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It doesn’t matter whether you’re a barrister, barber or bank manager, every gentleman needs a selection of suits he can turn to when required to dress with a certain degree of formality. To help ensure you’re making the right choices, we’ve pulled together three suits every man should have in his wardrobe.
Timeless, dependable and effortlessly smart, the navy suit is tailoring’s answer to the little black dress. Suitable for endless formal or smart-casual occasions, it can be dressed up for a family wedding or worn to a party as part of a more relaxed ensemble. For maximum wear, opt for a textured fabric, such as birdseye; it’s still smart but not overly formal. This will enable you to wear the jacket and trousers as suit separates with the rest of your wardrobe.
Unless you’re a serial award winner or part of the royal family, black tie invitations are few and far between. However, when one does arrive in the post, you’re going to want to look your best. To achieve such sartorial success, a rented, ill-fitting tuxedo will certainly not suffice. Instead, you’ll want to be the proud owner of a tailored black dinner suit – complete with striking satin lapels.
Almost as versatile as navy, but arguably smarter, the grey suit is a true tailoring workhorse. Practical, smart and distinguished, it’s a fine choice for the office but is just as suitable for a wedding or after-work drinks. If you wear suits often, you’re best off investing in two; one in light grey for the summer months, and a charcoal version for the winter.
The Navy Suit
Timeless, dependable and effortlessly smart, the navy suit is tailoring’s answer to the little black dress. Suitable for endless formal or smart-casual occasions, it can be dressed up for a family wedding or worn to a party as part of a more relaxed ensemble. For maximum wear, opt for a textured fabric, such as birdseye; it’s still smart but not overly formal. This will enable you to wear the jacket and trousers as suit separates with the rest of your wardrobe.
Tips for Wearing Navy Suits
- A white formal shirt is a fail-safe option to team with a navy suit, while a pale blue shirt can work equally as well
- Black, brown or tan shoes all pair perfectly with a navy suit
- Team it with a shirt and tie for formal occasions – such as weddings or important meetings
- At the weekend, dress it down with a crew neck jumper and loafers
The Dinner Suit
Unless you’re a serial award winner or part of the royal family, black tie invitations are few and far between. However, when one does arrive in the post, you’re going to want to look your best. To achieve such sartorial success, a rented, ill-fitting tuxedo will certainly not suffice. Instead, you’ll want to be the proud owner of a tailored black dinner suit – complete with striking satin lapels.
Tips for Wearing a Dinner Suit
- Buy, don’t hire – a tailored dinner suit is always the best option
- Invest in a white dress shirt with a Marcella bib front, classic collar and double cuffs
- When wearing a dinner suit, your shoes should be black – but not the ones you usually wear to work. Patent Derby shoes are the best choice
- Your bow tie should be black (never white), made from silk and hand-tied
The Grey Suit
Almost as versatile as navy, but arguably smarter, the grey suit is a true tailoring workhorse. Practical, smart and distinguished, it’s a fine choice for the office but is just as suitable for a wedding or after-work drinks. If you wear suits often, you’re best off investing in two; one in light grey for the summer months, and a charcoal version for the winter.
Tips for Wearing Grey Suits
- Grey suits can be worn with a range of shirt colours – including white, pale blue and pink
- Add interest to a grey suit with a patterned shirt. We think check designs work particularly well
- Black, dark brown or burgundy shoes can be teamed with a grey suit. Although if it’s light grey, we suggest sticking to black
- To really turn up the formality, opt for a three-piece suit
