This is a question that I am often asked and whilst there is certainly no limit on the number of suits one should own, I believe that there is a core number of suits that every man should have in his armoury.
If you wear a suit every day, the absolute minimum number of work suits that you should own is four, and that is with the assumption that each suit has two pairs of trousers as most people find that the trousers wear a little faster than the jackets and so by having two pairs of trousers on rotation you are able to elongate the lifespan of the suit as a whole.
Within this core range of four suits I always recommend two blue suits, a charcoal suit and a grey, with a range of weights from 9oz to 13oz.
9oz cloths are a lighter weight cloth that are better suited to warmer climes, whilst 13oz are perfect for most of the year in England and are very robust.
It is always nice to have one double breasted suit in the wardrobe, but they are slightly less versatile than single breasted and so think carefully. You can read our guide to double-breasted suits here.
If you spend a lot of time travelling then a further suit in a suitably crease resistant, breathable cloth is essential, preferably something with a small amount of mohair, which provides the suit with an element of breathability. I personally recommend the Holland & Sherry range of mohair that go up to a 30% mohair content, which provides ultimate breathability was retaining its shape.
It goes without saying that a beautifully tailored Dinner Jacket is a pre requisite for every gentleman's wardrobe, black or possibly midnight blue, single breasted, button one, grosgrain peaked lapel- understated elegance. Dormeuil's ICE bunch is the height of luxury. Sumptuous cloths woven from the finest wool and cashmere.
Finally, a well cut Morning Coat is essential and will last you a lifetime. My personal preference is for a grey Morning Coat, always nice to stand out slightly in a crowd.
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The Return of the Double-Breasted Suit (and How to Make It Work for You) - Peter White shares the secrets of this distinctive style.
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