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It's a seemingly timeless institution; the modern suit is the result of nearly a thousand years of evolution. Its current form has changed very little in the last 200 years, and in spite of great efforts to do away with it, the suit boldly promises to be around for many years to come.

Comfort-driven measures like casual Fridays have bled over the other four days of the work week, and many companies embrace a dressed-down appearance for normal days in the office. However, even more casual companies expect applicants for employment to wear a proper business suit for interviews, important meetings and business-to-business interaction. Many trendy renditions of the classic suit are available for purchase, and if a job hunter doesn't take care, may wind up inadvertently purchasing some nonsensical article of sartorial whimsy that brands them negatively on the occasion their appearance matters the most. This diagram gives a quick but thorough overview of a proper suit and everything that goes with it.

The woman's suit has spent the last forty years looking for its identity. Torn, at times, between exploiting its own uniqueness and, simultaneously masquerading as menswear sized for female bodies, it seems to have recently found a happy place where it can be everything it needs to be: feminine, powerful, cheerful and sophisticated. While it follows many of the same conventions as a man's, every aspect of it has been molded, over time, to work for women without losing their business-like gravitas.

Becuase women's suits were conceived from men's, many of their definitions are detailed in relation to the male of their species. of A study of classic menswear will reveal very precise rules for their form, from the elevation of the skirt to the width of the lapel, to how many buttons are allowed to be both present and fastened. Women, on the other hand, enjoy much more flexibility in dress. As with all things, this freedom carries negative consequences: many suits simply don't work in business, for any number of reasons, and adherance to a classical ideal is recommended in all cases.

A few rules about place settings seem to be generally known: Bread on the left, drinks on the right. Start on the outside and work in. Place your fork and knife parallel when you're done with your entree. Conventions far more specific than these exist, and are myriad in number. They are, in fact, so specific to region, time of day and courses being served that nothing short of a lifetime of study can aptly prepare one for any situation.

But this diagram will prepare you for at least sixty percent of polite dining situations you're likely to encounter in the United States. While the specifics are up to careful observation and tactful inquiry, and mechanics acheived through practice (see our videos), you'll at least be able to sit down to a formal dinner and not want to cry.