The world we live in is a patchwork quilt of global. Buying a suit off the peg has its benefits - the main one being that a decision can be made on the spot.

You the wearer don't have to wait agonising weeks as in the case of a bespoke suit to see what the final cut will look like.

Like any purchase there are a some considerations that are worthy of some thought however. The suit must make you look good as it is in many respects it is an expression of your personality,

A suit should not make you look like something the cat dragged in. It seems obvious, and as intimidating as it may be, shopping around for a suit is the key. By doing so you ensure that your suit has a good cut, nice structure and personality that hopefully matches your own.

Is it comfortable does it make you feel good?

First and foremost does the suit feel comfortable? There is a direct linear relationship between feeling comfortable and you feeling good.

If you don't feel comfortable in a suit the chances are you are not going to look comfortable. If the suit is too tight, too loose, too long or too short - put it back on the shelf and try another.

If the shop doesn't have your size even if you like the style - go somewhere else. Conversely if you try on a suit and it makes you feel good, take it, you can bet that it feels right because it fits well. It doesn't matter if it's from the lower or higher range labeled attire. A suit should help you exude confidence and charm, if it is a comfortable fit this goal is achieved.

Fitting facts

The precise nature of the relationship between the fit, your level of comfort and how the suit looks has been established. What exactly determines a good fit for a suit?

Trouser length - When standing straight, the trouser legs of the suit should rest on the tops of your shoes and the crease or 'buckle' as it is more correctly known, should be about three inches above this point.

Crotch - Slipping your hand into your pocket should pose no problems. If it feels like your trying to squeeze a good sized marble through the eye of the needle your trousers are to small. You should have no problem slipping your hands into your pockets. If it's a squeeze, your strides are too small. Conversely if you can fiddle with your bits safe in the knowledge that your work colleagues will see no disturbance in the fabric you can assume that your suit trousers are too loose.

Arm holes - It should be self evident that ones arms need to fit through. A good way to check that the holes are of the right size is to raise your arms over your head - if the jacket rides up to your neck there is something amiss.

Cuffs - To check that your cuffs are the correct length simply let your arms hang loose and then curl up your hands. If the cuffs of the suit jacket touch the middle of each palm they are perfect.

Is it fashionable?

Some of us feel the compulsion to buy something so cutting edge we nearly fall off the precipice of fashion. It is tempting to go for something cutting edge but what happens in six months time when this once trendy cut has turned into the fashion equivalent of a car crash; tragic but strangely compelling in its awfulness.

Unless you intend to buy a new suit each year, a fine line sometimes exists between a well-executed fashion statement and the fashion disaster, be careful and keep it simple. There are plenty of classic cuts that manage to hold up well over time and this what you want.

Is it well made?

The case sometimes arises that we are only paying for a brand. A particular brands connotation to quality may blind us to the reality of imperfections in a garment. Always check the fabric and the stitching.