Leaving university or college is an exciting but apprehensive time. Your studies are behind you and the working world spread before you for the taking. It’s time to put away the rucksack and invest in some good quality suiting for the upcoming job search and rounds of interviews.

There’s nothing that says you mean business like a smart suit, but how do you know which suit is right for you? Equally importantly, how do you know which suit is right for a particular situation? If you’ve never been shopping for a suit before, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the wide selection of seemingly similar suits with vastly different price tags.

Never fear, if you’re a new graduate it’s best to keep it simple. Ultimately, you want to have two suits in your wardrobe when you’re first starting out. One should be a plain black and the other something a little lighter, such as a charcoal or grey fabric, with some subtle patterning. With these two suits ready to go, you’ll be ready for most situations and have the basics you need to help you on your way into the world of work.

Keeping your suit wardrobe small means that you can invest in suits of a slightly better quality. So don’t rush out thinking you have to buy a suit for every occasion, simply choose basic but well made suits and you can change your look and inject some personal style with the help of shirts and accessories.

If you're new to the world of suits, make sure that you stick to a two button design. This is a welcome standard design that won’t soon go out of style and is best for a young graduate. One button can be a little too fashionable for the office while the three buttons style is now rather dated. When it comes to selecting the right size of lapel for your new suits, there is no hard and fast rule. However, as long as you feel comfortable, typically the best size is around 6.5 or 7cm. This is a classic size that isn't as likely to go out of style as the current skinny lapels or wide Tom Ford style lapels.

When it comes to interviews, opt for the subtly patterned grey suit which is professional without being too sombre. Team with black shoes and belt and a well pressed blue shirt for the perfect, professional look. Once you've landed the job, you can also introduce your black suit into the daily wardrobe. Pair it with brightly coloured shirts for a fresh look but avoid wearing it with all black accessories unless you're hoping to strike a serious note.

The crucial thing to remember when choosing your mens suits is to make sure that they fit correctly. Nothing screams awkwardness more than a suit jacket that gapes around the middle or trousers that stop short of the ankles.

It’s well worth a trip to the tailor to get the fit right. A well fitting, classic suit will make sure you feel confident and put your best foot forward in the competitive graduate job market.

Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.