In our first look at boardroom fashion, Exec Digital Canada examines the suitóa business staple. We've included a list of nation-wide stores that offer stylish threads that will ensure you look polished while meeting clients or heading a team meeting. The suit, once a stiff and masculine uniform, has become a modern classic for both men and women, becoming lighter and more functional. A suit can take you from day to evening, and make you look sophisticated without looking `stuffy'. There is no reason not to look good as mid-range retailers offer smart pieces at reasonable prices. If you are working with a larger budget, then a designer suit is a sartorial essential. With different styles, cuts, colours and fabrics a suit, whatever your budget, will give you structured style and should be the foundation to your work wardrobe. Mid-range Banana Republic www.bananarepublic.ca Offering timeless classics in trendy colours and comfortable fabrics, Banana Republic is the higher end offering to Gap, its sister store. Banana Republic expanded into Canada in 1995 and now has over 30 locations throughout the country. Providing simple, well constructed styles for different body types, you can't go wrong filling your closet with Banana Republic suits. Sophisticated seasonal collections allow you to have the latest cuts and styles all under one roof. A big bonus is the petite collection, which allows women to buy suits that are tailored to their smaller frame. The recently unveiled BR Monogram collection also offers higher end alternatives to customers as well. Club Monaco www.clubmonaco.com Club Monaco offers the classic suit without diverging from the black and white colour palette that has become synonymous with this retail line. Club Monaco chooses bright hues to infuse their standard black and grey suits with punches of colour. Offering the latest trends in suit design, like the two button suit with a single or double vent, offers a lean silhouette and a sharp look. An added plus: the retailer provides free hemming for customers who need minor adjustments made to their suits. Designer Harry Rosen www.harryrosen.com The Canadian retailer has been suiting men since 1954, when the fist location was opened in Toronto. Fast forward to 2009 and Harry Rosen has 15 locations across Canada in Montreal, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Harry Rosen offers popular designer labels like Armani, Brioni, Burberry, Boss, Canali, Dolce and Gabbana, Versace and Zegna. The retailer has been helping Canadian men dress for over 50 years and if you check out their website you might pick up a few tricks from Harry in his "What should I wear?" and "How to" sections. An added touch, Harry Rosen also offers lifetime suit maintenance should you loose a button or need a seam fixed. Holt Renfrew www.holtrenfrew.com With a wide selection of designs to choose from Holt Renfrew, or "Holt's" as it is often referred to, carries suits for all shapes and sizes. Carrying many of the most popular men's lines like Armani, Boss, Canali and Prada this high end department store offers a "one-stop" shop experience. For the female executive, Holt's carries minimalist line Theory, Teenflo, MaxMara, Canadian designer Lida Baday, Boss Black, and all of the European designers. Strellson www.strellson.com This Swiss fashion retailer has been around since the 1980's when two former Hugo Boss owner's, Jocken and Uwe Holy, decided to launch the brand. Often the Strellson line is worn by men who are larger in size because of their generous cut, structure and proportion. The collections are modern, contemporary and often have an urban look and feel, but the line only offers male collections. Strellson does not have stores in Canada, so check out their website for locations throughout the country that carry their line. Ports 1961 www.ports1961.com Once called Ports International this Canadian line was re-launched in 2004 and offers women sensible, modern designs with a global feel that have been talked widely of for their ability to travel well. Last summer, Creative Director, Tia Cibani outfitted American coorespondents of NBC, MSNBC, CNBC and the USA Network who were covering the Beijing Summer Olympics. Female business executives can get the artsy-chic but sophisticated look by visiting one of the stores in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver.