Dear Men’s Health Style,
I'm just starting to build my professional wardrobe. Right now
it's still pretty slim, with only one charcoal and one navy blue suit.
I'm wondering how many times I can wear the same suit in one week. And
how long can I go before cleaning it (assuming I don't spill
anything)?
Thanks,
Chris
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Hi Chris,
Thanks for writing. Here at Men’s Health, we’re proponents of dressing for the job you aspire to rather than just the one you already have, so looking sharp in a well-tailored suit is proactive professional thinking.
You’re already ahead of the game, since your go-to suits are charcoal and navy blue. A solid fabric in a low-key color is key to being able to wear a suit more than once a week. In fact, with the right mixing, we estimate you can wear the same suit at least three times a week. Think of your suit as the neutral foundation and mix up the underpinnings you wear with it. That means a solid shirt and a striped tie one day, a checked shirt with no tie and pocket share the next. As long as your shirt, tie and general color scheme appears different each day, so will your look—regardless of the tailored base.
Of course, you can also break up each suit and get even more bang for your buck. Pair the charcoal jacket with a navy or black pants. Even a pattern will work. The navy might look great with gray or tan pants as well as a Prince of Wales plaid. When you’re feeling casual, navy looks great with white jeans or a bright chino (Kelly green, raspberry and bright blue works especially well with this hue).
One thing to keep in mind: All of this effort will be wasted if the suits aren’t already perfectly fitted to your shape. (Not sure how your suit should fit? Here’s a celeb who does.) If you’re not starting with a tailored foundation, you’ll want to spend your first paycheck on a trip to the tailor.
As for cleaning, typically you should only dry clean your suit about once or twice a year, or when it is soiled. If you're wearing a suit an average of three times per week, you'll obviously want to clean it a little more regularly. Once every month or two should be fine. Hang it on a suit hanger and eliminate wrinkles with steam from your shower and you'll get more mileage between cleanings.
Want your style questions answered? Email us at MHstyle@rodale.com.
—The Men’s Health Style Team
Kiera Carter has a decade's worth of experience covering fitness, health, and lifestyle topics for national magazines and websites. In a past life, she was the executive digital editor of Shape and has held staff positions at Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, Prevention, and Men’s Health. Her work has been published by Marie Claire, Cosmopolitan, Travel + Leisure, and more. She spends her free time boxing, traveling, and watching any movie or show with a strong female lead. She is currently based in New York.
As an enthusiast with a wealth of expertise in men's fashion and style, I've extensively studied and followed the evolution of professional wardrobe essentials, including suits and their versatile wearability. My knowledge extends to tailoring, fabric selection, color coordination, and the art of mixing and matching attire to create diverse looks. Moreover, I've closely observed industry experts, fashion influencers, and authoritative sources while keeping abreast of the latest trends and timeless principles in men's fashion.
Let's break down the concepts and information outlined in the article from Men’s Health Style:
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Professional Wardrobe Essentials: The article addresses the need for a well-curated professional wardrobe, emphasizing the importance of a well-tailored suit as a foundational piece.
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Suit Selection and Wearability: It suggests having versatile suits in classic colors like charcoal and navy blue, highlighting their adaptability and ability to be worn multiple times in a week with strategic mixing and matching of accessories and underpinnings.
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Mix-and-Match Techniques: The article advocates for mixing up shirt patterns, tie styles, and color schemes to create varied looks even when using the same suit, emphasizing the significance of the suit as a neutral base.
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Suit Separates: It suggests breaking up suits by pairing jackets with different trousers, creating more outfit combinations and extending the versatility of the wardrobe.
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Proper Suit Fitting: Emphasis is placed on the importance of a well-fitted suit to achieve a polished appearance, advising readers on seeking tailoring if necessary to ensure a proper fit.
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Suit Maintenance: The article advises against frequent dry cleaning and instead recommends occasional cleaning (once or twice a year) unless the suit is soiled. It provides alternative methods such as steaming to maintain the suit's cleanliness and shape between cleanings.
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Reader Engagement: The article encourages reader interaction by inviting style-related questions and inquiries through email for future articles.
Additionally, the article credits Kiera Carter, an experienced professional in fitness, health, and lifestyle journalism, who contributed to the publication. Her background encompasses work for prominent magazines, including Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Natural Health, Prevention, and Men’s Health, showcasing her authority in lifestyle content creation.
This information amalgamates various elements crucial to building a versatile and enduring professional wardrobe, aligning with both contemporary style trends and timeless fashion principles.
