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If you need to look dressed up, but can't (or don't want to) wear a suit, don't worry. Dress codes are so relaxed these days, you can get away with a lot more than you could in the past. 

While wearing a suit is still the best option to be appropriately dressy at an event that demands it, there are some other options that will get the job done. 

One thing you can't do: wear a tie without any kind of jacket or additional layer. That's just a no-no. It's really all about having another layer of shirt to complete your outfit.

These aren't going to get you into any black-tie events, but in a pinch, they should work for your next cocktail party.

SEE ALSO: The biggest mistake guys make with their business attire

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The classic blazer

The simplest way to avoid or approximate a suit is to just put a blazer on over your dress shirt. A blazer can be worn with or without a tie, and a jacket will make you look a lot more dressed up than any other item (besides a suit itself). Many blazers have an additional lining and are structured, too, which ups the factor of dressiness by an additional degree.

Add great tailoring and a pocket square for additional class.

A sweater that can approximate a blazer

An open-button sweater can look almost like a jacket, provided it's the appropriate type. We recommend a fine knit with a shawl collar, which can most closely approximate the look of a traditional suit jacket.

If you're feeling underdressed, add a tie that can hide underneath the front buttons of your sweater, just like it would on a jacket. Some manufacturers even sell "sweater blazers," which are exactly what they sound like: sweaters that are fashioned to look like blazers.

A sweater to wear underneath a blazer

If you'd like to do away with ties altogether, take a note from James Bond and get yourself a roll-neck sweater. There's just something inherently dressy about a turtleneck with a blazer over it, and if you have the neck to pull it off, there's no reason why you shouldn't give it a try.

If you just wake up, get out of bed, and throw anything on before heading to the office, you're probably not doing everything you can to succeed at work. 

Menswear expert G. Bryce Boyer writes in his book, "True Style: The History and Principles of Classic Menswear," that one should "dress appropriately to one's goals."

Part of that is akin to the adage "dress for the job you want, not the job you have," and the general principle is the same. But it works even if you like the job you already have.

The reason why it's so important to dress for the office is a psychological one: It gives you confidence.

"Appropriate dress frees us from the anxieties and liabilities of sending negative and confusing messages," Boyer writes.

Being freed from this anxiety and improving your confidence can have a lasting impact on your performance at the office, and ensures that you are judged on other criteria, like your work product, merit, skill, and loyalty.

Studies have shown that dressing well for work has tangible benefits in the real world, and it can even make you more successful in the long run.

No one is saying you have to go out and buy a whole new wardrobe to meet these goals. You don't have to buy expensive clothing, wear a fancy watch, or be anyone other than who you are to get this done. You just need to pay attention to how you're being perceived, and take charge of controlling that perception.

Do this, and your boss will notice.

SEE ALSO: A menswear expert reveals the biggest problem with office dress codes today

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Before you undo your tie and throw off your suit jacket in celebration of JPMorgan's newly relaxed dress code, take a step back.

The bank's new guidelines, announced in an internal memo June 3, calls for employees firmwide to abandon their suits in favor of polo shirts, casual pants, and dress sandals. 

"More clients are dressing informally, and many parts of our company are already business casual," the memo reads, though it goes on to add: "if you're seeing a client you should dress for that client."

It's likely that other banks will eventually follow in JPMorgan's footsteps in instituting business casual dress codes, as many have made it a priority to attract a young millennial workforce that often scoffs at a stuffy suit-and-tie culture.

But that doesn't really matter. You shouldn't dress up for work because your boss wants you to. You should dress up at work because you want to succeed.

Bankers, lawyers, and government officials still commonly dress in suits while everyone else does fine in polo shirts for one simple reason: their work with wealthy clients demands a certain amount of decorum in dress. (Lawyers also need to dress up for court, but the reason courts mandate that dress code is similar: respect).

While dressing up for clients is all well and good, that's not the most important reason you should keep your suit trousers on. You don't just emanate respect when you're well-dressed — you also emanate confidence.

Studies have shown that a well-dressed man is a more successful man, and that's because the guy in the suit just feels more powerful. Any man who has ever worn a suit could tell you that.

When a man feels good about his appearance and adapts it to the task at hand, he feels more confident, and this boost easily translates to a better work product. Not worrying about your appearance also frees your mind to focus on work, instead of on the anxiety of whether you should keep your Oxford shirt tucked or un-tucked.

It's up to you to decide what you want to do with this information, and it's up to you to decide what you'll feel most confident wearing. For some guys, it means continuing to wear the same sleek suit they've been wearing for years. Others may use this new freedom to be more adventurous in their dress.

Whatever you do, don't use the new freedom as a license to get lazy. You still want to dress for success.

SEE ALSO: It turns out that dressing well can actually make you more successful

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Jon Callahan of Freemans Sporting Club explains the essentials for purchasing a tailored suit.

Produced by Alana Kakoyiannis& Joe Avella

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Your suit should be one of your most beloved items in your wardrobe. Suits are what you wear to big events when you want to present your best self, but getting a suit that’s "just for you" has never been all that accessible, especially for those on a budget. Grabbing something off the rack at Men’s Warehouse or Jos. A. Bank is fine, but it’s not the same as knowing something was made specifically for you.

Indochino is a men's clothing company working to make it so every guy can have a custom suit all his own. Rather than stockpiling large amounts of off-the-rack suits, every Indochino suit is made-to-order, giving customers the chance to build their own perfect suit.

With options on everything from your fabrics, patterned linings, vents, pockets, and lapels, Indochino puts you in charge of your look. After browsing through all of your options, you can book an appointment in one of the company's eight showrooms — in New York City, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, to name a few — and get measured, or  you can follow an online, step-by-step guide to measuring yourself and place your order that way. Once Indochino has your measurements and your custom selections, you simply wait a few weeks for your suit to be made, try it on, and see how it fits. If the measurements aren't just the way you want them, Indochino will work with you to ensure your suit ends up fitting as it should.

The best part of this Indochino offer is not simply that you get to have some agency in the look of your suit, but that you also might end up saving money when comparing the price of your new custom suit to the price of something off-the-rack.

If you are ordering in the US and use the offer code "INSIDERPICKS" at checkout, you can get any two-piece premium suit that normally retails for $699-$799 completely customized for just $375.

If you're in need of a suit for the summer season and want something bright, fun, and entirely you, Indochino can make it happen at a reasonable price. The same goes for your professional work wardrobe. In a few days we'll have some pictures from our showroom experience to give you a better idea of the place, but in the mean time, check out the company's website and start making your style.

Learn more here.

SEE ALSO: 15 essentials that belong in every guy’s closet

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Just because you've served as president of the United States and are married to the presumptive Democratic nominee doesn't mean you can just wear whatever you want, as Bill Clinton has recently learned.

The debut of the newest Clinton, baby Aidan, was the focus for this week's photo opp. But we can't stop staring at the eldest Clinton's enormous blazer.

Even to the untrained eye, the blazer looks incredibly bad. It's a drab color and fits just about as poorly as a jacket could possibly fit — the sleeves are both too big and too long, the lapels are overwhelming, and it's about a foot too long on the bottom. As GQ noted, "The top button of your jacket should not in fact sit directly over your belly button." Uh, yeah.

Bill, what happened? Is this even yours? Did you just grab this off someone else's chair by accident? You would have been so much better off without, as it overwhelms your frame and makes you look like a much larger man than you really are.

It doesn't matter who you are, what you wear matters. Clinton is no suit newbie either. The man is 69, and has been wearing suits for the better part of his life. He knows what they should look like and how they should fit — no excuse for a slip-up. It could have been easily avoided had Clinton just seen a tailor.

But clothing choice is about more than just how other people perceive and treat you. As we've written before, style is about how you perceive yourself. Dressing better can actually have a measurable effect on your performance and how successfully you move through the world.

We doubt Clinton is going to experience any bouts of self doubt just because of his enormous blazer, but we're not all so lucky. 

No matter who you are or what you do, your life is better served by wearing clothes that you like, that are flattering, and that actually fit you correctly. Just as Clinton needs to see a tailor as soon as humanly possible, you should check if any blazers in your closet need improving. 

SEE ALSO: 26 grooming and style hacks every guy should know

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The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Getting a suit can be a stressful and expensive outing. Usually you’re suiting up in preparation for a big event, a wedding, or a job interview, and the goal is always to look sharp and feel comfortable so you can present your best self.

As we've covered before, Indochino wants to make the process of buying a suit more personal and affordable than ever before.

The company makes suits tailored to your body and allows you to customize everything from your lining to the stitching around your buttons, helping to make the suit entirely your own.

The best part? Through a deal with Insider Picks, you can get all of this customization for just $375 — way less than you’d pay for many off-the-rack suits that lack your personal preferences and made to measure fit.

Last week, Insider Picks (a.k.a. Breton and I) visited one of Indochino’s showrooms in downtown NYC. The experience was easy and painless, and during the process of creating our suits, we learned a lot and were saved from making a few fashion faux pas.

Tl;dr: This is a great deal on a suit made exactly to your specifications by a company loved by finance and regular guys alike. Use "INSIDERPICKS" at checkout to make sure you're getting the lowest price available ever for Indochino. The deal ends Friday, July 1. 

If you can’t make it into a showroom, you can visit the Indochino website and take all of your measurements on your own. They’ll still make you a custom suit, and if it doesn’t fit, they’ll remake it, or give you $75 credit to take the suit back to your tailor to clean things up. But if you can make the time to visit a showroom, the experience is well worth it: 

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Walking into the showroom

Tyler: I didn’t really know what to think walking into the Indochino showroom. Part of me felt woefully underprepared — the only two suits I've ever owned were standard, off-the-rack fare from Men’s Warehouse. I liked them both a lot, but I had very little knowledge of what they looked like. Upon entering, a receptionist was quick to offer coffee or water, which I greatly appreciated. Then we took to browsing around the showroom, getting a feel for our potential options before the work really began.

Breton: I initially thought all the sample fabrics were scarves before realizing they were the wools we'd be looking at, and realized it's been a while since I've been to a showroom. I had a few shirts made several years ago. The most intimidating thing about getting custom clothes is the service-heavy shopping experience. Like most guys, I'm used to being ignored in the store and quickly and quietly finding what I need and getting out. Once you get used to the difference, it feels good to take time and think through what you're going to buy.

Learn more about the deal here (Enter "INSIDERPICKS" at checkout to make sure you're getting the best deal out there). The deal ends Friday, July 1. 

Choosing a fabric

Tyler: This was by far the most nerve-racking decision of the day; I was a bit overwhelmed by the options available to me. I’m at a point in my life where "wedding season" is about to become a very real thing, and I wanted something fun that would make me feel like the life of the party, even when awkwardly sitting to the side of the dance floor.

At the same time, I wanted something safe enough that it could work for most occasions. After narrowing it down to about three fabrics, one of the stylists came over, heard my reasoning behind the selections I had made, and picked out another option. It was a subtle pattern over a deep navy, and it was just what I was looking for. Pretty sure he saved me from making a mistake.

Breton: I own one suit, and it's navy blue, which is torture in the summer, as I discovered a few weeks ago. That one covers most of my professional and formal events, so I chose a light grey fabric that will serve me well for summer weddings.

Choosing a fabric is easily the most difficult choice you'll make, unless you're getting multiple suits because you wear them everyday. Indochino had tons of options— solids, pinstripes, plaids, and so on — that would be ideal for work, all the way up to some really outlandish ones, if that's what you're into.

Learn more about the deal here (Enter "INSIDERPICKS" at checkout to make sure you're getting the best deal out there). The deal ends Friday, July 1. 

Customization

Tyler: Customization was something I wasn’t really prepared for either, basically because I didn’t know how many aspects of a suit could be customized. The highlight was picking out a suit lining, pictured above.

I found something of a floral/fractal pattern in light blue that went really well with my fabric. Beyond that, there were decisions to be made regarding pockets, buttons, and lapel shape. It would’ve been easy to get lost in, but my stylist pointed me in the right directions with tips like, “this is a more traditional look, whereas this is a bit more forward.”

I tried to make safe decisions, because I thought the easiest way I could mess things up would be by overdoing the customization, which I think was the right play.

Breton: The key choices to make when buying a suit are: Number of buttons, lapel structure, back vents, and pockets.

Buttons: Two-button is what you'd pick 95% of the time. One-button works too. Three-button was big about 10 years ago, but has gone out of style.

Lapel: Notch is the standard shape you'll see on 85% of suits. Peak lapel is more formal, but both work anywhere.

Back vents: One in the middle or one on each side. Having one in the middle is more casual and American. Having the side vents is considered more European. Entirely based on personal preference. 

Pockets: Straight or hacking. Again, straight is more common, hacking is a little more fanciful. Entirely based on personal preference.

Aside from those, pick a cool lining — it's the crazy socks part of the suit. Since few people will see it, you can get very creative.

Learn more about the deal here (Enter "INSIDERPICKS" at checkout to make sure you're getting the best deal out there). The deal ends Friday, July 1. 

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Whether you have some upcoming weddings to attend or are prepping for a slew of job interviews, if you are in the market for a new suit, today is your last day to take advantage of a amazing deal. Through the end of the day, you can order a custom-made suit from Indochino for just $375.

As we’ve covered before, Indochino specializes in making custom suits for all occasions, and at prices that compete with many off-the-rack competitors. After inserting your measurements online or visiting a showroom, customers can choose their materials and details, making a suit entirely their own. From your patterns to lining to buttons and pockets, you have control over almost every aspect of the look of your suit, ensuring that when you head into whatever big event your getting ready for, you’ll look and feel your best.

These normally range in price from $699-$799, but if you order today and use the offer code “INSIDERPICKS” you can get yours for just $375. That offer ends today, but if you need a bit more time before making your final decision, Indochino is having a sale of their own through the Fourth of July that still offers a hefty discount.

Still, this is the best offer we’ve seen from them so far, so if you’ve been thinking about investing in a new suit for a while, today might be a good day to commit.

Take advantage of the deal here.

SEE ALSO: 15 essentials that belong in every guy’s closet

DON'T MISS: We're obsessed with this American-made clothing company that’s making some of the best jeans and T-shirts out there

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As far as dress codes go, summer is a tricky time.

Men, especially, have a tendency to go too far to the relaxed end of the spectrum, getting themselves into trouble by dressing inappropriately.

We've created a list of seven items that should be best avoided, as well as exactly what they should be replaced with in the warmer weather.

These seven simple upgrades will take your summer wardrobe to the next level.

SEE ALSO: Why you should never tuck your shirt in when you're wearing shorts

DON'T: Wear a Hawaiian shirt to work.

Hawaiian-style aloha shirts in subtle patterns and colors are trending these days, taking over the sidewalks and bars with their pronounced style. One place they're not taking over: the office.

DO: Wear a solid button-up in short sleeves.

But just because the patterns of Hawaiian shirts are too much for the office doesn't mean short-sleeved shirts themselves are. These days, offices are casual enough in the summer to allow for short-sleeved shirts, without running afoul of established dress norms.

Make short-sleeved shirts a staple of your work and weekend wardrobe this summer. Just make sure you follow our guide to looking good in a short-sleeved shirt.

DON'T: Wear sandals.

Sandals — either with (shudder) or without socks—are completely unacceptable for men. Your toes and feet should be covered at all times while indoors, even in the summer. 

We've said it before, and we'll say it again: wearing open-toed shoes is disgusting unless you're on the beach, or going to the beach.

Suits have power. If you don't believe that, just ask Geoffrey Zakarian, restaurateur, Iron Chef, and host of the new Food Network show "Cooks vs. Cons."

Zakarian is one of the most stylish chefs in the TV hosting game, and he's a firm believer in the power of being more sharply dressed than the guy next to you.

His dressing philosophy is pretty simple: "There will always be the ability to get a leg up interviewing [or] working if you're the ... sharpest-dressed person," Zakarian told Business Insider. "You will always get the attention ... and other things will come your way."

He calls his exclusively suit-and-sport-coat style "non-casual," taking the "dress for the job you have" adage to heart.

"Dressing up is back in vogue again, but for me it always was," Zakarian said. "It's just something I do. I feel comfortable."

Besides the fact that it might make you more successful, everybody notices when you dress up.

"Very reinforcing for me to always dress in a suit," Zakarian said. "I wear a suit and tie on the plane. And I'm one of maybe two people that have a suit and tie on the plane, and everyone notices. I like that. I like that fact."

Plane travel is one of the places where the dress code has relaxed most in recent days, which Zakarian says is an issue.

"If you're on an airplane you shouldn't dress like a slob," he said. "You're not at home in bed with your jammies watching 'Homeland.'"

For Zakarian, it all started with his father. He always wore suits, and Zakarian says it "rubbed off" on him.

"My father was a very formal guy and he always wore a suit and tie," Zakarian said. "I never saw my father in anything less than a suit and tie."

If suits are a little stodgy for your workplace, or would put you too far out of place in any given situation, just remember a simple rule: "I always try to differentiate myself from people. If everybody's casual, I'm formal. If everybody's semi-formal, I'm very formal," Zakarian said. "I strongly recommend that you always dress up versus dress down."

SEE ALSO: It turns out that dressing well can actually make you more successful

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While many suiting mishaps can be rectified with a visit to a trusted tailor, there's one thing a tailor can't change or fix: the color of your suit. 

When shopping for a suit you’re going to wear regularly, you should choose a versatile color that you can mix and match with a variety of shirts and accessories. For this reason, black is the one color you should avoid at all costs. 

"Black is a difficult color choice because there are fewer color combinations that work without the result being lackluster," Indochino's director of fashion, Tom Kearnan, told Business Insider. "Unless black and white is your go-to style, you risk looking more like a waiter than a well-heeled businessman."

Though a black suit is appropriate for fancier occasions, there are some colors that will look great anywhere, and especially at work. Blue and gray suits are the most versatile, according to Kearnan, and the latter is the one color suit every guy should have in his closet. "Gray is a chameleon color," he explains. "It will look good with any color shirt, tie, and shoes." 

As we’ve covered before, Indochino specializes in making custom suits for all occasions, and at prices that compete with many off-the-rack competitors. Right now, there’s added value to investing in a new suit from the company, as you can get it for just $399 when you use the offer code "INSIDERPICKS" at checkout.

Below Kearnan has highlighted some of the most versatile suits guys can add to their workweek wardrobes, from your standard solid gray suit to ones with a bit more character. 

For suiting options beyond Indochino, you can also check out our guide to the best suits for any guys starting out on Wall Street.

Essential Gray Sharkskin Suit

This light grey suit is one of Indochino's best-sellers, so you know it'll be a great addition to your closet.

Indochino Essential Gray Sharkskin Suit, $399 (originally $499), available at Indochino.

Slate Herringbone Suit

According to Kearnan, a mid-grey suit will look polished with a wide variety of shirts, shoes, and ties.

Indochino Slate Herringbone Suit, $399 (originally $799), available at Indochino.

Charcoal Windowpane Birdseye Suit

The subtle windowpane print is a fitting option if you already have several suits in your closet. "It adds a modern dimension to a classic suit," Kearnan told us.

Indochino Charcoal Windowpane Birdseye Suit, $399 (originally $799), available at Indochino. 

The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we may get a share of the revenue from your purchase.

Since you don't have all day to scour the web for noteworthy sales and discounts, we rounded up the best bargains for you to shop in one convenient place.

1. Get a quality made-to-measure suit for only $399

Indochino specializes in creating quality, made-to-measure suits that won't break the bank. Through Sunday, the brand is offering any suit for $399 when you enter the code "AUGUST1" at checkout. Have a look at our breakdown of what it's like to get fitted and then head over to Indochino to shop.

Check our Indochino's selection of custom suits here.

2. Save on Amazon's newest Echo smart speaker and Kindle e-readers this week

School's almost in session, Amazon has discounted a handful of gadgets from each of its three main product groups — Kindle, Echo, and Fire — for the occasion. 

Amazon Kindle, $59.99 (originally $79.99), available at Amazon.[$20 off]

Amazon Kindle Paperwhite, $99.99 (originally $119.99), available at Amazon. [$20 off]

Amazon Echo Tap, $114.99 (originally $129.99), available at Amazon.[$15 off]

Amazon Fire Kids Edition 16GB, $79.99 (normally $99.99), available at Amazon. [$20 off]

3. Take advantage of Patagonia's epic summer sale

Patagonia is the ultimate place to shop if you're looking for clothes and accessories that are miraculously suitable for both the office and great outdoors. Through August 29, the brand is offering up to 50% off tons of pieces. Whether you're looking for some swim trunks for your last-minute summer vacation or a fleece for the cooler seasons ahead, there's something here for everyone.

Patagonia Men's 21-Inch Printed Wavefarer Board Shorts, $34-$41 (originally $69), available at Patagonia.[40%-50% off]

4. Get a great pair of wireless headphones for under $25

Everyone should have a pair of quality wireless earbuds before Apple eliminates the headphone jack altogether. This pair from TaoTronics provide crisp sound, a snug fit, and is sweatproof so they'll fare well in a particularly grueling workout. Now, you can snag these for only $22.

TaoTronics Wireless Earphones, $22.09 (originally $35.99), available at Amazon.[39% off]

5.  Take 40% off thousands of Udemy's online courses

If you're looking to do something productive with your weekend, enroll in an online course. With classes on virtually every topic, Udemy is bound to have something that piques your interest. This month, you can also save 40% on tons of classes with the code "AUGUSTINSIDER."

The Complete Web Developer Course 2.0, $30 (originally $50), available at Udemy.[40% off]

An Entire MBA in 1 Course: Award-Winning Business School Prof, $24 (originally $40), available at Udemy.[40% off]

Writing With Flair: How To Become An Exceptional Writer, $30 (originally $50), available at Udemy. [40% off]

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By the time you're 30, you should have a lot of things. A 401k. Basic cooking skills. Confidence with who you are and where you're going.

You should also have a suit. Alright, I admit that's pretty obvious. It was one of the easiest additions to our list of items every man should own before he turns 30. 

But I'm not just talking about any old suit. By the time you're 30, you've probably owned and worn multiple suits. And in your younger years, especially, it's safe to assume that they likely weren't great. 

Un-tailored, poorly fitting, cheap, off-the-rack suits that every time you wore, you told yourself you were never going to wear again. They were likely bought hastily in advance of some event, and they were probably needed in a hurry.

By the time the big three-oh comes around, you should take a hard look at your suiting wardrobe and ask yourself if you're truly happy with the items in it.

Every man should, by the start of his third decade, own a suit that he absolutely loves. It should be expertly tailored, fit like a glove, and cost at least a couple hundred dollars. It should make you feel confident, like you can take on any job interview or social event you throw at it.

You owe it to yourself to get this item now. Because if you wait until next year, it might already be too late to get the most out of a perfect suit.

SEE ALSO: 4 ways young men are dressing more like their fathers

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Dress codes are intimidating — there's no doubt about that. But with a little knowledge and a flexible wardrobe, you can conquer any hyper-specific dress code thrown at you.

If you're the type of guy who freezes up when he sees an event invitation with the words "cocktail attire," it's time to listen up.

From black tie to casual, here's what to wear when you have to look appropriate.

SEE ALSO: The most surprising thing about wearing a $6,000 Rolex for a month straight

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Black tie is often considered the pinnacle of modern formality (aside from white tie, which has been completely forgotten about, and is almost never worn aside from royal weddings). Attendees of evening events are, however, sometimes requested to wear black tie.

If that's the case, here's what you need to wear:

- A completely black tuxedo with a white formal shirt featuring a wing collar, finished with a black satin bow tie. Sometimes a black satin cummerbund is added, but that is becoming less and less common.

- Black socks and black patent leather shoes are non-negotiable for footwear here.

All three of these essentially mean the same thing: You're going to be wearing a suit.

If you see "black-tie optional" on an invite, know that wearing a tuxedo is not required, but whoever sent the invitation will most likely be wearing one.

An appropriate outfit could include a navy suit with a formal dress shirt and a dark-colored necktie. Cocktail attire is the least formal of the three, while business formal gives you the least leeway here.

Business casual is today's standard office dress code, and it's a lot more freeform than any of the stuffier dress codes.

Jackets are optional but encouraged. Dress pants or chinos are required, as well as a collared shirt and leather shoes.

Jeans are becoming more and more tolerated with every year. If you're going to wear them with a business casual outfit, ensure they are well-fitting, without tears, and in a dark wash.

The words "dressy casual" on an invitation indicate that the party is not formal, but that the host is expecting a little something extra. Throw a blazer on.

It's not glamorous. There are no fancy Fifth Avenue storefronts or Fashion Week shows. Even its name sounds more utilitarian than upscale.

But the European suit-maker Suitsupply has quietly made a name for itself as the place where convenience, quality, and price all meet — the place to reliably get a decent suit in a trendy cut.

Founded in 2000 in Amsterdam, the company landed in New York 11 years later and made a bit of a splash. GQ called it the "JetBlue of suits" for its aim to provide better service and quality at a lower price point.

But what really made tailoring aficionados take notice was a 2011 Wall Street Journal article, where in a blind test two suit experts compared a $614 Suitsupply getup with a $3,625 Armani suit and saw "little difference," ranking the suits in a tie for first.

Suitsupply holds up that article as evidence of its approach to keeping costs down with vertical integration and what it calls "destination" stores — locations that are off the beaten path and away from major shopping thoroughfares, like its rooftop store in Chicago and its villalike store in Greenwich, Connecticut.

"We shifted the whole category upside down," Suitsupply CEO Fokke de Jong told Business Insider.

Suitsupply attracts the man looking to buy his first decent suit without breaking the bank. The suits start at $500, trending upward based on fabric and style choice. But it doesn't only attract first-timers — even fashion industry icon Tim Gunn shops there, as he says it gives him options with quality fabrics to "have fun."

"Because if I spend thousands on a suit, I'm going to have to wear it over and over again,"Gunn told Business Insider in January.

Suitsupply uses imported Italian fabrics, sews its suits in China, and includes details you'd usually only find in suits that cost twice as much, like functioning button cuffs. De Jong compares Suitsupply's model to the way H&M and Zara brought more affordable clothing to a segment of the population — Suitsupply is just doing it in a higher tier of the market.

"We've proven that we can make a product that's a lot higher in quality than people would normally expect for the price," de Jong said. "And I'm not saying a little bit. It's a lot."

Suitsupply considers itself a bit of a nonconformist and has been known for its provocative ad campaigns — one too hot for London that was later banned, and another that caught flak in America that showed women in bikini tops in censored and uncensored versions.

Suitsupply Vice President Nish de Gruiter says this risk-taking attitude also comes through in its suits, which are cut slimmer and tailored to be a little more experimental than those of traditional suppliers.

Now the company is poised to take over the rest of the country. Suitsupply has 19 stores in North America and six more opening before the end of the year, each offering in-house tailoring with most procedures done while you wait. Ten more stores will open on the continent in 2017.

"We base our store locations out of our online sales," de Jong said. "We have a very strong online business in the US, and that's a good pointer on where we want to be with our stores."

The company is experiencing success with online sales. About 30-40% of Suitsupply's sales are done online — a high percentage for a category in which shoppers might think they need to have a tailor's expert opinion before they purchase a product.

Suitsupply may have hit US shores at a good time — just when American men were finally waking up to the importance of both wearing a suit and how important it is to fit well, de Jong said. Suit sales in the US grew 10% from 2009-13, according to Fortune, and it's possible that Suitsupply's irreverent take on the serious classic propelled it to the forefront of the trend.

It hit about €170 million ($190 million) in worldwide revenue in 2015, with a growth rate of about 25% year over year, according to a report by the Dutch newspaper Het Financieele Dagblad. De Jong also said he expects the company to hit €200 million in revenue in 2016, according to the newspaper.

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Every guy needs a quality suit in his closet. 

For anyone looking for a new suit, Indochino is your opportunity to create one all your own. And Insider Picks teamed up with the company to put together an amazing deal for Business Insider readers only. 

So that you don't go into the whole process blind, earlier this summer, Breton Fischetti and I went to Indochino to create our own custom suits. We documented our fitting at length. 

To reiterate a bit, the company aims to change the way guys buy some of their finest apparel, making custom suits accessible and affordable for those who don’t have thousands of dollars to spare on their formal and business professional attire.

For me, the initial trip to the store was both exciting and overwhelming. Having options is great, and it was amazing to be able to pick out my own fabric, lining, pockets, and style. I'm no personal stylist, though, and Indochino's employees were extremely helpful in guiding my choices, and politely suggesting I reconsider before making a decision that was one step too bold.

About a month after Breton and I picked out what we wanted our suits to look like, we went back in for a fitting to make sure everything was sitting where it should be on our bodies. After a few minor alterations, our suits were ready to wear. The pictures you see here are the final product, with Breton and I doing our best to be the charismatic, brooding models that we decidedly are not.

You can learn more about our exclusive deal here. If you're interested in getting a custom suit from Indochino, enter "INSIDERPICKS" at checkout and you can get a custom suit all your own for just $375.

Overall, I am thrilled with my Indochino suit. I wanted something versatile and fairly casual; an outfit that I could wear to a wedding just as easily as I could to a fancy bar downtown.

I went with a bit of a bolder navy with a subtle check print, and I’m really into the lining on the inside of the jacket, which gives the look a festive feel of sorts. The fit is also great, which was important, as I decided to forgo beltstraps in favor of having the option of suspenders — because suspenders are dope.

Breton was pretty pleased with his suit as well. Here are his thoughts on his finished product:

"The suit turned out great, I'm glad I went in for a fitting before receiving the final product. They were able to tweak a couple things to make it perfect. It would have been fine without the small adjustments, but if you're having a suit made, it should fit exactly like you want it to."

"I'm really pleased with how the jacket looks with only one button. I've been admiring one-button suits from afar for a while, since I like the way the jacket is balanced evenly across one's torso. It's hard find them at any regular store that doesn't cost a fortune. I also love the fun lining. It is exactly the right amount of character for a suit."

If you’re interested in trying out Indochino for yourself, you can head over to the company's site and start customizing right away.

There’s an online guide so you can handle your own measurements, or you can set up an appointment like we did to visit one of Indochino’s brick-and-mortar locations.

The best part? Through a deal with Insider Picks, you can get all of this customization for just $375. That's way less than you’d pay for many off-the-rack suits that lack your personal preferences and a made-to-measure fit.

SEE ALSO: These are hands down the most comfortable dress shoes you’ll ever wear

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Tom Brady is well-known for his style, both on and off the field. To Brady, there's really only one rule that everyone should follow — and it especially applies to men.

"Men always want and love when women wear tight and fitted clothing, right? And you're like, 'Wow, she looks so beautiful.' And then you have men who dress like slobs, and you're like, 'What's the deal with these big and baggy suits,'"Brady recently said in an interview with Bloomberg.

"Fit is key," he added.

If a piece of clothing doesn't fit you well, it doesn't matter how high-quality the material is, what color it is, or how much you spent on it — it just won't look good.

If something doesn't fit you, the extra fabric bunches in an unflattering way. Worse, it could also make you look larger than you actually are. It's worth taking the time to visit the tailor. You have nothing to hide — especially if you're an athletic guy like Brady.

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"Every man — I don't care who it is — needs at least one good suit in their closet," Michael Andrews tells me from the personal study in his Noho, Manhattan tailoring studio. He's wearing a three-piece suit and has his "Bo-Jack" dog —half Boston Terrier, half Jack Russell Terrier — in his lap.

"This idea that you could show up to someone's wedding in cut-off shorts and flip-flops is, I think, disrespectful."

Andrews is the founder of an eponymous tailoring studio, Michael Andrews Bespoke, in New York City. Andrews calls himself a "recovering [mergers and acquisitions] lawyer" who wanted to do something different when he opened the studio in 2006.

One of the many things Andrews took away from his time as a lawyer was just how important a suit is. After failing to find exactly the kind of suit he was looking for — a modern slim cut with traditional high-quality fabrics — Andrews decided to create his own service to make one. He moonlighted as a tailor making bespoke garments with a team for a few years before ultimately quitting his job as a lawyer to focus on his business.

"I approach this very much the way I did as an attorney," Andrews said. "From the time we make the appointment to the time you take your garments home, we've executed everything the way we said we were going to do."

Just as in the legal professional, tailoring requires a certain attention to detail.

"You don't want to play 'Where's Waldo' with me," Andrews joked.

SEE ALSO: 23 items of men's clothing jargon that you don't know the definition of and are too afraid to ask

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The Michael Andrews Bespoke studio is not on a main street. It's tucked into Great Jones Alley, which requires visitors to be buzzed in for access.

When you enter Michael Andrews Bespoke, a well-appointed wallpapered waiting room greets you.

The studio has the feel of a luxury hotel bar.

Despite changing dress codes and a move to a more casual workplace, the suit isn't dying. 

Instead, suits are morphing into something completely different, the CEO of Italian fashion company Ermenegildo Zegna recently told GQ.

"It's not that the suit is back. What we are selling right now is either more sports jackets or casual jackets," Gildo Zegna said to the magazine. "He wants to wear the jacket in a more casual way, as a piece of sportswear."

There is a trend with men who are striving to look nice but dress neither formally nor casually. Instead, they look at the suit jacket or blazer as a complement to dress up an outfit, Zegna says.

"Today the jacket has become a part of luxury sportswear, like an accessory," Zegna told GQ. "In the old days, you used to have a sweater and today you want to wear a jacket and have it feel like a sweater."

A full suit looks too formal for most occasions in many men's eyes these days. Wearing a jacket as an accessory to kick your look up a notch seems to be the perfect antidote. It allows you to stay between the lines of casual and formal, while still appearing loosely appropriate in both settings.

Retailers will need to adapt to this new appetite for less formal suiting and more casual, laid-back tailoring. The jacket — and the suit — will never completely go away, however.

The lines between formal and casual are increasingly being blurred in men's dress codes, and this is just one more example of it.

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