Suit up for your matric farewell with these tips
Qualified fashion stylist, singer and image consultant, Mahlatse Vokal Matji shared some tips and advice with boys in Gr 12 on how to choose the ideal suit for their body types for the upcoming matric farewells.
POLOKWANE – “It is sometimes a challenge to find a suitable, tailored suit for most men in different sizes, especially when a guy is too short or too tall. So to fit his frame, a guy needs to make sure that he knows his body quite well and know the right measurements for their body and shape,” he said.
He added tall guys should consider buying or hiring suits that are longer at the bottom so they do not look like the typical Michael Jackson-kind of style suit. “Or if you buy a suit and it’s ‘short’ naturally at the bottom because you’re tall, or it’s too long because you are too short, take it in for alterations so they can cut or trim it according to your height. When a guy goes to a matric dance, they must always look presentable; they must look good but remember not to outshine their partner,” he advised.
Mahlatse explained sometimes when you buy a jacket as a guy, the arms would either be too short, or the jacket would be too loose, his advice, is to go to an image consultant or stylist for advice and assistance. “They will be able to give you the advice you need regarding the type of clothes you should wear to your matric dance and possibly help you to make alterations.”
He added sometimes the larger guys are often forgotten by suit designers and tailors who make most of their suits to fit shorter and slimmer men. This, he said, is why it is so important to consult a designer or stylist when time still allows so they can assist them find a suit with a correct fit.
“When it comes to dressing your body, there’s a natural visual balance between your upper body and your waist, and wearing something slightly over-sized (like loose shirts) or something slightly skinny (like tight slim jeans) aren’t going to mess up your visual proportions too much.
But when it comes to matric functions, you have to up your game a little bit and wear nice clean-cut, fitted suits,” he added.
Mahlatse said when dressing up for formal events, jackets and trousers should be tapered. “This will emphasise the outline of your shape in a positive way without leaving you with a billowing bottom half, or busting out of the lapels of your jacket.”
He added the most important thing to remember is to represent their partners well at the matric dance and make sure they dress to impress.
