Must-Have Customizable Suit Features for Perfect Style

Nothing makes a better impression than a well-tailored custom suit. You can immediately tell the difference between a custom suit and one bought off the rack - not just in how it looks, but how it makes you feel. A custom suit fits your unique body shape perfectly while letting you show your personal style.

At Suits & More, we know that a truly amazing suit comes from attention to detail. Whether you're getting ready for a wedding, important business meeting, or special event, the right customizations can make you look great and feel confident.

In this guide, we'll explore the essential customizable features that turn an ordinary suit into something special. From picking the fabric to adding final touches, these are the must-have options every man should think about when buying a custom suit.

1. Premium Fabric Selection: The Foundation of a Great Suit

The fabric is probably the most important choice you'll make. It affects how your suit looks, feels, lasts, and works in different seasons.

Our Brown High Fashion Three-Piece Wool Suit ($299.99) shows why wool is the most recommended fabric for custom suits. Made from 100% premium wool, this suit is comfortable year-round, naturally resists wrinkles, drapes nicely on your body, and lasts a long time.

If you want different textures or price points, we offer options like our Burgundy Classic Double-Breasted Suit ($299.99) with a luxury wool feel. It's made from 70% Wool, 30% Polyester that looks like wool but costs less, lasts longer, and resists wrinkles during travel or long wear.

When customizing your suit, think about the weather and season. Choose lightweight wools and blends for summer, medium-weight options for year-round wear, and heavier fabrics for winter warmth. Check out our green suit collection for seasonal options from light summer fabrics to richer winter textures.

2. Personalized Fit: The Heart of Customization

The most important part of a custom suit is getting the perfect fit for your unique body shape. This goes beyond standard sizes to address your specific proportions and posture.

Our Luxelink Collection 3-Piece Stone Grey Suit ($599.99) has a customizable fit that balances traditional and modern styling. When customizing your suit, consider these fit options: Classic/Regular Fit (more room for comfort), Slim Fit (more tailored with less fabric), Hybrid Fit (a balance of both), or Athletic Cut (room for broader shoulders and chest with a tapered waist).

Good trouser fit matters too. Think about the rise (how high the pants sit), thigh room (comfort in the upper leg), taper (how the leg narrows), and break (how the fabric falls on your shoes). Learn more about taking your formal wear from office to evening with the right fit customizations.

3. Jacket Style: Single-Breasted vs. Double-Breasted

Your jacket style says a lot about your personal taste and what occasions you're dressing for.

Our DapperDuo Collection Black Tuxedo ($199.99) shows how versatile single-breasted designs can be. When customizing, think about button count (one, two, or three), button position (higher or lower affects how you look), where the lapel meets the collar, and how the jacket hangs when buttoned. Single-breasted suits work for most occasions and body types, making them a good first custom suit.

The Burgundy Classic Double-Breasted Suit offers a bolder, more formal option with overlapping front panels and two columns of buttons. You can choose different button arrangements (6×2, 4×2, or 6×1), peak lapels that create strong shoulders, and a structured look that gets noticed. Double-breasted suits make a statement and are great for formal events or when you want to show confidence.

Check out our guide to the best wedding tuxedos for 2024 with both single and double-breasted options for your wedding day.

4. Lapel Customization: Defining Your Jacket's Character

The lapel style greatly affects how formal your suit looks and works with different face shapes and body types.

The most versatile option is the notch lapel, which has a "notch" where the collar meets the lapel. It's good for business, works for most occasions, and looks good on most body types.

Our Burgundy Double-Breasted Suit has elegant peak lapels that point up toward your shoulders. They create a stronger, more formal look, make your torso look longer, and work really well with double-breasted jackets.

Many of our formal tuxedos have shawl lapels, which form a continuous curved line without notches. This is the most formal lapel option, perfect for black-tie events, and has a timeless, sophisticated look.

You can also customize your lapel width: narrow (2-2.5 inches) for a modern look; medium (3-3.5 inches) for classic proportions; or wide (3.5+ inches) for a bold, vintage-inspired style. Learn how to add the perfect pocket square and lapel pin to complete your look.

5. Vest Options: Adding Three-Piece Elegance

Adding a vest turns a standard suit into a three-piece outfit with more styling options and versatility.

Our Classifyer Collection 3-Piece Windowpane Suit has a stylish vest that matches its light purple windowpane pattern. When customizing your vest, think about single vs. double-breasted style, button count (usually 5-6 for single-breasted), full back vs. adjustable back with buckle, with or without lapels, and straight or notched bottom.

The Luxelink Collection Stone Grey 3-Piece Suit shows how a vest can make your suit look better while keeping you warmer, letting you take off your jacket but still look formal, giving you extra pockets, and working with different suits or casual clothes.

You can customize your three-piece suit with matching fabric for a traditional look, contrasting fabric or pattern for a unique style, or coordinating colors that go well together while adding visual interest. Browse our bronze collection for unique vest options that work with multiple suit colors.

6. Button Customization: Small Details, Big Impact

Buttons might seem minor, but they really affect how your suit looks and works.

Our Avalon Collection Sharkskin Two-Piece Suit ($299.99) has a classic two-button front. When customizing your suit, think about button quantity (one, two, or three for single-breasted jackets), button position (higher makes your torso look longer, lower looks more relaxed), button material (horn, mother-of-pearl, metal, corozo, or fabric-covered), and color (matching, contrasting, or complementing the fabric).

Working buttonholes on jacket sleeves, called "surgeon's cuffs," show quality custom tailoring. Traditional styles have 3-4 buttons per sleeve, let you unbutton the last button or two (though this is rarely done), show attention to detail, and make sleeve alterations more complex, so you need precise measurements from the start.

When wearing your custom suit, follow proper button rules: For two-button jackets, button only the top button; for three-button jackets, follow "sometimes, always, never" (top to bottom); always unbutton when sitting to avoid stretching the fabric; and leave the bottom button of vests unbuttoned as a traditional style choice. Check out our tracksuit collection for more casual button options that stay stylish while being comfortable.

7. Custom Lining: Your Personal Statement

Your suit lining is a hidden detail that lets you express yourself while providing practical benefits.

When customizing your suit lining, consider these materials: Bemberg/Cupro (breathable, silky, and durable), Silk (luxurious but more delicate and expensive), Polyester (more affordable but less breathable), or Cotton (natural, comfortable, but may wrinkle more).

You can choose how much of your jacket is lined: full lining (complete coverage for structure and smooth wear), half lining (lined sleeves and upper back for easier movement), quarter lining (minimal lining for maximum breathability in warm weather), or unlined (lightest weight but less structure).

The Classifyer Collection Purple Windowpane Suit has a coordinated interior lining that matches its pattern. Your lining options include solid colors that match or contrast with the suit, bold patterns for personal expression (paisleys, stripes, checks), themed designs showing hobbies or interests, or custom printed linings with personal photos or designs. View our green collection for suits with distinctive linings that add personality to traditional styles.

8. Pocket Style Variations: Functional and Fashionable

Pocket styles affect both how your custom suit works and how it looks.

Our Burgundy Classic Double-Breasted Suit has traditional straight flap pockets. When customizing your suit, consider these options: flap pockets (traditional and versatile, flaps can be tucked in for a cleaner look), jetted pockets (sleek, formal look with a simple slit opening), patch pockets (casual, sporty style with visible external pockets), or ticket pocket (small extra pocket above the right side pocket, a British tradition).

The left breast pocket can be customized as welted (standard for formal suits and designed for pocket squares), patch (more casual look), or none (clean, minimalist style, less common).

Functional inside pockets can be customized for your specific needs, including a standard wallet pocket, phone-sized pocket, pen pocket, passport or travel document pocket, or hidden security pocket. Learn how to accessorize your suit pockets with the perfect pocket square to match your custom suit.

Conclusion: Investing in Your Personal Style

Customizing your suit is more than just a fashion choice—it's an investment in how you present yourself and your confidence. The perfect custom suit combines quality materials, expert craftsmanship, and personal details that show your unique style and meet your needs.

At Suits & More, we understand that the perfect suit combines quality materials, good fit, and personal details. Our customizable options let you create a suit that not only looks great but feels like it was made just for you—because it was.

Complete your custom suit with perfect accessories, like our Montique White Wool Felt Dress Hat ($120.00) or check out our shoe collection to find footwear that perfectly matches your custom suit.

Remember, customization lets you show your personality while following classic menswear traditions. Whether you're buying your first custom suit or adding to your collection, these eight essential customizable features will make your suit stand out for all the right reasons.