How do I make a grey or navy suit not look boring?
“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The best way to stand out is by wearing a suit that fits you perfectly,” says Thread Stylist Millie Rich. “It’s more impactful, and sometimes cheaper, to focus on getting your suit tailored rather than buying new accessories.” Once your suit fits perfectly, Millie advises pairing a grey suit with black shoes, and a navy suit with black or brown shoes. Then add one — and only one — of these details to show some personality.
Option 1. Coloured or patterned pocket square
“Go for a block colour or a subtle pattern like polka dots, stripes or a paisley print. Paul Smith is the eternal favourite for pocket squares, but if you’re on a budget, don’t worry too much about quality: Topman and Asos do some nice styles as long as you stay away from anything shiny.”
Option 2. Knit or patterned tie
“Knit ties, with their slim shapes and squared-off bottoms, can make your suit look more modern, while something like a Liberty-print tie can easily start a conversation. To stay on the safe side, stick to deep colours like dark blue, maroon and forest green; if you feel a bit more daring, go for a bright colour like electric blue.”
Option 3. Colourful socks
“A lot of guys will immediately look for a striped or polka-dot sock, both of which work well. If you’re more conservative, I also love the look solid-coloured socks in bold hues like mustard yellow, maroon, green or red. And if you decide to wear any sort of interesting sock, choose a neutral-coloured tie; your socks and tie should never, ever match.”
Originally published at www.thread.com/tips
