How to Suit Up in a 3 Piece (2024)

You've seen celebrities do it, your banker does it, your stylish neighbor too, and probably some of your co-workers.They all suit up in made to measure 3 piece suits. and know how it's done.

You may, or may not, have a 3-piece suit in your closet. If you don't, it's about time you got one. If you do, make sure it still fits you and still looks good in terms of color and quality. At a glance, a 3-piece suit may seem "a bit much" to some, but it's one of the most dapper styles you, as a gentleman, can wear.

What makes it a 3-piece?

Let's start from the beginning. What makes a 3-piece suit a 3-piece suit is, you guessed it, it's made up of 3 pieces: Jacket, Waistcoat and Pants.

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Blue Tweed 3-Piece Suit

The Colors of the Suit

How do you choose what colors to combine? Should all three colors match, or can you mix and combine different fabrics and colors? The answer to this is easy, you can do both! Either match all three fabrics and colors, or choose different ones. Both looks are equally stylish, so choose depending on what you feel comfortable in and depending on the occasion.

Choose a different colored waistcoat, like this checked suit with a blue waist coat, to stand out:

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Checked Tweed 3-Piece Suit

Or this Blue Corduroy Suit With a Grey Checked Waistcoat:

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Blue Corduroy 3-Piece Suit

Or choose this grey 100% Wool 3-piece suit below, where the waistcoat and the rest of the suit blends together:

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Grey 100% Wool 3-Piece Suit

Or this Blue 100% Merino Wool 3-Piece Suit:

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Blue 100% Merino Wool 3-Piece Suit

When & How to Wear It

This is easy; wear the 3-piece suit to any occasion you would wear a suit. It works for daily events as well as formal ones.

To be sure you wear it the right way, follow these two, very simple, rules:

  • Always leave the last button on your dress vest unbuttoned
  • The waistcoat should be long enough to cover your belt line, but not much longer than that

That's all you have to remember! Now that's not difficult, is it?

Go and buy your next 3-piece suit now and tell us how you style it!

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Salva Jovells Joining Hockerty in 2015, Salva Jovells has been blending his marketing skills with a love for fashion. His journey is more than a job; it's about understanding style and sharing it through his writing.In his articles, Salva goes beyond trends, offering a practical approach to personal style. He brings his firsthand fashion experiences from Hockerty to you, making style both accessible and exciting.Salva's goal is simple: to share knowledge and light up the path of fashion for all. His writings invite you into the world of fashion, making each piece relatable and real.Explore fashion with Salva at Hockerty, where his insights weave into the fabric of everyday style.

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How to Suit Up in a 3 Piece (2024)

FAQs

Is a 3 piece suit too much? ›

It's true that three piece suits are formal attire, but not for every occasion. In order to align with modern style etiquitte, you should wear a 3 piece suit primarily at social or celebratory occasions like weddings, anniversaries, dinner parties, performances, and even funerals.

Is a 3 piece suit too much for an interview? ›

A three-piece suit would look wildly inappropriate at a business casual interview, and showing up to an interview for an entry-level position in one might come across like you're trying too hard, but if you're interviewing for a senior management role, or if you're talking with the president of your company about a ...

What is a 3 piece suit? ›

Britannica Dictionary definition of THREE–PIECE SUIT. [count] : a suit in which the jacket, vest, and pants are made of the same material — compare two-piece suit.

Do 3 piece suits make you look slimmer? ›

A three-piece suit can be very slimming because the waistcoat gives you the illusion of having a smaller waist.

What to wear under a 3 piece suit? ›

Shirt. The classic choice to wear with a 3-piece suit is a button-down collared shirt in a light color like white or light blue. Those who favor something a little different might experiment with a roll neck sweater.

Is $500 alot for a suit? ›

The $500 range will give you everything you need in a basic suit: quality stitching, nice fabric, and neutral, versatile colors.

Can I wear a 3 piece suit without a tie? ›

Even without a tie, three-piece suit will offer a high level of formality that's appropriate for most formal occasions. Some men still prefer to accessorize their three-piece suits with a tie. Nonetheless, you can rest assured knowing that a tie isn't required.

Are 3 piece suits in style in 2024? ›

A timeless classic, the three-piece suit remains in style.

This emblematic ensemble continues to be a symbol of sophistication in 2024, albeit with a modern and intriguing redesign that is well worth investigating.

When not to wear a 3 piece suit? ›

Don't wear a three piece suit to a job interview

A three-piece suit is a little much for a job interview. In an interview, confident looks good, but a three-piece is a bit bold. When you're looking for interview suits, be careful not to step on the gas pedal too hard with your suit.

Who wears 3 piece suits? ›

When Should You Wear a Three Piece Suit? Three pieces suits exude sophistication, so they are often reserved for formal events such as the races, weddings or important business meetings. However, if styled correctly, they can also be an excellent choice for semi-formal occasions too.

Are 3 piece suits out of style? ›

Consider it a reboot. Truth be told, the three-piece suit has never completely gone away from mainstream fashion, it has merely recalibrated itself to changing times in ways that are more accessible to people of all shapes and sizes, genders, and personal aesthetics.

What is a 3 piece girl? ›

consisting of three matching or harmonious pieces, as an ensemble of coat, skirt, and blouse for a woman or a suit of a jacket, vest, and pair of trousers for a man.

What does a 3-piece suit say about you? ›

A three-piece (coat,vest and pant) or Double Breasted tailored suit shows everyone that you really have your life together. Even though getting dressed in the morning doesn't necessarily take more effort, it does illustrate that you care about how you're perceived and that you pay attention to the little details.

When were 3 piece suits in style? ›

The history of the 3 Piece suit can be traced back to the 17th century, when men began wearing coats, waistcoats, and trousers as a complete outfit. It was during the 19th century that the 3 Piece suit became a popular choice for formal occasions, with the waistcoat serving as an extra layer of warmth and style.

Can I wear a 3 piece suit everyday? ›

A well-tailored suit will look just as good without the waistcoat, allowing you to have two "different" suits. A three piece suit can be that element that sets you apart at work. It's not an everyday suit, but an "any day" suit, any day you wear it, you'll look and feel great!

Do you have to wear a tie with a 3 piece suit? ›

Unless you're following a dress code that specifically calls for the use of a tie, you can omit this accessory from your three-piece suit. Even without a tie, three-piece suit will offer a high level of formality that's appropriate for most formal occasions.

When to button a 3 piece suit? ›

When you're standing up, fastening your top button is optional - unless it tampers with the fold of the lapel. The middle button should always be fastened, and the bottom button should never be buttoned. As always, remember to unfasten all the buttons before sitting down.

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