The Gray Suit, Right for Every Occasion
A great suit is like an armor: when you’re wearing it, you’re unstoppable! There is something in the fact that you’re wearing an expensive piece of clothing that skyrockets your belief in yourself.
if you’re not the type who needs to wear a suit daily, you probably don’t wear it in the evening or during the weekends, either. Since you don’t want to spend a lot of money on suits of different kinds and colors, you probably want one that you can wear every once in a while.
Is this you? No problem, then, the gray suit to the rescue!
Many corporations use gray suits (along with navy) to dress their employees. It’s a pretty conservative color but you can still stand out if you know how.
Although many don’t like it because it makes you look older, gray contrasts great with all skin complexities. In other words, YOU CAN’T GO WRONG BY WEARING GRAY.
Since we’re talking contrasts, you MUST keep in mind your skin tone before you make your pick. It’s simple: you’re in one of the following three categories: dark skin, medium skin or fair skin. For instance, Bill Clinton has fair skin, David Beckham has medium skin and Ricky Martin has dark skin.
The idea is this: if you have darker skin you should choose a lighter gray, if you have whiter skin you should go for a darker one. If you have medium skin you can go for either one, just try different shades to see which one is best for you.
Is it fashionable? Who wears gray anymore?
A lot of people weary gray but most men prefer to go for blue when it comes to suits. Here’s a few pictures of celebs wearing gray: Taylor Lautner, Brad Pitt and Chris Brown:
photo: socialitelife.celebuzz.com, celebspin.com, ivenus.com
What kind of shirt should I wear with my gray suit?
The gray suit is very flexible: it works with both white shirts and black shirts and, if you want a colored one, you’re free to experiment with some of the shirts that match (for instance, pink or purple).
Before you start looking for the shirt, decide WHERE you will wear it along with your suit. At work or business meetings? At formal dinners or a wedding? At the theater? If it’s a more casual occasion then you can go for a colored shirt, drop the tie and even unbutton a button or two.
photo: z.about.com, asuitthatfits.com
Since you probably already have a few white shirts in your wardrobe, they will match great with your new gray suit…
What about the shoes and the belt?
Again, gray shows us its flexibility. You’re probably way ahead of me thinking that a pair of black shoes and a black belt would go great. Agreed, but black isn’t the only option.
Let’s face it: too many men wear black because they don’t know what else to wear (same goes for women who, when in doubt, they choose the ubiquitous black dress).
Don’t get me wrong, you can look great in a gray suit and shiny black shoes. But why be afraid of brown?
photo: thesartorialist.blogspot.com, celebridoodle.com
Brown will show others you have good taste and that you know how to stand out in formal situations. A word of caution, however: go for dark brown when you pick your shoes. Light brown won’t look good with your gray suit.
What about the tie?
photo: z.about.com
If you’re wearing black belt and shoes, then a tie like the ones in the image above will go great. In fact, go ahead and try out several colors to see which one you like best. (*Tip: Try an orange tie. THis goes very well with gray. Make sure that the two colors have the same shade.)
Why do the ties above work well? The secret is the following:
If you have an all black outfit, white, some shades of gray and a drop of color are all you need to make a fashion statement. Check the Be Stylish ™ package for dozens of similar style tips.
The patterned gray suit
If you want something more interesting, pick a suit with a herringbone pattern:
herringbone pattern
At the end, I want to make sure the info in this article really stuck to you. It would mean a lot to me if, unlike the other 99% of men, you would actually apply what you read and skyrocket your style.
Here’s a small quiz for you. Only two questions – easy to do:
- What are the three main types of skin and which one is closest to YOUR skin type?
- based on the answer to the previous question, what shade of gray would best suit you?
If you’re a serious style student of mine, you should take at least a couple of minutes to reflect on each question. After that, go through the malls and try on some clothes. You’ll be amazed at the results. 
Excellent advice; I agree 100% with this. Gray is extremely versatile in the wardrobe. The drop of color with the tie totally rocks! For less formal occasions, I’ve also used the suit jacket top, with dark wash blue jeans, going with a polo or dress shirt with a hint of blue.
wearing a long sleeves brilliant white shirt with dark blue tie will fully match the gray suit man.
regards
-syed ali -
would a dark grey suit, white shirt, bright orange tie, dark brown belt and dark brown shoes work?
You’re absolutely right. Grey works well with both black and brown so, if you have a grey suit, you can wear it with either black or brown shoes.
Indeed. You can add a pocket square to take things further. The rules of formal style say that a white shirt should be matched by a white pocket square, by the way.
Like a charm. And, as I suggested to Syed Ali, go ahead and add a white pocket square to the outfit – it’s gonna look amazing.
I have a quick question:
What color combinations will go well with camel shoes? I am black as well if that will make a difference.
I am thinking silver gray suit but the rest, i am not sure.
Thanks
please gude me,i have charcoal grey suit,,wanna wear on wedding of my brother,,which shirt and tie combination to use,,my skin color is brown
I am representing my group for a power point presentation. we are all women. is it appropriate to wear dark brown trouser suit and striped long sleeve shirt that is slightly longer than my suit? pls help me.
Grey, green, yellow, white, brown. Just make sure you don’t overdo it by making the entire outfit too colorful.
You definitely need a white shirt or white with green/brown/blue micorchecks or stripes. based on that you pick the tie (solid or with a pattern).
Sorry Jules but I can’t give you any women’s advice…
I am going to be in Cannes for MIPTV this year and I have bought a grey suit, it is not as formal as the film festival but there will be executives from all of the top studios. I am a junior and very lucky to attend so I want to make a good impression. What shoes and shirt do you suggest I wear with the suit
am purchasing a grey suit for a wedding and the theme of the wedding is purple. which shirt colour and tie should i wear?
Gray suits are great. Pretty much my favorite. They’re versatile and just look cooler than navy suits, but that’s just me.
I just bought a fresh lighter grey suit. I’m planning to wear it with black shoes and belt and a pink shirt with narrow white stripes. What do you make of this? And further on which color tie and pocket square would work. I’m thinking black tie and a white/pink square. Thanks in advance.
Henri,
The combination sounds really good.
Another great outfit starting from the gray suit is to wear it with brown shoes and a brown belt. I’d choose a more conservative shirt in this case (e.g. white).
Great!! Im wearing gray this saturday!
I have short height, brown skin, black hair, athletic build. I am wearing a light grey suit for a wedding at night. I am thinking of wearing a white shirt. Can you please advice me on what tie and shoes to wear.
Hey Khan,
The shoes + belt can be either brown or black. Both work well with grey.
The tie should be darker, so it can contrast with the shirt.
Hi
I’m 22 year-old engineer who started the career recently. I’m in the process of building a economic professional wardrobe that also includes casuals (my place of work allows casuals). Kindly let me know how do I choose the clothing, footwear, belts and other accessories. I’m a lean guy with 165cms in height, brown eyed and slightly brown hair (as these details could help you in advising me colors to choose). Let me know how to make the wardrobe with few simple, stylish yet elegant clothing.
Eagerly waiting for your reply.
Regards..
I’m 26 year old short height(5.8″), brown skin, black hair, athletic build. Planing to wear Nevy pin strip Suit with white shirt.could you help me with a tie.Since its my wedding its should be the best
Regards
Alfan
I have feldgrau(green colour )suit.kindly tell me which colour of shirt and tie looks good with this suit.
Hello,
I’m representing my company at a formal charity event in Boston, and I’m thinking about buying a new suit. I was thining of buying a gray suit, but since I don’t wear suits often I wasn’t sure if it would be formal enough or not. I would say I have a medium skin tone, would a charcoal gray suit work w/a lighter blue shirt underneath?
Hey John,
You’re absolutely right! Gray is indeed formal enough for business encounters, especially a darker shade. A lighter shirt will contrast well with it, indeed.
George
Hey
I have a work christmas party in a few weeks and was considering wearing my grey suit however I feel this will be too formal, so I am thinking about wearing my grey suit trousers with a cobalt blue shirt, however I think this is a little plane how can i stand out in this outfit?
my brothers wedding is one week away, we have chosen a light grey suit. our bridal theme is orange and lime green. which shirt colour, tie, shoes and belt would look best to match with our theme colour…they were proposing black and silver waist coats as well as tie and white shirt…what do you think?
I need help selecting a tie color to go with a grey suit and light blue dress shirt. I also plan on wearing black shoes, and a black belt. Please hgelp, I don’t have much time.
I Picked a dark gray 3 piece suit for my marriage.Could you please suggest the best colour tie for it which suits the occasion ?
Hey Dony.
Congrats for your wedding!
Since you’re the groom, you have to be the best-dressed man there, no doubt about it. On the other hand, you need to keep it a little more formal than your guests.
What I would recommend is a white shirt with fine stripes or microckecks, that also has a french cuff. This will allow you to wear cufflinks. Add a white pocket square with a pattern.
If the pattern of the pocket square is the color of your cufflinks, you have a killer outfit.
Of course, this is just an suggestion, let me know if you need more help.
I have a day at the races this weekend and will be wearing a new light grey suit. I was thinking of wearing brown shoes and belt with this suit? am i right in choosing a dark brown shoes with a light grey suit?.. also i will be wearing a whithe shirt with white pocket square and wasnt sure what color tie to add to it… my first thought was a navy blue…?help…
Craig,
Looks like you don’t need my help, you have everything figured out! I would choose a lighter shade of brown for your shoes and belt but dark brown is OK as well.
So my thought on tie color is ok? i wasnt sure and have some doubts.. any other color ties you would reccomned with a light grey suit, white shirt and brown shoes..?
much appreciated.
Hi George. I am 28 years old. I am planning to wear a Navy blue suit with a waistcoat for my wedding reception. I have the following 4 questions
1. Can I wear brown (or dark tan shoes) and belt with it ?
2. I have bought a white shirt, but now I am planning to go with a sky blue shirt.
3. Also, I have a baby pink pocket square to match my wife’s dress. I am planning to buy a blue tie with baby pink lines or other designs on it
4. Should I just go for a baby pink cravat instead of a tie ? Please advise.