Photo: Scabal
The color gray is the quintessential man's suiting for city day wear. This of course includes suits that are actually black and white designs but appear gray from a few feet away. That combination comes fairly naturally to gray as most of it, like gray flannel, is woven from a mixture of black and white yarns.
Gray is essential because it's the one color that looks good on more than 90% of the population, both young and old. Wear light gray in the sun and dark gray in the gloom, solid frescos and mohairs in the heat, chalk striped flannels in the cool and worsted birdseyes and nailheads any time.
If I had to choose one color for my wardrobe I'd wear only gray in the day.
Posts
14 comments:
Will,
I can only disagree.
1. That shade of gray doesn't suit anyone.
2. Wasp-waisted jackets don't suit most gentlemen.
Oldschool said:
"1. That shade of gray doesn't suit anyone.
2. Wasp-waisted jackets don't suit most gentlemen."
Re: 1.-- Get your monitor calibrated. That shade of gray is about as classic as it gets.
Re: 2.-- (Leaving aside for the monment that the post was about color only...) If by "gentlemen" you mean "men of a certain age who haven't done any excercise in eons and who have given up any hope of ever getting into any kind of shape", then you're probably right. Seems to me, however, that it's missing the point to blame the suit for the shortcomings of the man. NO shade of gray looks good on men who don't care what they look like _without_ clothes on.
Agreed, Will. I just commissioned a grey birdseye and a grey pinstripe. The next will be flannel and then mohair. Then I will revisit blue.
I'll call and raise you one with the thought that If I had to choose a single color for suits in my wardrobe (for some unfathomable reason) I'd go with gray, day or night, light for more casual affairs and charcoal for the more formal. Grey pairs with practically any color if pocket square, sweater, or tie; it accommodates an enormous variety of shirts as well.
I'm in gray today, as a matter of fact...
Agreed. Gray is an absolute for any gentleman's wardrobe. I have several in light and dark. Love wearing them day and night.
Gentlemen,
1. I've checked my computer's color calibration; nothing wrong there. That color gray is only suitable for trousers (to accompany a medium-navy blazer).
2. That jacket was cut for a shop-window dummy/mannequin (or perhaps a gigolo or card-shark).
So what specifically is wrong with that gray?
I'd find it hard to judge against skin tones without actually seeing it on different people of course, but looking in the corners it doesn't seem to jar with the color.
Granted, I am more liberal with color than most, but I'm fairly confident that this (and any other gray) can be worn successfully by many men.
You may be struck by the strong pinstripes, double-breasted cut for a mannequin, and tie and shirt combo that may not be to your liking...but I think this is fine example of a summer gray suit that can be appropriate for business day wear and a summer evening cocktail (maybe even sans tie)
The lighter shades of gray are far more elegant (and more serious) during the summer months than most beige, cream and tan gabardine-linen-cotton suits that too many wear for business.
If the bold pin stripes throw you off tone it down with a single breasted model or a more subtle chalk stripe.
I do agree that marketing men's suits should not be done with mannequins as they tend to look a bit bit forced and awkward. I'd add a little more care in combining shirt and ties for advertising a suit.
All IMHO, of course.
Agreed CG. I have a summer suit in a fabric that's almost identical to the one in the photo. And the cloth was woven by one of the most conservative houses in Britain.
+1 to CG
I wasn't a grey person either until I tried it out. Get the right tint for your skin tone & you just might like it.
True wasp waisted jackets don't suit most men. Your statement exemplifies the reason bespoke is patterned after the individual and why alterations tailors make do just fine.
Side note, they look awesome on me.
I agree completely, Will. I wear grey exclusively, from dark charcoal to sharkskin.
I don't even own a navy suit today, now that I think about it. Although, I do have blazers from Brooks Brothers and Southwick.
That is an absolutely beautiful suit in the pic. I have a Brooks Brothers suit (in a 3/2 roll) just like it. I love grey chalk stripe. Awesome.
I agree completely, Will. I wear grey exclusively, from dark charcoal to sharkskin.
I don't even own a navy suit today, now that I think about it. Although, I do have blazers from Brooks Brothers and Southwick.
That is an absolutely beautiful suit in the pic. I have a Brooks Brothers suit (in a 3/2 roll) just like it. I love grey chalk stripe. Awesome.
I love the cut of that suit jacket, no complaints from me about the shade of grey either.
i complain about your complaint. Never feel having enough grey suits of different shades. Havent been grey enough. Havent been in a shape as good as the picture shows. Dressing up is all about aspirations, not the brutal reality!
Post a Comment