Is a Dark gray suit Boring?

[ericgereghty]

I'm a sucker for the by-the-book classics. Funny enough, everyone thinks charcoal or navy is boring and so everyone tries to stand out by not wearing charcoal/navy, so you actually stand out by wearing charcoal/navy.

Like when I go to weddings I wear a white shirt, navy suit, and a wedding (shepherd's check) tie, and no one is dressed like that. It's this like archetype of the quintessential that is so "basic" to everyone that they all think they're unique by not wearing it, when infact you are unique by embracing it.

I love the charcoal (and the navy) suit.

This was 100% me back in the day. INTENSE aversion to white shirts. Ironic, given that they (and that wedding outfit described) is essentially my go to whenever I need/want to wear a suit,

I like the idea of a charcoal suit with maxed out casual/fancy details - wide lapels, minimal construction, pleated shoulders, patch pockets, high-waisted, pleated trousers with cuffs. I find this combination both stylish and subtle. It works better in charcoal than in navy, in my opinion, becasue charcoal is by nature a serious, somber colour.

 

[Claghorn]

My two solid gray suits are some of my least worn. I went through old pictures to see if I tried to compensate for their staidness with bold accessories, but it seems I prefer coherence

 

[smittycl]

Lighter gray works better for me than dark charcoal. Gray is a good way to break up the work week and get away from Navy blue every day. I think it’s still formal but pairs with more shirt and tie options than Navy does.

Also, these guys:

 

[ericgereghty]

Lighter gray works better for me than dark charcoal. Gray is a good way to break up the work week and get away from Navy blue every day. I think it’s still formal but pairs with more shirt and tie options than Navy does.

Also, these guys:

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Being stupidly handsome does tend to help matters

 

[carloapellido]

For me, yes I find dark shades of grey a bit boring. For charcoal/dark grey suits, pick a fabric that has a little surface interest, rather than plain worsted. Think mohair blend, flannel, sharkskin, herringbone, birdseye, etc. For me, I picked a birdeye weave and it added a little surface interest.

I also opted for wide peak lapels and ticket pocket since I don’t wear suits for business anyway. Here’s its picture.

 

[FVogt]

For me, yes I find dark shades of grey a bit boring. For charcoal/dark grey suits, pick a fabric that has a little surface interest, rather than plain worsted. Think mohair blend, flannel, sharkskin, herringbone, birdseye, etc. For me, I picked a birdeye weave and it added a little surface interest.

I also opted for wide peak lapels and ticket pocket since I don’t wear suits for business anyway. Here’s its picture. View attachment 2245411

Thank you very much. The suit is beautiful. But if you don't mind me asking, do you find a navy blue suit just as boring as a grey one or do you find it more exciting?

 

[Concordia]

My two solid gray suits are some of my least worn. I went through old pictures to see if I tried to compensate for their staidness with bold accessories, but it seems I prefer coherence

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A good suit, but you can afford to be more assertive with the extras. Not a pale blue shirt AND a bland tie, for example. Doesn't have to be bright colors, but a decisive midnight blue tie and a striped shirt (more Turnbull & Asser than Brooks Brothers) will make it all pop. And in the evening, you will have more room to run with just a white shirt.

 

[Concordia]

Part of this is spending more time in England these days, but that range of colors from dark mid --> just lighter than black is uncommonly useful. I do prefer blue, but getting the precisely correct shade and then not mis-matching with the wrong blue tie is a bit of a chore. Grey is more flexible, and can run from the office to dinner and the opera quite well.

 

[chrlsful]

Y do we need to “approve” or ‘disaprove'? Of course it’s ‘acceptable’. Have fun w/it. Do not worry. Do not fret. Standards have expanded. Thoes you offend are hyper critical. Yes, follow convention so as not to 'stick out’ as odd... AND

There is a thin line between bizarre and cutting edge. Few approach it. Here’s wishing more would. If there is a thing called "men’s fashion” (I dont think so) it certainly is repiditive.

 

[carloapellido]

Thank you very much. The suit is beautiful. But if you don't mind me asking, do you find a navy blue suit just as boring as a grey one or do you find it more exciting?

Thank you. Navy is definitely a bit more exciting than charcoal. It’s more vibrant.

I have a navy in wool-mohair blend and the fabric color looks very rich. Plus the sheen from mohair sets it apart. Here. I have a picture of such navy suit.

 

[FVogt]

Thank you. Navy is definitely a bit more exciting than charcoal. It’s more vibrant.

I have a navy in wool-mohair blend and the fabric color looks very rich. Plus the sheen from mohair sets it apart. Here. I have a picture of such navy suit. View attachment 2245503

This suit beautiful

 

[NShah]

To me Navy can be more exciting than dark grey. Mid and light grey is preferable in out of office but in office I prefer Navy.

 

[moltoelegante]

A dark grey suit can be anything but boring if it is cut really well and some color is added. The dark grey can really help a colorful shirt and/or tie to pop.

 

[Claghorn]

A good suit, but you can afford to be more assertive with the extras. Not a pale blue shirt AND a bland tie, for example. Doesn't have to be bright colors, but a decisive midnight blue tie and a striped shirt (more Turnbull & Asser than Brooks Brothers) will make it all pop. And in the evening, you will have more room to run with just a white shirt.

Afford to? Yes. Ability to? Probably. Interest in? Not really. Then again, I’ve never been an exciting dresser. Years and years ago there was a Friday Challenge to dress like me (I finished second or third), and everyone had to wear a blue jacket, gray pants, and a brown tie and shoes.

If/when I want something with more visual interest, I’m not going with a gray worsted suit as the foundation for an outfit. I have a dozen or so jackets I’d rather wear if I want something more visually interesting, and several suits that better fit the bill as well.

Thank you for giving me an excuse to go through old pictures! I don’t photograph my outfits anymore, so it’s been a while since I’ve looked through them.

Suits I’m starting with if I am going for something with a bit more character.

Spoiler

 

[KlarkKent]

Afford to? Yes. Ability to? Probably. Interest in? Not really. Then again, I’ve never been an excited dresser. Years and years ago there was a Friday Challenge to dress like me (I finished second or third), and everyone had to wear a blue jacket, gray pants, and a brown tie and shoes.

If/when I want something with more visual interest, I’m not going with a gray worsted suit as the foundation for an outfit. I have a dozen or so jackets I’d rather wear if I want something more visually interesting, and several suits that better fit the bill as well.

Thank you for giving me an excuse to go through old pictures! I don’t photograph my outfits anymore, so it’s been a while to look through them.

Suits I’m starting with if I am going for something with a bit more character.

Spoiler

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Great suits man! All the outfits look great.