How can I dress down a black suit?
Last year I purchased my first real suit for a couple of formal / black tie events. I have nothing like that coming up this year so it will likely get no use. I'm wondering if there are ways that I could dress this suit down and wear it a little more for social occasions that aren't necessarily formal this year.
For context, it was the Black Perennial suit from Suitsupply - if not I'm happy to just keep this one in the wardrobe for whenever I need it but would love wear everything in my wardrobe as much as I can!
6 Replies
I do kinda think black suits, especially when worn as separates and without a tie, are kinda by default dressed down
compared with grey suits
but most contexts these days see 2b/3b jackets as kinda dressed up too
maybe the pants are the only thing that are really more versatile
check out the qotd thread about black suits
https://discord.com/channels/1116793467654381685/1351585945631199364
some pics in there of a more casual vibey way to wear it
orphaned jackets still look frumpy like 90% of the time imo
they're too rigidly standardized in their cuts and patterns compared to blazers and look out of place with casual bottoms
agree with z that the pants are probably more versatile depending on the cut
lotta casual wardrobes incorporated pleated pants a few years ago so they shouldn't be that out of place if the rest of your wardrobe doesn't lean too casual
yeah - my suspicion is that i can't really dress down this type of suit that much as wearing them as seperates will look odd but the other thread ludfish suggested gives me some inspo on how to still wear the the whole suit just dressed down
imo the key is to contrast it enough that it's clear you aren't wearing it to meet a dress code or something. think pairing it with denim or hawaiian shirts, sneakers (hard to do right), tank tops, etc.
Seconded
Brightly colored t-shirt and other tops
Textured tops, as well
I wear a suit to the office every day and it looks different with a collared shirt vs a knit sweater
Consider a turtleneck and sneakers
A chunky gold necklace could also work to take the suit out of formality