SINGAPORE – The muggy local clime can make layering seem awkward at best and foolish at worst.

But take it from Beams creative director Tatsuya Nakamura: “For men, a suit is the coolest thing to wear. It’s relaxing and easy to wear casually.

“It’s easier to sign contracts in and you get better treatment at restaurants.”

Here are five simple tips from tailoring experts for suiting up in Singapore.

Mr Nakamura recommends a breathable wool base. The choice may seem odd compared with heat-busting materials like linen or cotton, popular in Japan, but those natural fabrics wrinkle easily here and so are weaker options, he says.

Wool does not need to be cleaned as often as cotton or linen, so handwash judiciously.