As much as we love them, navy blue suits are so expected, especially at weddings. But what other options are out there? And which color is right for which occasion? Check out this tell-all guide for advice about the best suit colors for men. By the end, you’ll feel confident selecting the perfect hue for your wedding based on the dress code, your skin tone, and the season.
Making up approximately 50% of all men’s suits, navy blue is without a doubt the most popular suit color. The second most popular is charcoal gray. These colors are favored for two main reasons. One, because they’re easy to match with shirts, shoes, and ties, and two because they’re appropriate for a variety of occasions.
Medium and light gray are arguably the third and fourth most popular suit colors. Like navy and charcoal, lighter shades of gray also provide plenty of versatility. Still, they’re a bit less formal, a fact that keeps them from the top spots.
Surprisingly, black suits take the fifth spot. They’re stunning, to be sure, but they tend to look formal, so they’re harder to style than lighter colors. What’s more, the shade is too harsh for many complexions.
There’s no single suit color that’s better than others. The best suit color depends on your existing wardrobe, your lifestyle, and your complexion. If you’re trying to narrow down color choices for your wedding suit, then consider factors like the season, the dress code, your wedding theme, and your partner’s outfit.
All of that considered, you usually can’t go wrong with a navy blue or a charcoal gray suit. Not only are both colors universally flattering, but their subtlety makes matching with other parts of your outfit a cinch. On top of that, they’re appropriate for just about any occasion, something that will allow you to get more mileage out of them after saying “I do.”
You may not realize it, but there are tons of factors to consider when choosing a suit for your big day. Below, we cover the most important things to think about before pulling out your credit card.
Knowing the level of formality at your wedding is crucial when shopping for a suit. Formal events are strict in regard to suit colors, while casual events leave plenty of room for flexibility.
Let’s take a closer look at which suit colors are appropriate for each type of wedding.
You should always choose a suit based on what makes you feel confident. However, there are some general rules to follow when coordinating a suit color with your skin. Those with cool undertones look best in gray, brown, blue, green, and purple, while warmer skin tones shine in bright or light colors. If you’re right in the middle, opt for dramatic hues like black, blue, or maroon.
Here are some more detailed color recommendations for each complexion:
In addition to dressing for the dress code and your skin tone, you’ll also want to pay attention to the season. While certain men’s suit color combinations look good year-round, some are best kept to certain seasons.
For example, suit colors for winter weddings can range from white and cream to dark red and medium gray. In the spring, pastel hues like baby blue, light gray, mint green, and blush pink are right at home. Summer weddings call for white, yellow, royal blue, and bright red. Lastly, fall suits look best in brown, dark green, gray, and black.
The last element to consider when selecting suit colors for men is how much of a statement you want to make with your outfit. If you prefer to keep a low profile on your wedding day, then by all means select a classic navy blue suit. However, if your attitude is to go big or go home, then try an unconventional color like deep purple or forest green.
If you’re just starting to build up your suit collection, opt for a navy or charcoal gray suit first. Both are fairly neutral, making them easy to style with a variety of shirts, ties, and shoes. In addition to offering versatile styling, they’re appropriate for many different occasions.
In general, most men own at least three different colored suits. Navy, charcoal gray, and black are three suit colors every man should have. This trifecta will give your wardrobe plenty of variety and versatility. Once you own the basics, feel free to expand into bolder colors or patterns.
While black might seem like an obvious suit color choice, it may not fit into your wardrobe, depending on your lifestyle. That’s because black suits are about as formal as you can get. They’re best left for weddings, funerals, black-tie events, and nightclubs.
A navy suit is usually a great color choice for a wedding, especially one in the late afternoon or evening. That said, make sure to pay attention to the dress code. If you’re attending a daytime summer wedding, navy might be too formal. On the other hand, navy isn’t dressy enough for a white- or black-tie event.
In most cases, a charcoal gray suit hits the right note for a variety of occasions, including formal events like weddings. Not only are they sophisticated, but they also transition between seasons effortlessly. Light gray suits can work for summer or fall weddings, but they’re definitely less formal, so keep that in mind.
Choosing the right color suit for your wedding is crucial, but it’s only part of your appearance. Here at The Groom Club, we believe looking your best comes from the inside out. That means staying hydrated, filling up on fruits and vegetables, getting enough sleep, and moving your body whenever possible. Head over to our complete Groom Survival Guide for more ways to put your best foot forward on your wedding day.