There's little doubt that a well-fitting suit gives you the confidence to be your absolute best. From work and formal events, to smarter casual occasions, nothing says success more than a suit.
But if you've ever shopped for a suit you'll know it's a monumental task, largely because it involves so many components. First you have to decide on what you actually need the suit for.
Is it for the races? Or a wedding? Or perhaps it's to impress at that big job interview? Or maybe you need just the one suit that will satisfy all those demands? Then there's the choice of fabric, and the cut, and the colour, and the shirt that goes with the suit, and the ties and the pocket squares and the … well, you get the idea.
One stop shop
Which is why it can make sense to buy the entire ensemble from the one place, instead of myriad clothing boutiques spread from one end of the city to the other.
"I gave up on doing the runaround many years ago," says Craig Laylor, a financial planner with a large Sydney accountancy firm. "It got that way that buying a suit and shirt all the accoutrements would take up too much of my day. I simply didn't have the time or the energy."
Laylor says a friend recommended he check out David Jones' suit department in Sydney CBD and there was no looking back. "Rather than shopping around in half a dozen different stores around the city, I found everything I needed all in the one spot," says Laylor. "And the staff were very knowledgeable which was a big plus, because I was quite clueless."
Captains of industry
Glenn Elliott, Senior Buyer of men's tailored and luxury clothing, says he is proud DJs provides a broad product offering to meet the company's broad customer base.
"We supply suits to everyone from first time buyers who may have just snared their first job in the city, to captains of industry and CEOs," Elliott says. "And we have the brands that cater to each and every one of those customers."
In his job as the tailored and luxury clothing buyer for DJs, Elliott has the enviable task of seeking out the best suits available, from Australia and all over the world. His travels have taken him from Milan to Saville Row and back again. Luxury options he has been able to source for David Jones include Ermenegildo Zegna, Canali, D'Urban, Armani Collezioni, Hugo Boss, Paul Smith and Gieves & Hawkes which are not available at any other deptatment store.
"What differentiates us from a typical small boutique is that we not only stock some of the best brands from Australia and the world, but we have the service to support it," says Elliott. "Our personal stylists are specialists who can bring all of the right looks to each individual customer and make it seamless."
A cut above
When selecting a suit for business, Elliott recommends a dark shade of navy or grey: "Darker shades convey a sense of gravitas in a way that a light-coloured suit such as one in beige or lighter blue, never can."
He says it's important to select the cut that suits your physique, rather than what is currently 'in fashion'. And keep the proportions aligned with the suit's silhouette: a broader classic lapel for a traditional shape, and slightly slimmer details for a modern suit. "You can't really go wrong if you stick to the timeless classic cut, rather than opting for a current trend such as super skinny."
David Jones corporate themed brands include Anthony Squires, D'Urban, Studio Italia and Country Road.
Big night out
Elliott says that not only does David Jones offer suits for business, it also does a great trade in providing suits for special events such as wedding parties and race days, with brands such as Studio Italia, Geoffrey Beene, Joe Black and Thomas Pink. Other luxury brands to consider include D'Urban, Canali, Hugo Boss , Versace Collection and Lab by Pal Zileri.
And, he says, the more relaxed contemporary style holds appeal for younger professionals who might just want to team a suit jacket with jeans or chinos, and pair the whole look back with a pair of sneakers or loafers. Look towards Zegna, Polo Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith, Uberstone and James Harper.
Detailed decisions
It's also important not to forget to accessories. This is another area where a department store such as DJs makes good sense, because everything is in the one place and so can be easily mixed and matched with whatever suit you've chosen.
"Across the brands we have the ability to meet everyone's needs, not just suits but personal grooming, ties, pocket squares, even jewellery, in fact everything that a man needs to look his best is under our roof," Elliott says.
"Of course once all of the decisions have been made to get you looking your sartorial best, we ensure the final details are taken care of; that the jacket is sitting just right, that the sleeves and trousers are the correct length. That's the key to looking great…that everything fits."
This article is sponsored by David Jones.