regardless of your height, shape or size, this year’s line-up of trousers will have you covered.  Skinny trousers, which were a hot favourite last season, look like they are here to stay.  Another ‘in’ style of trousers that is making a comeback from the 70’s is the high-waist flares which have found their way back onto the shelves in fashion shops.

We cannot, of course, forget ankle-length trousers that can be paired with anything from high heels, sneakers or ballet flats to match your outfit for every occasion.  Regardless of your trouser preference, be ready to invest in an array of trouser styles.

For those wishing they were a little taller, purchasing a pair of high-waist trousers will give you the illusion you are looking for.  If you are seeking a few extra inches and would like to emphasise your feminine curves, make sure your high-waist choice of trousers is also flared.  This look is sure to slim your figure and add some height to your frame.  These trousers look best when worn with a tight-fitting top and a striking pair of ankle boots.

Flares also have the ability to provide some camouflage for women who feel they have large hips.  When picking a style of high-waisted trousers, be sure to choose the ones that have small pockets on the front or larger ones on the back.  This will help draw the eye away from your hips.