People are too intimidated to wear a black suit because they worry they are only appropriate for funerals.
That’s not true. They are so versatile, used to convey formality’s height, while also worn by punk rockers.
But at the same time, black suits are quite possibly the hardest working garment in men’s fashion.
We’re here to reassure you. Not only are black suits acceptable in everyday wear, but you should incorporate more black into your wardrobe.
How to Wear a Black Suit: The Basics
It’s tempting to think that a black suit is the most straightforward suit to style. After all, black is a color that matches everything!
So, sure, a black suit sounds very easy to pull off because it’s so basic. But that’s not quite so.
Unfortunately, there’s a lot that can go wrong when you are dealing with a black suit.
To get your suit to look just right, you need to be sure to incorporate several key factors.
Features such as the fit and material of the black suit are essential to get it just right. Also, black suits are very chic; they can make you look sophisticated and classy.
However, they are frequently overlooked. That’s because they aren’t as flashy as other colored suits.
Nevertheless, the black suit is the workhorse of the suit world. They are easy to pull off, just as long as you know the basics.
The Suit is Well-Fitted
When a suit is perfectly fitted to accommodate your body, the result is stunning.
The way your suit fits isn’t the only part you need to focus on. What about the cut?
Not all cuts are flattering on all bodies. A specific cut may look incredible on one person but all wrong on another person.
You also should evaluate if the fit is appropriate. Since black is a formal color, be sure that the cut isn’t anything too trendy.
Formal wear is traditional, so you should always wear a classic fit suit for such events.
You may be able to get away with a slim fit for day-to-day suit-wearing but avoid ultra-contemporary cuts with a black suit.
Best Materials for Black Suits
The suit material should be high-quality, like pure wool; you don’t want to end up looking cheap.
One way to ensure this is to avoid suits that have a bit of sheen. A matte finish on your black suit is much more elegant and sophisticated.
If you are very fair-toned, be careful that the extreme darkness doesn’t wash you out.
One way to help avoid this is through texture. For example, a textured black fabric can soften the harshness of the black.
The Formality of Black Suits
Black is naturally a very dressy color, so it leans hard toward a more formal vibe. However, it doesn’t need to be completely formal all the time.
With the proper shirt, shoes, and accessories, black suits can be dressed down.
If you want to keep your black suit within the formal range, keep your pairings very simple.
Modest accessories and understated shoes and shirts will play up the dressiness of your outfit.
Typically, this would apply to any event with a black-tie dress code or a funeral, wedding, or cocktail party.
When to Wear a Black Suit
Black suits are notoriously tricky to mix into everyday dress.
However, it takes some extra work not to look as if you’re headed to a funeral or a formal event.
Most often, though, you’ll find black ties mostly at these specific events.
So how to wear your black suit is an excellent question to make sure you’ve got the attire just right.
Black-Tie Events
For most formal events with a black-tie dress code, only a black suit will do.
But the suit isn’t the only part of your outfit that needs to be black. Black bow ties are mandatory as well.
Your standard black suit is probably not appropriate for black-tie events. That’s because several features elevate the black suit to the desired formal status.
First, the black suit should have clean lines, fitting you perfectly, with minimal embellishments.
Also, your suit jacket should be single-breasted, with one or two buttons.
Finally, pay attention to the jacket lapels. Notch lapels are not what we recommend for a black-tie event. Peak lapels are welcome, although shawl lapels work perfectly fine as well.
Weddings
If an invitation doesn’t state it’s a black-tie wedding, you can still wear a black suit, yet it can be a little less stuffy.
In addition, you can bring the formality down a notch or two by wearing a light-colored dress shirt (such as light pink) other than the classic white dress shirt.
You can also ditch the black bow tie and opt for a colored or subtly patterned necktie instead.
Business Events
Suppose you wear a black suit to a business event. In that case, you will be better off trying to suppress the suit’s inherent formality.
You can achieve this by having some muted patterning on your black suit.
You should also wear a light-colored solid dress shirt. In addition, your tie should complement your dress shirt but not be the same shade of the same color.
Leave the pocket square at home; it would look too dressy.
Instead, you may choose to wear either suspenders or a dress belt.
Cocktail Events
Black suits are too heavy and dark for summer and spring events, so they’re best suited for winter month events.
So a winter cocktail event is an ideal opportunity to experiment with textures.
For example, you can try mixing a contrasting tie and dress shirt.
You can have a bit of fun with color at a cocktail party, but you’d be best advised to stay conservative with your choices.
Still, this may not be the ideal setting to bust out your neon pink dress shirt. Try a lighter shade instead.
Funerals
Unfortunately, this is one event that most of us won’t be able to avoid in our lives.
For such a sad event, you definitely need to stay ultra-conservative in your dress.
The goal with your black suit isn’t to attract attention for its remarkable style, but instead, you want to blend in.
Wear a clean, crisp white dress shirt with a very dark tie.
Your best choice for shoes remains black Oxfords, but derbies are also acceptable.
Remember to be a gentleman and carry a handkerchief in your pocket.
Dress Shirt Colors to Wear with Black Suit
Do you want to know why black has remained such a popular suit color over the years?
Black is so versatile; it can match any color. You’ll never lack new ways to wear your black suit.
However, just because you can wear your black suit with various shirt colors doesn’t mean you should.
Your color choice should depend on where and why you’re wearing your suit, so proceed with caution.
Black Suit & White Shirt
This pairing of black and white is so crisp and elegant. That’s because the sharp contrast between light and dark is very striking.
There’s a reason this is such a classic; sadly, it’s so easy to overlook this traditional pairing and take it for granted.
White is the most formal dress shirt color, so you’ll definitely gravitate toward this dress shirt for your most formal dressing needs.
Make sure the shirt is clean, of course, and free from wrinkles.
Ties to Wear with Black Suit & White Shirt
Of course, a black tie is your most classic option with this outfit. It’s also your most formal possibility.
If you aren’t planning on dressing formally, you can wear any dark tie with this suit. But adding a bit of color helps minimize the suit’s dressiness.
Just make sure the tie is dark. Your best options are charcoal grey, deep red, or any shade of blue.
Shoes to Wear with Black Suit & White Shirt
Because your white dress shirt increases your suit’s formality, play it safe with a pair of dress shoes.
Black leather Oxfords are going to look the nicest with this suit.
Again, black is the only color for formal, but you can be a little more relaxed with a very deep brown shoe.
Black Suit & Blue Shirt
Black suits with blue shirts are a very modern mix. Also, it’s a pretty unusual color combination.
It can be challenging to pull off, but you can be successful if you tread gently with it. And the payoff is enormous.
The lighter the shirt is, the better it will look, so don’t try this with a dark blue dress shirt.
On the other hand, including blue in your black suit’s color scheme is a fantastic way to make an intimidating suit more friendly.
Ties to Wear with Black Suit & Blue Shirt
You can’t possibly go wrong with a blue tie when you wear a blue shirt with a black suit.
But, of course, the tie should be darker than your shirt; the darker, the better. That makes navy ties an excellent option for blue shirts.
But blue-shade ties aren’t your only color option. For example, a black tie could also work.
Or, for a real color kick, a red tie would add a huge “wow” factor to your suit.
Shoes to Wear with Black Suit & Blue Shirt
You can wear either black or dark brown dress shoes with this color combination.
But, remember, brown shoes need to be very dark if they are going to work.
Since this shirt and suit combination is not very formal, here’s your chance to experiment with some less dressy shoes.
For example, derbies or brogues will be a great addition to this outfit.
Black Suit & Pink Shirt
Black and pink look spectacular together. It’s easy for a black suit to look a bit stuffy, but the pink turns it into a dapper look.
Remember, this will be a pretty unconservative approach to your suit. But, on the other hand, it looks incredibly flattering and chic.
Ties to Wear with Black Suit & Pink Shirt
A navy tie with a pink pattern looks divine with a pink shirt and black suit.
But, of course, you can also wear a different shade of pink on your tie. Both darker and lighter, depending on the shade of your dress shirt, are good.
Solid pink ties are also acceptable. However, make sure the tie is darker than the shirt.
Are you ready for a big surprise suggestion for what tie to wear? Red!
Red makes sense because it’s a natural extension of pink. It’s a strong color combination.
Shoes to Wear with Black Suit & Pink Shirt
You can have a lot of fun choosing dress shoes with this outfit.
Of course, the traditional Oxfords or Derbies are the best options. But brogues are fine choices as well.
Still, you could also make this outfit more stylish with some patent leather penny loafers.
Or, to switch things up even further, add a pair of suede ankle boots.
Black Suit & Black Shirt
Monochrome is an exciting look. It’s a delicate balancing act, however, so that you don’t look draped in one large piece of black fabric.
You’ll want to be sure that your black suit jacket and black dress shirt have a slight contrast, whether in sheen or texture.
Ties to Wear with Black Suit & Black Shirt
Pastel ties make a lovely accent to a black suit and black dress shirt.
You want a touch of contrast in the texture of your tie and shirt, but nothing huge.
A subtle difference keeps your outfit interesting, but without being interesting.
Shoes to Wear with Black Suit & Black Shirt
This is one black suit and shirt combination that you definitely can’t get away with brown shoes.
Because there’s so much black, you need to carry that through to your dress shoes.
Since the all-black approach is unconventional, your shoes can be unconventional, too.
For the shoe style, Oxfords are always the best choice. But loafers and brogues are a nice touch for your footwear as well.
Separating the Black Suit
It is possible to effortlessly make your black suit more casual.
An excellent way to reduce the formality of your black suit is to wear only one piece of your suit, either the jacket or trousers.
For a smart-casual style, pair your black suit jacket with a pair of grey trousers or dressy jeans.
You could top your pants with either a very high-quality t-shirt for a breezy style.
Try sneaker shoes to keep the super relaxed look, or stay a little chicer with either monk straps or ankle boots.
Accessories to Style the Black Suit
The accessories you choose for your outfit can make or break your black suit.
These choices will go far in dictating your style.
However, as important as accessories are, don’t overdo them. Accessories can easily overwhelm your appearance.
Black is a very conservative color, and that needs to extend to all areas of your outfit.
Formal Dress Belt
Your dress belt must match the color of your shoe, which will most likely be black.
Therefore, your belt should be black leather.
The strap of your belt should be relatively thin and should include a metallic frame buckle at the end.
Matching the Dress Watch
Your watchband should be black leather, although it’s ok to have a metal strap if your outfit isn’t formal.
Don’t wear anything with a very large face. It should be simple, without all the fancy extras that modern watches often include.
Pocket Square Color
To elevate the formality of your suit, you can include a pocket square.
You should not choose a pocket square that’s the same shade and tone as your tie; that looks amateurish.
Instead, pick a color for your pocket square that complements your tie, perhaps a shade or two darker.
You could also use this opportunity to try a fun print pattern. However, white is almost always a top choice.
Cufflinks
If you wear a formal suit and have a dress shirt with French cuffs, you get the joy of using cuff links.
These are amazing accessories; they are a beautiful touch that can accent your suit with a taste of your personality.
You can choose from gemstones, silk knots, or simple metallic cuff links.
Just make sure that any metal in your cuff links match any other metal you are also wearing, such as your belt buckle or watch.
Suspenders
Suspenders are an elegant touch to any suit.
If your pants don’t include suspender buttons, sew some on yourself so that you can use leather button-tabs instead of clip-ons.
The clips are perfectly acceptable, but the buttons are much more sophisticated.
If you are wearing a formal black suit, it’s best to wear white suspenders. Otherwise, feel free to have fun with colors and prints!
How to Wear a Black Suit to a Wedding
If you aren’t the groom or a groomsman, you need to carefully tread when you wear a black suit to a wedding.
You don’t want to get mistaken for a wedding party member, so make sure that you tone down the formality a little bit.
One way you can differentiate yourself is with your tie. Most likely, the wedding party will be wearing bow ties, so go for a necktie instead.
A white dress shirt would be your best way to dress up your suit, with the addition of a dark-colored tie.
Of course, you could wear a black tie, but that risks looking maybe a tad too formal.
Instead, stick with black leather Oxford dress shoes.
A black suit would be best for a nighttime wedding because that’s usually a more formal time of day.
However, if you need to wear your black suit for a daytime wedding, swap out your white dress shirt for a light-colored shirt instead.
For example, a light pink dress shirt would be a perfect fit since it would lessen the suit’s formality.