Choosing Men's Suits - A Focus on Color

->black or navy blue when placed side by side, it
Most men choose a suits color based off of twononetheless is just as acceptable at all business
factors. The salesman says the color looks goodfunctions and interview situations. Possibly the
and the man buying the suit can not find anythingmost versatile color, it looks good with almost
wrong with it. The problem here is that most menany colored shirt imaginable.
do not know what colors compliment their
complexion, and instead of choosing a color thatColors more men should consider.
enhances their looks they choose a color thatBrownBrown ranges from a light through a deep
simply fits in.chocolate hue. Many men look their best in
Have you ever wondered why you see so manyearth-tones, making the brown suit an important
men wearing navy blue suits? Its not that thispart of their wardrobe; it is also a popular color
color enhances so many men's natural style; itsfor causal options including tweed suits and sports
just men playing the game of safety in numbers.jackets. One caveat: until the early 1980s, brown
The purpose of this article is to open your eyeswas not considered a color for business (we can
to the world of men's suit colors and encouragethank Ronald Reagan for their return). While the
you to choose a fabric that compliments yourtimes have changed there are still some
individual style.members of the old guard who continue to hold
The Triad: Navy Blue, Black and Charcoal Grayto the old rule that brown does not belong in
These three colors dominate the men's suittown. This should not dissuade the well-dressed
industry, and for good reason. Most men aregentleman from wearing brown with confidence,
complimented by one or more of these darkbut it is important to be aware.
colors. Dark suits have the ability to seamlesslyTanThe navy suit for warm weather, tan is an
transition from business to pleasure, in addition toexcellent choice. Less flashy than white, it none
a slimming effect of the silhouette. Let us talkthe less commands attention and can set you
about each color quicklyapart from the crowd while keeping you cool. If
Navy Blueyou live in a cold weather city, a tan suit is ideal
Navy blues strength lies in its sheer dominance.for spring and summer while in a warmer climate
Most men own at least one, and if you have everit is appropriate year round. The tan suit pairs well
walked into a business meeting you can be surewith white, light blue, or any pale pastel shirt. Best
more than half the men will be clad in one. But thisof all, this gives you the chance to really make
is its chief weakness; how can you stand outyour dark ties stand out.
when 90% of your body looks exactly the sameTaupeA color that falls between gray and brown,
as over 50% of the room. We tend to forgettaupe is a great choice for the man who has a
that our clothing sends off strong signals, and ifcouple of the basic colored suits in his wardrobe
you want to be anything but average you wantand is looking for a color out of the ordinary that
to present yourself as such, not always try tostill maintains a professional appearance. Great for
blend in. In addition, those with a very lightuse year round, the taupe suit is a little less
complexion need to pair navy blue with richdressy than a charcoal suit but more likely to
colored shirts; a white or ice blue shirt will draindraw compliments because of it's ability to
the color right from their face. Finally, young mencompliment a man's finer features.
are advised to avoid this color as that it has aLight GrayA great spring and summer color that
habit off accentuating youth.doesn't draw attention to the wearer but instead
Blacksignals a suave persona confident in his own skin,
A more difficult color to wear, it is perceived bylight gray is an excellent choice for any
many as the choice for funerals and weddings. Nocomplexion. Live in a warmer climate? Then light
argument there; however, it is so much more forgray is appropriate year round. The light gray suit
the man with the right complexion. No other colorpairs well with white, light blue, and almost any
has such a slimming effect, and depending on thepale colored shirt, although if you are light
dress shirt it can go from regular office wear tocomplected you may want to go with a bolder
drinks with friends at the hippest nightclubs in Newhue.
York. The key to wearing black is being a highWhiteThe Classic color of summer. You don't
contrast individual, a man with dark hair with lighthave to be Tom Wolfe to stay cool and look
to medium colored skin. The effect is a properlygreat. White compliments all but the lightest
framed face to where all the attention is drawn.complexions, and even then the right shirt choice
Charcoal GrayCharcoal gray suits projects ancan remedy that situation. The key to wearing a
image of authority, stability, and professionalism. Itwhite suit is confidence, especially in the United
is an excellent choice for a first suit, especially forStates where a suit in this color is hard to come
young men as that it does accentuate youthby.
(unlike Navy Blue). Although clearly lighter thanWhere to find all of these fabric colors?