Thursday, February 28, 2008

how to wear a light-colored suit

Casual Linen-Not all linen suits are big-shouldered, dressy things designed for lawn parties and derbies. Some, like this dove-gray version—unstructured and unlined—can be worn to more casual events. Pair one with a white V-neck T-shirt, brown lace-ups or loafers, and nothing else.



Modern-A pastel suit is generally inadvisable. But when the color is an extraordinarily pale blue, the material is smooth, paper-thin cotton, and the cut is slim, it can become a spring essential. Opt for no-nonsense underpinnings: a crisp white shirt and a black tie.


Dressy Linen-An elegant linen suit should have the same qualities as a perfect gray-flannel one: high-cut shoulders, a narrow jacket, and slightly tapered pants. Treat it like you would its cold-weather counterpart and wear a white shirt, a gray tie, and a silver tie bar. The shoes you can switch—try white bucks.


Spring Pinstripe-Traditional pin-striped suits are too buttoned-up to wear during the warm months. But a lightweight one in tan-and-white-striped cotton—not seersucker—can stand in. Dress it up for a business meeting or a daytime wedding with neutral accompaniments like a light-gray shirt and tie.


Chino-Just because you’re aiming for a springtime aesthetic doesn’t mean you have to wear light colors from head to toe. Try wearing a closely tailored chino suit with a dark madras shirt—as opposed to a bright or pastel one—and a shiny navy tie.

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