Charcoal Suits, Navy Suit, then what?

[cruxisfalcon]

Hey everyone,

I'm going to be working in a business formal job (suit 4 days a week), so I'm guessing I'll need 3 suits. I already have a charcoal suit and am planning on getting a plain navy as well. Any suggestions for a third? I was thinking of getting a lighter grey, or maybe a navy or charcoal windowpane (subtle). Any others you guys recommend?

 

[Caustic Man]

If you are wearing a suit four days a week you'll need at least 6, but never mind that for now.

Here was my progression: Charcoal, Navy, Medium Gray, Brown, Charcoal pinstripe, Navy pinstripe. I don't know if brown will be accepted where you work, but I believe it to be a really nice change of pace. Besides that, medium gray is essential.

 

[msulinski]

I'll second medium gray as the next suit. Nice alternatives are blue (not navy) birdseye or medium gray birdseye.

 

[archibaldleach]

Medium grey is a good third suit as others have mentioned. I would also consider getting a double breasted navy suit early on in the rotation if you're comfortable with that look.

 

[bertie]

In many cases you are actually limited by the selection of RTW. Medium grey is very versatile and easy to find. I think birdseye is elegant and would work for you in blue and grey but it may be more difficult to track down off the rack. If you go MTM of course these issues go away.

You will likely need more than three suits as noted though unless you can fill in with odd jackets and trousers. Stick with classic, conservative colors for the first 6 or so to get a good foundation before you add too much novelty. I do include brown as basic but your industry may be more conservative.

 

[archibaldleach]



Stick with classic, conservative colors for the first 6 or so to get a good foundation before you add too much novelty. I do include brown as basic but your industry may be more conservative.

This is extremely good advice. I wish I had followed it to a greater extent when I was first starting out building my wardrobe.

 

[unbelragazzo]

I'd suggest making 5th and 6th suits seasonal

 

[Balfour]

Agree with the suggestion of medium grey, with some texture (i.e. nailhead, non-shiny sharkskin). If appropriate to your workplace of course.

 

[Macallan]

Get a plain navy suit and a plain or patterned charcoal suit (assuming your current suit is plain); both with spare trousers.

If you really want a med-grey suit instead of charcoal, you could do that as well.

Long-term, you will need 4 three-season suits & rotation of 2 suits for summer. More long term, you could add wintet suits; however, personally, do not think it is required, depending on climate.

 

[dreamspace]

Navy herringbone
Light(er) grey
Charcoal with subtle striping pattern
Nailhead, gives you a nice mix of colors.

 

[Balfour]

Get a plain navy suit and a plain or patterned charcoal suit (assuming your current suit is plain); both with spare trousers.

If you really want a med-grey suit instead of charcoal, you could do that as well.

Long-term, you will need 4 three-season suits & rotation of 2 suits for summer. More long term, you could add wintet suits; however, personally, do not think it is required, depending on climate.

Agree with the spare trousers, especially with a small number. They'll take much more punishment if you take your jacket off in the office, and with this little rest time between wears, will usefully extend the life of the suits.

 

[VinnyMac]

...medium grey, medium blue or a blue-grey color. I them all. One of my favorites is a medium blue sharkshin. It's got a "two parts blue, one part grey" appearance...very sharp. I'm not a huge fan of DARK navy suits.

 

[archibaldleach]



Get a plain navy suit and a plain or patterned charcoal suit (assuming your current suit is plain); both with spare trousers.

If you really want a med-grey suit instead of charcoal, you could do that as well.

Long-term, you will need 4 three-season suits & rotation of 2 suits for summer. More long term, you could add wintet suits; however, personally, do not think it is required, depending on climate.

For someone who wears a suit four days a week, I think I'd want more than four three-season suits before branching out into summer suits. Five might be good, because then you can have one out of the rotation (at the cleaners, etc.) and still be able to let your suits rest for a week between wearings. Six is probably better.

I do agree that summer suits are more useful than winter suits. I can see having a winter suit or two being a nice luxury, but for all practical purposes an overcoat provides the needed protection from the cold.

 

[unbelragazzo]

It depends on your climate obviously. Some places have longer and more brutal summers than others.

I agree that for practical purposes, a 3-season suit is going to be fine no matter how cold it gets as long as you've got a nice overcoat. But I don't know if I could wait 5 suits before getting anything in flannel.

 

[archibaldleach]



It depends on your climate obviously. Some places have longer and more brutal summers than others.

I agree that for practical purposes, a 3-season suit is going to be fine no matter how cold it gets as long as you've got a nice overcoat. But I don't know if I could wait 5 suits before getting anything in flannel.

Fair point. For Chicago weather at least, flannel probably is a three season suit.