The best suits for men: 29 stylish suits for every occasion
Presenting GQ’s ultimate guide to buying a men’s suit. Whether you’re in the market for a linen, cotton or wool suit, we’ve got you covered...
Every man should have a suit in his wardrobe. There, we’ve said it. There really is no exception. Gay Talese, former journalist at the New Yorker, once said, “Putting on a beautifully designed suit elevates my spirit, extols my sense of self and helps define me as a man to whom details matter”, and it will do the exact same for you. Even if you don’t work in an office, whether for a wedding, job interview or funeral, it’s likely you’ll need a smart, tailored look at least once a year.
And, sure, while a decent suit will make you feel a million dollars (figuratively speaking), with so many suits out there, chances are you could fall flat and end up looking pretty awful. Every leading style figure has at one time or another donned a suit, whether it’s Harry Styles or Donald Glover (and, to be honest, they know how to get it right).
With that in mind, we thought it was about time we compiled the ultimate GQ guide to suits. So whether you’re in the market for a wool suit fit for the winter months or a wedding suit that won’t break the bank, we can (and will) help you out. And before you hesitate and think you won’t be able to afford any of the suits below, you’d be wrong. We’ve got you covered with the best suits for men, no matter your budget.
Wedding suits
For your typical wedding, formality should be at the forefront of your mind. “A versatile, ever-smart-suit-that-flatters-your-proportions three-piece suit” is the best option and the one that Ben Clarke, head cutter at Richard James, suggests men go for. If there is a colour scheme, it’s best to stick to it. If in doubt, a plain mid-grey will go with anything, while navy is versatile and flatters all complexions. If you do decide to opt for a three-piece suit, then always remember that when wearing a waistcoat, there is no time or place for a belt.
“Sunny-weather weddings lend themselves to more casual styles in lighter tones with softer constructions (less padding and canvasses). Soft linens, cottons and summer wool frescos all come into play during the summer,” explains Clarke.
And while a wedding itself may break the bank, as a guest your suit doesn’t need to. Whether you head to high-street favourite Marks & Spencer or Alexander McQueen, there is something to suit every budget, without compromising on the fit.
Summer suits
With the turn of summer comes the ability to change up your suiting. Summer suits, when put in contrast to their winter-friendly compatriots, should be, by their very nature, lighter, cut from more porous fabrics such as linen, silk or fine merino wool and styled in pale, sun-reflecting shades, to reflect the warmer climes. You could even go down the route that John Legend favours and go for suits in vibrant shades such as yellow and purple.
When wearing a summer suit, you also have the opportunity to play around a little more, perhaps switching out a shirt for a vest (as Harry Styles and Kanye West like to do) or by going shirtless completely, as seen on the catwalks of Louis Vuitton and Dior.
Wool suits
Sure, you might not be a fan of the cooler weather that the winter months bring, but there is one good thing about it: you get to wear a wool suit. Softer and therefore more wearable than tweed, it is a happy medium between comfort, style and warmth and, as a result, is our go-to between the months of October and March (give or take a few, remembering we still live in temperamental Britain). Essentially, wool is a better idea than, say, linen in the cooler months because it will keep you a hell of a lot warmer.
Wool is also a good idea because, rather than its polyester counterpart, it is less damaging to the environment. When you want it to, wool will biodegrade in a matter of months, without causing microfibre or plastic pollution. It’s a win-win (unless the sun is scorching).
Linen suits
A linen suit is a warm-weather must-have. Lightweight and loose, the mighty linen suit is constructed in flax fibre and has an extremely low thread count (a blend of fine cotton at around 200 and a fine linen around 80-150), which means it is a lot lighter than other suits (the wool suit, in particular). Our advice is that if you have a business obligation that will take you to warmer climes, then the linen suit should be exactly what you opt for.
Whether you wear a linen suit for a formal day look with a pair of sandals and an open, linen shirt (Chris Hemsworth does this well), or wear it with a crisp white shirt and tie, you can guarantee that a sweaty back will be furthest from your mind.
Lounge suits
Historically, the lounge suit was the less formal version of morning dress or morning suit. Today, however, that has changed. Ben Clarke suggests that “these days, I would say that a lounge suit is simply a suit of two or three pieces that has each been cut from the same cloth. After the Second World War the waistcoat rather disappeared because of cloth rationing and so the two-piece lounge suit was born.”
The lounge suit, as we know it today, is something of an umbrella term, covering both two- and three-piece suits. When you read a dress code on an invitation that reads “lounge suit” rather than “cocktail attire” you can expect that your office suit is more than up to scratch, rather than tailored eveningwear.
Essentially, most suits you see on the high street or in the office are lounge suits.
Made-to-measure suits
While you can get some great tailoring on the high street right now, unless you’re built to model-sized specifications, chances are an off-the-peg fit will always be a little off. And that’s why made-to-measure is a great invention.
Made-to-measure means that while you get the opportunity to fully customise your finished garment, this is a suit that’s taken from a ready-made fit pattern and then altered by a tailor to fit you. If you’re looking for a suit that fits like a glove, then you’re probably going to want to go down the made-to-measure route.
Nowadays, most brands offer a made-to-measure service, from Paul Smith to Gieves & Hawkes.
Dinner suits
If you have a black-tie event, then you’re going to need a dinner suit. The classic tuxedo (AKA the penguin suit) is sharp and fitted and comes in a variety of ways. A traditional dinner suit comes with a single-breasted jacket with jetted pockets. Typically, it features peak lapels or shawl collar, which are equally authentic and correct and usually come in silk, satin or grosgrain. Notched lapels aren’t seen as typically acceptable for a black-tie event.
Today, the dinner suit has come a long way from its 19th-century origins and the red carpet at awards ceremonies have become awash with different variations. The blue tux is a popular option (Tyler the Creator and Donald Glover favour a more colourful-hued suit). Then there's the bolder, mismatched tux, which has seen the likes of Timothée Chalamet don black slim-fitting trousers with a patterned dinner jacket.
Then there is the white jacket dinner suit. The rules of white tie are akin to those of black – just make sure everything fits and avoid notched lapels (a bow tie is customary). With all that in mind, below we have picked the best suits you can get your hands on right now, to fit any occasion...
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Shop GQ’s edit of the best suits for men…
1/29Percival
Finding yourself fatigued by the ever-growing onslaught of beige and navy tailoring? Forming a key part of Percival's all-new SS23 collection, this forest green linen suit brings its mossy hue to your seasonal calendar as a centre-piece of the celeb-adored label's Spring/Summer output. Stand out, but stylishly. Jacket, £219. Trousers, £129. percivalclo.com
2/29Homme Plissé Issey Miyake
Forget navy, look to Homme Plissé Issey Miyake rich, sapphire-hued suit for a vibrant take on a classic. Characterised by the label's signature pleated plissé construction, this distinctly laidback suit can straddle the demands of your dress-coded calendar in effortless style. Jacket, £675. Trousers, £320. matchesfashion.com
3/29Reiss
For the man who's grown bored of noirs, navies, greys and the like, Reiss' tobacco-hued lounge suit brings something a little different to the fold. Cut from a pure linen construction, this pick is breezy and chilled-out both in aesthetic and physical feel, leaving you free (and cool enough) to do whatever it is your suited activities demand of you… and to look rather good while you do it. Jacket, £298. Trousers, £148. reiss.com
4/29Ted Baker
Something a little more trad, this Ted Baker pick is the classically elegant number that's primed for weekday wear or the uber formal events in your social calendar. Styled in a regular fit with a sharp peak label, this suit is demonstrative of one thing for certain: Ted Baker never, ever puts a foot wrong. Jacket,
£259£125. Trousers,£140£75. suitdirect.co.uk
5/29AllSaints
We would contend that everyone should own a pastel suit. Not only does it bring a lighter and brighter feel to your tailoring, but it is also chic as hell. And dusty pink might just be the king of pastels. The loose fit, harsh right-angled cut, single button closure and large notched lapels of this AllSaints two-piece give a majestic framework for the wool-blend fabric to shine. Super laidback and stylish, this suit will bring nods of approval all summer long. Jacket £279. Trousers £149. allsaints.com
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6/29Percival
In a typically irreverent take on classic suiting, Percival’s cut this cosy two-piece from flecked Nep wool and double vented the rear for unrestrained style. The ideal choice for the man who’s first on the dancefloor at the Christmas do, but equally good for the guy looking to make a relaxed impression at any winter function. Jacket, £199, Trousers, £110. At percivalclo.com
7/29Richard James x Castore
Some envision the future of the suit to be a more versatile and practical beast that its current formal iterations. One attuned to the pace of modern life. Richard James and Castore have both teamed up to produce dapper daily tailoring with performance capabilities. The fabric is a 93 per cent-recycled polyester fabric that has a four-way stretch, is water-repellent, lightweight, and has built-in ventilation. If you want to look debonair but lead a hectic active lifestyle; this suit might be the perfect fusion. Jacket, £550. Trousers, £225. At richard-james.com
8/29Cos
The “short suit” was once a curiosity found legging its way down the runways of Milan and Paris, but now high street brands are getting involved (read: cashing in). This short suit by Cos is the perfect summer smart outfit. Imagine bopping around to your meetings in the sunshine wearing this incredible loose-silhouette, wool navy ensemble. Nothing would get in your way. You’d be unstoppable. Jacket, £190. Shorts, £69. cos.com
9/29Alexander McQueen
Guess what goes with black? Well, black does and the McQueen brand is a fan of the colour. That’s why we’ve selected not one, not two, not three, but four different Alexander McQueen trousers you can pair the wool jacket with. The first is a slender wool pair of trousers and is the intended counterpart. The second and third pairs utilise metallic studs and eyelets for an industrial edge. And the fourth and final is plain black but has a higher waist rise and a straight leg cut. Choose your poison… but ignore the rather lairy pair that seem to be styled with it, unless that's your thing. Jacket, £1,690. At matchesfashion.com
10/29Arket
Linen might be the go-to for summer weddings, but you'd be foolish to overlook warm weather-friendly hopsack. This navy two-piece by Arket champions the louche, natural fabric in its blend, which is constructed in a contemporary slim fit, boasting a jacket that leaves room for fit adjustments and trousers with slick, sharp-pressed creases. A triumph in laid-back suiting, you'll get the most out of it when accessorised with clean white kicks and tortoiseshell shades. Jacket, £229. Trousers, £119. arket.com
11/29Wooyoungmi
Quite simply, this is an incredible suit. There are plenty of features on this suit that highlight Wooyoungmi’s fastidious and stylish nature. The stubby but thick notched lapels are adorned by an overlapping seam detail. On the back, there is a branded silver buckle. Plus, the sheer number of darts suggests an exacting fit. Meanwhile, the large horizontal flap pockets, beige tones, and large buttons bring a military feel into play. Jacket £1,080. Trousers £480.
12/29Percival
Percival's first foray into suiting is a clever one, given the major uptick in demand for linen suiting this year. The brand beloved by celebs from Tom Holland to Ryan Reynolds offers a louche take in two colourways this summer, of which the light blue is our favourite for the backlog of weddings in our calendar. And at just over the £300 mark, it's a bit of a steal, too. Jacket, £219. Trousers, £109. At percivalclo.com
13/29Prada
Hey guys, guess what? Prada made a good suit. It’s hardly headline news, but we thought it was worth letting you know. In line with Prada’s intellectual, powerful aesthetic, this “double-breasted” suit acts more like a one-and-a-half-breasted suit owing to its minimal overlap. Look to the wide notched lapels, side vents and slightly boxy fit for further evidence of this suit’s fashion-forward style. The warming wool-mohair blend is given a grey finish making it a versatile suit. Jacket, £2,850. Trousers, £980. At matchesfashion.com
14/29Hugo Boss
The main lure of this suit is the fabric. The blend of cotton, wool, viscose, linen and elastane makes it the most diverse of fabrics going. The linen and cotton bring lightweight breathability, the wool provides insulation, and finally, the elastane divests a little stretch. Not only that, but the checked finish provides a textured mix of blues, beige, black and white. For a versatile summer suit, Hugo Boss doth provide. £545. At johnlewis.com
15/29Reiss
Not a pick for the man prone to spillages, Reiss' ‘Spark’ suit is left irrefutably louche (albeit slightly precarious) thanks to its creamy beige hue. A taste of Italiana, this slim-fit two-piece gives the illusion of a lightweight feel whilst its tactile moleskin construction provides an added, warming, touch. Jacket, £225. Trousers, £95. reiss.com
16/29Paul Smith
This pistachio-toned suit by Paul Smith is summery, suave and sophisticated. Not only is the colour phenomenal and a real hoot to style but there are nuanced stylish features here. The single-button closure is pure nonchalance. The peaked lapels have a unique fold of fabric overrunning the lapel, which is rare, but it works. It’s classic Paul Smith in that it’s traditional tailoring with spicy twists. £1,022. paulsmith.com
17/29Moss
What do you get when you cross bolts of pure-wool flannel from the Vitale Barberis Canonico mill, with Saville Row level design? This suit from Moss… and a slightly anticlimactic joke set-up. Stitched from lightweight fabric specifically cut for a flattering drape, this suit delivers structure where it matters without any pesky bulk. For strong tailoring sans the designer price tag, you can't go wrong. Jacket, £319. Trousers, £180. moss.co.uk
18/29Fear of God
We'll say this, Fear of God makes a great summer suit. The elongated and wide notched lapels alongside the two-button double-breasted structure both bring insouciance to the table. That wool twill in beige will light up even the blandest of summer events but also the full satin lining will help to give warmth when the sun drops. See? We told you this was a great suit. Jacket £1,310. Trousers £627. At ssense.com
19/29Hawes & Curtis
The three-piece suit may conjure images of Thomas Shelby, but this one by Hawes & Curtis is a far cry from post World War I Birmingham. Cut in a contemporary slim fit, the brand offers five colours to choose from for this all-occasions three-piece, of which you’ll reap the most versatility in black. Jacket, £209. Trousers, £120. Waistcoat, £100. At hawesandcurtis.co.uk
20/29Paul Smith
First Jake Gyllenhaal, then Daniel Craig and Tom Holland – velvet suits have been hitting red carpets the world over throughout the last year or so, and everyone wants in on the tactile trend. Enter this jet-black iteration from Paul Smith, and its soft-to-the-touch construction and flattering fit. £1,265. paulsmith.com
22/29Asos Design
With a cinched waist worthy of the fashion week FROW, Asos Design makes a style statement of the humble brown twill suit. Your Oxford shirt has no business here – this one’s best sported with a high-necked tee and chunky tread shoes. Or, if you’re a real style icon, lose the shirt altogether, and don a necklace for a smart look subverted by some sexed-up edge. Jacket, £59.50. Trousers, £24.50. At asos.com
23/29Burton
No suit gives an air of put-together-ness quite like the three-piece can, and Burton’s burgundy number is up there with the very best. Look closely and you’ll see the style is elevated with a micro-textured fabric, dashing darted tailoring and preppy pressed pleat pants – a confidence-boosting get-up for the man that does big business. Ditch the tie and waistcoat for a rollneck, and you’ll also have a stellar date night ‘fit. Corporate to smart casual all-in-one suit? A win-win, if you ask us. Jacket, £55, Waistcoat, £32.50, Trousers, £27.50. At burton.co.uk
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24/29Kin
A British brand centred on sustainable, slow fashion, Kin wants you to have a capsule wardrobe of timeless staples that are sartorially refined. Exemplifying this, its velour dinner suit is cut with crisp peaked lapels and classic slim-fit trousers that’ll never go out of style. A flash two-piece fitting for the fanciest occasions in your calendar, best based with a good ‘ol pair of polished loafers. Jacket, £150, Trousers, £69. At johnlewis.com
25/29Turnbull & Asser
If a suit can primarily be judged by its quality of fabric and composition, then this Turnbull & Asser gets top marks. The suit uses an exceptionally soft, fine Escorial wool hailing from a rare Spanish breed of sheep — so rare to Spain, in fact, that it’s now only found in Australia and New Zealand. This fabric is done justice through the single-breasted shape, notch lapels and traditional double-pocket on the right-hand side and the addition of sleeve buttons for extra formality. Jacket, £1,395. Trousers, £695. At turnbullandasser.co.uk
26/29Drake's
As an insulator and a wind buffeter, corduroy is second to none. Also, while people lose sleep over whether it is or isn’t in fashion, it continues to look suave and therefore has longevity, plus its durability means it will physically last. This Drake’s suit harnesses all the swagger of old-school tailoring to produce a fantastic winter two-piece. Jacket, £795. Trousers, £375. At drakes.com
27/29Fendi
Pastels are nothing new in summer suiting; pinks and blues are a mainstay of alfresco soirées. Green? Less so. But this Fendi number is here to put an end to that. A statement-making suit in an ultra-breathable linen, lyocell and cotton blend, it's elevated with modernised detailing such as a flap pocket at the sleeve and a pen pocket embedded in its lapel. Coincidentally, we were just wondering when we last saw Kermit the Frog… Jacket, £1,590. Trousers, £460. At matchesfashion.com
28/29Marc Darcy
Every high-flying office worker needs a good check suit in his armoury, and this tweed number by Marc Darcy is just the ticket. We love the combination of dark navy, red and pink, which lends it a heritage pattern while remaining contemporary thanks to its modern tailored fit. When you’re not crunching numbers in the office, it’s a corker at countrified weddings and for a day at the races, too. Jacket, £175. Trousers, £72.50. Waistcoat, £72.50. At suitdirect.co.uk
29/29Gucci
If you're looking to create a sartorial buzz, this bee-embroidered suit by Gucci is the way to go (excuse the pun). First appearing in a Gucci collection of the 1970s, the motif was revived under nature-adoring Alessandro Michele and has since become a key code and iconic symbol of the house. Seen here alongside a check pattern, this suit is sure to bring some energy to morning meetings and formal dinner parties alike. £2,500. At gucci.com
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