Men's Silk Suits

Apart from the quality of the silk fabric itself, there are particular features of tailoring and style that distinguish a fine silk suit from those more ordinary. Of course, a high standard of tailoring is the most important consideration when choosing a new suit, once you have determined your preference for color and fabric.

So once you have selected your brand or tailor, you will want to consider the more subtle details and stylistic elements that will combine to create a great silk suit. While a fine men's suit is often characterized by understatement, nevertheless there are important refined details that help to project a sense of quality and style. These factors, combined with the way you wear your suit, help to make a statement about your own personality, confidence and success.

There are two traditional styles of jacket - single breasted and double breasted. Single breasted suits are the most common, and are created with a single row of buttons on the front. A correctly fitted jacket will overlap just enough to button up comfortably. Double breasted suits have two rows of buttons and a more ample overlap to button the jacket.

Most suit jackets have two flap pockets, one on each side. Flaps cover the openings so that when you have something in your pocket, your suit still looks neat and smart. A more formal silk suit may have a third flap pocket right above one of the others. Some formal suits also have jetted pockets, where only a sleek, horizontal slit appears on the profile of the suit and the pocket is sewn into the lining. The breast pocket is an open pocket, and recommended only for handkerchiefs or pocket squares. On the inside, suit jackets usually have one or two handy pockets as a minimum for those essential extra items like a phone or passport.

Special Note - A dress handkerchief (sometimes called a pocket square) should not exactly match the tie you wear. It should complement the color, but be different too, perhaps a different shade, perhaps a different pattern. Then, it offers a kind of counterpoint to your style, a highlight or focal point that contrasts with the general understatement of the suit and tie themselves.

To present an air of style and sophistication, it's important to minimize the size and quantity of objects you carry in your pockets to maintain the profile and elegance of a fine suit.

Suit jackets have either two, one or no vents. Vents are vertical slits at the lower end of the jacket that are both functional and stylistic. Vents make it more comfortable to sit down and at the same time they help with presentation all day long by reducing wrinkling and crumpling. So a silk suit may have one vent in the center at the back (the most popular option), two vents (with one on either side) or no vents at all.

One of the most distinguishing features of a suit's trimming is the number and placement of the buttons. Suits usually have three or four on each sleeve. These can actually be functional on the best suits. And suits usually have two or three matching buttons at the front.

And on the left lapel, a fine jacket always has a button hole. This is often sewn shut on a new suit to preserve a perfection of style, but can be easily opened so you can wear a flower (boutonniere) on a formal occasion. And it's on such occasions that silk suits are unsurpassed in style and elegance. The button hole is placed a little below the gorge (the gorge is the arrow head shape where the lapels meets the collar).

Trousers usually have permanent pleats in the fabric, though not always. These usually comprise a single fold on each side, running down vertically from the waist. Pleats add comfort and flexibility when sitting, and help maintain a smooth appearance when standing by reducing wrinkling. Pleated trousers are usually accompanied by cuffs at the bottom, while straight trousers are commonly cuffless. Most trousers have an angled pocket on each side with minimal hemming, and a single horizontal back pocket with a single button.

Women's Silk Suits

Women's suits are far more versatile than those worn by men, but of course, the principles of style are similar, because style is universal. Many of the principles described above for men's silk suits can be adapted for women. Principles like fine workmanship. Qualities like classical elegance. So while some women's suits echo the style of men's suits but with a feminine interpretation (for example around the bust) others are much more original and create a unique fashion statement with bolder colors, tailoring and details.

There are many photos of silk suits on this site that will assist you with style considerations before purchasing the right style for you, your body shape and your personality.