In the same way that a quality workout trims away the excess fat, a quality men’s slim-fit suit trims away the excess fabrics. This type of suit for men gets you a stylish, form-fitting style suit that’s narrow at the chest and waist, but not to the point of constricting blood flow. While slim fit suits and athletic builds seem like an obvious pairing, the truth is that many different male body types can pull off the slim fit look.

For those who don’t want to overthink the process, a classic fit suit is a way to go. This type of suit for men is comfortable in feel and unfettered in design, this suit style provides breathability without resorting to a loose or unkempt aesthetic–they don’t call it “classic” for nothing. An easy choice if you want something that’s perfect for the office Monday to Friday, but with a suit jacket that can be put with chinos for a smart casual weekend look. It’s safe to say, classic suits will never go out of style.

If you don’t think you can pull off the slim fit suit just yet, but want to exude a heightened sartorial sensibility, by all means, consider the modern fit suit. These types of suits for men hover squarely in the realm between slim fit and a classic fit. It thereby delivers a tight look with breathing room to spare. If you get the material and the accessories right then you can make this work for just about any occasion. Modern suit styles are made to conquer any outing, from casual to dressy.

A mainstay on single-breasted jackets, and arguably the most common type of suit lapel, the notch lapel is defined by a visible indent at the spot where the collar meets the lapel. As the most versatile of lapel styles, the notch lapel is as fitting for the boardroom as it is for the cocktail lounge. Consider it your safest bet if you’re on the fence about which men’s lapel type to choose.

One look at a shawl lapel and its smooth, uninterrupted lining, and you’re already picturing an elegant black-tie affair. That’s because this type of suit lapel is more or less exclusively found on formal wear like tuxedos and fancy dinner jackets. Entailed in the shawl lapel’s aesthetic is a timeless sense of class and distinction. These lapels provide a welcoming complement to most men’s formal wear styles.

A stylish upgrade to the notch lapel, the peak lapel has the top lapel edges facing upward at sharp angles immediately below the collar. It’s most commonly found on double-breasted suits and thereby a frequent player at formal events. While not as immediately extravagant as the shawl lapel, this type of suit lapel nevertheless emanates sophistication and high-end style. Wear it wisely.

Among types of men’s suits, the single-breasted suit is the most ubiquitous. The easiest way to spot one is to look for the inclusion of either one, two or three buttons along the seam, or just observe what about 99% of professional men wear to work to every day. By virtue of the single row of buttons, a single-breasted suit usually exudes a narrower and tighter appearance. These suits are most frequently paired with notch lapels.

In contrast to the single-breasted type of men’s suit, the double-breasted suit includes additional buttons on either side of the jacket for aesthetic purposes. The total number of buttons ranges from four to eight and typically lands at six. As a result of the extra buttons, the focal point drifts from the seam toward the sides to create the illusion of a wider frame. Whether such optical trickery is beneficial usually boils down to body type, whereas stockier men are probably better off sticking with a single-breasted suit.

Some men think interior padding and stylish blazers are invariably part of the same package. However, the men’s unstructured blazer is here to change such preconceived notions. By removing the interior padding, the unstructured blazer breaks free from conformity and constraint to deliver a soft fit and somewhat laid back aesthetic.

A patch pocket is one that’s been made from a separate piece of cloth and then sewn on to the outside of your sports jacket or blazer. Like the unstructured blazer, patch pockets are a great way to join casual style with personal flair. A quick pointer: if you’re going with patch pockets, it should be all the exterior pockets that are patched and not just one or two. Also, make sure everything matches up in terms of colour or pattern. These modern, casual blazers for men can provide the perfect complement to an understated yet fashionable autumn or winter outfit.

The vent is that small slit you notice on the backside of a blazer or jacket. When the vent is cut up the middle, it’s known as a centre vent. With a centre vent, the suit jacket tends to part slightly when your hands are in your pockets, sometimes exposing your back. Otherwise, the centre vent should remain closed when you’re wearing the jacket. If the vent is parted when you’re hands aren’t in your pockets, it means your jacket is the wrong fit.

As the name implies, side vents cut the slit on both sides to keep the jacket from parting or bunching when you put your hands in your pockets or take a seat. The wide middle flap not only keeps your back covered but prevents creasing and retains a slimmer appearance.

Popular in Italy, the no vent style suit offers elegant style and a custom fit. However, without any vents, the jacket itself is more prone to creasing or bunching when you put your hands in your pockets or sit down. This style is best suited to tuxedoes.

A standard among men’s pants, flat front pants are pretty much what they sound like. That is, the fabric lies flat at the front and delivers a slim, tight fit. You can wear flat-front pants a little lower on the waistline to rock a stylish, slender silhouette. Naturally, if you’re packing some extra weight in the stomach area, then you might consider going with a roomier pant style to better conceal that hard-earned beer belly.

Pleats are creases on both sides at the front of the pants, which result from the material being folded and sewed before it’s attached to the waistband. Consequently, this suit style is looser in the middle and best worn slightly above the hip to avoid billowing out at the thighs. While pleated pants are generally more comfortable to wear, especially for larger me, you’ll still want a pair of modern suit pants that gives a close fit and relatively snug look.

When it comes to the suit trouser styles, they’ll either be hemmed or cuffed at the bottom. Hemmed means the bottom fabric is turned up on the inside, while cuffed means the bottom fabric is turned up on the outside. Both styles are popular, though you’re more likely to see hemmed than cuffed. The general rule of thumb is that flat-front pants should be hemmed and pleated pants should be cuffed, but it’s a loose rule at best. That said, pleated pants should normally include cuffs in order to add weight, and smooth out the fabric.