The Benefits of Tailored Clothing

Whether you wear a coat and tie every day for work or just on special occasions, there's a reason the lounge suit has persisted so long despite being mostly for aesthetics now. Even in this mostly business casual world, there are still workplaces, fine dining locations, and events that require professional dress. It also seems like people in their 30s or under are starting to rebel against Casual Fridays as well. Why is this?

A well-tailored ensemble lets you...

Look your best.

Tailored clothing exists for one purpose, to make you look good. The fact that it can enhance any physique and brings out its best features runs counter to claims from some people who say they don't have a "suit body". If it fits well, anyone can have a "suit body". The well-fitting suit can minimize perceived body flaws including being slight of build, portliness, sloped shoulders, or short legs. It can also enhance your best features, like athletic builds, broad shoulders, long legs. It is, in a sense, democratizing since everyone wearing a nice suit will look, well, nice. The best way is to get quality made to measure or bespoke if you can afford it, but well chosen, reasonably priced ready to wear pieces that are altered for your physique can also work magic.

Feel confident.

It's no surprise that as a result of looking great, you feel great. You may stand straighter and walk more confidently. When you feel confident, people notice, which in return helps them have confidence in you. This is why I wear a suit most of the week and especially when I go out to visit potential clients.

Get taken seriously.

Compare the way you're treated in public wearing a t-shirt and jeans with a coat and tie. Notice anything different? Someone who appears well put together tends to get noticed since it's such a rare sight to see these days. They may also treat you with more importance, given the signals you're sending. This is a good thing to keep in mind when dealing with salespeople, banks, or potential employers. It lets them know you mean business. (Consider it a "life hack".)

Set the tone of an event.

Wearing tailored clothing can also enhance, add to, or reinforce the tone of an occasion depending on what colours and styles are chosen. For example, a tweed sport coat is great for that casual get together with friends while wearing a dark suit is appropriate for the somber nature of a funeral. As an another example, a black tie dress code is great for how it puts everyone on equal footing and makes an occasion feel extra special. So, consider this if you're an event planner and want to make your gala or ball stand out from the others.

Encourage others to dress well.

I can't count the number of times I've had people tell me something to the extent of, "That's a great suit!" or, "Oh, I wish I had dressed up." Recently, a friend's boyfriend approached me and asked for some tips on getting fitted for a suit since he liked the way I dressed.

Sorry, this turned slightly self-congratulatory. My point is that you can lead by example when you dress like you know what you're doing. The world will always be in chaos, but we can always try to make it a better dressed one at least.

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Keep in mind that even the best in bespoke tailoring will not cover up a bad personality. So aspire to look and act your best. Drink responsibly. Mind your table manners. Put yourself in someone else's shoes. Don't be a creep to those you're romantically interested in. Be a pleasant person to deal with all around and everything else will fall into place.

Keeping that in mind, continue presenting the best image of yourself through tailored clothing. It enhances your looks, is a confidence booster, and sets an example for others.