Grey Suit Combinations

In our guide to grey suit combinations, we will provide you with key insights to help elevate and enhance your style. From bold to laid back, grey is the understated option for those who want to stand out in a sea of black and navy.

CONTENTS

• Colour Combinations
• Selecting a Pocket Square
• Which Tie to Wear with a Grey Suit
• What Makes A Tailored Jacket?
• How to Wear Your Suit for Different Occasions

 

In our minds, nothing is more dashing and sharp as a suit when worn well. In order to bring out the best in your grey suit, you will need a complimentary shirt in just the right colour. The favourite and essential shirt colours every man must have in his wardrobe are white and light blue. These are both safe options for a grey suit, and enable you to create an array of classic options.

Generally, a grey suit always looks good with a crisp white shirt and a black tie. Monochrome is a classic for a reason, think Cary Grant in To Catch A Thief, you simply can't go wrong, but this doesn't mean there's no room to play with a splash of colour... For example, opting for a soft and complimentary pink shirt or a striking and tonal deep green shirt.

 

Your usual sartorial sense would tell you that wearing a sky blue shirt would work, but this depends upon the shade of grey. If you are wearing a light grey suit, a sky blue shirt will appear so washed out that you lose the effect of the contrast. However, if you are wearing a dark grey suit, a crisp sky blue shirt can make the grey really shine, and that is a simple way of adding a subtle pop of colour. If you want to introduce a sky blue shirt with a pale grey suit, go for a blue and white striped or checked shirt. This is a simple yet effective way of making a statement without being too overt, while you will also get the effect of the contrasting shades.

 

There truly are unlimited options when it comes to finding a pocket square for your grey suit, but narrowing down your choices is made simpler by following our guides:

A Touch of Grey

Look for a square with a hint of the same grey as your suit, this helps tie the two pieces together. Avoid a plain grey square as this is the grey suit equivalent of double-denim, our preference is a fine art option with grey clouds or a grey background colour.

A Splash of Colour

Lifting your suit with an unashamedly loud burst of colour, a bright pocket square is small but mighty. We love to use burnt oranges, dazzling blues (with caution) and indulgent aubergines.

Have you ever wondered what goes into the design and creation of a pocket square? Watch our video, on why we believe we create the world's best pocket squares and step behind the Rampley & Co process as we make our squares. For further reading, delve into everything you need to know about pocket squares with Our Complete Guide to Pocket Squares.

Shop the full Pocket Square Collection

 

Let's now look at some tie options. A grey suit on its own does offer quite a blank canvas when it comes to choosing a tie. So if you keep it neutral by going with a white shirt you can comfortably go bold with your tie. You could choose to go for more vibrant solid colours or choose a pattern that will become the focal point of your look. 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.

 

As a further note, it's definitely worth investing in classic silk ties, 6cm to 8cm wide, in either solid colours or lightly patterned that will stay in style year after year. Cheap ties will tend to crease after a short period of time if you don't really look after them.  

Tonal grey is a classic menswear staple look. The ability to play with grey scales, colour levels and textures allows you to be creative in your choices but not too bold in colour to get it wrong. We feel a wool textured grey tie or a striped tie are perfect options here. Don’t be scared to explore different hues, a darker charcoal tie against a lighter grey can really stand out. 

For a grey suit, the shirt and tie combinations are just as versatile as a navy suit, and therefore adaptable for all seasons. However, as a general rule, we would recommend sticking to the paler shades of grey during the warm months and the darker shades or charcoal in a woollen mix for the cooler months.

What Makes A Tailored Jacket?

With any grey suit, you need to ensure you know all the key details associated with a luxury-tailored jacket. As part of our Details Video Series, we explore the key components that make up a tailored jacket. From the importance of the lapels to the benefits of using natural fibres, Leah speaks with fashion consultant Chris Modoo and delves into the main elements of a tailored jacket.

A classic jacket should be well-made, versatile and long-lasting. The below video covers the key elements to be aware of when choosing a new jacket. 

A grey suit is most definitely a versatile colour and can be dressed up or down with some thought given to your accessories. Below we've covered off some different occasions with a bit of guidance to always look your best.

A Wedding

A simple way to look well turned out at a wedding is by wearing a classic double-cuffed shirt, and then pairing it with an elegant set of cufflinks. Ideally, you should look to match other accessories of your look, for example, silver cufflinks with a silver watch and silver buckles on a nice pair of monk strap shoes. This is such an effortless way of adding something to draw the eye. Although this is so simple, it is an easy way of showing off your sartorial knowledge. If you're looking to keep it simple lean towards plain rather than patterned shirts and use your accessories to lift the outfit.

If it's a summer wedding and you're going for a pale grey suit, a solid combination would be a crisp white shirt and blue tie and then you can use the pocket square as your flare accessory and go for something bold such as purple. Alternatively, you could keep the pocket square safe and go for a plain white square with a flat fold, and then go for a green or patterned tie as your flare piece. Simple combinations like this will give you that attention-grabbing and effortless look that is perfect for a wedding.

 

 

The Office

In the office, it is very easy to slip into the common grey suit, white shirt and black tie combo. Below we set out a few things to keep in mind so you can stand out from the crowd while keeping the hint of formality that many job roles require.

Firstly, there is the shade. Broadly speaking light greys are more casual, with darker greys and charcoal more formal. Therefore if you are mainly planning to wear your suit in the office, go for a darker shade.

In terms of what you wear with it, a stylish choice is to choose a flat-coloured shirt and then wear a tie that is at least one or two shades darker. For the office, if you go for a patterned tie, don't choose a pattern that is too overpowering.  

 

Finally, a very simple, but often overlooked accessory for a modern man is an elegant dress watch. A white-faced watch with a brown leather strap will always look good in the office during the day and is also an easy complement for brown leather shoes. 

A Casual Event

For a casual event or day out this is where you can definitely be more flamboyant with your look and introduce bolder patterns, more eye-catching accessories or lose your socks and go for a pair of loafers. The main thing to keep in mind is not to go too overboard with your accessories. Choose 1 or 2 more flamboyant options and then keep everything else relatively muted. This ensures that you look like a man of style.

In conclusion, the grey suit is a very versatile suit colour. In general, the lighter the suit colour the more casual it tends to be. However, the shirt colour and accessories can definitely dress up or down the suit. 

SHOP OUR GREY SUIT COMBINATIONS EDIT

 

All suiting requires the perfect pocket square accessory to complete any outfit. See our video below for why we believe we create the world's best pocket squares. You can view our full range here: Pocket Square Collection.

For more formal occasions keep your shirt options safe and then you can be much more flamboyant with your accessories. For more casual events or in summer, look to lose your socks and tie and go for a pair of loafers for a stylish relaxed look.

Click here to view our full range of Fine Men's Accessories.