Do suit colours mean anything?

[Styleman]

Basicaly the same question as my shirt thread:

i.e. Navy, grey, dark charcoal, light charcoal, black, beiges etc.

(the obvious things excluded e.g. beiges in summer, black for formal wear)

Do they mean different things, as in for different days, different levels of formalness, different occasions, different status?

 

[Manton]

Navy is the most formal for "happy" occasions (weddings, christenings, nights on the town, etc.) Dark gray is the most formal for somber occasions (funerals, trials in which you are the defendant, etc.).

 

[Styleman]

Navy is the most formal for "happy" occasions (weddings, christenings, nights on the town, etc.)  Dark gray is the most formal for somber occasions (funerals, trials in which you are the defendant, etc.).

And anything in terms of buisness and education?

 

[Manton]

And anything in terms of buisness and education?

Not that I know of. Of course, the more straightlaced your industry, the more light colors and bold patterns are going to be a problem. But that's not really a question of certain cloths having certain meanings, but of certain industries being more conservative than others.

 

[thelakes]

Mustard colored means your holding Kings of comedy tickets in your pocket.

 

[linux_pro]

Any color/patterns outside of navy, gray, charcoal, black (oh god, I hope I don't start a war here) and windowpanes or subtle pinstripes generally mean that you do not work in an area which requires professional dress.

 

[LA Guy]

Navy is the most formal for "happy" occasions (weddings, christenings, nights on the town, etc.) Dark gray is the most formal for somber occasions (funerals, trials in which you are the defendant, etc.).

Really? I wear my navy suit when my charcoal one is at the drycleaners. Kidding. I have two charcoal suits.

 

[bryce330]

Navy is the most formal for "happy" occasions (weddings, christenings, nights on the town, etc.)

I'm sure this statement is correct according to the archaic and increasingly irrelevant "rules," but any guy who wears a navy business-type suit for a "night on the town" is going to look like a tool.

 

[Manton]

I'm sure this statement is correct according to the archaic and increasingly irrelevant "rules," but any guy who wears a navy business-type suit for a "night on the town" is going to look like a tool.

Maybe at some warehouse district, strobe light, velvet rope, dealer hang-out, 180 decibel dance club, but not at a fine restaurant in New York or London or San Francisco, or to the symphony, or to a play, or ... you get the idea.

 

[Will]

Navy two button mohair with jetted pockets.

Midnight blue dinner suit.

Any European city, New York, Washington or San Francisco.

 

[bryce330]

Any color/patterns outside of navy, gray, charcoal, black (oh god, I hope I don't start a war here) and windowpanes or subtle pinstripes generally mean that you do not work in an area which requires professional dress.

I agree for the most part, although I would add glen plaid, brown, and conservative shades of olive/green to the acceptable professional dress list.

You have to be careful with green though - the wrong shade says "I'm expecting to be selected in the NBA Draft", as does anything in red, purple, yellow, mustard, electric blue, etc.

 

[Alexander Kabbaz]

(linux_pro \tPosted on Feb. 21 2005,16:52) windowpanes

Windowpanes? In the executive suite? In the boardroom? Perhaps you can define what you mean by 'professional'?

 

[Manton]

Windowpanes? In the executive suite? In the boardroom? Perhaps you can define what you mean by 'professional'?

I wear them. I'm not on the board, so maybe that's why I get away with it.