Question 1

How should a blazer fit?

Accepted Answer

The shoulder seam should sit exactly at the edge of your shoulder, the jacket should close without pulling, and about half an inch of shirt cuff should show. Sleeves and waist are simple tailoring fixes; shoulders are not.

Question 2

What size blazer should I buy if between sizes?

Accepted Answer

Size down and let a tailor release the waist if needed — excess cloth in the shoulders cannot be fixed. Sleeve and waist adjustments are routine; collar gaps and shoulder divots are not.

Question 3

How long should men's shorts be?

Accepted Answer

Tailored shorts should end just above the kneecap — typically a 7 to 9 inch inseam depending on height. Longer reads dated; much shorter shifts the look from smart to resort.

Question 4

What should a wedding guest wear in summer?

Accepted Answer

A breathable blazer in linen or fresco wool, light trousers, and a shirt without a tie unless the invitation states formal. Save white for the hosts and keep colours in the pastel-to-mid range.

Question 5

What is business casual for men?

Accepted Answer

A blazer or sport coat with an open-collar shirt, tailored trousers or dark denim, and leather shoes. No tie required — the blazer is what separates business casual from simply casual.

Question 6

Can you wear a blazer with jeans?

Accepted Answer

Yes — choose an unstructured blazer with texture such as tweed, hopsack or corduroy, and dark untorn denim. Suit-style worsted jackets with jeans show a formality mismatch.

Question 7

What do men wear to black-tie optional events?

Accepted Answer

Either a tuxedo or a dark suit with a white shirt and conservative tie. A midnight-blue or black velvet dinner jacket is the elegant middle path.

Question 8

Velvet or wool for evening events?

Accepted Answer

Velvet signals occasion and photographs richly, making it ideal for hosted evenings, galas and the festive season. Wool is the versatile default you can rewear weekly without notice.

Question 9

Is linen too casual for the office?

Accepted Answer

Pure linen wrinkles too freely for formal settings, but linen-wool and linen-cotton blends hold a crease and pass in most business-casual offices. Keep the cut structured and the colour muted.

Question 10

What does Super 120s or 150s wool mean?

Accepted Answer

The Super number grades fibre fineness — higher numbers are softer and lighter but more delicate. Super 110s to 130s suits regular wear; 150s and above are occasion cloths.

Question 11

How do you care for a velvet blazer?

Accepted Answer

Steam, never iron; brush the pile with a soft garment brush after wear; and hang it on a broad wooden hanger with room to breathe. Dry clean sparingly with a cleaner experienced in pile fabrics.

Question 12

How do you maintain a leather briefcase?

Accepted Answer

Condition the leather two to four times a year, store it stuffed and upright, and wipe moisture away immediately. Rotating between bags lets the leather rest.

Question 13

How often should a blazer be dry cleaned?

Accepted Answer

Only a few times a year — solvent cleaning degrades canvas and cloth over time. Between cleans, steam it, brush it and air it after wear.

Question 14

What makes a blazer luxury quality?

Accepted Answer

Full- or half-canvas construction, cloth from named mills, functional surgeon's cuffs, hand-finished buttonholes and pattern matching at the seams. Fused construction marks a lower tier.

Question 15

Are luxury blazers worth the price?

Accepted Answer

Judged by cost per wear, a well-made blazer outlasts several budget jackets and tailors better over time. The value case is strongest for pieces worn weekly.

Question 16

Which menswear pieces should you invest in first?

Accepted Answer

A blazer, shoes and a leather briefcase — the pieces that anchor every outfit and show their quality at a glance. Shirts and trousers can follow at moderate price points.

Men's Fashion Guide

Blazers · 125

Shorts · 60

Briefcases & leather · 46

Dress shirts · 33

T-shirts & more · 32

Dress by occasion · 38

Style how-tos & pairings · 77

Fabrics & materials · 32

Menswear glossary

Frequently asked questions · 16