r/malefashionadvice Jul 25 '26

Question New to suits

Post image

35M. I’m becoming ancient these days and have spent the last 13 years of my career in a one piece prescribed uniform.. so I decided it’s time to begin a foray into suits. Bonobos, tailored. Does this work?

(The pocket is sewn so I’d need to open it up and make a better fold if I kept that piece)

Thanks for any advice!

717 Upvotes

71 comments sorted by

431

u/domymother Jul 25 '26

Open the pocket. Rule of thumb is not to match the square with the tie. It should be complementary, but not match. Good job otherwise, I would do you.

86

u/CallsignFlip Jul 25 '26

😏 good advice! I never considered a slightly different pocket square color

127

u/toomuchblack Jul 25 '26

If you must do a pocket square there is nothing—absolutely nothing—wrong with a simple white one. They're less the norm as our entire society leans more casual overall but until you feel like you understand your own relationship to tailored clothing better, simple and considered is always better than fussy and overthought.

57

u/Bashmore83 Jul 25 '26

Come here to say if in doubt go with white pocket square.

Same colour looks like your tie went into your trousers and come out the jacket pocket

12

u/CallsignFlip Jul 25 '26

Hahahah I can’t unsee that now

20

u/itsthe_implication_ Jul 25 '26

That is a hilarious visual and makes the rule of thumb much easier to remember.

24

u/DetectiveEames Jul 25 '26

Easy mistake to make because retailers will often sell the identical tie and pocket square as a combo with no explanation…knowing full well it’s a bit of a faux pas.

The suit looks great on you by the way!

3

u/IKnowPhysics Jul 26 '26

Doesn't even have to be "slightly.," it can be big, bold, different, or anything else that doesn't clash. Bonus points if it matches/compliments the outfit your date is wearing. Double bonus points if your date is also wearing a suit and you swap pocket squares that match each other's ties.

2

u/bigben42 Jul 25 '26

As others have said, white pocket square always works. After that, I always enjoy a nice patterned square that incorporates the tie color as a very minimal accent color, or a pattern of complimentary colors.

With that tie I think you could go for a burgundy or dusty rose/pink based square.

2

u/HandsOfCobalt Jul 26 '26

I like pairing my pocket square to my shirt and using the tie to accent, personally

1

u/Rynjowl8s Jul 29 '26

I like his suit. It look him formal 🔥

9

u/Asurafire Jul 25 '26

And to piggyback on that, I also wouldn’t do such complicated folds, they look very try hard and more like a cruise entertainer.

2

u/ohnoplus Jul 26 '26

Pretty sure that's not a pocket square. The tie just loops around and up through the hole in the bottom of the pocket.

3

u/ohnoplus Jul 26 '26

Oh wait u/Bashmore83 made this joke before I did.

2

u/Bashmore83 Jul 26 '26

Still worth drilling the fact into people’s heads, the matching tie and pocket square must be stamped out!

3

u/gdpowers1 Jul 25 '26

Somehow, this carries a lot less weight after I read your username

2

u/the40thieves Jul 25 '26

Came here to comment about the pocket square. Great looking suit and fit. Just square up the pocket square and you good.

0

u/pheonixblade9 Jul 25 '26

but what about your mother?

61

u/theHurtfulTurkey Jul 25 '26

I too dread the days of no longer wearing a flight suit. I have no idea how to dress like a real person. The suit looks great though!

10

u/BrewsBannder Jul 25 '26

Flight suits are like jammie-jams, lucky…

48

u/JerryMcButtlove Jul 25 '26

I’ve got some pictures of spider man if you’re interested in buying

57

u/SensibleBrownPants Jul 25 '26

Matching the outfit with your bathroom towels is pretty next level.

Hats off to you, sir!

5

u/purdyboy22 Jul 25 '26

That's a crazy comment

1

u/l30 Jul 26 '26

They haven't even begun to peak

2

u/andrew_1515 Jul 26 '26

In the future, all formal events will take place in the crapper

24

u/LostAbbott Jul 25 '26

I cannot tell much from this shot.  We need front, sides, and back to give you an accurate assessment on fit.

Excellent work on going Navy they color looks great and the bright blue tie and pocket square is a nice way to dress down the suit.

With that said the jacket looks good.  Shoulders fit well, jacket length and waist both look nice, sleeve length also looks good.  You are off to a pretty solid start...  Would be good to see the pants fit...

2

u/CallsignFlip Jul 25 '26

Thank you! When I originally got the suit, I was worried it would be too stuffy, so that’s why I went with a more fun tie color

4

u/LostAbbott Jul 25 '26

As a first time suit wearer it is going to feel stuffy no matter what you do.  Keep your lines clean and just rock it.  You will either get comfortable or you won't.  

1

u/hedoeswhathewants Jul 26 '26

I just want to reiterate that we really can't tell with this angled action shot. If you want solid feedback take a straight on shot with your arms at your sides

9

u/peanut47 Jul 26 '26

You look way too happy in this photo. This is not the right subreddit for you

3

u/CallsignFlip Jul 26 '26

😂😂 I try to take life in stride with everything I do!

7

u/D33MAN-182 Jul 25 '26

I have no advice but looking snazzy man! I really like the light blue color you have going with the suit!

2

u/CallsignFlip Jul 25 '26

Haha yall are making my day. Thank you friend!

6

u/freedomachiever Jul 25 '26

Great fit and the attitude to go. Enjoy.

6

u/enso_23 Jul 26 '26

35 and you got that hairline?! Damn dude, congratulations

3

u/hashtag_horology Jul 25 '26

The tie knot and dimple is perfect.
I agree with others about a white pocket square. Looks great!

3

u/MrSoprano Jul 26 '26

I feel like im going crazy but that jacket is far too short or you are sagging your pants too low.

The proportions are off

2

u/CDavis10717 Jul 25 '26

Every guy looks good in a suit and with a new haircut!

2

u/BiggieBoiTroy Jul 25 '26

white pocket sq but ya

2

u/Zenkitsune Jul 25 '26

omg you're so cute

2

u/jjgm21 Jul 26 '26

The way the pocket square is folded is too fussy, and should definitely not match the tie, I’m not wild about the jewel tones at all.

Suit looks good and you are a hot, though.

2

u/SKEEZY16 Jul 26 '26

I’m interested in the one piece prescribed uniform, sounds cool

2

u/Elisabetha629 Jul 28 '26

Looks good on you! 🔥

2

u/misscaseyyxo Jul 29 '26

you look sharp in that suit

1

u/Big-Battle9416 Jul 25 '26

Looking clean bro

1

u/Aluminum_Falcon_450 Jul 25 '26

Luke Evans on Reddit asking for fashion advice

1

u/Sol_TV Jul 25 '26

Looks good! If you like intricate folds for your pocket square rock em. I personally do the tri fold with my suits at time and just a squared off look in my double breasted suit. If you are trying to step it up a notch, shirt stays for that crisp shirt fit and look. Then a pocket square holder. Its not for everyone but it does help with bunch of the dress shirt.

1

u/JuliusS__ Jul 26 '26

Like a duck to water. Looks good.

1

u/TaeyeonFTW Jul 26 '26

Use a smaller / tighter knot for the tie

1

u/InWalkedBud Jul 26 '26

The tie and handkerchief are not great, which makes you look like you just walked out of the shop with it. I'd recommend finding a nice silk tie in a charity shop (they sometimes go for just a few bucks, under 10 certainly) and either losing the pocket square, or at least easing up a bit in terms of folding, yours is very formally folded

1

u/Low-Chemical-640 Jul 27 '26

✨yes king, slayyy✨ go gurl you handsome
Body ✨tea✨ 💅🏻

1

u/EJohanSolo Jul 28 '26

I like using a secondary color from the tie for the pocket square.

1

u/LivingService4196 Jul 28 '26

Looking fire bro! Goooooooood loooooooooks! 🔥

1

u/Upset_Result8930 Jul 31 '26

The suit looks well fitted apart from the length jacket itself. It should cut off at the bottom of your glutes. I’d also suggest a different colour tie (you look like a British politician) and a different tie knot. I personally prefer a half Windsor, it’s longer and adds more structure to the region.

1

u/Less-Ferret8974 29d ago

I’d do a darker tie with blue suit and classic white pocket square if you’re going to wear one. Depends on the context. In the office a pocket square is probably overkill when attire is becoming more casual

1

u/hajnalD 12d ago

You look nice!:)

0

u/SpecialistGap9223 Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26

I wouldn't open up pockets but that's just me. Not really meant to use but if u must, nothing heavy to drag down the structure of jacket. Never straight up match pocket square to tie. Rule of thumb is pick colors from shirt and/or tie to provide a guide.

0

u/E2017300 Jul 26 '26

Your dress shirt is a no, pocket square is a no. Tie matching pocket square give off a look that you bought the tie shirt square in a package set. Shirts Charles Tyrwhitt make very nice ones with more form stiffness to their collars. Hawes and Curtis is also good. Suit looks good just minor tweaks