Dressing down a black suit

[Eason]

Is it possible? I've got a slim black suit with thin peak lapels, what can I wear with it to dress it down so I don't look like I'm going to a funeral or a black tie event?

 

[erdawe]

Break it up, then wear slightly more casual items with it.

Ex. 1) Combo of black jacket, shirt, jeans and sleek black laceups for nights out.
Ex. 2) Wear the pants with certain black sneaks (CP style), and a pale gray polo.
Ex. 3) Many other combinations you can think of...

 

[Eason]

I was already figuring that one, though I have a similiarly fitting black blazer so there isn't much point. What about keeping the suit together, just with different shirts/ties/pocket squares? I'm having a hard time thinking of colored shirts that go well with a black suit...

 

[Gus]

1) Wear a nice crisp white shirt with a spread collar and no tie
2) Consider a black Chelsea boot or a black double monk for a bit more flair and style
3) A black belt with an interesting but simple buckle (and not a big buckle!)
4) all of the above but substitute dark trim jeans for the suit pants

 

[erdawe]

Alright, how about lighter shirts in simple patterns, white background, and lighter colors to breakup the darkness of the black. Sans tie. I like the chelsea boot idea.

Or maybe this... not sure how I feel about it.

 

[randallr]

White air force one's....I kid

 

[Gus]

I wouldn't go with a colored shirt. Most colors don't look their best against the stark contrast of jet black. Stick with white but choose an interesting or distinguished looking collar. It will look right in any situation.

I do see some guys with dark hair and dark skin pull off a charcoal gray shirt under a black jacket. But that look seems so late 1990's to me now.

 

[Eason]

The belt isn't something I thought much about. I actually wore it without a belt (and no tie with a spread collar), but I still felt overdressed. I can wear jeans and anything else and I feel comfortable and in my own skin, but when I wear a suit I just feel different.

 

[vitaminc]

Originally Posted by Eason

Is it possible? I've got a slim black suit with thin peak lapels, what can I wear with it to dress it down so I don't look like I'm going to a funeral or a black tie event?

look like or feel like?

if you don't wear suits regularly, people will think you are attending a funeral, wedding, interview, etc if you wear a suit of any color...

Originally Posted by Eason

The belt isn't something I thought much about. I actually wore it without a belt (and no tie with a spread collar), but I still felt overdressed. I can wear jeans and anything else and I feel comfortable and in my own skin, but when I wear a suit I just feel different.

you are just not used to wearing a suit, that's all. it is empowering...

and btw, to dress it *way* down, you could wear the suit with a bright colored t-shirt and a pair of converse sneakers, as long as the suit is fairly slim cut.

 

[XeF4]

White shirt, black tie, black shoes.

 

[Mr. Potato]

Wear a coloured shirt with a patterned tie for a less black tie/funeral look. I'd suggest a pink shirt and a black pin dotted tie.

 

[Sharlatan]

How about a white polo? Need I say more?

 

[porcelain monkey]

Or a grey polo, or grey v-neck over a t-shirt?

 

[Douglas]

Black suit, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac.

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by Douglas

Black suit, white shoes, black hat, Cadillac.

Not that crazy; get some white repettos. I wear those with black suits and a white tee, looks a'right to me. Since you're in asia you might be mistaken for a host but hey, maybe you'll have a wonderful career path opening to you.