If you attend a lot of formal events or work in a job that requires you to dress formally, the last thing you want is to have to wear the same suit every day. Here are a few tips to help you build a stylish and versatile suit lineup.
Colors
Firstly, you need to pick some colors. When you are first starting to collect men’s suits, the best three are black, grey, and navy blue.
Black
Black is always a great default option for formal events. Whether it is a wedding, a work dinner, or a date night, a black suit is perfect for all of them. Black can also be dressed down with a more colorful or patterned shirt, as a black suit with a white shirt makes some men feel more like waiters than James Bond.
Grey
Grey is a great neutral to have in your wardrobe. It is perfect for combining with bright colors, and is suitable for your daytime office job, events at night, and is also great for a lighter wedding look during the warmer months.
Navy
Navy is a bit more of a bold choice. It is a classic suit color that is suitable for all skin types and formal situations, even though it is slightly less versatile when it comes to colors, compared to grey.
Shirts
When it comes to shirts, it is best to start simple, and invest in a few white ones. They pair well with every suit color, and also work great on their own when you take your blazer off. They also act as a great base to add a colorful tie.
Black & Brown Shoes
When choosing shoes for your suit, there are tons of options to choose from. However, Oxfords and Chelsea boots are always comfortable and classic choices, and pair well with almost every style and suit type.
As for colors, there are two rules to keep in mind. Black shoes are perfect for black suits and tuxedos, while brown shoes are better for grey and navy suits. When you expand your suit collection, brown shoes will typically pair well with most other colors, like light blue, green, etc.
Seasons
It is also important to keep seasons in mind, particularly the warmer and colder months. Suits aren’t all made from the same material, and you don’t want to freeze in the winter or be boiling hot in the summer.
For instance, if you live in a country with a hotter climate, you may want to invest in linen suits, as they will keep you much cooler compared to other materials. On the other hand, if you live in a colder country, a wool suit will keep you warm without you having to wear tons of other layers.
Smart Casual
It is also important to expand your suit lineup to include smart-casual options. A three-piece suit isn’t always necessary or appropriate, and sometimes just a blazer is enough. Because of this, invest in a few smart casual pieces to keep your look balanced.
Chinos are almost always the best way to do this, as they give the illusion of formality while remaining comfortable and less “uptight” than dress pants.
Stick with the Classics
One of the mistakes many people make when buying suits or any other clothing, for that matter, is overinvesting in trends. While trends can be fun and exciting, they tend to die out quite quickly, and you end up with a wardrobe packed with clothing that just isn’t appealing anymore.
Instead, stick with the classic cuts. You can never go wrong with tailored blazers and pants, and slim-fitting suits have been popular for many years now. In simple terms, tailored and slim-fit looks are popular for a reason, and it’s because they never go out of style.
Invest in Accessories
Accessories are easily the best way to liven up your suit and make it unique. Ties are always a great option, and having a good collection of them is always the best way to add some color and fun to your look.
Pocket squares or handkerchiefs are a dapper and stylish option, too. It is also a good idea to invest in a beautiful pair of cufflinks, as they may be subtle, but there is arguably no better way to top off the perfect suit look.
Build Slowly
Finally, when building your suit collection, slow and steady wins the race. Your suits should be curated, versatile, and match your taste and the situations in which you will wear them. It is very easy to fall into the trap of buying multiple pieces you just won’t wear, or don’t fit into your current lineup.
Instead, be mindful of your choices and ensure that each item you purchase fits with the rest. Additionally, high-quality blazers, pants, shoes, etc., can be very expensive, and if you have a limited budget, you don’t want to waste it on pieces that won’t see much use.
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