Suits & Tuxedos Guide
This guide picks up where the Fit & Sizing Guide left off. Here, we'll get specific: how to choose your jacket size, what Drop 6 means in practice, how our suits and tuxedos are meant to fit, and what to expect once tailoring comes into the picture.
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Modern Fit vs. Slim Fit — Which Is Right for You
If you're not sure whether Modern Fit or Slim Fit is right for you, you're not alone — it's one of the most common questions we hear before someone places an order. Here's a simple breakdown to help you decide.
Every suit and tuxedo we carry comes in one of these two cuts. Both are well-made and true to size — the difference is simply how close the cut sits to your body.
Modern Fit offers a bit more room through the chest, waist, and shoulders. It's a comfortable, classic silhouette that works well if you prefer a traditional look or want extra ease of movement.
Slim Fit is cut closer to the body for a sharper, more tailored silhouette. It's a great choice if you're used to slimmer clothing or want a more modern look.
As a simple rule of thumb: if you typically wear slim-cut clothing and like how it looks, choose Slim Fit. If you prefer more room, or a closer cut isn't your usual style, Modern Fit — or sizing up one size in Slim Fit — is usually the safer choice.
This applies to tuxedos, too. Our tuxedo collection includes both Modern Fit and Slim Fit styles, so the same guidance holds whether you're shopping for a wedding, prom, or black-tie event.
Choosing Your Jacket Size
Your jacket size is based on your chest measurement, the same way it would be if you were being fitted in person.
If you already know your chest size in inches, that's your jacket size. If you're not sure, measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms and across your shoulder blades, keeping the tape snug but not tight.
Between sizes? Choose the larger size. A jacket that's slightly roomy can be taken in by a tailor, while one that's too small usually can't be let out enough to fix it. Sizing up isn't a compromise — it's simply the safer choice, and one any tailor can work with easily.
Quick Tip: For the most accurate chest measurement, measure over a dress shirt or fitted t-shirt — not bare-chested and not over a bulky sweater or jacket.
Understanding Drop 6
You may have seen the term Drop 6 in the Fit & Sizing Guide — here's exactly what it means.
Our suits and tuxedos are sold as matching sets, and the jacket and pants are paired using a standard formula: the pant waist is always 6 inches smaller than the jacket size. A 40 jacket comes with a 34 waist. A 46 jacket comes with a 40 waist. And so on.
This is standard across the suiting industry, not just at King Formal Wear — it's simply how off-the-rack suit sets are sized. If your waist doesn't match your jacket size exactly, that's normal too — a local tailor can adjust it to fit you better (see Common Alterations below for exact figures).
Jacket Length & Sleeve Expectations
Jackets come in three lengths — Short, Regular, and Long — based on your height.
- Short generally fits best from about 5'4" to 5'7".
- Regular generally fits best from about 5'7" to 6'1".
- Long generally fits best from about 6'1" and up.
These are general guidelines, not exact rules. Torso length varies from person to person, so if you're near a height boundary, go with whichever length has fit you best in the past.
Sleeve length is designed to work with each jacket length, and most sleeves can be adjusted by a tailor if needed — see Common Alterations below for specifics. A well-fitted sleeve typically ends near the base of the thumb, with about half an inch of shirt cuff showing.
Pant Fit & Unhemmed Pants
Suit and tuxedo pants are sized to match the jacket through Drop 6, and they arrive unhemmed with extra length built in — a standard 37-inch inseam before hemming.
This is intentional. Everyone's ideal pant length is different, so rather than guess, we leave the hemming to a local tailor who can finish them to your exact height and shoe style.
Fit through the waist should be comfortable, not tight. If you're between waist sizes, your tailor has room to work with — see Common Alterations below for specifics.
Common Alterations
Most suits and tuxedos need at least a small alteration to fit perfectly, and that's expected. These are some of the most common adjustments a local tailor can make to personalize your fit:
- Pant waist — Can typically be taken in by approximately 2 to 4 inches, or let out by approximately 2 inches, depending on your tailor and the garment.
- Jacket sleeves — Can typically be shortened as needed, and let out by approximately 2 inches if extra length is needed.
- Jacket waist — Can be taken in as needed for a closer fit through the body, and let out by approximately ½ to 1½ inches, depending on the fabric available.
- Hem — Pants arrive unhemmed with a standard 37-inch inseam and are finished to your exact length by your tailor.
Alteration cost and turnaround time vary by tailor, so it's worth asking for a quote and timeline at your fitting, especially if you're working toward an event date.
Tailoring Expectations
If you've never had a suit tailored before, here's what to expect: most alterations are simple and inexpensive, often finished within a few days.
We recommend booking a fitting with your local tailor as soon as your suit arrives, especially if you're working toward a specific event date. Bring the shoes and shirt you plan to wear — both affect how your pants and sleeves should be hemmed.
One thing to keep in mind: once a garment has been altered, it can no longer be returned or exchanged. It's worth trying everything on and confirming you're happy with the fit before any tailoring begins.
When to Size Up or Down
A few quick guidelines if you're stuck between two sizes:
- Choose the larger size if you're between jacket sizes, prefer extra room, or aren't used to Slim Fit.
- Choose your true size if you know your measurements and prefer a closer, more tailored look.
- When in doubt, size up — it's easier for a tailor to take a garment in than to let it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Suit & Tuxedo Size Chart
| Jacket Size (Chest) | Paired Pant Waist (Drop 6) | Short | Regular | Long |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34 | 28 | Yes | Yes | -- |
| 36 | 30 | Yes | Yes | -- |
| 38 | 32 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 40 | 34 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 42 | 36 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 44 | 38 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 46 | 40 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 48 | 42 | -- | Yes | Yes |
| 50 | 44 | -- | Yes | Yes |
| 52 | 46 | -- | Yes | Yes |
| 54 | 48 | -- | Yes | -- |
| 56 | 50 | -- | Yes | -- |
Still Not Sure?
If you're still unsure about your size or which fit is right for you, we're happy to help. Reach out to our team any time — we've been fitting customers for over 25 years and can help you order with confidence.