I have a plain navy suit. Can I wear the suit jacket as a blazer?

While it is not absolutely 'wrong' to wear a suit jacket as a blazer, there is a distinction between the two garments and the look will always be unconvincing.

How often should I dry clean a suit?

Definitely not after every wearing. Every dry cleaning cycle takes a bit of life out of a garment. Press your suit and spot clean or ask your dry cleaner to spot clean and press it but avoid dry cleaning your suit more than twice a year

Are there any tips to matching a shirt to a jacket or tie?

Perhaps this statement is the equivalent of putting the cart before the horse - it is a fact that a properly chosen tie can make an impressive impact and it is the focal point of an outfit. The basic principle of choosing a smartly co-ordinated outfit should be to choose shirts of soft pastel plains or very conservative stripes. A patterned or striped tie will go with almost any suit or jacket except when it has to compete with check when a plain tie is appropriate.

Why is it a rule that the bottom button of a man's waistcoat should remain undone?

The story goes that King Edward VII, "Bertie", son of Victoria was so heavy that he couldn't get the bottom button fastened on his waistcoat. His subjects taking it as a fashion statement followed his lead and today no man's suit, sports jacket or waistcoat is designed to button the bottom button. The tradition of not buttoning the bottom button may have also come from the early waistcoats, which were very long. It may have been out of necessity of being able to walk that the bottom buttons were left undone. Who knows? just never do it.

An ink pen leaked in the inside breast pocket of my suit jacket, can I remove the stain?

When you get any stain on an item of clothing, you should always try to treat it as soon as possible and when in doubt about what to do - DO NOTHING - and consult your dry cleaner.

Is it true that the more you spend on a suit, the longer it will last?

Not necessarily - any item of clothing will last longer if you take care of it. A Suit made from a better fabric will tend to fit better and will look better for longer - if it's taken care of. All suits and wool garments should "rest" for 24 hours between wearings to allow the fabric fibres to regain their resiliency. Take everything off and out. Before hanging your garments, make a point of removing your belt, emptying all of your pockets, unbuttoning the jacket and unzipping the trousers. Give your garments room to breathe and don't overstuff your wardrobe. The more garments there are in your wardrobe, the less likely it is that your clothes will become wrinkled while in storage. Additionally, wool and other fabrics benefit from the circulation of air. Get rid of the wire hangers. Hang jackets and trousers on wooden hangers before storing.

What is the rule about matching belts and shoes?

Your belt should match your shoes and the right black leather belt is a necessity for dress suits.

If you have a question you wish to Ask Louis simply email him here.