Although business suits for men often appear similar, subtle changes in cut, color or fabrics can make the difference between a bestseller and a style that stalls in your inventory. By keeping up with business suit news and trends like manufacturer developments, seasonal forecasts and customer demands, you’ll ensure your business suit store out performs the competition.

Gather industry information and see designer trends through a variety of reliable sources. When looking for details to guide your ordering, business suit prices and merchandising ideas, try to:

1. Take in a menswear trade show or fashion show to see new mens business suits in person and discuss the industry with manufacturers, designers and other retailers.

2. Seek out publications, blogs, news stories and trend watches that discuss the direction of mens dress suits and the state of the industry.

3. Sign up with organizations for apparel retailers to network with other menswear business owners, manufacturers and business suit wholesalers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend trade and fashion shows to see new mens business attire trends in person

A first-hand look at new mens formal wear and business suits in exhibits and on the runway will not only let you check out the direction of fabrics and styles, but also give you ensemble, accessory and display ideas. Also take the opportunity to talk to designers and mens dress suit distributors about what classics you should continue to sell.

I recommend: Attend one of the Chicago Collective retailer-only events to see the new offerings in mens suits and discuss the industry with fashion journalists, buyers and manufacturers. Check out the directory of fall and spring designer menswear shows through New York Magazine. Click on the specific designer to see previews of the business suit designs that will appear in the show.

Read articles about the business suit industry to uncover bestsellers and new mens suit distributors

When deciding which professional business suits to add to your inventory and which mens suit manufacturers to order from, use industry news reports and trend watches to guide your decisions. Get information from those in the know like fashion magazines, designers, menswear journalists and other retailers.

I recommend: Scope the trends in mens business suits and related accessories through the Men’s Fashion section at Luxe Mag. Blogs and news stories track the latest styles, designer news and the fashion industry. Get trend reports and reviews of designer men’s suits through Men Style, the online site of men’s magazines Details and GQ.

Join retailer groups to network and hone your business suit marketing strategies

Associations for retailers give you the opportunity to discuss the industry with other business suit retailers, interact with manufacturers and improve your business savvy through roundtable events, shows and educational seminars. Join those geared toward menswear, but also consider groups aimed at the apparel industry in general to discover other hot trends that you market along with your business suits.

I recommend: Check out the listing of men’s clothing associations and apparel groups that feature menswear retailers through Men’s Clothing. Sign up with the Fashion Retailers group at CollectiveX.com to discuss the menswear industry on blogs and in the online forum, share marketing strategies, discover new mens suit distributors and check out links to new men’s suit collections recommended by other retailers. Get consumer trend data, take retail seminars and read industry news through the National Retail Federation, a group that merged with the Apparel Retailers of America, formerly known as the Menswear Retailers of America.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While you're discovering new business suit styles, also keep an eye out for ways that designers and retailers are updating and merchandising classic styles. With strategies to make basic business suits appealing to customers, you'll be able to keep sales consistent without a completely overhauling your inventory.

In almost every man's closet you'll find at least one business suit. For interviews, weddings, important meetings or everyday office attire, men's dress suits are must-haves. If you are in the business of selling men's clothing, consider adding men's formal wear to your product line. If you are thinking about starting up a business selling men's dress suits, remember that all men need good looking suits.

Know what you are getting into before adding men's suits to your product line. Whether you are an existing business or just starting a business, have a business plan. A plan helps you prepare for your new inventory, and helps you look toward the future of your company.

There are many men's suit distributors, so you need to set yourself apart from the others. There are many ways to do this:

1. Offer better business suit prices. If you buy men's suits from a business suit wholesaler, your clients can buy suits from you at a good price while you still make a profit.

2. Offer a variety of business suits for men. Professional business suits come in a variety of styles, colors and fabrics. Provide a large selection of business suits for every customer that walks into your store.

3. Know the basics of men's dress suits. Most men's suits come in standard sizes, which may not fit all men perfectly. Know how to measure your customers to provide not only a great suit, but also a great fitting suit.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy suits from business suit wholesalers

Business suit wholesalers offer retailers a large number of suits at discounted prices. Wholesalers offer business suit designs in a number of styles, colors and fabrics. They also offer business suits from different designers.

I recommend: Textile Trading Associates, Inc. offers specials to help you start your business or add to your existing product line. A H Fashion Men's Suit Outlet and Men's USA are men's suit distributors that provide retail businesses with professional business suits at wholesale prices.

Offer a variety of business suit designs

There are many choices when it comes to mens formal wear, such as the number of buttons, the color, the style, the fabric, the designer, etc. Offer a large selection to appeal to even the most distinguished buyer.

I recommend: Garment Merchant offers a large variety of men's business attire. You can choose what type of men's dress suits you want to buy by category, such as the number of buttons or the material. Suitaly.com offers Italian business suits. EshopOne has everything you need, from summer suits to tuxedos.

Make sure you know how to fit men's dress suits

A great business suit is important to have, but a great fitting suit is even better. Offer your clients the option to buy a suit that will fit them perfectly. You can either do the alterations yourself or hire a tailor.

I recommend: Overstock.com has a quick and easy explanation of how to measure yourself, or your client, for a suit. Syms Dress to Achieve also has detailed instructions to ensure a perfect fit. When measuring your clients, have the right materials. Make sure you purchase a measuring tape or tailor tape, like the ones available at Sew True. Here you can find cuff rules and an "ezy-hem" gauge. If you are unable to alter the suits yourself, measure your clients and send the measurements to a tailor. To find a tailor in your area visit The Custom Tailors & Designers Association (CTDA).

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Provide products to complete each business suit you sell. Offer dress shirts, ties, cuff links, belts and shoes to clients, as well as men's suits.
• •  Pay attention to the fabrics. The better the fabric is, the better the business suit.

Selling professional business suits can be a profitable career, if you have the proper training to be a good salesperson. Like any sales, suit sales involve creating a rapport with customers, along with being knowledgeable about suits and suit accessories. Most suit sales happen in specialty suit shops or high-end retail stores.

In order to get and keep customers, you must know more than just how to measure someone for the proper fit. Customers buying mens business suits may need help with picking appropriate shoes, ties, socks and cuff links. Acting as not only a salesman but a consultant will keep customers coming back to you for mens suits. The following ideas can help boost your suit sales:

1. Learn about the most popular designers and how to use the designer's name to help sell the suits.

2. Know when to seize an opportunity to suggest shoes and matching accessories for a suit. The better a customer looks in a suit, the better he'll feel buying it.

3. Understand the difference between business suits and mens dress suits so you can recommend the best one.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn how to take accurate measurements for mens formal wear

This is a key part of suit sales training, especially for new salespeople. An inaccurate fit means an unhappy customer and possibly a lost sale. Training from a seasoned business suit professional is the best way to learn proper measuring techniques, but there are also tons of online tutorials that help with proper fitting techniques.

I recommend: Delbert's Clothing offers online instructions to measure for a man's suit, along with tips about specialty cuts. There is a very informational video on suit measuring from Giorgeo Zantino on YouTube.

Understand how to coordinate business suits for men

Coordinating mens business attire means suggesting complementary shoes, ties and accessories to the customer. It's not enough to match black with black and navy blue with navy blue. Understanding how to match colors and patterns with different business suit designs is important for customers and your business.

I recommend: Necktie Aficionado explains what ties look good with different dress shirts and how to match ties to suits. IGN Entertainment offers a list of appropriate shoes for certain colors and dress pants.

Take classes that increase knowledge of mens business suits sales

While there aren't specific classes for men's suit sales, there are classes and certifications that help increase your knowledge about fashion and sales. Taking classes or workshops also adds qualifications to a resume when applying for sales jobs.

I recommend: The ImageMaker offers classes on wardrobe consultation and personal shopping. Alan Chapman offers online sales training through his website, Businessballs.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you own a business suit store, offer your customers a tips sheet on how to care for their suits.

If you are shopping for a business suit, you should know some of the clothing jargon. A solid knowledge of business suit key terms can help you find the suit that’s right for you. This knowledge can also help you avoid purchasing special features on a business suit that you may not want or need. Read this guide to find out what you need to know before shopping.

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Double-breasted suit

A business suit either has one row of buttons for single-breast fit, or it has two rows of buttons which make it double breasted. A double-breasted suit has a stylish, classy look, but you need a good body shape to pull it off successfully.

I recommend: Find out how to wear a double-breasted suit at AskMen.com.

One-, two- or three-button styling

A man's business suit typically has one, two or three buttons. When the man is standing, all the buttons are in use or at least the middle button. When the man sits, he opens all the buttons. This style of suit is more casual than a double-breasted suit.

I recommend: There is a sample of a two-button suit at RavisTaylor.com. You can custom order the fabric and color of your choice.

Lapel

The lapel is the flap that folds open at the neckline of a suit. The top portion of the lapel is the collar while the bottom portion connects with the portion of the jacket that buttons. Notched, peak and shawl are common styles of lapels. Lapel widths also vary as styles of business suits change.

I recommend: Find more information about jacket lapels at A Tailored Suit.

Vent

Vents on a business suit are the placket openings on the back. Designed to allow comfort while you are sitting, the typical business suit either has one or two vents.

I recommend: You can find an illustration of suit vents on BNET.

Linen, poplar, seersucker and herringbone

These are all suit fabrics that come in a variety of colors, and each has its own weight. You can buy business suits in natural fibers and man-made fibers. As you look at suit fabrics, you should also consider the seasons of the year you plan to wear it.

I recommend: Learn more about business suit key terms associated with suit fabric at TheGuidetoMensSuits.com.

Off the rack

This refers to a suit that you purchase that needs minimal modifications to fit. Off-the-rack suits typically need to have the pants hemmed. A tailor hired by the store can usually handle this task in a short time.

I recommend: Read about off-the-rack business suits, as well as other options, at SuitYourself.com.