Look for fabric that isn’t shiny, and that lays down comfortably when worn. Fabric should feel smooth and supple to the touch. Winter fabrics may be more substantial, but should still feel natural to the hand. Summer fabrics may include wool and silk blends, giving them a lighter feel while retaining the soft, relaxing feel of natural fibers.

This trend has led to softer shoulders and slightly shorter jackets, which lay flatter on the chest. Many trouser designers have eliminated front pleats and even cuffs, while dress shirts are tending toward a classic, old-school look. Technological developments in suit fabrics have translated to light-weight options that have greater ease, allowing comfort in a closer fit.

Accessories are also seeing changes. Shoes are taking slimmer lines to complement the current suit silhouettes. Most designers are crafting ties from three to three and a half inches wide.

As you keep an eye on these trends, remember to keep the larger picture in focus. Your ensemble should coordinate with your body type, personality, and business habits. When those are all in synch, your wardrobe choices will fit not just the current fashion ideas, but your lifestyle as well.

Wearing an elegant coat with peaked lapels is suitable for most business needs, but this isn’t the suit coat that doubles as a sport coat. Don’t pair peaked lapels (including double-breasted coats) with jeans and a T-shirt–keep the power suit powerful.

For an added measure of dressiness, pair the peak lapel suit with a coordinating vest. Overcoats may also be made with peaked lapels, creating an even stronger combination of

More casual fabrics, such as twills, poplins, or corduroys can be worn without cuffs. These fabrics do not demand a heavier hem, and are easily weighed down by unnecessary fabric. Clothing that is dress casual or business casual can be worn without cuffs.

Follow these suit-selection tips according to your build:

For the taller gentleman, double-breasted suits add needed width, balancing out height. The same is true of pleats and cuffs on trousers. Paired with a high-quality cotton dress shirt with a small pattern and a striped tie, the ensemble makes height an asset rather than an inconvenience when sizing clothing.

Those blessed more with girth than height may find a single-breasted suit to be a better choice. This slims down the silhouette while enhancing the vertical. Striped shirts with a solid or patterned tie add length without emphasizing width, to create a pleasing ensemble.

Athletically built gentlemen must create a look that balances a thin waist with broad shoulders. This is accomplished through a slightly tapered jacket to slim the torso, paired with pleated trousers and a striped or solid shirt.

Nearly any tasteful tie can be worn with a white shirt. Solid-colored ties, when the color is chosen with care, can enhance any ensemble. Striped ties create a welcome change of pace when combined with a checked or solid-colored shirt. Remember to create balance by matching a tightly striped shirt with a more relaxed pattern. Polka dots can add interest as long as the dots remain small. As you broaden your shirt and tie combinations, the key is pairing strong elements with subdued ones to create pleasing additions to the traditional white shirt and striped tie.

Take just as much care in packing dress shirts as you did in having them fitted. The most important considerations here are minimizing wrinkles and building collar support. Lay the shirt out on a flat surface and fold sleeves under at the shoulder. Next, reduce wrinkling by using a “long fold”-rather than folding it exactly in half, fold the shirt below the waist. Once the shirt is folded and smoothed down, create adequate collar support by filling the collar with rolled socks. Use plastic bags or tissue paper from the dry cleaners to separate shirts. This reduces friction between items and helps prevent wrinkling.

Keep the suit coat fresh by first turning one sleeve of the suit coat inside out. Slide the other sleeve inside, matching shoulders and gently shaking the fabric into place. The suit can now be folded in half lengthwise. If necessary, the suit may then be folded widthwise, just above the lowest button.

Trousers may simply be folded in half, after aligning the sides. Hold the trousers by the hem and fold along the creases. Continue to match the creases above the knee, and fold in half, maintaining the crease while placing in luggage.

Approximately one-quarter to one-half inch of sleeve generally shows past the coat sleeve.  Allowing the sleeve to extend farther may make the coat look too short, while showing less sleeve creates the opposite effect. The shirt sleeve generally ends at the wrist bone, with a cuff snug enough to keep the sleeve from sliding on to the hand, yet loose enough to allow freedom of movement.

Suits should rest for at least 24 hours between wearings. This allows the suit fabric to breathe and return to its original shape. Place the suit coat on a wooden hanger with one to two inches of space between it and its neighbor. If possible, store trousers on a hanger which allows them to hang from the cuffs. When storing on a hanger with a pant bar, check creases and straighten the edges before hanging.

Take your suit to the cleaners once or twice a season to maximize freshness and appearance. Over-cleaning can reduce the life of the suit. Some wrinkles can be reduced by steaming the suit, either by hanging on the back of the bathroom door while running hot water, or with a portable steamer. Be careful to avoid excessive moisture by removing the suit after a few minutes.

Shoes, like suits, need to rest at least a day between wearings. Store your dress shoes on a wooden shoe tree to let them regain their shape, breathe, and shed excess moisture.

Caring for and protecting fine clothing lengthens its usefulness, enabling you to maximize your wardrobe investment.