The Four Suits Every Professional Needs in Their Closet

To be prepared for anything the professional world can throw at you, it pays to have a well-stocked closet. 

Many of us have spent the last few years working remotely in sweatpants and t-shirts. But now that the office beckons, we must start dressing up again. Wearing a suit can make both men and women feel more confident and prepared for success.

Here are four types of suits every professional needs.

Suits Every Professional Man Should Own 

1) A Slim-Fit Suit 

Modern men need a slim-fitting suit that’s appropriate in many corporate settings, from client meetings to presentations. Choose a suit in a classic color, like navy blue, black, or grey, and a suit jacket with a notched lapel and two buttons for a truly versatile look. The suit measure should be slim – not form-fitting– to show off your shape, not squeeze you in.

What’s more, make sure you’re choosing a suit in a mid-weight fabric.  

2) A Classic Suit 

Though slim-fit and classic suits are similar, the latter on our list of suits every professional needs is not quite as trendy – men in the 1950s would have worn the same cut and style. Classic suits, which are a bit looser in the legs and torso, are a must for your collection. 

Be sure you mix up the colors in your collection. A black suit is the most formal, while grey is more casual. Navy blue is the middle of the road – neither the most formal nor the most dressed down.

3) A Suit with a Pattern 

While the two suits listed above this list can be worn again and again without detection, you also want a suit that makes others stand up and take notice. That’s why you want to differentiate your collection of suits every professional needs with a striped or plaid suit.

A suit like this is ideal for special occasions, or when you need a bit of a pick-me-up since it varies from your standard routine.

4) A Summer Suit 

A summer suit is more of a requirement than a suggestion. The high heat and humidity of the summer season make winter suit materials like wool feel like torture to wear. Instead, opt for light, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton in this smart casual suit.

Also, choose light colors like beige or tan so you can wear the suit from the office to your after-work summer activities.

Suits Every Professional Woman Should Own 

1) A Classic Suit 

If you’re only going to buy one suit, a classic, well-tailored suit in a neutral color like black, grey, or navy blue is the way to go. If you wear a suit like this one, your colleagues won’t be able to tell that you’re repeating your suit game more than one day of the week.

That’s because you can change up the look by wearing flats vs. heels, changing out your button-down for a turtle neck, or adding a colorful scarf or necklace to the outfit. Unless they’re paying extra close attention, they won’t be able to tell.

2) A Business Casual Suit 

When you’re making the transition from your home office to the professional workplace, there is nothing better than a business casual suit. Aim to buy one made from comfortable materials like cotton or cashmere.

Casual women’s suits may have sweater-like blazers and wide-leg pants that make them a key transition piece between casual and formal.  

3) A Double-Breasted Suit 

The opposite of a casual suit on our list of suits every professional needs is the double-breasted suit. A staple of menswear, this sophisticated blazer with buttons down either side is the ideal suit for high-powered meetings or boardrooms.

Consider purchasing a double-breasted suit that is slightly longer than your waist and comes in a neutral color with stripes.

4) A Brightly-Colored Suit 

Another suit you want to keep in your closet rotation is a brightly-colored one. These are ideal for showing your colleagues that you have a personality, especially if you have a creative job. Consider buying a one-color suit in yellow, red, or bright blue.

Alternatively, you could buy a neutral-color suit with a brighter color if you work in a more conservative field.

Next Steps for Preserving Your Suit Collection 

If you want to ensure the longevity of your suit collection, you need to make sure you’re caring for your garments. That means that your suit style shouldn't include creased pants or dented shoulder pads. Instead, you need to hang your suits on hangers that will make sure they preserve their polish for years to come.

This is where Butler Luxury suit hangers come in such handy. Made of sturdy wood and shaped to match the slope of your shoulders, our hangers are the highest quality you can buy. This means that your fine fabrics won’t wilt or become dented from metal or plastic hangers.

What’s more, we have suit hangers for every type of garment, from skirts to heavy blazers to trousers.

As you’re building your collection of suits every professional needs, be sure that you’re also collecting high-quality Butler hangers.

Also in Our Latest Advice