Unconventional Suit Colors for Men – Should You Wear Bold or Loud Suits?

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In the world of suiting, staple colors like blue, gray, and brown have long reigned supreme. But now that more avant-garde options are becoming increasingly popular, is there a way to wear them tastefully? We’ve got the answers!

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.

Colorful Summer Suits in Granny Smith Green, Pink & Teal
Colorful Summer Suits in Granny Smith Green, Pink & Teal

Classic & Modern Color Options

The aforementioned blues, grays, and browns 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. For some more modern styles, consider the following examples: instead of a navy suit, perhaps a bright, bold blue. Instead of black, maybe something more punchy, like a red or an orange color. These styles probably will not be as wearable once they’re no longer “on trend,” 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 infuse that option with brighter colors in your accessories for a more modern approach. Also, you could try wearing a more brightly colored, modern suit, but tone it down a 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.
A pink shirt pairs especially well with a charcoal gray suit.
Prince of Wales Check Silk Tie in Black and White

Fort Belvedere

Prince of Wales Check Silk Tie in Black and White

Pink Mini Carnation Silk Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

Fort Belvedere

Pink Mini Carnation Silk Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

Charcoal Gray

Charcoal gray is a neutral color, and it works for a variety of different skin tones and 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, but charcoal would give you more options than the light gray. Also, while a navy suit tends to make a young man look younger, charcoal will have the opposite effect.

Raphael in a lightweight worsted classic navy suit
Raphael in a lightweight worsted classic navy suit
Ancient Madder Silk Bow Tie in Yellow, Red Blue and Orange Diamond Pattern

Fort Belvedere

Ancient Madder Silk Bow Tie in Yellow, Red Blue and Orange Diamond Pattern

Velvet Edelweiss Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Edelweiss Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

Orange, Green, Blue, Yellow, Silk Wool Medallion Pocket Square

Fort Belvedere

Orange, Green, Blue, Yellow, Silk Wool Medallion Pocket Square

Classic Navy

A classic navy suit 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 are an endless number of combinations that make this an extremely versatile option which you should definitely have in your wardrobe.

Sven Raphael Schneider in Firenze wearing a vintage brown flannel glencheck
Sven Raphael Schneider in Firenze wearing a vintage brown flannel glencheck
Wool Challis Tie in Turquoise with Gray, Orange, Navy and Yellow Pattern - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Wool Challis Tie in Turquoise with Gray, Orange, Navy and Yellow Pattern

Yellow Silk Buttercup Mini Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Yellow Buttercup Mini Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

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, brown suits (especially in medium to lighter brown shades) were considered inappropriate for city-wear, but this is no longer true in all but the most formal of environments; after all, if you’re wearing a suit at all, you’re going to be more formally dressed than 90% of men out there. Even in most business settings today, darker brown shades like charcoal or chocolate brown can generally be worn in the same settings as a charcoal suit or a navy suit.

Daniel Craig as James Bond in black suit
Daniel Craig as James Bond in a black suit

Black

Black is a more serious color, typically reserved for celebratory occasions, funerals, or some business settings. 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 specific occasions.

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
Sven Raphael Schneider wearing a seersucker suit
Orange Red Mottled Knit Tie Cri De La Soie Silk Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Orange Red Mottled Knit Tie Cri De La Soie Silk

Dining Out with Friends

This would be a great time to have your suit color choice be more moderately colorful. For example, try a warm touch of color (like a reddish brown), or having a neutral base with some color woven into your overall suit (like a seersucker in summer).

This slightly bolder shade of blue can work for weddings
This slightly bolder shade of blue can work for weddings

Weddings

Another occasion would be a wedding, let’s say for a former classmate of yours. Some wedding parties can have a very strict dress code for their attendees. If this is not the rule for the wedding you are attending, consider wearing something traditional-yet-bolder 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
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. Be careful not to go completely overboard with this concept, however. The key here is to make sure that the interviewer takes note that you’re showing broad awareness, but not 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 just on what your clothes are saying. You also want to pay attention to seasonality when you’re selecting your different colors, as well as the fabric weight.

Mottled fresco suit worn with Fort Belvedere accessories
Mottled fresco suit worn with Fort Belvedere accessories
Shantung Silk Striped Two Tone Bow Tie Brown, Green White

Fort Belvedere

Shantung Silk Striped Two Tone Bow Tie Brown, Green White

Velvet Edelweiss Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Edelweiss Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

Silk Pocket Square in Brown with Blue Paisley - Fort Belvedere

Fort Belvedere

Silk Pocket Square in Brown with Blue Paisley

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
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, 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 at certain times of the year. Knowing when and where to properly wear something ensures that your unconventional suit color will still make sense.

Finding A Suit Color for 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 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.

Charcoal Brown Business Suit with a more subtle shade of shoes
Charcoal Brown Business Suit with a more subtle shade of brown shoes
Shantung Striped Green, Purple and Cream Silk Tie

Fort Belvedere

Shantung Striped Green, Purple and Cream Silk Tie

Green Madder Silk Pocket Square with Turquoise,Orange and Yellow Large Paisley

Fort Belvedere

Green Madder Silk Pocket Square with Turquoise,Orange and Yellow Large Paisley

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. 

Purple Suit
A purple suit can work particularly well for men with darker complexions. (Image Courtesy: DAPPERSCENE)

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.

Preston (while in costume as Clark Kent) shows off a brighter blue suit
Preston (while in costume as Clark Kent) shows off a brighter blue suit

Styling Tips for Unconventional Colors

Summery Sport Coat Ensemble
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 (in the pattern or the fabric itself). Then you could try to find a tie or a pocket square that incorporates that same color in a different scale, and use that to complement the remainder of your outfit.

If you choose to wear a bold, brightly colored 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.

The dark, subtly patterned tie helps to ground this lighter colored, patterned jacket
The dark, subtly patterned tie helps to ground this lighter colored, patterned jacket
Wool Challis Tie in Dark Green with Blue, Yellow and Orange Pattern

Fort Belvedere

Wool Challis Tie in Dark Green with Blue, Yellow and Orange Pattern

A photo of a Blue Cornflower Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower Silk

Fort Belvedere

Blue Cornflower Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower Silk

Wool Challis Pocket Square in Orange with Green Polka Dots

Fort Belvedere

Wool Challis Pocket Square in Orange with Green Polka Dots

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 the situational factors outlined above, you can 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 (or vice versa, as below).

Raphael employing colorful spezzato with a suit jacket and matching vest with contrasting yellow pants and brown oxfords
Raphael employing colorful spezzato with a suit jacket and matching vest with contrasting yellow pants and brown oxfords
Madder Silk Tie in Blue with Buff and Red Paisley

Fort Belvedere

Madder Silk Tie in Blue with Buff and Red Paisley

White Linen Pocket Square with Navy Blue Handrolled X Stitch

Fort Belvedere

White Linen Pocket Square with Navy Blue Handrolled X Stitch

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.

Do not attempt to wear too many bright colors as it may make you look clownish
Do not attempt to wear too many bright colors as it may make you look clownish
Red Mini Carnation Silk Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

Fort Belvedere

Red Mini Carnation Silk Boutonniere Buttonhole Flower

Where To Buy Unconventionally colored Suits

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, such as by taking an unconventional suit jacket and pairing it with a more neutral bottom. When considering mixing classic styling with more modern elements, it’s important to keep in mind the season, your skin tone, and your location.

Outfit Rundown

Today, I’m wearing a plum purple tone suit. It has some blue and black flecks woven inside of the fabric. I chose to wear that because I loved how the dark richness of the color pops wonderfully against this Fort Belvedere tie. This Fort Belvedere tie has purple, petrol blue, and light grey stripes woven in.

Kyle wearing an unconventional suit color in a plum purple tone.
Kyle wearing an unconventional suit color in a plum purple tone.
Cashmere Wool Grenadine Tie in Purple, Petrol Blue, Light Grey Stripe

Fort Belvedere

Cashmere Wool Grenadine Tie in Purple, Petrol Blue, Light Grey Stripe

I’m also accenting the overall outfit with a linen white pocket square. I’m finishing off the look with a classic black dress belt and some black leather dress boots as well. The richness of the tie and also the suit fabric look wonderfully in contrast to the crisp white dress shirt I chose to wear.

Do you wear suits in unconventional colors? How do you style them? Share with us in the comments section.

Reader Comments

  1. I have unconventional colored suits and sport coats in both my cold and warm weather rotations. These items represent about 20% of my total suiting wardrobe but I get a lot of compliments on them. I am fortunate that I work on a very casual environment and can wear just about anything as long as I am neat and tidy so I get to have more fun with my wardrobe.

  2. Greetings,

    As a long-time subscriber and correspondent, I would caution a gentleman to wear unconventional colors, patterns, or cuts when it comes to attire.

    While I encourage personal style, excess in terms of a man’s dress might send the wrong message, create an unnecessarily provocative impression, or cause one to miss an opportunity due to another’s misapprehension.

    As a matter of an individual’s decision in terms of personal expression, discretion is always in vogue.

    Sincerely,

    Andrew Gregg,
    Palm Springs, CA.

  3. Well said Andrew. Just because you can break style rules, doesn’t necessarily mean to break them ALL at once.
    As said in the article it is important to remember where your are going…the occasion, and decide appropriately. The idea is to look good, showing command of your style. Not to come off as clownish.

  4. The louder the suit, the better the quality should be. You just can’t hide in it.
    Having said that: you usually can’t wear it as regularly as a grey/navy/charcoal suit which most people tend to only recognize when it’s a really great one or a really bad one.
    I own some louder suits (in seersucker for summer and tweed for winter) and it’s a thin line. The suit shouldn’t wear you, you should wear the suit…

Comments are closed.