While we’re sure you’ll look great in all suits, it is essential that you choose the right colour for the occasion. After all, you don’t want to turn up at a black tie event wearing a lime green suit, do you?
Our goal is to help you to choose the right colour for the event. We’ll try to share as much wisdom as we can, all of this gathered from years of experience, plus discussions with our customers.
Consider the Occasion
The first step is to consider the occasion. Formal events, for example, will need different colours from informal ones. With a formal event then darker tones are preferred e.g. blacks, blues, and greys. Informal events? You might be able to get away with some rather unique colours.
Blue suits, particularly navy blue, are a good bet for most occasions. This includes weddings, business meetings, etc. Grey can be fine if the event is a bit more informal. If you’re going for very formal events e.g. business dinners, black tie, some weddings, funerals, etc. then black suits are ideal.
If you’re looking for something a bit more ‘standout’ when it comes to colours, then browns, pastel colours, etc. will work. Just bear in mind that you can’t really use them for more formal occasions. They have their place. Still, it is a great way to add a bit of personality to your suit choices.
Classic Suit Colours and When to Wear Them
Let’s break down some of the more common colours, and give you an idea of the situations where they might fit. Obviously, this is not a complete list of all the suit colours you can find, but it should give you a rather decent overview of the main colours you’ll likely find yourself considering.
Navy Suits
If you want a versatile suit, then navy is where it is at. If you can’t decide on a colour, then go with navy. It fits with most situations. Business? Check! Weddings? Check! Most formal dinner parties? You guessed it!
Navy is a smart colour, and it just screams ‘professional’. If you’re regularly attending business meetings, or work in a professional environment, then you need a navy suit.
Charcoal Grey Suits
Charcoal grey is a nice alternative to navy in a business setting. It might not fit in every business situation, though. Check what your colleagues are wearing first. Some people see charcoal grey as a slightly more ‘laid back’ business formal suit colour. It might not be as versatile as navy, though.
Black Suits
Black is the ‘ultimate’ colour for formal wear. If you need to dress very formally e.g. for a business dinner, award ceremony, etc. then black should be your go-to. It is also an ideal suit colour for funerals. Although, for the latter, check if there is any specific dress code for the funeral. Nowadays, it is becoming more common for people to state they don’t want people wearing black at a funeral.
Light Grey Suits
Light grey is a suit colour that often comes out in the summer. It is seen as a more casual style. So, it might be better for less-formal parties where you still need to ‘dress to impress’, but you don’t need to wear a darker colour suit. You’ll often find light grey suits worn at outdoor formal events.
Beige / Tan Suits
Beige and tan is probably not something you’ll be wearing at a business event. However, like light grey suits, it works well for spring and summer events. It might also be a good choice if you’re heading to a destination wedding.
Bold Colours (Green, Burgundy, etc.)
Bolder colours aren’t something you’ll be wearing every single day. They are for when you want to look fashionable and really highlight your personality. They work best at themed events. So, don’t turn up to a business formal meeting wearing a burgundy suit.
Personal Style and Confidence
While you’ll need to think hard about the type of event you’re attending, you should also try to find something that reflects your personality well. For example, if you’re not a fan of darker colours, then navy blue may be a better choice than charcoal grey. If you can get away with it at the event, then light grey may even be an option (ideal for summer weddings). Obviously, you’ve got more opportunity to experiment at less formal events.
It is key that you feel confident in your suit. So, if you’ve got the opportunity, try a few colours on. See how they look in different light (suits will look different in the dark compared to when there are bright lights shone on them).
You can always experiment by adding a little dash of colour into the suit, perhaps by way of the accessories that you wear.
Final Tips for Choosing a Suit Colour
Try to pick a versatile suit, unless you’ve got a very specific casual event in mind. Navy is the most versatile colour there is. If you need one suit colour go for that.
If you need any advice whatsoever, don’t hesitate to reach out to our customer service team. We are here to help!
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