In most of the western business world a suit is still the outfit of choice, made in a dull fabric, in a quiet colour, cut to follow but not draw attention to the body's lines. Drawing heavily on the dandy menswear tradition rather than the peacock one, the men's business suit is designed to be visually formal, often in dark colours to imply authority, with a general lack of pattern, contrast, or texture.
Although this can be very confining in some ways, it does allow individualism in the small details. Menswear blogs write at great length about the size and shape of pockets, which buttons to use, which cuff style is appropriate when, and the best width of jacket collars and ties. (I know this because I have spent many happy hours reading their almost obsessive discussions.)
Personally, I like to keep the cut very simple. I tend to wear silk shirts rather than cotton ones because I find them more comfortable, and I add interest through texture and colour. In the above image, I am wearing a simply cut, dark coloured velvet jacket, with mid-grey pinstripe straightline trousers. Not the most formal option, so appropriate for my workplace.
