We typically see a certain array of colors worn by most men whether it’s a professional or a casual setting. This would include shades of blue, gray, or brown, also black. Then there are some color options that are much more whimsical, especially in comparison to their more classic counterparts. Despite that these colors might be considered unconventional, at the right time or place they can be accepted.
What Are Unconventional Suit Colors?
The definition of unconventional is not based on or conforming to what is generally done or believed. Over history, we have seen men time and time again tend to gravitate towards neutral and dark tones for suits but there is an array of color options that some might also like to wear. For example, some might be yellow, green, purple, bright red, even orange. Some trendy brands would like to use some of these loud colors when developing a whimsical pattern or a unique fabric.
Classic & Modern Color Options
Think blues, grays, browns, these tend to stand well over the test of time. These colors work well with a variety of skin tones and for a variety of different occasions for men. Landing on the more modern style of color options, instead of a navy suit perhaps somebody is wearing a bright blue colored suit and instead of a black maybe they’re choosing for something more punchy like a red or an orange color. These styles probably will not last long during the test of time but because they’re popular, they’re often quickly adopted by fashion enthusiasts. Although these are two different sides of the spectrum in terms of classic and modern style, there are some ways you can marry both of these styles together properly.
You can try wearing a dark-colored suit and then also trying to infuse that option with brighter colors in your accessories for a more modern approach. And also, you could try wearing a more bright-colored and modern suit but toning it down a little bit with some darker elements, maybe with your shoes or the tie option you choose.
Foundational Suit Colors
A pink shirt pairs especially well with a charcoal gray suit.
Charcoal Gray
It’s a very neutral color and it works for a variety of different skin tones and different occasions. The warmer tone of the charcoal color keeps it versatile year-round as opposed to its cousin, the light gray colored suit. Both options actually provide a lot of versatility year-round but charcoal would give you more options than the light gray. Also, while a navy suit would make a young man look younger, charcoal would have the opposite effect.
Classic Navy
A classic navy suit one is equally as versatile as the charcoal but adds a little bit more color. Also, the suit color is able to be dressed up or dressed down quite easily. There is an endless number of combinations that make this an extremely versatile option to which you should probably have in your wardrobe.
Sven Raphael Schneider in Firenze wearing a vintage brown flannel glen check
Brown
The brown color allows you to break up the monotony of the blue and the gray options you have but still remains classic and understated. Historically, we see that medium to lighter brown shades for suits are much less formal. It’s typically something you want to refrain from wearing while in town, maybe just while you’re out hunting in the countryside. Darker browns or more of a chocolate brown could actually be worn in the same setting as a charcoal suit or a navy suit.
Daniel Craig as James Bond in a black suit
Black
It’s a more serious color, typically reserved for celebratory occasions or a business setting. While we find black and in particular, black suits, quite overrated, it would not hurt to have at least one in your wardrobe for those certain occasions, perhaps a funeral.
Wearing Unconventional Suit Colors
One of the first things you want to consider when you’re picking your colors is where are you going.
Sven Raphael Schneider wearing a seersucker suit
Dining Out with Friends
When you’re out dining with friends is a great time to have your suit color choice be more moderately colorful. Having a warm touch of color or having a neutral base with some color woven for your overall suit.
This slightly bolder shade of blue can work for weddings
Weddings
Another occasion would be a possible wedding for a former classmate of yours. Some wedding parties can have a very strict dress code for their attendants. If this is not the rule for the wedding you are attending, consider wearing something more traditional-leaning for your outfit choice. Meaning, instead of wearing a traditional navy, you could try a more bright blue or instead of charcoal, try wearing a light gray.
An ideal job interview outfit choice
Job Interview
Depending on the type of job you are interviewing for, it might be helpful for you to try to incorporate some of the company colors into your outfit. I’ll be careful not to go completely overboard with this concept. The key here is to make sure that the interviewer takes note that you are aware of the company in which you are applying for. Also, you don’t want to have your interviewer assume that you’re trying too hard or that you may be trying to get your job simply off of your color choices and not your merit. You want them to pay attention to what you are saying, not on what your clothes are saying. You also want to pay attention to seasonality when you’re selecting your different colors and the fabric weight.
Mottled fresco suit worn with Fort Belvedere accessories
Warmer Seasons
If you’re anything like me and you get warm quite easily in the warmer months, you probably are going to prefer a lighter weight fabric and something that breathes a little bit better. There are often a lot of great bold and bright color options available in these warmer months.
Brock McGoff of The Modest Man in a burgundy suit from Indochino
Cooler Seasons
When it gets cooler, it might be more advantageous for you to try to opt for a darker color of the suit in contrast to the lack of colors you’re going to be seeing outside. In addition to black, gray, or navy, try adding in camel or burgundy or olive and for some fun, the classic black watch pattern is always a great option.
But why exactly is it important to pay attention to seasonality when selecting your colors? Certain color options are going to look completely out of place in certain parts of the year. Knowing when and where to properly wear something ensures that your unconventional suit color will make sense.
Finding A Suit Color for Your Skin Tone
Finding your skin tone
Medium Skin Tone
If you have a moderate amount of melanin in your skin, you have quite a few different options for suit fabrics in which you can wear. This is because the faint undertones in your skin easily complement a variety of different colors. Try wearing different suit colors like cream, eggshell, different shades of brown, or even a bright red.
Dark Skin Tone
Although the higher amount of pigmentation in our skin offers a great amount of versatility for different unconventional suit colors, it’s important to note that not every color should be considered an option. Try colors like burgundy, camel, mustard, even olive green.
Light Skin Tone
Individuals with a more fair skin tone or a lighter amount of melanin in their skin are going to be able to wear colors like bold shades of blue, various shades of gray, even pastels in the summer months.
Styling Tips for Unconventional Colors
Summery Sport Coat Ensemble
Start With A Suit Or Sport Coat
The first thing that you’re going to want to do is find a suit or sport coat that incorporates even a minor amount of the color in question into the pattern on the fabric itself. Then you could try to find a tie or a pocket square that incorporates that same color in a different scale size and use that to complement what you’re going to be wearing on your outfit.
If you choose to wear a bold bright color unconventional suit, you can tone things down a little bit by trying to wear dark warm neutrals. You could try wearing a dark sweater or dark overcoat in the cooler months and a darker tie or pocket square when it is a little bit warmer outside.
Color at Pitti Uomo
Try Breaking Up The Suit
If you have your mind set on a particular bold color you want to wear but you’re not quite sure if it’s going to mesh too well with where you are going, you try breaking up the suit. Try wearing the jacket with a different pair of pants. If your jacket is more of a bold color, make sure your pants are more of a neutral color, make sure the bold color does the talking while everything else falls to the background and complements that.
Pitti Peacocks
Don’t Wear Too Many Unconventional Colors
One thing you want to make sure you stay away from is wearing too many unconventional colors together at one time. For example, wearing a very bold tie with a very busy patterned shirt along with your suit fabric, this could be seen as visually confusing and begins to look as though you may have gotten dressed in the dark. A better way to do this would be to choose one to two bold colors and letting everything else fall to the backdrop by wearing more neutral tones, perhaps wearing a more neutral colored shirt and tie to prevent competition with the unconventional suit color.
Where To Buy Unconventional-colored Suits
You might be wondering where exactly do you find these unicorns of unconventional suit colors? Many suit stores will offer basic color options but not all of these different stores are going to offer those out-of-the-box unconventional color options. Brands that offer a nice variety of colors and patterns would be SuitSupply, Paul Stuart, Ralph Lauren, and Brooks Brothers. Many might be extremely surprised to see Brooks Brothers on this list, but their made-to-measure program offers a wide array of various color options for you to choose from.
Conclusion
It ultimately would be easier to wear neutral, more classically styled suits. On those occasions when you want to add a little bit more flavor to your outfit, it is ideal to know how to properly incorporate unconventional suit colors. When in doubt, consider mixing classic neutrals into your outfit. Taking an unconventional suit jacket and pairing it with a more neutral bottom. Always an option to consider mixing classic styling with more modern elements, it’s important to keep in mind the season, your skin tone, and the location of where you’re going to be wearing your suit when selecting your unconventional suit colors.
Do you wear suits in unconventional colors? How do you style them? Share it with us in the comments section.
from Gentleman's Gazette https://ift.tt/30WgGNR
0 Comments