If you aren’t yet familiar with the slim-fit suit, it’s time you looked into one for your next purchase.
You’ll notice that you don’t just feed your measurements in and get yourself a suit in this sartorial world.
You also need to decide how you want your suit to fit. This refers to the way your suit is cut and how it sits on your body.
Different Suit Cut Choices
First, there’s the traditional or classic-fit suit cut that’s been around for decades that we are all familiar with.
The classic cut is a very straightforward suit, with straight lines, and works for all body types. However, it can sometimes feel a little boxy.
Then there’s the slim-fit cut, which is more contemporary and stylish.
The slim cut creates a more body-defining suit, and the odds are that you will find it to be a flattering departure from the standard suit.
Finally, the modern cut is a combination of classic and slim-fit suits, with high armholes and fitted chests.
What Defines the Slim-Fit Suit
A slim-fit suit is more fitted to your body than a classic fit suit. It is contoured to your body and shows it off in a flattering way.
In other words, they are a little tighter without being tight.
They also look sharp and sleek while remaining comfortable. It’s like the expression “fits like a glove” could have been explicitly created about slim-fit suits.
That’s because slim-fit suits are cut more closely to the body; they aren’t a smaller size or anything along those lines!
Slim Cut Through the Chest
The suit jacket of a slim-fit suit should hug your body. Though it won’t be as loose as a traditional suit jacket, you don’t want it to feel constraining, either.
The cut should not impair your movement. Make sure that you don’t see any fabric pulling when you button your jacket.
The best way to check if your slim-fit suit jacket fits appropriately is by using the finger test.
When your suit jacket is buttoned, you should be able to insert a finger comfortably behind the button.
Jacket Shoulder Seams Lie Perfectly
When you are wearing your slim-fit suit jacket, its shoulder seam should align with your shoulder bone.
The seam should end right at the tip of your shoulders. It will be a smooth, clean line across your shoulder, creating sharp angles at the seams.
The way the shoulders fall on a slim-fitted suit jacket will affect how the arms and back lie against the body.
When the shoulders fit correctly, the suit jacket’s arms and back will drape smoothly.
High Armholes
Cutting a suit jacket more narrowly also means that other aspects of your jacket are in alignment in terms of these alterations.
The armhole placement, for example, necessarily needs higher raise.
However, the armholes need to be placed as close as possible to the underarms to keep the lines narrow.
Also, it has to be done in a way that won’t create movement restrictions.
True, you likely can’t toss a football around in this suit, but you also won’t be moving like a robot, either.
Tighter Jacket Sleeves
The sleeves of a slim-fit suit jacket also use less material. They are tapered, narrowing as it extends down your arm.
The suit jacket sleeves closely follow the contours of your arm. The wrist openings are more narrow than a traditional cut suit jacket.
However, the wrist openings shouldn’t be so tight that you can’t fit a slim watch under your sleeve.
Tapered Waist
The jacket of a slim-fit suit provides just enough fabric to cover your torso entirely.
Therefore, the suit jacket doesn’t just hang straight down under the arms.
Instead, it tapers at the waist ever so slightly. This creates a much less boxy effect than classic fit suits.
The slim-fit suit doesn’t just hug you across the chest, but every single part of your body is embraced by fabric.
Slim Trousers Through Seat & Thigh Area
Your slim-fit suit pants will lie smoothly across your backside. They’ll be tight enough that they should give your rear a slight lift.
However, if you notice any sagging in the bottom area, they aren’t a good fit.
You can also tell from the crotch if they are a proper size. Of course, any sagging or bagginess means the pants are too large.
If you notice that the material across your crotch is straining, put those pants back and get a larger pair!
The thigh will also be gently encased in the trouser fabric. However, you should be able to pull the material slightly away from your leg.
If you can pinch about an inch of fabric, those are a good pair of slim-fit trousers for you.
Narrow Leg Opening
Your trousers will have a narrow leg opening at the ankle than the upper leg if you’re wearing a slim-fit suit.
This differs from the straight leg of a classic suit, which measures the same circumference at all leg parts.
The ankle opening isn’t tight around the ankle, however. There is still a couple of extra inches of fabric around your ankle.
Hence, the slim-fit ankle shouldn’t be tight.
Who Can Wear a Slim-Fit Suit
Slim-fit suits look the best on men with trim and lean body types.
However, that doesn’t mean that other body types can’t also look good in one.
They flatter most body shapes because they don’t make anybody look frumpy or as if they’re lost in a bunch of fabric.
That’s because the excess fabric around the body can add an illusion of weight.
The only body type that should probably avoid a slim-fit suit is men with very large stomachs. That body type is better off with a traditional cut suit.
In short, if you feel comfortable in close-to-the-body clothes, you are probably a great candidate for a slim-fit suit.
Slim-fit Suits for Shorter Men
The slim-fit suit cut is probably the best option for shorter men.
That’s because they can easily look overwhelmed in traditional suits, no matter how well they fit.
In addition, any unnecessary fabric can make a short person look even shorter.
But a nicely tailored slim-fit suit with clean lines can make such men look very dignified.
Often, the short version suit jacket works best for a shorter man. This will lend him the appearance of a longer torso and legs, creating a sense of height.
Slim-fit Suits for Tall Men
Tall men look impeccable in slim-fit suits. This cut of suit calls attention to a man’s height, unlike classic cut suits.
In addition, because a slim-fit suit shows off the body with its narrow cut, it seems to elongate every type of body. That’s because slim-fit pants accentuate long legs.
A long-version jacket would work best for taller men because it can balance their long torso and legs.
The Advantages of the Slim-Fit Suit
If you aim for a very contemporary style, you should definitely turn your attention to a slim-fit suit. You will always look sharp and very well put together in this style.
A slim-fit suit allows others to really take in the fine details of your magnificent outfit because there is no baggy fabric to distract.
And without that excess material, your suit stays perfectly in place when you sit down.
The best part of this style of suit is that it exudes confidence. You can wear it to places where you want to look your best.
It takes daring to wear a suit that can display your body a bit more than you are used to, which will be communicated in the way you carry yourself.
Matching the Slim-Fit Shirt to Your Suit
Take care that your dress shirt is also a slim-fit cut. Otherwise, your shirt will have too much fabric for such a sleek suit and will end up crumpled under your jacket.
That’s a quick way to make a very elegant outfit look slovenly. Besides, you would end up looking funny if your shirt flowed out of your suit jacket.
To evaluate if your dress shirt is a proper fit, follow the same general guidelines that you would follow for a slim-fit suit jacket.
The shoulders, sleeves, and waist must all be contoured to your natural curves.
If the buttons are tugging at the fabric, it’s simply too small, and you’ll need a larger size.
If you are wearing a tie, it’s vital that you button the top button. This will keep you looking very put-together.
Otherwise, your suit looks slightly disheveled.
Slim-Fit Doesn’t Mean Tight
You should still feel the freedom of movement when you’re wearing a slim-fit suit.
However, if you find that moving is more complicated than it usually is, you are in a suit that’s too tight.
Again, slim-cut suits follow the same basics and should fit like any other regular suit. So ditch the tight suit and find one in which you can freely breathe.
Remember, slim-fit isn’t about going down a suit size, but it’s the specific cut.