Three Styles for Tweed Suits
Men’s fashion has always used wool as the gold standard for suits, regardless of purpose. It’s a tradition that’s not likely to change anytime soon, but it doesn’t mean you’re short of options in the fabric department. Tweed styles have been gaining ground in the last couple of years, and the time is ripe this season to try out this most genteel of textiles.
Tweed has a lot of things going for it. It’s hefty for starters, which means you won’t have to layer as much when it gets cold in the fall and winter. It also has a strong texture that easily pairs with shirts and neckties, giving it very good returns as a style investment.
White
Let’s admit it: white is a safe color. So safe, in fact, that there’s a tendency for it to get boring. It’s a risk mitigated by wearing a white shirt (and virtually any necktie you can imagine) with tweed. The suit carries a strong enough style statement on its own. A crisp and classic white shirt (and that crisp and classic silk tie) is just icing on the cake.
Nothing taps more into tweed’s English roots like a three-piece suit, which also happens to be the best complement to a white shirt you could find. Whether you go gray or brown, the effect is the same: a classic put-together look fit for a man who knows his style and isn’t afraid to show it. Throw in touches that speak of a man with a defined fashion sense, like a cool pair of socks or a silk necktie in a catch-your-eye color.
Keep in mind that a white shirt with a tweed three-piece suit carries very heavy traditions of style with it, and you’d better keep up. Don’t forget all the little details a gentleman ought to have, like cuff links and a pocket square.
Strong Colors
One thing you’ll notice right away about tweed is that the color of the fabric tends to be very rich and very deep. While there’s a certain factor of intimidation here, this also means that you can pull off some very strong color combinations with tweed.
While light colors like cornflower blue and pale pink contrast very well with the richness of tweed’s texture, the textile provides a rare opportunity to wear colors like blood red, electric blue and forest green. You can take the unique chance to make a very visible and sartorial style statement, all without losing the dressiness of a suit-and-tie ensemble.
Remember to go all the way if you’re going to emphasize a color. Coordinate the details like socks and pocket squares to make your fashion statement all the more apparent. Tweed’s going to sufficiently break up the color and keep you looking smart and formal.
Bold Patterns
A lot of men today are intimidated by patterns. It’s a shame, really, since they’re a very quick and effective way to add vigor to an otherwise blah solid look. Tweed once again offers you the chance to experiment; it’s so strong and visually commanding in its own right that no pattern can steal its limelight.
Try checks and prints that are bigger and bolder than the micro checks you’re used to seeing at the office. You’ll find that the fabric balances out all of the extra activity in your shirt, especially if you pair it with a strong, sobering necktie. Coordinate your socks and pocket square for extra effect, or simply let your upper half do all the talking for you.
Other Suggested Readings:
Popular Mens Suit Patterns
Mens Suit Fabrics
Your Mens-Ties.com Team