How to Wear a Pinstripe Suit with Style (2024)

FAQs

Is a pinstripe suit formal enough? ›

Pinstripe suits are unmistakably formal and typically not great for a casual experience or event.

Yes, this is the classic cool era of pinstripes. And below, we have some easy and edgy pinstripe-dominated looks by the influencer and celebrity set to inspire and evoke the ideal mix of formal and casual in your 2023 style.

3. Choose your shirt to complement – Patterned shirts and ties work well and refreshes the pinstripe suit style. Prints in combinations of blue, white, and maroon are fail-safe options under navy or grey suits. When it comes to the tie, pick one that either coordinates with the suit.

Weddings. A pinstripe suit is a great choice for a wedding, especially if you're going for a smart, tailored style. Darker charcoal grey suits and black suits work best for formal weddings, though the choice of suit is totally yours whether you're a guest or part of the wedding party.

Another simple but effective way of ensuring a great pinstripe look is to wear a shirt that's the same color as the stripe of your suit. A black pinstripe suit typically comes with white stripes, so a white shirt is the most common, natural choice with a pinstripe suit.

Solid suit jackets are usually a safe bet, but once you get into patterns, proceed with caution. There are windowpane or plaid sport coats, so taking the top half of one of these suits and mixing it with a different pant can work. But in almost every situation, pinstriped jackets have matching pants.

Are high waisted pants out of style 2023? High waist pants are out of fashion for spring 2023 – especially the carrot pants, paper bag pants and palazzo pants. And high waisted pants will be out of style for fall winter 2023/24, too. In fact, the high waist pants were not seen on the fall winter 2023/24 runways.

Pinstripe suits are a good business choice for anyone, assuming they're on a conservative color like charcoal or navy. They're slightly less flexible in terms of what shirt/tie you can wear than a sold gray or blue, and it's harder to wear the pieces separately as an odd jacket and trousers.

Traditionally a sartorial by-word for power, the pinstripe has its origins in the banking world, worn as a way of distinguishing workers at different Victorian banks based on the distance between the thin white lines on their suits.

THE GOLDEN RULE. Patterns should never be the same size, shape or pattern in the same outfit. Which means a pin stripe shirt should not be paired with a pin stripe suit. If you are wearing a pinstripe suit opt for a polka dot tie, paisley pocket square and a solid shirt.

What does a pinstripe suit say? ›

As such, a good pinstripe suit hints at its wearer's power and unshakable self-assurance. If you regularly don one of these confidence-boosting garments, you are almost certainly a man who's in charge of his own destiny and who relishes the feeling of power and independence.

If you wear stripes with stripes or checks with checks, you should have a difference in amplitude. A pin-striped shirt is generally better with a chalk-striped suit than with a pin-striped suit; a big check would complement a small check. Like that.

Pinstripes are finer and more structured than chalk stripes. This is mainly because they're woven on top of the background fabric, which prevents the blurring effect from occurring. Often viewed as more conservative than chalk stripes, the pinstripe is best for formal settings.

What are the things to avoid in co*cktail attire? Wearing flashy things such as a pinstripe suit and vibrant ties. If it is a wedding, you don't want the attention all to yourself. Wearing casual bottoms, such as shorts, chinos, ripped jeans, and khakis.

Houndstooth pattern

Houndstooth goes very well with polka dots or pinstripes, which results in a well-balanced outfit that makes the most impact in a single colour. It should therefore not be mixed with colours that differ too widely. These characteristics make the houndstooth pattern an ideal companion for suits etc.

Can I wear a grey suit with brown shoes? Yes, of course. It will be a little bit less formal than if you wear your grey suit with black shoes but it will work perfectly. The darker the shade of grey your suit is, the darker your brown shoes should be.

Standard winter insulation, three to four layers that include a knitted piece, can be the perfect accompaniment to your pinstripe trousers. Above the belt, take the approach that the lower the layer, the lighter the tone. Go with a white shirt under a cream knitted jumper for a neat, relaxed start.

Ideally you should keep the colors solid, but pinstripes and texture variations are acceptable. Bold prints and patterns, however, do not work even in a dark color. The only exception to this rule would be specific requests from the family.

As a general rule of formal wear etiquette, a jacket should be buttoned when standing and unbuttoned when seated. Of course, there are additional rules too. On a two-button jacket, only use the top one when it's time to button up.

The Skinny Jeans Comeback

"Skinny jeans will be a perennial favorite in 2023" according to Vogue.

What will be the color of 2023? ›

Pantone recently announced its 2023 Color of the Year: Viva Magenta.

Digital Lavender, Luscious Red, Sundial, Tranquil Blue and Verdigris are the color names for 2023. Who chooses the names of the new colors?

Key colors span Sweet Coral, Faded Citrus, Satin Brass, Dark Cedar, Pewter and more. With colors like Wild Rose, Fuchsia, Yellow Freesia and Turquoise Sea, Spring/Summer 2023 provides balance and hope.

Arcs and curvy shapes have been making their way into interiors for a while now. First, crescent sofas, tulip and egg chairs, and round rugs took centerstage bit by bit. Now, 2023 home décor trends are moving further than curved furniture. Say hello to oblong mirrors, architectural details, and mushroom lighting.

A horizontal line shortens and widens, while a vertical line lengthens and slims. As you're petite, wearing a suit in a fine pinstripe will make you appear taller and slimmer.

Pinstripes have long been a symbol of power dressing. Years before Mr. Wolfe's Masters of the Universe, gangsters like Al Capone wore the pattern to convey bravado and a sense of orderliness.

During the prohibition era of the 1920s, the pinstripe suit garnered significant popularity in the United States.

Striped suits are considered appropriate for official and formal events, especially if they are darker in color i.e. navy or black. However, the versatility of the suit is unquestioned, the way you accessorize your suit defines the kind of setting you plan to wear it to.

Vertical stripes (up and down) make the eye move from top to bottom and therefore elongate the body, which is good, if the stripes are few and far between. Horizontal stripes cause the eye to move back and forth, so remember rule #1 when wearing horizontal stripes.

Usually, Pinstripe Suits were reserved for the workplace and the most formal occasions. However the aforementioned casual nature of the (new) 20's means that not only you can wear them anywhere, but you can even pop a turtleneck or sneakers under.

Can you wear a blue pinstripe suit to a wedding? ›

The simple answer is yes. With its ever growing popularity, the pinstripe suit has become something of amainstay of formal wear. Head out to a wedding and as sure as the bride will toss the bouquet; therewill be a plethora of pinstriped men hoping their partners mistime their catch.

For urbanites in the early twentieth century, the pinstripe suit was about as flamboyant as it got, an outfit that made everyone know you were in the room and a reason why the pattern became a natural favorite choice for mobsters and rum-runners during the Prohibition Era.

Navy ties, with wool textures, work superbly with grey for a smart and classic look. To add a touch of warmth, a burgundy tie is a great option. The burgundy tie is a classic tie that every gentleman should own. More commonly seen in combination with a navy suit, it pairs perfectly with a grey suit.

Top Tips for Wearing a Grey Suit

If in doubt, wear a white shirt and dark tie with your suit. A pale blue shirt is particularly great for summer weddings. Black shirts are best for formal events – especially at the weekend. Patterned shirts are great for those looking to stand out.

A sport coat with a plaid pattern has an undeniable look that's both subtle and eye-catching. A suit like this can be paired with any occasion like a wedding or party, from casual to formal. A plaid suit is a great look for a wedding or a more formal event. But they are not an ideal sign for an everyday suit.

According to scientists, horizontal stripes can make you look thinner. This is because they seem to fill space more than vertical stripes do. BUT on the contrary, vertical stripes can elongate your figure and make you look taller.

Sometimes also called the after 5 attire, men would change their clothes from their daily work suit to a pre-dinner dress to wear while having a drink with canapés (or many drinks on some occasions). The after 5 drink tradition continued long after the 1920s, and the men's co*cktail attire with it.

Formal smart casual attire is “a jacket or blazer, flannels, needlecord trousers, or chinos (not jeans), a shirt with a collar (not a T-shirt) and smart shoes (not necessarily lace-ups, but not trainers or sandals)”.

Special Event co*cktail Attire for Men

A grey suit isn't flashy, but the neutral color will help your accessories to stand out. It's extremely versatile, and also more traditional.

Pinstripe suits are totally okay for interviews! I think they look professional and put-together, and they definitely make a strong impression. Plus, they can be really stylish and flattering, which is always a bonus.

Are pinstripe blazers formal? ›

In its core, the Pinstripe Suit is one of the most formal business suits a man can wear.

When an invitation specifies 'Formal' or 'Black Tie', a dinner suit/tuxedo should be worn which consists of a single-breasted black jacket with satin faced lapels, satin covered buttons and dinner trousers.

Ideally you should keep the colors solid, but pinstripes and texture variations are acceptable. Bold prints and patterns, however, do not work even in a dark color. The only exception to this rule would be specific requests from the family.

As such, a good pinstripe suit hints at its wearer's power and unshakable self-assurance. If you regularly don one of these confidence-boosting garments, you are almost certainly a man who's in charge of his own destiny and who relishes the feeling of power and independence.

Ideally, your suit should be either navy blue or charcoal grey. It's often believed that black suits are good for professional situations, but this is something of a misconception. Meanwhile, charcoal or navy give off the air of reliability, credibility and trustworthiness.

The first thing to be aware of is to avoid wearing an more formal looking jacket such as a pinstripe with jeans. The solid black or black and white pinstripes which appear so well-defined when featured in a full suit can dilute the essential nonchalance of this style.

The occasion/dress code

We recommend sticking with dark-colored suits, like black, navy, or charcoal gray for a formal event. For a day at the office, an all black men's suit is way too formal. Instead, we recommend wearing a gray or navy blue men's suit to work.

Formal Wedding Attire

The most appropriate suit colors for a formal wedding include charcoal grey, black, and midnight blue. A good rule of thumb, a dark suit is always the safest choice.