- Every man needs at least one well-fitted suit — navy is the most versatile first choice
- Single-breasted, two-piece suits with notch lapels cover 90% of occasions
- Fit matters more than price — a $200 tailored suit beats a $600 off-the-rack one
- Wool is the best all-around fabric, especially in Georgia's climate
- Proper care extends a suit's life by years — hang, brush, and rotate
- GA SuitWarehouse in Gainesville, GA fits and alters every suit in-house
A well-fitted suit is the most versatile garment a man can own. One good suit covers weddings, funerals, job interviews, church, date nights, and any occasion where you need to look your best. The challenge is knowing what to buy, how it should fit, and how to take care of it.
This guide covers everything from suit construction to care — written by the team at GA SuitWarehouse, Gainesville's only dedicated men's suit store. Whether this is your first suit or your fifth, you will find something useful here.
Suit Styles: Single-Breasted vs Double-Breasted
The most fundamental choice in suit style is single-breasted versus double-breasted. Single-breasted suits have one row of buttons and one column of buttonholes. They are the standard for business, weddings, and everyday wear. Most men's wardrobes are built on single-breasted suits.
Double-breasted suits have two rows of buttons and overlap across the chest. They carry more visual weight, project authority, and feel more formal. They have made a comeback in recent years but remain a specialty choice. If you are buying your first suit, start single-breasted. For a deeper dive into this decision, see our single-breasted vs double-breasted comparison.
Two-Piece vs Three-Piece
A two-piece suit is a jacket and matching trousers. A three-piece adds a matching vest (waistcoat). Two-piece suits are more common, less formal, and work in warmer weather. Three-piece suits add a layer of formality and structure — they look excellent at weddings and in cooler months.
For most men, a two-piece suit is the right starting point. Add a vest when you want to dress up for a specific occasion like a wedding or formal event.
Lapel Types and What They Mean
Lapels are the folded fabric on the chest of the jacket. There are three types, and each signals a different level of formality:
- Notch lapels: A V-shaped notch where the collar meets the lapel. The most common and versatile. Appropriate for business, casual events, and everyday wear.
- Peak lapels: Pointed upward toward the shoulders. More formal and assertive. Common on double-breasted suits and formal single-breasted suits. Strong choice for weddings.
- Shawl lapels: A smooth, rounded collar with no notch or peak. Almost exclusively found on tuxedos and dinner jackets. Not standard on business suits.
For your first suit, notch lapels are the safe and versatile choice. For a wedding or formal event, peak lapels add distinction.
Suit Colors: Building Your Wardrobe
Color selection determines how many occasions your suit can handle. Here is the order most men should follow when building a wardrobe:
- Navy: The most versatile suit color. Works for weddings, interviews, church, funerals, and casual events. Navy flatters every skin tone and pairs with nearly any shirt and tie combination.
- Charcoal: Slightly more formal than navy. Excellent for business, winter weddings, and evening events. A strong second suit.
- Black: The most formal. Essential for black-tie events and funerals, but less versatile day-to-day. Many men wait to buy a black suit until after navy and charcoal.
- Medium grey: A lighter option for spring, summer, and daytime events. Adds variety without being unusual.
- Tan or light blue: Seasonal choices for warm-weather events. Best as a third or fourth suit.
For a detailed guide on this topic, read what color suit to buy first.
Fabric: What Your Suit Is Made Of Matters
The fabric determines how a suit feels, drapes, breathes, and holds up over time. In Georgia's climate, fabric choice is especially important because of the heat and humidity.
- Wool: The gold standard. Breathes, resists wrinkles, and drapes beautifully. Available in tropical weights for summer and heavier weights for winter.
- Linen: Maximum breathability for summer events. Wrinkles easily but looks relaxed and seasonal.
- Cotton: Affordable and comfortable for casual warm-weather wear. Less formal than wool.
- Polyester: Budget-friendly but does not breathe. Avoid 100% polyester in Georgia heat.
- Blends: Wool-linen and wool-cotton blends offer the best of both worlds for transitional weather.
For a seasonal breakdown of what to wear when, read our suit fabrics for Georgia weather guide.
How a Suit Should Fit
Fit is the single most important factor in how a suit looks. A $200 suit that fits perfectly will look better than a $600 suit that does not. Here are the key fit points:
- Shoulders: The seam should sit right at your shoulder bone. No overhang, no pulling. This is the hardest point to alter, so get it right at purchase.
- Chest: The jacket should button without pulling and lie flat against your chest. You should be able to slip a fist between the jacket and your body.
- Jacket length: The bottom of the jacket should cover your seat and reach your knuckles when arms hang naturally.
- Sleeves: About half an inch of shirt cuff should show below the jacket sleeve.
- Trousers: Sit at or just below the natural waist. A slight break where the trouser meets the shoe is standard.
For a complete fit breakdown, see our how a suit should fit guide. And for what can be adjusted after purchase, read about suit alterations.
Suits for Every Occasion
Different events call for different levels of formality. Here is a quick reference:
Weddings
The groom and groomsmen should be the best-dressed men at the event. Navy, charcoal, or grey suits work for most weddings. Black tie calls for a tuxedo. Read our wedding suits guide and groomsmen coordination guide.
Job Interviews
Navy or charcoal, single-breasted, with a white or light blue shirt. Conservative and clean. The suit should say you are professional and detail-oriented.
Church
A versatile navy or charcoal suit rotates well for weekly services. Three-piece suits add distinction for pastors and church leaders. See our church suits guide.
Prom and Graduation
More room for personality. Colored suits, slim fits, and bold accessories are popular among younger men. Read our prom suits guide and graduation suits guide.
Funerals
Black or dark charcoal. Conservative fit with a white shirt and dark tie. Keep accessories minimal.
Caring for Your Suit
Proper care extends a suit's life by years. The basics:
- Hang on a proper hanger: Use a wide, contoured wooden or padded hanger — never a wire hanger. This maintains the jacket's shoulder shape.
- Brush after wearing: A soft garment brush removes dust and lint that can degrade fabric over time.
- Rotate your suits: Do not wear the same suit two days in a row. Give each suit 24–48 hours to rest and air out between wears.
- Dry clean sparingly: Over-cleaning shortens a suit's life. Dry clean only when actually soiled — once or twice per season for regular wear.
- Store properly: Keep suits in a breathable garment bag in a cool, dry closet. Avoid plastic bags that trap moisture.
- Address stains immediately: Blot (do not rub) fresh stains and take the suit to a cleaner as soon as possible.
For a detailed care routine, read our suit care and maintenance guide.
Buying vs Renting: The Right Choice
For most men, buying a suit is the better investment. A purchased suit is tailored to your body and yours to wear to every future event. Renting costs nearly as much per occasion and delivers a generic fit with no long-term value.
Renting makes sense only for one-time events with unusual requirements. For everything else — weddings, work, church, interviews — buying wins on cost, fit, and convenience. Read our full buy vs rent comparison.
How to Measure Yourself for a Suit
Knowing your measurements before you shop saves time and ensures a better starting point. The key measurements are chest, waist, hip, inseam, sleeve length, and shoulder width. While professional in-store measurement is always best, having approximate numbers helps when browsing or shopping for someone else.
For step-by-step instructions, see our how to measure for a suit guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of men's suits?
The main types of men's suits are single-breasted (one row of buttons, most common), double-breasted (two rows of buttons, more formal), two-piece (jacket and trousers), and three-piece (jacket, trousers, and matching vest). Within these categories, suits also vary by lapel type — notch lapels are standard for business and everyday wear, peak lapels add formality, and shawl lapels are typically found on tuxedos and dinner jackets. Most men start with a single-breasted, two-piece suit with notch lapels, which is the most versatile option for work, weddings, and everyday occasions.
How many suits should a man own?
Most men need a minimum of two suits to cover the full range of occasions: a navy suit for everyday versatility and a charcoal or dark grey suit for more formal events. If you wear suits regularly for work, aim for three to five to allow rotation and reduce wear. If you only wear suits occasionally, one well-chosen navy suit can handle weddings, interviews, funerals, church, and most social events. The key is not quantity but quality — one well-fitted suit outperforms three ill-fitting ones. At GA SuitWarehouse, we help you build a wardrobe based on your actual needs.
What is the difference between a suit and a tuxedo?
The primary differences are in the lapels, buttons, and trouser stripe. Tuxedos have satin-faced lapels (shawl or peak), satin-covered buttons, and a satin stripe running down each trouser leg. Suits have fabric-covered lapels and buttons with no satin details. Tuxedos are worn for black-tie events, formal galas, and some weddings. Suits are appropriate for everything else — work, weddings, church, interviews, and social events. For a detailed comparison of when to wear each, read our wedding suit vs tuxedo guide.
How should a suit fit?
A properly fitted suit should sit flat at the shoulders without extending past your natural shoulder line, button comfortably at the chest without pulling or gaping, end at your knuckles in jacket length, show about half an inch of shirt cuff at the sleeves, and have trousers that rest on top of your shoe with a slight break. The shoulders are the most important fit point because they are the hardest to alter. Everything else — sleeves, waist, hem, and trouser length — can be adjusted by a tailor. For a full breakdown, see our fit guide.
Where can I buy a suit in Gainesville, GA?
GA SuitWarehouse inside Lakeshore Mall is Gainesville's only dedicated men's suit store. We carry suits for every occasion — weddings, prom, church, business, and everyday wear — starting at $100. Every suit is fitted in person and altered on-site by our in-house tailor. We stock all sizes including big and tall. Walk in any day — no appointment needed. Located at 150 Pearl Nix Pkwy, Gainesville, GA 30501. Open Monday through Saturday 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday 12 PM to 6 PM. Phone: (470) 595-7775.
Start Here
If you are new to suits, the path is simple: pick a navy suit, get it tailored to your body, and take care of it. That one suit will cover more occasions than you expect. When you are ready to expand, add charcoal, then black, then seasonal options.
At GA SuitWarehouse in Gainesville, GA, we walk every customer through this process — from first measurement to final alteration. Walk in any day at Lakeshore Mall. No appointment needed.