Please Don't Buy a Black Suit (2024)

We get a lot of questions about style around these parts, but perhaps the most common comes from guys just starting out in the adult world: "What color should my first suit be?" Reasonable inquiry. Here's where it gets unreasonable: Most of these guys assume that black is the best choice. It's not. Black suits are for waiters, funeral directors, and guys who are on their way to lose in court. If you're not one of those things, don't buy a black suit.

Your first suit should be navy. Or, if you insist on a color other than navy, charcoal. Your second should be whichever of those two colors you didn't choose for your first. And your third? Something a little different, with a pattern, or some texture (plaids, stripes, herringbones, and the like). But it still shouldn't be black. Trust us. Or ignore us. Either way. Just don't blame us when table two asks you to hurry up with those entrees next time you're out to dinner.

Ready to shop for a new, not-black suit? Here are three options to get you started.

Navy

Charcoal

Patterned

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