How can you tell if a piece of clothes you’re trying on in a store is the right fit?
What should you pay attention to?
It’s especially crucial when trying on a tailored outfit because the fabric is usually woven, which means it’s rigid and won’t become more comfortable with wear.
You should know if it fits adequately before you buy it.
In this article, I’ll discuss the small aspects that you should pay attention to when purchasing.
How Should a Suit Fit a Woman
Let’s start with the most important aspect of any professional wardrobe: the suit, top and bottom.
How can you know if a suit is right fit for you?
The Tailored Jacket
When choosing a tailored jacket, the shoulders, waist, and side seam area are the three most important factors to consider. Then there’s the total room you have to move in that jacket.
Just before the shoulder curves downwards, the shoulder seam should sit. If the seam appears to be closer to your neck, the jacket is too small and you should get one size higher. That’s a strong indication.
Go down a size if the shoulder is dangling broader than your actual shoulders. Even if you wear shoulder padding, this is true.
The position of the shoulder seam is non-negotiable.
Let’s take a look at the jacket’s shape around the waist.
I’ve had a jacket made for me that is more tailored to my needs. The waist is defined, resembling an hourglass. This isn’t a typical cut.
What matters is the position of the jacket under the armpits. There shouldn’t be much fabric in that area. Otherwise, the jacket was designed for persons with torsos that are wider than yours. Lowering the waist will not fix the fit problem.
There’s one more thing to say about jackets.
Always make sure to complete the “cross your arms” test when trying on a jacket in a store.
If the back of the jacket pulls horizontally when you cross your arms, the jacket is too tight. A well-fitting jacket should allow you to cross your arms comfortably while being stylish.
Bonus tip: if the jacket you’re considering has a lining, flip it inside out and examine the lining. Inside, there should be more fabric than outside, so you may move around inside and on the lining without pulling on the outer fabric.
Look at the hem to see what I mean. You should be able to move the lining without moving the rest of the fabric. That is going to be a very comfortable jacket.
The Tailored Trousers
The lower half of a suit is easy to fit. All you have to do is look at the waistline, rise, and hip level.
I’ll explain why.
If we’re talking about non-stretchy woven pants, the waistband shouldn’t be too tight. It should sit comfortably on your hips. Because the fabric is stiffer than your tummy, if it sits too low, you’ll have a so-called muffin top. It is your stomach that will “jump out.”
When you sit, a waistline that is too high will cut into your stomach, which is uncomfortable.
If you’re seeking for a waistband for casual wear or knitted textiles, there are more alternatives.
When it comes to woven, tailored trousers, though, there aren’t many options for getting the proper fit. For the pants to be truly comfortable, you should keep them close to your natural waist.
Let’s take a peek at the rise. That’s the vertical seam running from the crotch to the top of the waistband in your midsection.
Make sure that the front rise is high enough to conceal your belly. The back rise must also fit your figure. If you have a curved behind, for example, make sure the back rise is high enough so no one can see your bum when you’re sitting.
Let’s get back to the front. Look at the hip level to see if you’re the proper size. In your largest point, the fabric should not be pulling horizontally sideways. This is where you can see if the pants are a good fit for you.
If you notice horizontal lines, you should size up. The pants should fall nicely without pulling anywhere if the size is correct.
If the pants contain pockets, they will also not pull. It’s best if they’re flat against your sides.
The length of the pants is a question of personal preference more than fit. I prefer mine to be a little longer so that I can wear them with high heels, but it’s all up to you.
Now you have a better idea of what to look for when you go shoe shopping.
But, it can be used with any sort of blazer or trousers in general.
Suit Shopping Checklist
Jacket:
- The shoulder seam is positioned on top of the shoulder.
- The waist fits, but not uncomfortable.
- The jacket is adjusted under the armpits (excess fabric here indicates that the jacket does not fit your body shape). The problem of sleeve fit will not be solved by taking in the waist).
- Cross your arms: your back will not form horizontal creases, and you will be able to breathe and move freely.
- The inside lining adds extra fabric to the jacket, allowing you to move around without feeling constrained.
Pants:
- The waistband is not tight and sits comfortably above the hips.
- The front rise should be at a level where your stomach is not constricted.
- When you sit down, the back rise is high enough to conceal your rear.
- No horizontal lines (folds) at the hip level in the front, or go one size up.
- The pockets are flush against your hips and do not pull or open.
- Pants length: personal preference. If you aren’t wearing shoes, the typical way is relatively shorter than your legs so that it doesn’t touch the floor.
