mismatching suit pants OK?

So I went suit-shopping at Macy's, JAB, and BB and couldn't find my size, 38L, as it is barely available at JAB and not available at Macy's or BB. I didn't want to get a 40L and have it altered. I did, however, find lots of 38L's find at the Men's Wearhouse. Yes, I know, MW gets little love here.

The solid navy suit jacket that I found at MW fit me right off the rack. I felt and the salesman agreed that it wouldn't even need to be altered. Perfect, I thought.

The problem was, the pants are my size, a 32W, but are straight-legged which fit me poorly as like a fuller, classic or relaxed fit to my pants. I asked the salesman if I could find some other suit separate pants and was told that the shade of navy would be slightly different and would look mismatched. Sounds plausible.

Question- if I keep this navy jacket, can I pair it with some charcoal or other different-colored pants while still looking as presentable as I would with a matching suit jacket and trousers?

Again, I seem to be stuck with MW as they have a wide selection of suits in my difficult size.

Originally Posted by wsblend

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So I went suit-shopping at Macy's, JAB, and BB and couldn't find my size, 38L, as it is barely available at JAB and not available at Macy's or BB. I didn't want to get a 40L and have it altered. I did, however, find lots of 38L's find at the Men's Wearhouse. Yes, I know, MW gets little love here.

The solid navy suit jacket that I found at MW fit me right off the rack. I felt and the salesman agreed that it wouldn't even need to be altered. Perfect, I thought.

The problem was, the pants are my size, a 32W, but are straight-legged which fit me poorly as like a fuller, classic or relaxed fit to my pants. I asked the salesman if I could find some other suit separate pants and was told that the shade of navy would be slightly different and would look mismatched. Sounds plausible.

Question- if I keep this navy jacket, can I pair it with some charcoal or other different-colored pants while still looking as presentable as I would with a matching suit jacket and trousers?

Again, I seem to be stuck with MW as they have a wide selection of suits in my difficult size.

I think a navy jacket looks nice with mid to light grey or tan colored pants. It has a bit of a preppy esque look to it but it looks great.

Ignoring all the quality issues of MW, it sounds like you'll have what essentially amounts to a navy blazer, which is a versatile, classic piece. Looks good with grey slacks etc. as stated.

Just don't try to wear it with the "slightly different shade of navy," which will look horrible. Probably stating the obvious, as you mentioned different color pants.

EZ

Jackets meant to be worn as blazers or sport coats generally have features (contrasting buttons, more textured fabrics, etc.) than do suit jackets. An orphaned suit coat is, and looks like, an orphaned suit coat -- not a blazer.

If you want to wear a sportcoat and slacks, go for it. But in that case I would suggest buying pieces that are meant to be separates. Buying half a suit is not a good idea.

Actually, I probably replied without giving much thought - I think lawyerdad's point is well taken. Spend the money on a well fitting blazer...

EZ

Fuller leg pants can be tapered quite easily and not too expensively by a good tailor.

1.Get the navy jacket
2. Get another shade of navy pants
3. Feature on The Sartorialist
4. Profit $$$$

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

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Jackets meant to be worn as blazers or sport coats generally have features (contrasting buttons, more textured fabrics, etc.) than do suit jackets. An orphaned suit coat is, and looks like, an orphaned suit coat -- not a blazer.

If you want to wear a sportcoat and slacks, go for it. But in that case I would suggest buying pieces that are meant to be separates. Buying half a suit is not a good idea.

I agree with this.

Also, you ask if you would look "as presentable." It depends upon what you mean by this. Assuming for a moment that the navy suit coat works as a blazer, you're still not going to be dressed as formally as you would be in a suit. If a given situation calls for a suit, you should really be in a suit, rather than a blazer and dress pants.

Originally Posted by Millerp

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Fuller leg pants can be tapered quite easily and not too expensively by a good tailor.

I think the OP wants it the other way around..tapered pants to be fuller.
Buy a blue blazer...as stated, a suit jacket looks silly worn as a blazer..

Originally Posted by ter1413

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Buy a blue blazer...as stated, a suit jacket looks silly worn as a blazer..

+1

Originally Posted by ter1413

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Buy a blue blazer...as stated, a suit jacket looks silly worn as a blazer..

Generally true, though he could always replace the buttons.

Buy a blue blazer rather than resort to the coat of "suit separates."

Originally Posted by edmorel

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1.Get the navy jacket
2. Get another shade of navy pants
3. Feature on The Sartorialist
4. Profit $$$$

Actually the correct process is:

Phase 1: Collect Underpants
Phase 2:
Phase 3: Profit

Originally Posted by lawyerdad

Click to expand...

Jackets meant to be worn as blazers or sport coats generally have features (contrasting buttons, more textured fabrics, etc.) than do suit jackets. An orphaned suit coat is, and looks like, an orphaned suit coat -- not a blazer.

If you want to wear a sportcoat and slacks, go for it. But in that case I would suggest buying pieces that are meant to be separates. Buying half a suit is not a good idea.

+1

I think a navy blazer and gray pants is a great, classic look. But if you want to do this, buy a navy blazer, and buy gray pants. Don't buy half a suit. Even if you can't articulate it, you'll be able to tell when looking at the mismatched halves of a suit aren't quite right together, that something is off.

Buying blue pants from another suit and trying to match it together would be even worse.

Find out if MW sells a classic navy blazer in your size. If they do, then problem solved. If not, don't buy. Period.