Choosing the right suit colors that tone with personal style and occasion can sometimes lead to overthinking.
Wearing a suit portrays you in a better image, but it’s the suit color that marks the first impression.
Additionally, right-colored suits reflect personal panache and are important to fit in an occasion.
So generally, the first suit options are pretty narrow, regardless of the diversity.
But there are several factors to consider. For example, the skin tone, occasion, and statement you want to make have a role in choosing the right suit color.
Take this with a grain of salt, but it seems that lighter suits look better on people with darker complexions. And vice versa.
Additionally, dark-colored suits tend to appear more formal than lighter suit colors. They also portray a more conservative image.
That’s why this article will explain all popular suit colors, the best color combinations for each, and help you choose the ideal one.
Black Suits
Traditionally, the black suit symbolized power and was extremely popular. However, in this day and age, a black suit seems too much.
They are only ideal for formal and evening wear. Weddings, black-tie events, and funerals are some places to wear a black suit.
The problem with a black suit is its versatility. The most you can dress down is wearing a patterned tie with a light blue/pink shirt.
Anything other than that can’t achieve a contrasting dapper look. Still, it’s always good to have a black suit in the wardrobe for most formal occasions.
But it can’t be worn daily. So adding stripes to the suit is recommended to incorporate into daily life.
Navy Suits
Navy is the ultimate suit color. It has the same authority as black and goes well with almost every skin tone.
Navy suits are extremely versatile. They also offer creativity and much room for personal style.
A navy suit fits everything from semi-formal meetings to cocktail parties and weddings. So just with little changes, you can easily dress a navy suit up or down.
White and other light-colored dress shirts go extremely well with navy suits. For informal events, conservative patterns work equally well.
Almost all tie colors work with the navy suit, and you can choose the one that matches your personality.
A navy suit jacket is a great style option. But you can easily pair your suit jacket with chinos for a business casual or a smart-casual look.
The best part about wearing a navy suit is showing your best without looking overdressed. So for a first suit, we always recommend navy.
Blue Suits
Maybe a little bold, but blue is an excellent suit color. It matches the aura of most occasions and is quite versatile. Like navy, blue suits are easy to dress up or down.
Blue always has a vibrant tinge, making it an excellent daywear suit. Also, wearing a blue suit is equally great for office and other business-formal settings.
Young men are usually inclined more towards blue suits than any other suit colors. That’s because blue is a statement-maker and speaks for a distinct fashion sense. In addition, blue pinstripe has become a power suit for many business executives.
Depending on the shade of blue, you can wear practically any shirt with a blue suit. But neckties should be conservative for a composed look.
Similarly, shoes should always be brown, and the type may vary depending on the occasion.
Charcoal Gray Suits
Charcoal gray has the same charisma as the black suit but with a lot more versatility. It also matches almost every skin tone.
Charcoal gray suit, along with navy, shares the monarchy of being the first suit for most gentlemen. It is, therefore, formal and ideal for most evening events.
If it’s an optional black-tie event and you don’t have a tuxedo, a charcoal gray suit is a great alternative.
Similarly, a charcoal gray suit is perfect for a subtle yet elegant look at weddings and parties.
Most shirt and tie combinations work great with a charcoal gray suit. Choosing a plain white dress shirt is the best choice for formal occasions.
Similarly, wearing neutral colors, neckties maintain a grayish hue in the attire; again great for formal events.
Breaking the neutral look will make the suit appropriate for semi-formal or business-formal situations. Wearing a light-colored shirt or a vibrant tie is one way to do that.
Light Gray Suits
While charcoal gray is on the formal side of the spectrum, light gray is for casual and relaxed situations. It’s not a “must,” but having it adds a new dimension to your wardrobe.
When the jazz breeze of summer is in bloom, a light gray suit matches its vibe. Also, a light gray suit for daily meetings and informal events will keep you serene but surprisingly well-dressed.
As a casual suit color, it’s easy to mix things with light gray. For example, a pink shirt matches perfectly with a light gray suit. It provides versatility and a fine contrast, both at the same time.
Similarly, stripe and check shirts ace with the light gray suit. The tie can be of lighter colors and can also have textures.
Match some casual brown shoes and be ready to make the grade.
Medium Gray Suits
Medium is a shade of gray that unites charcoal and light gray. Being a bridge between the two, it is popular and stunningly versatile.
Other than some very formal events, a medium gray suit is ideal for all kinds of situations.
Specifically, it has become a business uniform for well-dressed gentlemen. It also qualifies for the ‘first suit option’ for many people besides charcoal gray and navy.
The shirt and tie are pretty easy to match with a medium gray suit. The classic option is white, but other lighter colors such a blue, pink, and light orange work great.
For neckties, you can choose from solid-colored textures to patterned ones.
Dark brown oxfords complete the semi-formal look of the medium gray suit.
Brown Suits
Like charcoal and navy, brown is a neutral color. Therefore, it’s classic and easy to match.
Although recent decades have seen increasing popularity in brown suits, it’s still not a formal color.
Brown suits also have a causal consistency, making a person look cool yet well-dressed. Therefore, brown makes an excellent business and semi-formal dress.
Another feature of brown suits is their ability to match with other items. Due to its neutral base, it equalizes bright colors and can go with almost every other color.
So, almost all shirts go well with a brown suit, from blue to pink and white.
Similarly, bold tie colors like burgundy look perfect with a brown suit.
Although not much appreciated, having a brown suit adds plenty of diversity to anyone’s style. So if you want to elevate your suit game, brown is among the must-have colors.
Maroon Suits
The foundation colors might be the classic options, but the fashion-forward approach takes us towards bold suit color choices.
Maroon is among such distinctive colors and is equally popular.
As maroon is a mixture of brown overtones with red, it still has a rightful place in semi-formal attire. But it is seasonal in favor of colder months.
Moreover, both lighter and dark skin tones are more appropriate for maroon suits.
Blue or white dress shirts are the best options. Wearing a solid color tie will also keep the look uniform.
Matching a maroon suit with accessories also needs appropriate attention. They should be neutral or conservative to compensate for the bold nature of the maroon.
Accessories should also be as subtle. Otherwise, you’ll look pretentious rather than dressed.
Try covering the suit with a dark overcoat for an elegant look in winter.
Burgundy Suits
Burgundy has purple overtones in red and looks quite similar to maroon. It’s a pretty bold color option and shares many similar features as maroon.
Generally, seasonality and matching tone limits distinctive wearing colors. But burgundy has gotten away to cross these limits.
A dark burgundy tuxedo with black peak lapels could be seen as statement-making attire.
Similarly, burgundy suits are becoming more prevalent as they make the person unique from the crowd. But if it’s not done right, it can make the person look witless rather than fashionable.
Therefore, the ideal way to wear a burgundy suit is with fewer bolder options. Pale blue, pink, and white shirts are some great options.
A black shirt is also surprisingly great as it easily blends with a suit for a casual look.
For a tie, avoid adding too many patterns to your attire. Other than that, almost every type of tie can go well with burgundy.
For shoes, black oxfords are a great choice.
Red Suits
Red suits are one the most difficult ones to wear and, therefore, rarely seen.
Proms, Valentine’s Day, Halloween, and a gleaming resort’s reception are common places to wear a red suit.
Adding patterns like window panes can make a red suit comparatively suitable to wear in a casual environment.
A white shirt and black tie go with such attire. But still, it takes a lot of courage to wear such a dress.
Most menswear experts don’t recommend a red suit at all. If you want to go bolder, try maroon or burgundy but never solid red.
The only exception is if you’re style-oriented and can pull a reddish-pink tuxedo to a premiere.
Olive Suits
Olive is a shade of green with brown tones. Unlike red and green, it’s a pretty neutral color providing gentlemen with many style options.
An olive suit has a certain depth, and dressing it up feels nonchalant, casual, yet dressy. As a result, it’s a great suit to break the monotony of navy, gray, and black.
Olive usually is a dark color making it great for winters. Generally, the darker the color is, the more appropriate it will be for formal wear.
If the olive suit is dark enough, it can alternate, if not replace, brown in business-formal situations.
Conversely, light shades of olive make great summer suits with a vibrant feel to them.
To complete the look, light blue and pink shirts dress well in an olive suit. Patterns and striped shirts are also good. But never go in a white dress shirt.
The tie should fit the occasion, conservative for business-formal and patterned for casual.
Tan Suits
Tan is a unique suit color having a history with American Presidents. It is among those lively summer colors that have a dressy and relaxed character.
Although seasonal, tan makes an excellent business-formal and cocktail attire. Similarly, a tan suit matches the occasion at a dressy beach wedding or any daytime event.
If going on a date in summer, the tan suit is a way to look dressy and classic.
Matching the tan suit has never been a problem. The white dress shirt is the classic option.
Additionally, other light colors are equally suited. Just avoid wearing darker shirts.
The tie can be solid, patterned, or floral. Adding accessories like a flashy pocket square is great with tan suits.
Khaki Suits
While tan is the light shade of brown, khaki is the yellow overtones in brown. It evolved from a military uniform’s color to whimsical summer color.
So having tan or khaki suits in your closet gives you plenty of style options, especially for summer.
Like tan, khaki is an excellent suit color for summer weddings. It’s also great for informal meetings and summer parties.
Dark shades of khaki with dominant hues of brown are becoming a rising style option for colder months.
But this look is limited to casual occasions and is best suitable for dark skin complexions. Due to its neutral base, khaki is a pretty easy suit color to match.
The white dress shirt is the formal and dressed-up option. For a flexible option, light pink and oxford blue are also great.
Matching the suit, you can try implementing bold colors with the tie.
As a seasonal suit, a khaki suit is often paired with a white T-shirt or sometimes a black polo. Although it’s not a very dressy option, it still fits in a warm, casual environment.
Beige Suits
Beige is the grayish tan or simply light brown with yellow overtones. Like other lighter suit colors, it’s a color of warm weather and is quite casual.
Beige suits are exceptionally flamboyant and require gaudy places to wear them. A wedding in the Bahamas and a summer trip to Hawaii are some places for a beige suit.
Beige can match the vibrant feel of a daytime summer cocktail party. But most gentlemen don’t dare to make such a bold move.
Those who do, prefer to spice things by either wearing a floral shirt or tie.
White Suits
Lightest of all colors, white is more than just a casual suit color. Instead, it’s a color that grab’s everyone’s attention and has become a symbol of luxury.
White suits also require a lot of maintenance as they easily get dirty. Therefore, a gentleman wearing them gives a sense of grace and elegance.
Despite all that, white suits are only suitable for daywear events. In addition, some gentlemen take a modern approach by separating the white suit.
The pants are great for summer and easily mix with other style items for a smart-casual look.
Similarly, a white dinner jacket is dressy and is a classic staple of warmer formal events.
But as a whole, a white suit can only work on a few occasions. So, for a seasonal suit, you should opt for another color, not white.