One of the most common reasons cited by men for
not owning a suit is because they never have the opportunity to wear one. If your job doesn't require a suit, and you don't attend black tie events, you may assume a suit isn't necessary. After all, aren't suits traditionally worn for formal occasions and events?
While it's true that suits are usually worn for formal attire, this doesn't necessarily mean you can't wear one for casual attire. Assuming you choose the right type of suit, you can successfully wear it for just about any occasion, whether formal or casual. For the latter, however, there are a few things you'll need to consider. For some helpful tips on how to wear a men's suit in a casual setting, keep reading.
#1) Check the Color
Don't underestimate the importance of choosing the right suit color for your casual look. It's no secret that black is the most formal color in fashion, which is why most business men wear black suits to formal events and meetings. Assuming you are trying to achieve a casual appearance, it's best to avoid wearing black for this reason. You can still wear black shoes and accessories, though you shouldn't wear a black suit. Black suits are too formal and dressy for casual settings, so choose a different color instead.
Rather than black, consider gray as an alternative suit color for casual settings. Gray is modern, stylish, and looks great on men of all body types. A custom-sized gray suit will enhance your appearance to help you achieve the perfect casual look. Best of all, you can pair it with just about any other color. If you have a gray suit, for instance, try wearing a white dress shirt underneath. The white-on-gray is a stunning yet simple combination that's great for casual settings. Being that gray is dark and white is light, the two colors contrast with one another for enhanced visual appeal.
Even if gray isn't your preferred choice of color for a suit, there are other colors that work well for casual settings. Navy blue, for instance, is a popular choice of color for casual settings. It's slightly more dressy than gray, but still lacks the formality of black. Wearing a navy blue suit with a light blue dress shirt is an excellent combination for casual settings. Or you could pair it with a white dress shirt, which matches navy as well as dozens of other colors. Feel free to experiment with different suit colors to see what works and what doesn't. Just remember to avoid wearing a black suit, as it's usually too formal for casual settings.
#2) Skip the Necktie
A necktie is normally a key component of a men's suit. It's worn strictly for aesthetic purposes, allowing for a cleaner and more cohesive appearance in which all of the colors and visual elements flow together. For formal settings, a necktie is a must-have accessory that you shouldn't overlook. But for casual settings, you may want to skip the necktie, opting to leave your neck free of any accessories.
Rather than wearing a necktie with your suit, open the top button of your shirt collar. This creates a more casual appearance, while also making your outfit more comfortable. When you button the top button of a dress shirt and accessorize it with a necktie, it can restrict your body while making you hot in the process. And with summer upon us, most men probably want to avoid added heat and discomfort. A simple solution to this problem is to open the top button of your shirt, while also skipping the necktie. Most men find this to be cooler, more comfortable, and perfect for casual settings. It's important to note that you should skip all ties for casual settings, including neckties
and bowties.
And if you're going to wear a necktie, it's best to avoid wearing it with a suit jacket, sports coat or blazer. You can create a more casual appearance by wearing it without any form of outerwear.
#3) Choose a Blazer or Sports Coat
There are different types of outerwear that are worn with men's suits, the three most common being a sports coat, blazer, and a suit jacket. Most of the time you'll want to stick with a suit jacket. It's the most formal of the three, offering a cleaner and more polished appearance than the other three. For a casual setting, though, you may want to wear either a sports coat or a blazer.
The sports coat is the least formal of the three. They are typically made of tweed and were once worn for sporting activities. While sports coats usually aren't worn for sporting activities today, they are an excellent alternative to suit jackets, especially for casual settings. Sports coats usually have patterns and other visual designs, allowing you to achieve a stylish appearance while remaining casual.
Another alternative to a suit jacket is a blazer. The blazer falls somewhere between the suit jacket and sports coat in terms of formality. It's more formal than a sports coat, yet less formal than a suit jacket. Most blazers on the market today feature a woolen material in blue and/or navy colors.
So, should you wear a blazer or sports coat with your casual suit? Honestly, they are both very similar in terms of design and appearance. Some people may argue that a sports coat is a better choice, simply because it's more casual. But regardless of which one you choose, you really can't go wrong with either a blazer or sports coat.
The Bottom Line...
You don't have to wait until a formal event or occasion to wear your suit. Whether it's made of wool, cotton, tweed or corduroy, you can wear it in casual settings by following the tips listed here.
