Peak vs notch — when each is right
The notch lapel is the default on most single-breasted suits, and with good reason: it is correct in every business and formal context, easy to proportion well across different body types, and universally understood as the standard. There is nothing wrong with a notch lapel. It is the safe, correct choice.
The peak lapel on a single-breasted suit is an upgrade in character but not in formality — the wearer has chosen it, and the choice communicates something. It is bolder, more structured, and harder to proportion correctly than the notch. Done well, it looks exceptional. Done poorly — with the wrong width, the wrong angle, or on the wrong body proportions — it can look awkward. This is why it matters that the peak lapel is done by a tailor who has made them before and understands the geometry.
Peak lapels suit most body types when proportioned correctly. They are particularly good on men with broader shoulders, as the upward angle of the lapel emphasises the width of the chest. They are less instinctively chosen for shorter men, where the rising angle can shorten the visual line — but well-proportioned peaks can be made to work on any frame.