For many, the three-piece suit is the epitome of sophisticated bespoke tailoring, featuring an immaculately tailored blazer, waistcoat and trousers. The wardrobe of every tailoring enthusiast just wouldn't be complete without one.

But here's the thing; three piece suits are no longer merely the preserve of gentlemen who have a busy social calendar that is filled with formal events throughout the year. Yes, three piece suits are often viewed as being the more put-together sibling of the classic two piece suit, however, they also offer a level of versatility which means they can be worn for a wide range of formal and semi-formal occasions.

How to Wear Three Piece Bespoke Mens Suits for Formal Occasions

Classic silhouettes constructed from a non-patterned fabric are ideally suited to a variety of formal events. If you attend a variety of sophisticated evening events, it is impossible to make a sartorial slip with a classic black tailored suit. However, if you are looking for something to make the right impact for a formal daytime event, grey or navy are also excellent options.

To complete your traditional look, wear your three piece suit with a crisp formal shirt in a plain colour, polished leather shoes, and a pocket square. We always recommend leaving the bottom button of your waistcoat undone as it helps the garment to hang beautifully and will contribute positively to your overall comfort levels throughout the event.

How to Wear a Three Piece Suit for Semi-Formal Occasions

Three piece suits can also be worn for an array of semi-formal occasions, including wedding receptions, holiday parties, and dinners. The trick to nailing this look without ever feeling as though you are overdressed is to incorporate elements of smart casual dressing into your ensemble.

In practical terms, this means keeping accessories to an absolute minimum and keeping it simple with regard to the colour and pattern in the materials you have chosen. It is also possible to drop the formal shirt and, instead, either wear a more casual shirt without a tie or a slightly more relaxed light knitted roll neck jumper.

The Versatility of Bespoke Three Piece Wedding Suits

If you are planning to invest in a bespoke three piece suit for your wedding, this could be an ideal opportunity to experiment with colour and pattern if you want to showcase your individuality. Navy and grey are always reliable options, however, a white suit can also be the perfect choice if you're looking for something smart and sharp yet relaxed and romantic.

Keeping the colour and material of your suit and your waistcoat consistent will always deliver a streamlined and clean look, which will suit sophisticated weddings as well as a range of formal occasions over a lifetime. However, if you want to achieve a more striking aesthetic, choosing a different colour and/or pattern for your waistcoat is a low-risk way of showcasing your personality without compromising the overall impact of your look.

And don't forget, your bespoke tailor will have a fundamental understanding as to how to pair different colours, tones and materials to achieve an elevated look with timeless qualities and design flourishes that will last a lifetime.

How Should a Three Piece Suit Fit?

Bespoke mens suits will always offer a superior fit that simply can't be replicated by off-the-peg alternatives. Whether you're looking for a classic suit to see you through a busy period in your social calendar or you want to know how bespoke wedding suits can offer an elevated look to suit your special day, an experienced clothier will understand how to tailor each garment to suit your personal style and the occasion.

So, while the way your suit fits will be informed by your style, there are some very specific points that your tailor will keep in mind when constructing your garments.

The waistcoat element of a three piece suit must fit the body perfectly and sit so that it just covers the belt line of the trousers. When three piece suits are correctly tailored, there is no need for a belt, the absence of which will ensure that there is never any excess bulk beneath your waistcoat that may cause an imbalance in your look.

The shoulders of your suit jacket should end at the shoulder edge, and the sleeve should sit at the point where the base of your thumb and your wrist connect. This allows for a glimpse of the cuffs of your shirt when wearing, which has a timeless appeal. Your jacket should ideally have sufficient give that it is possible to place a flat hand underneath the lapel once the jacket has been buttoned, to allow for optimal comfort while ensuring that the garment sits well against the body.

Harris & Howard Bespoke Tailors produce fine gentlemen's garments using long-established British tailoring traditions and expert craftsmanship. Please explore our collection and browse the range of tailoring services on offer.

For many, the three-piece suit is the epitome of sophisticated bespoke tailoring, featuring an immaculately tailored blazer, waistcoat and trousers. The wardrobe of every tailoring enthusiast just wouldn't be complete without one.

But here's the thing; three piece suits are no longer merely the preserve of gentlemen who have a busy social calendar that is filled with formal events throughout the year. Yes, three piece suits are often viewed as being the more put-together sibling of the classic two piece suit, however, they also offer a level of versatility which means they can be worn for a wide range of formal and semi-formal occasions.

How to Wear Three Piece Bespoke Mens Suits for Formal Occasions

Classic silhouettes constructed from a non-patterned fabric are ideally suited to a variety of formal events. If you attend a variety of sophisticated evening events, it is impossible to make a sartorial slip with a classic black tailored suit. However, if you are looking for something to make the right impact for a formal daytime event, grey or navy are also excellent options.

To complete your traditional look, wear your three piece suit with a crisp formal shirt in a plain colour, polished leather shoes, and a pocket square. We always recommend leaving the bottom button of your waistcoat undone as it helps the garment to hang beautifully and will contribute positively to your overall comfort levels throughout the event.

How to Wear a Three Piece Suit for Semi-Formal Occasions

Three piece suits can also be worn for an array of semi-formal occasions, including wedding receptions, holiday parties, and dinners. The trick to nailing this look without ever feeling as though you are overdressed is to incorporate elements of smart casual dressing into your ensemble.

In practical terms, this means keeping accessories to an absolute minimum and keeping it simple with regard to the colour and pattern in the materials you have chosen. It is also possible to drop the formal shirt and, instead, either wear a more casual shirt without a tie or a slightly more relaxed light knitted roll neck jumper.

The Versatility of Bespoke Three Piece Wedding Suits

If you are planning to invest in a bespoke three piece suit for your wedding, this could be an ideal opportunity to experiment with colour and pattern if you want to showcase your individuality. Navy and grey are always reliable options, however, a white suit can also be the perfect choice if you're looking for something smart and sharp yet relaxed and romantic.

Keeping the colour and material of your suit and your waistcoat consistent will always deliver a streamlined and clean look, which will suit sophisticated weddings as well as a range of formal occasions over a lifetime. However, if you want to achieve a more striking aesthetic, choosing a different colour and/or pattern for your waistcoat is a low-risk way of showcasing your personality without compromising the overall impact of your look.

And don't forget, your bespoke tailor will have a fundamental understanding as to how to pair different colours, tones and materials to achieve an elevated look with timeless qualities and design flourishes that will last a lifetime.

How Should a Three Piece Suit Fit?

Bespoke mens suits will always offer a superior fit that simply can't be replicated by off-the-peg alternatives. Whether you're looking for a classic suit to see you through a busy period in your social calendar or you want to know how bespoke wedding suits can offer an elevated look to suit your special day, an experienced clothier will understand how to tailor each garment to suit your personal style and the occasion.

So, while the way your suit fits will be informed by your style, there are some very specific points that your tailor will keep in mind when constructing your garments.

The waistcoat element of a three piece suit must fit the body perfectly and sit so that it just covers the belt line of the trousers. When three piece suits are correctly tailored, there is no need for a belt, the absence of which will ensure that there is never any excess bulk beneath your waistcoat that may cause an imbalance in your look.

The shoulders of your suit jacket should end at the shoulder edge, and the sleeve should sit at the point where the base of your thumb and your wrist connect. This allows for a glimpse of the cuffs of your shirt when wearing, which has a timeless appeal. Your jacket should ideally have sufficient give that it is possible to place a flat hand underneath the lapel once the jacket has been buttoned, to allow for optimal comfort while ensuring that the garment sits well against the body.

Harris & Howard Bespoke Tailors produce fine gentlemen's garments using long-established British tailoring traditions and expert craftsmanship. Please explore our collection and browse the range of tailoring services on offer.