Spring is suit-buying time for many men, but many aren't fully prepared for the experience.

Tim Todd, manager of Bachrach in Monroeville Mall, said up to 75 percent of men who come to the store looking to buy a suit off the rack and then have it altered to fit their size don't even know their correct size. "It's always best to have a tailor update your sizes," he said, "because they do change as time goes on."

There are other issues, such as younger men who "don't know where to put the pants," Mr. Todd said. It's appropriate, he said, to let pants hang from the waist rather than pulling them up to the hips, which causes a poor fit.

Here are some tips to help men when they're buying a suit:

• Even if you think you're sure of your size, have a store employee measure you before you begin trying on garments.

• Wear dress shoes similar to what you would wear with a suit. This is important in gauging how the new suit pants should be hemmed.

• Have the sleeve edges hemmed high enough to allow shirt cuffs to be visible when your arms are resting at your sides. A quarter-inch is a good guide, or perhaps more if you plan to wear French cuffs and links.

• Tug at all of the buttons on the suit and inspect the threading. Loose buttons and threads are a sign of poor manufacturing quality.

• Be mindful that having your jacket taken in even a fraction of an inch can make it look more tailored and fitted.

• For a good fit, make sure the waistline is about an inch below the navel when trying on trousers and getting them marked for hems.

• Have suspender buttons sewn into the trousers only if you intend to wear braces. Over time, the strain and pull of suspenders damages the waistband.

• Save time by buying accessories, if needed, with the suit. Cuff links make a look dressier and give you as much latitude to show your personality as a necktie, and pocket squares can be worn without a tie to relax a suit but still provide a dash of sophistication.

Finally, consider a suit an investment and spend wisely, said Christine Boehm, vice president and director of merchandising and marketing for The Tom Jones Co.

"We tell our clients it's better to purchase one higher-quality suit that falls within their budget than two lower-cost suits for the same amount," she said, noting that more expensive suits usually have cloth superiority and construction that make them more durable.

Kmart has launched three new fashion lines and is conducting a nationwide search for an ambassador. Anyone 18 years or older can enter the Style Showoff contest at Kmart.com/style.

Entrants must submit a picture of themselves in a uniquely created outfit, along with a statement of up to 50 words describing the look's inspiration. Finalists will be chosen May 6, with the grand-prize winner appearing in Kmart's national advertising campaign, as well as spending a day with designers at the SoHo design center, receiving a theater trip for two to New York City and $10,000 in Kmart gift cards. Ten first-prize winners will receive Kmart gift cards and camcorders plus a trip to New York, while 175 second-place winners will receive Kmart gift cards and camcorders.

The grand-prize winner will help represent the new fashion lines: Piper & Blue for juniors, Limon & Sal for young men, and Wckd for young men and women.

Quirky fashion label Heatherette is the latest celebrity line to collaborate with MAC Cosmetics.

The limited-edition line's products, which will debut Thursday, are housed in hot-pink casings and include four lipsticks, four eye-shadow trios, face trios, glittery duo-edge eye pencils, gold and silver glitters, gilded peach and pink pearl pigments, beauty powders, nail lacquers, and high-sheen faux upper-lash sets. Prices range from $10 to $32.50.

Thursday: Macy's and Whirl magazine host a fashion show to benefit Tickets for Kids Charities at Macy's, Ross Park Mall. For reservations and information, call 1-800-836-1782.