The Most Useful Suit Colours for Men

When you are building a wardrobe, the colour of each suit decides how often you actually wear it. Some earn their place immediately, others are a treat for later. Here are the most useful suit colours and the order to buy them in.

Navy and Charcoal First

Navy and charcoal are the two that do the most work. Between them they cover interviews, weddings, the office, and evenings out, and both pair with almost any shirt and shoe. If you own two suits, these are the two. Our post on navy versus charcoal helps you decide which to buy first.

Then Light Grey

Light or mid grey is the natural third suit. It is softer than charcoal in daylight and excellent for daytime events and warmer weather, which extends your range without overlapping the first two. Our guide on how to wear a grey suit covers pairing it. With navy, charcoal, and grey, you are covered for almost anything.

Then Add Character

Once the basics are in place, a brown or a deep green suit adds personality for occasions and less formal settings. These are not first suits, they are the ones you add when you already have the workhorses. Buying in this order means every suit gets worn rather than sitting in the closet.

FAQ

What is the most useful suit colour?

Navy. It covers the widest range of occasions, from interviews to weddings to the office, and pairs with almost any shirt and shoe. Charcoal is a close second, and most men benefit from owning both.

What order should I buy suits in?

Navy and charcoal first, since they cover almost everything, then light grey for daytime and warmer weather. After those, a brown or deep green adds character. Buying in this order means every suit earns regular wear.

How many suit colours do I need?

Three cover almost everything: navy, charcoal, and light grey. Beyond those, additional colours like brown or green add personality but are less essential, so they are best added once the core three are in place.