Suit Colour Guide: Navy, Grey, Bordeaux, Green and When to Wear Each

The colour of a suit decides where you can wear it far more than the cut does. Choose well and one suit covers weddings, interviews and dinners. Choose a statement colour and you will own the room at the right event. Here is how each of the main suit colours behaves.

Navy: the first suit to own

If you only own one suit, make it navy. It is formal enough for a wedding, serious enough for an interview and flexible with almost every shirt and tie. It flatters most skin tones and looks good in daylight and evening light alike. Wear it with brown shoes for a softer look or black for a more formal one. Try the classic three-piece wool suit in navy.

Grey and charcoal: quietly formal

Mid grey is relaxed and works well in daytime; dark grey and charcoal step up the formality and suit business, funerals and evening events. Grey is a natural canvas for colourful ties. Black shoes are the classic partner for charcoal; brown works with lighter greys.

Brown and beige: warm and relaxed

Brown suits have returned to style for good reason — they are warm, characterful and excellent for autumn weddings and country settings. Beige and light brown come into their own in summer and outdoors. Pair them with white or pale blue shirts and brown leather shoes, never black.

Green: the confident alternative

From deep bottle green to olive, green suits look distinctive without shouting. They are a popular choice for grooms and wedding guests who want something different, and they pair well with cream shirts and brown shoes. The slim-fit three-piece wool suit includes a green option alongside navy and two browns.

Bordeaux: for evenings and celebrations

Bordeaux — a deep wine red — is a statement colour that feels rich rather than loud. It is a strong choice for evening receptions, festive parties and cocktail dress codes. Keep the shirt white or black and let the suit carry the colour. You can find it in both our three-piece wool suit and the double-breasted wool suit.

Turquoise, sky blue and lemon green: summer statements

Lighter, brighter suits belong to summer: garden weddings, outdoor ceremonies and holidays abroad. They photograph beautifully in daylight. Keep everything else simple — a white shirt, a light tie or none, and tan or brown shoes. See the summer-tone three-piece suit and the blue and green three-piece suit.

A quick guide by occasion

• Job interview: navy or charcoal.
• Wedding guest, daytime: navy, mid grey, brown, beige or green.
• Wedding guest, evening: navy, charcoal or Bordeaux.
• Funeral: charcoal or navy with a dark tie.
• Party or cocktail event: Bordeaux, green or royal blue.

Once you have chosen a colour, use our size and fit guide to find your UK chest size, then compare every colour in the men’s collection.