What to Wear to a Suit Fitting: A Complete Guide

When preparing for a bespoke or tailored suit fitting, one of the most overlooked yet crucial elements is your outfit. While the focus is understandably on the suit being created, what you wear to your fitting can significantly impact the measurements, alterations, and final outcome of your garment.

Understanding what to wear to a suit fitting is not just a matter of etiquette or style; it’s a practical decision that ensures precision.

The Importance of Proper Attire for a Suit Fitting

A suit fitting is a highly personalized process. Bespoke tailors, like those at Peter Panos Bespoke Tailor in San Francisco, craft every garment with meticulous attention to detail. This means every inch counts, from shoulder width to cuff length.

Wearing the wrong clothing to your fitting can skew measurements and impact your tailor’s ability to visualize and shape the suit to your body. Conversely, dressing correctly allows for:

• Accurate measurements
• Precise adjustments
• Appropriate posture simulation
• Alignment with your usual dress habits

If you regularly wear a dress shirt with a watch and leather dress shoes, your tailor needs to see you in those items during the fitting process. That’s the only way to ensure a perfectly constructed, wearable suit tailored to your real-life needs.

Why Your Shirt Choice is Important

The shirt you wear to your fitting should closely resemble what you intend to wear with the suit. This is especially crucial for first fittings or when crafting a suit from scratch.

Choose a fitted dress shirt, ideally one that you already wear frequently. This helps determine how the suit jacket and pants will rest on your body when fully dressed.

Avoid loose, oversized, or casual shirts such as polos, T-shirts, or flannels. These can distort your posture and create measurement inaccuracies. If your shirt has an unusual collar style or shoulder structure, bring it with you—even if you’re not wearing it—so your tailor can make adjustments accordingly.

Bonus Tip: If you plan to wear French cuffs or thick cufflinks, bring them. Cuff length and jacket sleeve allowance are often measured with these in mind.

Footwear & Accessories: Do They Matter?

The short answer: Yes, they matter. A lot more than you might think.

A suit’s fit isn’t determined solely by your torso — your entire silhouette plays a role in how the final product looks. Your choice of shoes and accessories can subtly influence posture, balance, and proportion.

What Happens If You Wear the Wrong Shoes?

Shoes impact not just your posture but also your leg and inseam measurements. A pair of thick-soled oxfords will elevate you differently than minimalist loafers or athletic sneakers. If your tailor doesn’t account for the height and structure of your typical footwear, your pants may end up too short or too long.

Wear the actual shoes (or a similar pair) you plan to wear with the suit. This is especially important for wedding suits, business suits, or event-specific attire. Shoes also affect how trousers drape and break over your feet — critical details in bespoke tailoring.

Should You Wear a Belt to a Fitting?

This is a common point of confusion. The rule is straightforward:

• Wear a belt if you plan to wear one with your suit.
• Skip it if you prefer side adjusters, braces, or no belt at all.

Wearing a belt to your fitting helps your tailor understand where your trousers should sit naturally and how tightly they should be secured. It also helps simulate the overall look, especially if the belt is a prominent accessory in your daily or professional wardrobe.

If you’re unsure, bring both a belt and suspenders (if applicable) and discuss your preferences with the tailor during your appointment.

Common Mistakes to Avoid During a Suit Fitting

Knowing what to wear to a suit fitting is half the battle; the other half is avoiding common pitfalls that can compromise your custom-tailoring experience. These include both wardrobe missteps and behavioral habits that can affect measurements.

Mistake 1: Wearing Unusual or Baggy Clothes

We touched on this earlier, but it’s worth emphasizing: Leave the hoodies, sweats, and gym wear at home. Baggy or bulky clothing makes it hard for your tailor to gauge body contours, shoulder structure, and waist alignment. If you’re being measured over a bulky shirt, your jacket may be too loose when worn with a regular dress shirt.

Mistake 2: Not Mentioning Weight Fluctuations

If you’re planning to lose or gain weight (or are currently in the process), let your tailor know during the first fitting. While tailors are skilled at minor adjustments, drastic body changes after a suit has been constructed can limit alteration possibilities and compromise the integrity of the garment.

Mistake 3: Forgetting Essential Accessories

If you typically wear a watch, keep it on. It may affect the jacket cuff length. Likewise, if you carry a smartphone or wallet in specific pockets, this should be shared during the fitting. Bespoke tailors like Peter Panos can craft pockets and balance accordingly.

Mistake 4: Standing or Sitting Unnaturally

You want your suit to look good when you’re comfortable, not when you’re stiffly posed. Stand, sit, and move naturally during the fitting. Don’t puff your chest or suck in your stomach. Tailors are trained to identify and work with your actual body shape — and that’s the key to comfort and style.

Mistake 5: Rushing the Process

A quality bespoke suit is a collaborative experience. Multiple fittings may be necessary. Don’t rush through them or treat them like a chore. Your input—how it feels and moves—matters as much as your measurements. Take your time, ask questions, and trust your tailor’s guidance.

Expert Tips for Getting the Most Accurate Measurements

Want to make sure your custom suit looks and feels like a second skin? Follow these expert-approved tips:

1. Bring Inspiration: If you have reference photos, fabric swatches, or color preferences, bring them along. This will help your tailor understand your vision.
2. Wear Appropriate Undergarments: Just like shirts and shoes, undergarments can affect posture and fit. Avoid overly bulky underwear or shapewear unless you plan to wear them with the suit.
3. Check Your Posture: Stand as you normally would. Don’t try to “impress” the mirror. A good tailor sees the real posture and tailors accordingly.
4. Communicate Future Use: Whether it’s for work, weddings, or black-tie galas, the event dictates the fit. Inform your tailor where and how often you’ll wear the suit.
5. Avoid New Hairstyles: Believe it or not, drastic changes to hair or facial hair can alter how your face balances with the suit’s lapel width and collar. It’s best to maintain your usual grooming habits until after the suit is complete.

Summary: The Ideal Outfit for a Suit Fitting

To make it easy, here’s a checklist for what to wear to a suit fitting:

• A well-fitting dress shirt (similar to what you’ll wear with the suit)
• The actual shoes or a close match
• Your preferred belt or suspenders (or both)
• Watch and everyday accessories
• Undergarments you’d wear with a suit
• Neat grooming and hairstyle
• Any additional items that influence your daily posture or wardrobe

By dressing the part, you ensure your measurements are accurate, your tailoring session runs smoothly, and your final suit fits you perfectly, in both style and comfort.

Trust Peter Panos Bespoke Tailor for Your Next Suit

At Peter Panos Bespoke Tailor, we bring decades of experience serving the San Francisco area, crafting timeless, elegant, and uniquely personal garments. Our clientele includes distinguished businessmen, high-profile celebrities, and discerning professionals who value detail, luxury, and individuality.

We specialize in:

• Custom suits that elevate your professional presence
• Tailored shirts and pants designed for comfort and longevity
• Overcoats and jackets that express timeless confidence
• Alterations and fittings that perfect every garment

When you book your fitting with us, we guide you through every step—from your wardrobe choices to final delivery. Your suit isn’t just a piece of clothing; it’s a reflection of who you are.

Ready to schedule your next fitting or create your dream custom suit? Visit us and experience master craftsmanship with a personal touch.

Categorised in: Custom Suit