Who would've imagined that an old Pink Panther movie would be my first meeting with the very essential men's suit? I was really puzzled at first as to why Cato, the valet, had to go to the trouble of brushing Inspector Jacques Closeau's suit. I was to learn later on that the suit , or a blazer, is an investment, and any serious gentleman without one is in many ways the poorer.

A point for consideration before investing is that your lifestyle may not really need suits. Whatever the case, you ought to at least have one. Let's take a shot at the main reasons why, aside from the fact that Inspector Closeau managed to have one.

We can simply come up with a lot of reasons why a suit deserves to be considered in your budget if you don't have one, and why they need to be replaced if you bought ill-suited ones. First off, if you live in an urban area, chances are not far that your typical day crisscrosses the office, corporate events in and out of town, the occasional wedding... in short, events that need some serious power dressing. Aren't you relieved that you are not at a loss when you need to come in a suit? Even if those events are far in between, at least you brighten up the hosts' day for upping the ante in terms of class and taste. Which brings us to the next reason that a suit also exudes a sense of confidence and responsibility. People can rely on you, and you're in control.

How about a date at the club, or some work-related appointment outside the office? If you want to add a bit of chutzpah to an otherwise shirt-and-denims thing, then bring along a sports blazer or coat. Think tweed, houndstooth, linen and cotton fabrics. Ultimately, you get the look that you want: casual and sporty. To digress, this brings us to the minimum idea that you need at least two suits: a business suit, and a sports blazer or jacket for going on a roll.

And this article also seeks out those who got their suits on the basis of advice from closet fashion victims and mythical assumptions. So its time to revamp that closet and root out the bad from the good. Re-think and consult if you really deserve to trudge through life with heavily padded shoulders given your physique. Take also a closer look at those taken-for-granted buttons; plastic is definitely so-so; get bone, pearl, or metal. With your arms resting at the sides, ensure that the sleeves do not cover fully your wristbone, and that a shirt's long sleeve cuffs worn within only peek out.

To top things off, be assured that suits and coats have long shed their stiff, Old Guard image. Rather, suits are extremely effective must-haves that project a powerful statement, and with the right style, can also bring on a fresh insight into a too-rugged casual attire.