black suit question

[suitntieguy]

In a previous thread a poster asked about his next best suit color choice for a jr. banker of some sort. He said that a black suit is not an good choice and others agreed. My question is why? Why is a black suit not a good option?

thanks,
Jordan

[Aaron in Allentown]

Black suits are traditionally not considered appropriate for business settings.

I think the reasoning is that they are too strong.

Black suits are great for evening social events where the dress code is "Coat and Tie" or "Lounge Suit", though. Owning a suit that should really only be worn in social settings may be limiting, though.

[Will]

Using the search function will give you a variety of points of view.

The short version is that black is fine for evening. During the day, it washes out most complexions and isn't very compatible with most dress shirt colors. So generally the black suit wearer looks like a vampire that didn't get to bed on time.

Navy blue and charcoal are better for day wear.

[ultra]

I've heard these arguments before, but personally think a conservative black suit with two or three buttons and notched lapels is fine. Stay away from ticket pockets, stripes/checks or peaked lapels and it should look nice, particularly with a contrasting complexion.

[the etruscan]

Black suits in daytime/fluorescent light make me look like a funeral director.

[Tonyp]

Why would you want to wear a black suit for business during the day? You can get a dark charcoal in 2 or 3 button notch lapels side vents and this is a much more versatile suit. I have a black suit and wear it to funerals, and evening affairs. I think of a black suit for business as somewhat limiting and also when I see someone wearing one for business I think that they don't have a very extensive wardrobe or that they don't know when they should be wearing the black suit. It looks out of place.

[style councillor]

Always tickles me when i see people ask other people on this forum about suit colours, "what cloth i should buy next etc, etc". You deservedly leave yourself open to ridiculous comments like this "The short version is that black is fine for evening. During the day, it washes out most complexions and isn't very compatible with most dress shirt colors. So generally the black suit wearer looks like a vampire that didn't get to bed on time" What utter tosh.

Get a grip man, are you that weak and clueless that you have to ask someone you don't even know what you should wear . Your not a new born baby are you?
IMO Any colour of a suit is a GOOD colour if the suit looks good on YOU. It's all about the cut and cloth of the suit. Good lord, you'll be wanting somebody to feed you next and tuck you in bed

[sliceness]

Certain complexions work well in black suits.

Just look at Japanese businessmen.

[marlinspike]

Some things are simply convention. By convention, there is no appropriate time for a black suit except for a funeral if you use the word suit strictly. There are so many different colors and patterns of suits out there, all of which look better on a person than black and on top of that fit in line with convention, why not just wear one of those?

[style councillor]

"By convention, there is no appropriate time for a black suit except for a funeral if you use the word suit strictly"

You are a blind, deaf and dumb clueless charlatan (IMO ) if that's how you live your life.
Out of curiosity, where did you get those narrow minded ethics? Al Qaeda? Bill O Reilly? Arena? Vogue? GQ?
Each to there own

[marlinspike]

"By convention, there is no appropriate time for a black suit except for a funeral if you use the word suit strictly"

You are a blind, deaf and dumb clueless charlatan (IMO ) if that's how you live your life.
Out of curiosity, where did you get those narrow minded ethics? Al Qaeda? Bill O Reilly? Arena? Vogue? GQ?
Each to there own

I got those "ethics" from the same place where I learned the difference between "there" and "their."

[style councillor]

I got those "ethics" from the same place where I learned the difference between "there" and "their."

1am in the morning here old boy and it's been a long day Night night.
BTW, where is the above quote from? Be sure to use microsoft spell checker especially for you the next time i post.

[Alexander Kabbaz]

Approaching bounds of propriety. Be nice. First warning.

Approaching bounds of propriety. Be nice. Last warning.

[Will]

Well, he didn't last long.

[Mark from Plano]

Well, he didn't last long.

He was leaving his excrement over a number of different threads. It was just a matter of time.

[Jordan Ross]

Since no one else will say 'tits' in church, I suppose I will have to. The earnest and (I assume) young man has asked a question and he deserves an answer that will help guide him.

It has to do with America's greatest taboo - social class.

Black suits are only acceptable for semi-formal or formal wear, that is to say Black Tie or the increasingly rare White Tie. Even for an after business cocktail reception or dinner that is slightly less formal, I do not recommend black for what many (including myself) are now calling a "cocktail suit" (just a touch dressier than a traditional notch lapel, American cut daytime business suit and best worn with a button down collared shirt with barrel cuffs, but less formal than a dinner jacket, usually more European in cut, i.e., greater waist suppression, peaked lapels and greater shoulder definition and best worn with a plain collared shirt with French cuffs).

The line here in America between the Petty Bourgeois (the nasty, vulgar and vindictive lower middle class and their whimpering, spineless, junior partners the middle middle class) and the Gentry (the upper middle class and the lower upper class) is much more difficult for most people to navigate than in Europe where everyone is raised from birth to recognize and despise the appropriate classes with ease.

Black in anything other a Dinner Jacket or Tails will indelibly mark you as PB - even if you have millions of dollars (remember money cannot cure the stubbornly tasteless - witness Elvis Presley or Ross Perot). It's one of those talisman's that will mark you as permanently stuck at Assistant Plant Manager level until the day you retire into obscurity, drinking cheap domestic beer, watching vulgar television and waiting for Godot.

Do not be fooled that a European cut suit is acceptable in black. Remember that most fashion designers come from working class or lower middle class backgrounds. If you need or want something dark, use charcoal grey, charcoal blue, midnight blue or navy blue.

While we're on the subject, don't wear those French Blue shirts young people seem to love - they positively scream that you are going to a fabulous, elegant, white table restaurant - as a waiter.

[Aaron in Allentown]

While we're on the subject, don't wear those French Blue shirts young people seem to love - they positively scream that you are going to a fabulous, elegant, white table restaurant - as a waiter.

Can you please clarify?

Are you saying that, in your opinion, French blue dress shirts are inappropriate for business wear? Or do you think that they have no place in a gentleman's wardrobe?

I can see the merits of the former, but the latter would be nonsense.

A few weeks ago, I was having drinks at Boodle's, and I saw at least a dozen French blue dress shirts in the club. I don't think they were waiters, either.

[Mark from Plano]

Since no one else will say 'tits' in church, I suppose I will have to. The earnest and (I assume) young man has asked a question and he deserves an answer that will help guide him.

It has to do with America's greatest taboo - social class.

Black suits are only acceptable for semi-formal or formal wear, that is to say Black Tie or the increasingly rare White Tie. Even for an after business cocktail reception or dinner that is slightly less formal, I do not recommend black for what many (including myself) are now calling a "cocktail suit" (just a touch dressier than a traditional notch lapel, American cut daytime business suit and best worn with a button down collared shirt with barrel cuffs, but less formal than a dinner jacket, usually more European in cut, i.e., greater waist suppression, peaked lapels and greater shoulder definition and best worn with a plain collared shirt with French cuffs).

The line here in America between the Petty Bourgeois (the nasty, vulgar and vindictive lower middle class and their whimpering, spineless, junior partners the middle middle class) and the Gentry (the upper middle class and the lower upper class) is much more difficult for most people to navigate than in Europe where everyone is raised from birth to recognize and despise the appropriate classes with ease.

Black in anything other a Dinner Jacket or Tails will indelibly mark you as PB - even if you have millions of dollars (remember money cannot cure the stubbornly tasteless - witness Elvis Presley or Ross Perot). It's one of those talisman's that will mark you as permanently stuck at Assistant Plant Manager level until the day you retire into obscurity, drinking cheap domestic beer, watching vulgar television and waiting for Godot.

Do not be fooled that a European cut suit is acceptable in black. Remember that most fashion designers come from working class or lower middle class backgrounds. If you need or want something dark, use charcoal grey, charcoal blue, midnight blue or navy blue.

While we're on the subject, don't wear those French Blue shirts young people seem to love - they positively scream that you are going to a fabulous, elegant, white table restaurant - as a waiter.

Who is this guy? 6 posts and he's putting out nonsense like this? Is it a full moon? All the trolls seem to be coming out tonight.

[Orsini]

He was leaving his excrement over a number of different threads. It was just a matter of time.

Good use of icons, though...

[Zubberah]

Always tickles me when i see people ask other people on this forum about suit colours, "what cloth i should buy next etc, etc". You deservedly leave yourself open to ridiculous comments like this "The short version is that black is fine for evening. During the day, it washes out most complexions and isn't very compatible with most dress shirt colors. So generally the black suit wearer looks like a vampire that didn't get to bed on time" What utter tosh.

Get a grip man, are you that weak and clueless that you have to ask someone you don't even know what you should wear . Your not a new born baby are you?
IMO Any colour of a suit is a GOOD colour if the suit looks good on YOU. It's all about the cut and cloth of the suit. Good lord, you'll be wanting somebody to feed you next and tuck you in bed

+1. Pity he was short-lived.

[windsor]

Since no one else will say 'tits' in church, I suppose I will have to. The earnest and (I assume) young man has asked a question and he deserves an answer that will help guide him.

It has to do with America's greatest taboo - social class.

Black suits are only acceptable for semi-formal or formal wear, that is to say Black Tie or the increasingly rare White Tie. Even for an after business cocktail reception or dinner that is slightly less formal, I do not recommend black for what many (including myself) are now calling a "cocktail suit" (just a touch dressier than a traditional notch lapel, American cut daytime business suit and best worn with a button down collared shirt with barrel cuffs, but less formal than a dinner jacket, usually more European in cut, i.e., greater waist suppression, peaked lapels and greater shoulder definition and best worn with a plain collared shirt with French cuffs).

The line here in America between the Petty Bourgeois (the nasty, vulgar and vindictive lower middle class and their whimpering, spineless, junior partners the middle middle class) and the Gentry (the upper middle class and the lower upper class) is much more difficult for most people to navigate than in Europe where everyone is raised from birth to recognize and despise the appropriate classes with ease.

Black in anything other a Dinner Jacket or Tails will indelibly mark you as PB - even if you have millions of dollars (remember money cannot cure the stubbornly tasteless - witness Elvis Presley or Ross Perot). It's one of those talisman's that will mark you as permanently stuck at Assistant Plant Manager level until the day you retire into obscurity, drinking cheap domestic beer, watching vulgar television and waiting for Godot.

Do not be fooled that a European cut suit is acceptable in black. Remember that most fashion designers come from working class or lower middle class backgrounds. If you need or want something dark, use charcoal grey, charcoal blue, midnight blue or navy blue.

While we're on the subject, don't wear those French Blue shirts young people seem to love - they positively scream that you are going to a fabulous, elegant, white table restaurant - as a waiter.

I am surprised you advocate a button down shirt for a more formal look. The button down is about as informal a dress shirt as there is. A straight collar would be up a notch in formality and better suited for this occasion in my opinion. Or am I misunderstanding what you meant?

[Will]

Who is this guy? 6 posts and he's putting out nonsense like this? Is it a full moon? All the trolls seem to be coming out tonight.

This always happens on the black suit threads.

[ilikeyourstyle]

Black suits make me think of funerals. That's not exactly a pleasant reminder. Societal convention is at play here too. Grey and blue are generally preferred choices for business suit colours while black (and a lot of other colours) just isn't recommended.

You could fight that convention, but I'm not sure why you really want to. I think shades of grey look nicer than black, not just for suits but for sweaters and socks too. Leather items (belts, shoes, and gloves) are the only black items I consistently wear.

[omairp]

This always happens on the black suit threads.

Black suits aren't bad for you... black suit threads are bad for you.

FWIW, I think black suits look great on dark-skinned guys, which mainstream fashion has treated as a footnote for quite sometime.

[suitntieguy]

Always tickles me when i see people ask other people on this forum about suit colours, "what cloth i should buy next etc, etc". You deservedly leave yourself open to ridiculous comments like this "The short version is that black is fine for evening. During the day, it washes out most complexions and isn't very compatible with most dress shirt colors. So generally the black suit wearer looks like a vampire that didn't get to bed on time" What utter tosh.

Get a grip man, are you that weak and clueless that you have to ask someone you don't even know what you should wear . Your not a new born baby are you?
IMO Any colour of a suit is a GOOD colour if the suit looks good on YOU. It's all about the cut and cloth of the suit. Good lord, you'll be wanting somebody to feed you next and tuck you in bed

I wasn't even going to comment but it just ate at me. If you would have taken the time to read by question you would see that I asked why someone else said made a comment on a previous thread and I wanted clarification as to a census of the group. The only people who have an input on what I buy is my wife and my personal shopper at Neimans, the later has less of say these days.

I just plain feel sorry for you.