Double or single breasted? Two- or three-piece? Flannel or cashmere? Dressing appropriately for the office can be a minefield. Huntsman’s Head Cutter, Campbell Carey, explains how to negotiate the sartorial choices of the boardroom.
Over the course of 2018, Country Life is releasing a series of style guides, in conjunction with Huntsman, detailing the proper way to dress for a modern gentleman. This is the fourth part: the business suit.
Follow these links to catch up on the previous guides to wearing Black Tie, choosing a gentleman’s overcoat and the classic tweed sports coat.
Picking out the right business suit in a decent charcoal grey or navy blue cloth can pay enormous dividends. If you choose wisely, you’ll have a suit that you’ll be able to wear for both work and social functions for 10 months of the years, and which – if you look after it – will easily last you 10, perhaps even 15 years or more.
Here are the main things to consider when making that choice.
Single or double-breasted?
There’s no right or wrong on this – it’s entirely down to personal preference. That said, a double-breasted suit only really works when it’s buttoned up, so it can be more limiting than the single breasted option – but it does offer a classic, timeless style.
Two-piece or three-piece?
To me, there’s no better look than a three-piece suit with the jacket undone. It gives the wearer a sense of relaxed elegance and confidence. And it’s incredibly versatile as well. A three-piece suit in flannel with a scarf will see you through all but the coldest winter days.
![Gregory Peck](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2018/04/Copy-of-Gregory-Peck-e1524836189958.jpg)
Gregory Peck at Huntsman
Pinstripes
A pinstripe suit is good for the office – but only for the office, since it doesn’t make much sense in any other environment.
Think carefully about the size and proportion of the stripe. A bold stripe can highlight a good physique, while a fine, narrow stripe can elongate the body, making the wearer look taller and slimmer.
Shoes
I’ll never forget the words of a customer I heard in the shop back when I was an apprentice, on being offered a pair of brown shoes. “Brown shoes, east of Ascot?!” came has outraged response.
I’ll sometimes wear brown or suede shoes with a sports jacket, but for a business suit it has to be black.
It doesn’t have to be bespoke
Don’t fall into the trap of trying too hard to make the suit your own – a properly-cut suit in a decent fabric will fit into all sorts of occasions. Huntsman have an ideal business suit in the ready-to-wear collection; one button, slanted pockets and side vents. The trousers have a flat front, with plain bottoms, and no belt. It’s the perfect combination of subtlety and sharpness.
![](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2018/01/blackt6.jpg)
Country Life and Huntsman’s guide to wearing Black Tie
Black Tie remains the gold standard in formal dressing. Huntsman’s Creative Director Campbell Carey explains how to stand out in
![Traditional gentleman's overcoat](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2018/02/overc6.jpg)
How to choose a classic gentleman’s overcoat which will last you a lifetime
When temperatures drop, the only acceptable outerwear with a suit is an overcoat. Huntsman’s Head Cutter, Dario Carnera, explains how
![Huntsman tweed sports coat](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2018/03/tweed6.jpg)
How to choose a classic tweed sports coat
The tweed sports coat is associated with a classic and sophisticated aesthetic yet is completely suitable for most casual settings.
![Country Life Huntsman Savile Row](https://keyassets.timeincuk.net/inspirewp/live/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2017/12/gent6.jpg)
Video: A gentleman’s guide on how to dress, coming to Country Life in 2018
Living a gentlemanly existence is second nature to Huntsman’s customers, so who better to work with Country Life on a