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Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers.
MoreHow To Choose The Best Blue Suit
Let me start off by stating something that might be a touch controversial. Okay, here it is: If you’re a guy, you need a blue suit. There, I said it and I don’t regret it. It’s true. Even if you consider yourself someone who never wears a suit, let me tell you, one day you’re going to need one. Wedding guest, job interview for a career change, funeral? You can’t really plan for any of those events, but if one thing’s for sure it’s that you’d better look good if you happen to find yourself at one of them — not just for you, but out of respect for others.
Now you might rightfully ask, “But what about a gray suit instead of a blue suit? Or maybe a black suit?” And I’d say that’s a very good question. I’ve long championed the idea of one’s first suit being a navy blue suit but I’m going to extend that to advice to the one suit guy as well. And here’s why.
While a gray suit or a black suit would certainly be a good choice for more formal or somber occasions, they can be something of a one trick pony. And if you’re going to only have one suit, you’re going to want to be able to get as much out of it as possible. That’s why in terms of straight up versatility, nothing compares to a blue suit.
There are many different flavors of blue suits, however, and in this post I’ll walk you through seven different options and explain why you might choose one over the other based on the season, occasion, or your personal style.
Dark Navy Blue Herringbone Suit
You know what? Sometimes you need a navy blue suit that can do something special. Sometimes you need a navy blue suit that can hold its own in the boardroom, perform on command for an elegant evening affair, and still be easily dressed down for a night out at the city’s chicest cocktail lounge. This is that navy blue suit.
In one of the darkest navy blues you can find, this particular suit is tailor made for more formal affairs. It’s elegant, authoritative, and projects an air of seriousness and consequence. It’s also got a bit of a secret if you look a little closer. While from a distance it may appear to be a regular old solid suit, up close you can see a subtle herringbone pattern woven in to the fabric. It’s a wonderful detail that elevates the entire suit making it just that much more interesting and intriguing.
Who is this suit for?
Because of its very dark navy blue and the particular wool used in its construction, this suit lacks the versatility of some of the other suits on this list. As a result, the dark navy blue herringbone suit is best suited — pun definitely (and rather unfortunately) intended — for the guy who intends to only don a suit for the most formal, special, or solemn of life’s events.
Classic Royal Blue Twill Suit
If you’ve been looking for that perfect blue suit but find dark navy a little too formal and navy hopsack (see below) a bit too casual, a royal blue twill suit strikes the perfect compromise. The fabric is formal enough for any business environment or special event you may attend, yet the royal blue color adds a modern touch without crossing the line into “trend” territory. A timeless choice for those who, like us, consider their style to be classic with a modern sensibility.
Who is this suit for?
A classic royal blue twill suit is perfect for the guy who needs a “special occasion” suit, but is also open to the idea of wearing a suit a bit more often then when explicitly called for — either for business or pleasure. It’s versatile enough for both and works seamlessly day to night.
If there’s one word that sums up a navy blue hopsack suit, it’s versatility. It’s a go anywhere, do anything workhorse four-season suit that is easily dressed up or down. But in addition to its utility as a suit, one of the biggest benefits of a navy blue hopsack suit is that you also get one of the most versatile sport coats on the planet, which, like the suit, can be styled formally or more casually — even with jeans.
One of the most interesting features of a hopsack suit is the fabric itself. Hopsack is not really a type of fabric, but a type of weave. It is a basket-like pattern with subtle variations of colors between the threads. Since it has an “open weave”, hopsack is light and breathable, so it is often considered great for spring and summer, although not restricted to these seasons. Hopsack is ideal for traveling as it is easy to fold and it won’t wrinkle much.
Who is this suit for?
A navy blue hopsack suit is perfect for the guy who is looking for that “first suit” and wants to get the most for his money.
Navy Blue Flannel Suit
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A navy blue flannel suit is an absolute essential for your fall and winter wardrobe. It’s an incredibly classic and versatile piece that will work hard for you in a wide variety of situations or occasions. Aside from its obvious utility as a workhorse cold weather suit, an added benefit is the fact that by having one in your wardrobe, you’ve also got one of the best fall/winter sport coats and pairs of pants as well.
Who is this suit for?
A navy blue flannel suit is great for the guy who lives in a colder climate or for the guy who is looking for a classic and versatile suit to add to his fall and winter wardrobe.
Navy Blue Chalk Stripe Flannel Suit
Power. Authority. Confidence. Elegance. Panache. Those are not just words that describe how a navy blue chalk stripe flannel suit looks, but also how it makes you feel when you wear one. If you’re looking to expand your horizons beyond solid suits for fall and winter, you’ve just found a perfect classic and timeless option.
I firmly believe that a navy chalk stripe flannel suit should be a winter staple of every man’s wardrobe. How much do I believe that? Well, I believe it so much that we offer two different versions of the navy blue chalk stripe flannel suit — a wider chalk stripe and a narrower one. The slightly wider white chalk stripe shown here is a slightly more casual expression of the classic winter suit that allows for “rule bending” — think, more sprezzatura, less banker.
Who is this suit for?
Wearing a suit convincingly is all about how you feel, so let’s face it, you’ve got to be confident to pull off a navy blue chalk stripe suit. If you’re not used to wearing a suit, this might be one to skip. However, if you’re looking for a way to project power and authority in the fall and winter months, you’d best pull the trigger.
Navy Blue Seersucker Suit
This is not your father’s–or grandfather’s, for that matter–seersucker suit. If you think of thin pale blue stripes when you think of seersucker, think again. We’ve reimagined the “classic” seersucker suit for the modern gentleman with a solid navy version that’s perfect for everyday spring and summer wear. Wear it sans tie for an easy-going, yet sophisticated, summer fete, or don the jacket separately with your favorite pair of white cotton pants and linen Belgian slippers to be the coolest guy in the room. It’s also a great choice for a summer tropical or beach wedding, whether you’re the one getting hitched, or simply a valued guest.
Who is this suit for?
If you live in a warmer climate, like to regularly vacation to warmer climates, or are simply looking to expand the options for your warm weather tailored clothing game — not only do you get a suit, but a great standalone seersucker sport coat and trousers — a solid navy blue seersucker suit just might be the suit for you.
Midnight Navy Blue Tuxedo
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We’re finishing this list off with a bit of a wildcard. But, wait, is a tuxedo actually a suit?! Well, if you go by the accepted definition of a suit consisting of a jacket and trousers in a matching fabric, then yes, a tuxedo is most certainly a suit. A more formal suit — sometimes called a “dinner suit” — but a suit, nonetheless.
While you could certainly argue that any tuxedo is an elegant garment, a special case can be made for the extra elegance of a midnight navy blue tuxedo with black silk grosgrain facing. Not only was it a favorite Old Hollywood stars — as it supposedly photographed better in black and white than a standard black tuxedo — but its been seen on the Silver Screen more or less recently by James Bond in ”Skyfall.” We love it because it checks one of our favorite menswear boxes — it makes a big statement in such a subtle way, without being in-your-face.
Who is this suit tuxedo for?
Since I started this post with a controversial statement, I’ll end it in a similar fashion. Here goes again: I honestly think every guy should own a tuxedo. Listen, it’s something you never thought you’d need until you really do need one. And then what happens? You’ve likely realized that you need a tux with not much time before your event.
So what do you do? You either run to the mall (mistake number one), search furiously online for something and realize you can’t get it in three days (mistake number two), or go and rent a cheap ill-fitting version (mistake number three). So do yourself a favor and invest the time, effort, and money now to make sure you’re always prepared when the time comes.
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that we believe no matter who you are that you should own a blue suit. It’s essential! And whether you plan to wear it only when absolutely necessary or more often than the “average” guy, there is a blue suit for you.
Thanks for reading.
Brian Sacawa
Brian Sacawa is the Founder of He Spoke Style and one of the original men’s style influencers. Since 2013, his goal has remained the same: to provide men the advice and inspiration they need to dress well, develop their personal style, and gain more confidence. Brian’s interest and passion for men’s style and luxury watches has led to his writing for The Robb Report, The Rake, and Sotheby’s and he has been quoted on menswear in publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Today.com, Brides Magazine, and the Huffington Post. He lives in the woods north of Baltimore with his wife, Robin, kitties Nick and Nora, and German Shepherd/Collie mix Charlie.
Edited by Rachel Butler
Photography by Rob McIver
