[speeder]

Originally Posted by fintstone

Thank you. I appreciate that.

When I was a young man, I hated wearing a tie worse than death. Eventually, my career took me to where a suit was necessary every day. It was torture at first. Then I realized that I was simply doing it wrong. I was not buying shirts with the right size neck. My neck was really large for my body/arm length. My chest was large to my arm length and my wait was a bit smaller than most with my chest size. Once I got that figured out, I increased the shirt neck size and a larger tapered shirt with the correct arm length. once I could button the shirt and get a couple fingers in there, they were pretty darned comfortable. The tie was really not the problem as a tied one is no tighter than your shirt, even if tightened up enough to look absolutely perfect.

I quickly improved my dress (suit, tie, shoes) and actually became known for looking dapper, but professional. Lots of young guys came to me for advice (some time women sent them to me (used me as an example). Women (young and old) love it. I really like dressing up in a tux or suit now (especially since I have some very nice clothes). I accumulated a lot of classic suits and clothes over time, so it was never difficult to wear the appropriate outfit. It is like accumulating the tools needed to do any job well. It is just another uniform. Of course, if my job did not require it, I would only need one. But it would be perfect. If nothing else, but weddings and funerals. Respect.

When I rode the train to work (or drove), I did not put on my jacket and tie until I arrived as they looked like you slept in them if you did (and they wore out quickly). I tied my tie just before my stop and put it on...and then my jacket. I removed them after boarding the train. I also saved a lot on cleaning as I could wear the suit again without sending it out (or could steam out the light wrinkles). Also, it is a bit more comfortable to commute in shirt sleeves (like you in the elevator). Do it often and it becomes as easy as pie.

I rarely wear a suit or tie but the ironic thing is that a really great suit should be the most comfortable thing a man can wear, or one of them, at least. It should not bind or hinder movement anywhere and the pants should have plenty of room where needed, etc. The dress shirt and tie should not choke you in the least, as you pointed out.

The problem is that an ill-fitting suit feels awful and too many men only have those. My old man lived in a suit for decades and they were all custom made. Wish I was his size, I'd have a trove of them. My brother rarely wears suits but the ones he has are custom made in Europe or the Middle East, depending on where he is when he needs one. This one was Europe, needed it quickly: