A first suit has to do a lot of jobs: graduation, interviews, the first week of work, a wedding, Sunday. Buy for range.
One suit: navy
If you buy one, buy navy. It works for interviews, offices, weddings and church, and it photographs well.
Two suits: navy and charcoal
Add charcoal and you can wear a suit every day of a work week by rotating shirts and ties.
The pieces that multiply it
- White and light blue shirts.
- Three or four ties: navy, burgundy, a pattern.
- Black cap-toe oxfords and a matching belt.
Fit before fabric
A suit that fits beats an expensive one that doesn't. Size to your shoulders and tailor the rest.
Questions
Black or navy for a first suit?
Navy. Black is formal and narrower in use.
Is it a good graduation gift?
Yes, if it's complete. A suit without shoes and a shirt is a project, not a gift.
One look: The First Impression, $349. A full week: The Full Wardrobe, $1,299.