Guide to Men’s Suit Styles: 3 Classic Types of Suits

There are three basic types of suits that are perfect [for different occasions](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-dress-codes). 1. __Two-piece suit__: A two-piece suit is the most basic type of suit, consisting of a suit jacket and matching trousers. This is the type of suit you might wear to a job interview. In business settings, you'll generally wear a black, gray, or navy suit with a tie. 2. __Three-piece suit__: A three-piece suit consists of a matching suit jacket and trousers, plus a vest. It’s the perfect type of suit for weddings and special occasions at work. 3. __Tuxedo__: A tuxedo or dinner suit is a special-occasion suit consisting of a black or midnight blue dinner jacket with just one button and matching trousers, worn with a bowtie. Wear a tuxedo to events with a black-tie dress code. There are six distinguishing features that vary between suits. 1. __Buttons__: Single-breasted jackets feature just one column of two or three buttons and are by far the most common type of jacket. Double-breasted jackets are a little more formal and feature two columns of three (sometimes two) buttons. Tuxedo jackets only have one button. 2. __Vents__: Vents are slits at the bottom of a jacket that allow for mobility and airflow. Jackets with a single vent have one slit in the back of the jacket. Jackets with a double vent have two slits on the back of the jacket. Many Italian-style ventless suits have no slits at all. 3. __Pockets__: Jetted pockets are tucked into the lining of a suit with a narrow slit at the opening. Flap pockets are jetted pockets with a flap of fabric that covers the opening of the pocket. Patch pockets are made from a piece of fabric attached to the front of the suit—they’re the least formal type of pocket. In terms of location, a breast pocket is located on the top left side of the front of a suit jacket (this is where a pocket square goes), and hip pockets sit in line with the bottom button. A ticket pocket is a smaller pocket designed for holding a train ticket. The ticket pocket is usually located above the right hip pocket. 4. __Lapels__: The lapels are one of the most distinctive features of a suit jacket. Notch lapels are the most common type of lapel; they feature a triangle-shaped notch in between the collar and the lapel. Peak lapels have an upward-pointing peak that meets the collar. Shawl lapels are a combination collar and lapel with rounded edges. 5. __Material__: Wool is the most common fabric for suits. Wool can be worsted, or combed, for a smoother texture, and it can be blended with other materials, such as silk. Luxurious cashmere or [mohair wools are sometimes used for the fanciest suits](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/fabric-guide-what-is-mohair). Suits often come in solid colors, but popular patterns include conservative pinstripes and windowpane checks. For more casual settings, you might choose a seersucker or plaid suit. 6. __Tailoring__: [Tailoring can make the difference](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-guide-to-tailoring-clothes) between an ill-fitting suit and a fantastic suit. You can have a store-bought suit tailored for your body type, or you can have an experienced tailor create a bespoke suit just for you. When it comes to fit, there are a few options. Slim-fit suiting is cut close to the body, while classic-fit suiting leaves more room around the waist, chest, and legs. Modern-fit suits fall somewhere in between, offering more mobility than a slim fit without feeling as baggy as a classic fit. Get a [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/) and let Tan France be your very own style spirit guide. *Queer Eye*’s fashion guru spills everything he knows about building a capsule collection, finding a signature look, understanding proportions, and more (including why it’s important to wear underwear to bed)—all in a soothing British accent, no less. Although dark business suits might look the same from a distance, there are many subtle differences between the different types of suits.