3 Piece Suits

3 piece suits include a jacket, waistcoat and trousers. Traditionally, the term “suit” was used when all three were made from the same fabric but, nowadays, the word is used more liberally to include combinations of different patterns, textures and fabrics, provided they’ve been designed to work well together.

This will be dictated by the invitation, which often specifies the dress code and circumstances. Unless otherwise stated, guests should wear a three piece suit in a colour that is appropriate for the season and setting.

If you need a belt to keep your trousers in place, the size is wrong. When it comes to suits, belts are accessories and you should only wear them as such. Besides, from a visual perspective, your waistcoat will partly cover the belt and draw too much attention to your waistline.

Absolutely. You can style your 3 piece suit in different ways, e.g. with a turtleneck for an informal winter look, a bow tie for formal occasions or just a pocket square featuring secondary colours from your outfit palette.

Unless you work in an industry where casual clothes are the norm, e.g. IT, you should turn up in a smart three piece suit. In fact, more senior roles come with higher sartorial expectations. For more interview style tips, read our blog on how to dress for a job interview.

A three piece suit is great whenever a man wants to look stylish and sophisticated. In certain industries, and depending on how senior the role is, it’s the normal office attire. 3 piece suits are also great for social occasions, ranging from dinner dates to drinks parties, and of course weddings. One of their main advantages is that you can remove the jacket and still look stylish in the waistcoat.