A Guide To Wearing Coloured Suits For Men

Gone are the days when suits were confined to shades of gray, navy, and black. Today, men’s fashion has embraced a vibrant and daring approach, allowing individuals to express their unique style through colourful suits. Whether you’re attending a formal event or simply want to make a bold fashion statement, wearing a coloured suit can instantly elevate your look. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the art of wearing coloured suits for men, providing you with tips and inspiration to rock these eye-catching ensembles with confidence.

From choosing the right colour to coordinating your outfit, we’ll explore the key considerations for successfully pulling off a coloured suit. Discover the power of complementary and contrasting hues, as well as how to incorporate patterns and textures for added depth and visual interest. Whether you opt for a vibrant blue, a rich burgundy, or a playful pastel, we’ll guide you through the process of finding a shade that suits your skin tone and personal style.

We’ll also delve into the various occasions and settings where coloured suits can shine. Whether it’s a formal affair, a daytime event, or a night out on the town, we’ll provide you with outfit ideas and styling tips to ensure you look both polished and fashion-forward. Learn how to strike the perfect balance between a standout suit and well-coordinated accessories, footwear, and grooming choices.

So, whether you’re a fashion-forward trendsetter or someone looking to experiment with their style, this guide will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to confidently wear coloured suits for any occasion. Break free from the conventional and make a sartorial statement that reflects your personality and individuality. Get ready to embrace the world of vibrant possibilities and unlock the secrets to wearing coloured suits for men with finesse and flair.

Coloured Staples First

When taking stock of your wardrobe, stick to the staple colours first. Navy, charcoal, and neutrals are enduring sartorial staples and it’s not just fussy conservatism or tradition for the sake of tradition keeping them afloat.

These staple colours are timeless, versatile, and immune to trends. They’re not going out of style this century. Generally, they can be worn in both summer and winter. They’re foundational colours that you can use to contrast with bolder, on-trend colours.

That, and the staples look good on everyone. Even pasty, sun-starved guys like me look good in a navy suit, and chances are you might too.

Pick Your Colour Based On Seasons

Do you cringe at the thought of the overdressed wanker in the office going on about his ‘summer rotation’?

It sounds tragic, but it’s legit – to a point. Some colours just work better in summer than they do in winter, and vice versa.

Darker colours retain more heat, for example, and can look harsh on warm days. Whereas cooler, neutral tones complement the seasonal changes and make your time in the sun a hell of a lot more tolerable. This isn’t a fixed category, so feel free to experiment, but it’s worth keeping in mind.

Beware The Suit Colour Salad

If there’s anything to avoid, it’s mixing colour like you’re a five-year-old with access to six buckets of paint and no parental supervision.

Sure, it’s good to be enthusiastic. But too much colour can make you look indelicate, try hard, or clueless, or a forbidding combination of all three.

We’ve all seen photos of those guys at Fashion Week, or on the wall at Pitti. Their colour salad outfits scream ‘look at me’, and not in a good way. Less is more, gents. A good rule of thumb is to have one anchor colour and a complementing bolder tone to keep things interesting.

Use Colours In Suiting Sparingly

You may have heard the ‘pop of colour’ expression. Sounds trite, but it’s a thing. Aim to use small quantities of a bold colour to lift your outfit.

It can draw attention to key outfit pieces – a tie, pocket square, or accessory – and add some enlivening contrast to an otherwise dull look.

But again, restraint is more important than the colour itself.  A pink tie with a navy suit looks great. But a pink hankie, pair of socks, shirt, and tie will have you looking like a real estate agent in a marquee at the races.

Use The Colour Wheel To Help With Suit Colours

If you do want to mix it up with different tones, we have one suggestion. Look up the colour wheel. It’s a universally-accepted framework for optimal colour marriages, and which colours should avoid each other like Steve Stifler and polite company.

The colour wheel also points you towards tones that make optimal complement and contrast combinations. If you’re struggling for shirt and tie combos, or can’t quite figure out which shade works with which, the colour wheel is a brilliant tool that takes the hard work out of your hands.

Employ Colour Blocking In Your Wardrobe

Tired of the same old tricks? Try colour blocking. Commonly associated with Dutch artist Piet Mondrian, the technique combines two or three solid colours in distinctive, separate blocks. It’s a bold and dramatic look, and by no means for the faint of heart.

It does, however, play tricks on the eyes. It can make you look taller if you need it, and even leaner if you pick darker tones.

However, it’s easy to get it wrong, so start with two complementing colours and work your way towards riskier combos that incorporate clashes.

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