What colour of suit should you buy?
This is not to say that black colour has disappeared altogether – it hasn’t. It still has its firm place in a modern man’s wardrobe as it’s a part of the three classic suit colours – charcoal grey, navy blue and black. What makes black colour our less preferred and recommended choice is its use limited to special occasions, such as weddings or funerals.
Choosing a men’s suit colour if you…
Rarely wear your suit
Let’s put it this way – if you were to own only one suit and would rarely wear it, then black can still be one of your options, although not necessarily the first one.
Wear your suit regularly
However, if you intend to wear your suit beyond rare occasions, then charcoal grey andnavy blueare the superior choices. Why? They are the most versatile and useful suit colours that provide a great value for those who have to wear formal suitsregularlyand look for a classic and timeless option.
Lets put black colour aside and take a look at each of the two colours – charcoal grey and navy blue – in more detail.
Charcoal grey suit
Charcoal grey is an excellent and versatile suit colour option suitable particularly for business occasions. This may be due to the fact that this colour projects authority and makes its wearer look more mature.
A charcoal grey suit is very easy to colour-match with the rest of your outfit. As it lacks any colour (grey is colour neutral), it matches well with a wide range of colours, allowing you to be more adventurous with the shirts and ties that you selected to pair this suit with.
As for your dress shoes, this will also depend on your desired look. Black dress shoes are the safe choice for any gentleman, while brown leather will be a more modern, daring choice.
Note that charcoal grey isn’t the only option in the family of grey-coloured suits. If charcoal doesn’t quite fit the bill or occasion, you may find other shades of grey more suitable for you and your needs.
Navy blue suit
Wearing a navy blue suit has the exact opposite effect from its charcoal grey sibling – it accentuates the youth of its wearer. That’s why the end use of the suit is very important to consider when selecting the best colour for a men’s suite as wearing it will send a certain message about you.
Navy blue suits are a great choice for the use at work as well as attending events, conferences or dinners. It is a versatile colour(everso slightly more than charcoal grey), easy to match with others and is a popular choice among men, particularly in Western cultures. Therefore, wearing a navy blue suit makes men fit in rather than stand out from the crowd.
Most men pair their navy blue suits with either brown or black dress shoes, with black leather colour being the safe choice.
Final thoughts on choosing the best suitcolour
Overall, if you are just starting to build your wardrobe or expanding your selection beyond just black, then choosing the best colour for your suit is straightforward – you can’t go wrong with either charcoal grey or navy blue suit. Both are highly versatile and considered conservative and traditional, which is the desirable look in many formal professions, such as politics, finance, law and others. These colours are also timeless and aren’t susceptible to trends the same way designer fads are.
Once your classic suit collection is complete, you can start looking at other more daring colours, for example, brown, tan or bright blue. Just note that these colours are less versatile and are often used at particular seasons, but on the other hand, they can better highlight certain personality traits in a way that the classic coloured suits can’t. Alternatively, another way you can spice up your suit collection is to experiment with various patterns and fabrics.
As a menswear enthusiast with a comprehensive understanding of suit colors and their significance in fashion, I can confidently provide insights into the selection of the most appropriate suit color for various occasions and preferences.
The concept of choosing the right suit color revolves around understanding the versatility, cultural connotations, and practicality associated with different hues. In the realm of men's suiting, there's an established hierarchy of colors that stand out due to their adaptability and timeless appeal.
When delving into the article's discussion on suit colors, several key concepts are worth exploring:
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Black Suit: The article acknowledges that black remains a classic suit color, traditionally reserved for special occasions like weddings or funerals due to its formal and somber nature. Its limited versatility makes it less recommended for regular wear.
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Charcoal Grey Suit: Charcoal grey stands out as a versatile option, particularly suitable for business settings. Its neutral tone allows for effortless coordination with various shirt and tie combinations. Additionally, it exudes authority and a mature demeanor, making it ideal for formal or professional engagements.
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Navy Blue Suit: Navy blue, while slightly more versatile than charcoal grey, holds its own significance. It projects a youthful image and is suitable for a range of occasions, including work, events, conferences, and dinners. Its popularity among men in Western cultures makes it a go-to choice for blending in rather than standing out.
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Versatility and Occasional Wear: For those who rarely wear suits, black could still be an option but not the foremost one. However, for regular suit wearers, charcoal grey and navy blue stand out as superior choices due to their adaptability across various settings.
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Suit Pairing and Accessories: The choice of dress shoes—black or brown leather—often complements the suit color. Black shoes are considered a safe option, while brown leather shoes offer a more contemporary and slightly daring look, depending on the desired appearance.
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Expanding Suit Collection: Once a classic suit collection is established with charcoal grey or navy blue, individuals can experiment with more daring colors like brown, tan, or bright blue. However, it's noted that these colors are less versatile and are often associated with particular seasons or events.
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Patterns and Fabrics: To add diversity to a suit collection, exploring various patterns and fabrics is suggested. This allows for expressing personality traits beyond what classic colored suits offer.
In conclusion, the discussion revolves around the adaptability, cultural connotations, and practicality of suit colors, emphasizing the timeless appeal and versatility of charcoal grey and navy blue while hinting at the potential for experimenting with more daring colors, patterns, and fabrics once a classic suit collection is established.
