The New Rules of Tailoring: 9 Ways to Look Suave in 2016

While cut and colour can vary from season to season, the basic elements of a suit — jacket, trousers, sometimes a vest — never really change. To make a statement in 2016, you need to reconsider what you wear with your tailored goods: double up on shirts, give lace and silk a shot, and don’t shy away from colours and patterns.

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Yes, it’s possible to wear lace and not look like your grandmother’s favourite teatime tablecloth. This shirt is trim, stiff and minimalist, with the embroidery creating an understated pattern.

Wool-mohair blend jacket ($2,090), cotton button down ($1,175), and wool-mohair pants ($1,045) by Burberry; leather shoes ($650) by A.P.C.

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Texture can elevate any outfit, especially when it comes to simple silhouettes. A soft cashmere knit shirt is a relaxed underpinning to a blazer with raised, tactile stripes.

Cotton blazer ($1,220) by Canali; cashmere shirt ($1,310) by Burberry.

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Wearing a double-breasted suit? Try doubling up on shirts, too. The layering and mix of patterns adds visual interest in an unexpected way.

Cashmere-linen-silk blend suit ($9,995) and cotton button downs ($995 each) by Kiton.

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Pair like with like by wearing stripes on stripes — the trick is to keep the patterns distinct by wearing both horizontal and vertical versions of varying weights.

Polyester-nylon blend trench coat ($395) and cotton button down ($100) by Tommy Hilfiger; cotton suit ($1,350) by BOSS.

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Go all-in on the ‘70s look with big lapels and an in-your-face, prominently-collared patterned shirt.

Cotton suit ($3,635) and silk button down ($1,590) by Versace; leather shoes ($270) by Johnston & Murphy.

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If you don’t want to give up on the tried and true shirt-and-tie combo, try to mix it up by going monochromatic with a white jacket and shirt, to give your patterned neckwear even more pop.

Cotton blazer ($395) by Tommy Hilfiger; cotton-linen button down ($300) by Aquascutum; silk tie ($215) by Ermenegildo Zegna.

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A new take on the three-piece suit ditches the vest in favour of a denim button-up worn over a classic white dress shirt.

Wool blazer ($3,995) by Ermenegildo Zegna; cotton shirt (price upon request) and cotton jeans ($650) by Louis Vuitton; cotton button down ($205) by BOSS; leather shoes ($270) by Johnston & Murphy.

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Let the suit do the talking by donning one that subscribes to the old adage “more is more” — a colourful check finished off with a complimentary crochet trim.

Cotton blazer ($3,015) by Gucci.

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Turn the tuxedo on its head with a relaxed cut, brightly patterned silk shirt, and rakishly disheveled styling.

Wool jacket (price upon request) and wool pants (price upon request) by Versace; silk button down ($1,600) by Louis Vuitton; leather shoes ($270) by Johnston & Murphy.
Photographer: Peter Ash Lee
Stylist: Julian Jesus at See Management
Grooming by: Liz Olivier
Stylist Assistant: Nick Cohen