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The piece that I wrote a few weeks back on knowing what brown can do for you seemed to go down rather well so I’ve decided to expand on this idea and cover a few other colours that I think aren’t used enough by guys around the world. Next up; green.
Now let me start off by saying that green happens to be one of my favourite colours. I really like incorporating it into my looks and always get complimented when I do. I think a subtle hint of green added into an outfit in the form of a striped tie, pocket square or socks can add a really interesting twist.
But first of all what is green? A very philosophical remark I know but understanding how a colour works is often the first step in learning how to master it. Green is not a primary colour but is considered to be one of the additive primary colours made from combining yellow and blue. Based on its position in the colour wheel, complimenting colours for green are fuchsias and reds but it also looks great with the contrasting colour navy, as well as browns and camels.
But why should you start wearing green? Well first of all it’s going to fit in with a lot of what you already have in your wardrobe i.e. all those pieces in grey and navy. Secondly, the varying shades and tones of green you can find leads to all kinds of possibilities when trying to add a bit of colour into your look. Finally, when done correctly, nothing quite beats a good shot of green.
How To Wear: Green
Beginner
As I said above, if you’re a newbie to green why not start off with something small? Try a pair of green socks when you are wearing your darker jeans or navy suit. It doesn’t matter on the shade, just pick up a pair and rock them with some brown lace ups and you can’t go wrong. Or maybe a green patterned pocket square? Or even a simple green tie?
Try them out, see how they fit in with your own style and then wear with pride!
Advanced
Or maybe that’s a little too subtle for your liking? Well, that’s fine, try something a bit more substantial. So I’m talking knitwear, shirts and trousers. An earthy forest green cardigan looks great over a white shirt/black tie combo and some indigo jeans.
Pick yourself up a pair of dark green chinos and wear them with a pink shirt and that brown v-neck jumper you hopefully chose from the last article. Or why not just settle for a light mint green shirt as the perfect complement to the essential navy blazer?
Master
But what if you have already got green socks and pocket squares? Already mastered the art of the green gingham shirt? That’s fine, it’s just time to invest in some quality.
A green suit can be a great complement to any tailored wardrobe providing you nail the basics of good fit, proportions and shade – a rich emerald green would be perfect. Pair it will light blues and reds for the best results.
If the full suit seems a bit too much for you, why not go for a less structured green blazer in a lighter shade for the summer months? Just make sure to keep the rest of the outfit neutral to let the jacket do the talking. At the very least a military green utility jacket is a must.
Or why not footwear? A chunky forest green brogue would look great with a pair of jeans and is a really unique piece to own. Maybe even a green felt trilby? The possibilities are endless; why not break out of the tradition of wearing monochromes and start to expand your own style horizons by using green in unexpected places.
Men's Fashion Basics - Part 57 - Key Colour: Purple
Men's Fashion Basics - Part 55 - Key Colour: Brown
4 Men’s Hair Quirks – And How To Fix Them 
5 Go-To Smart-Casual Winter Looks 
The 7 Best Men’s Footwear Instagram Accounts 
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A week ago I bought some green/khaki jeans inspired by this David Gandy look- http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2011-07/22/gq-style-news-most-stylish-men-of-the-week-photos/david-gandy . As the comment on the picture says, the green with the black creates a really interesting, formal look. Worn with a black scoop neck shirt and black blazer it looks smart but a little bit different.
Cracking article. I want that jacket (very top picture, middle), any ideas where to get it or something similar from?
The image is from H&M recent Spring/Summer campaign so they may still have some in their larger stores? Otherwise I would bide your time for the new A/W collections as they always have a lot more choice when it comes to outerwear.
I picked up an identical cotton/linen mix jacket from Massimo Dutti in the sales about a month ago, might still be in stock. It’s a step up from H&M outerwear in terms of quality. I’ve found it to be almost as versatile as the trusty denim jacket.
I have an unbelievably green pair of Dr Denim straight fit chinos.
They’ve proved a nightmare to actually wear!
But the denim jacket is a good anchor for most things. And monochromes.
Top notch article, the green suit is so intimidating a prospect I might try it.
Nice article. I love green, but I don’t see a vibrant one (except for David Bowie hehehe). I own a vibrant lime green jumper, so is noticeable bright. What kind of colors or pieces do you recommend me to use with?
I’m cautious about wearing green since I’m fair skinned/blonde/blue eyes, and one of the fashion basics articles I read ages ago recommends sticking with primary colors. If you’re now saying primary additive colors (green, orange, purple) are okay too…well, what colors should I not wear, then? Seems like the primaries, additive primaries, and neutrals basically covers everything! Or do I just have to stick to brighter shades with a solid neutral base?
I’m no colour expert, but I’ve seen the right shades of green and yellow work well together, so I would expect the same to apply to blonde hair to some extent. Getting the right shade will be the hard part though; very dark greens may have too much contrast depending on how light and vibrant your hair is, but at the same time, bright greens might clash. Hopefully someone with better advice will chip in, but I think you can find a way to wear green if you want to break away from the primary colours.
I actually haven’t written a basics article on what colours to wear for skin tones, I think the article you were thinking about is this one – http://www.fashionbeans.com/2010/how-to-wear-the-right-colours-for-your-skin-tone/.
But regardless, as Tom’s article says you can wear green as long as it is a darker tone, such as emerald green. When it comes colours that you shouldn’t wear I’d say stay away from too much black and earthy tones like beige and cream and also whites. They can really wash out your skin tone.
But I’m a firm believer when it comes actual colours (outside of neutrals and monochroms), it’s more of a case of getting the right sahde and tone, rather than staying away from one particular colour.
Hope this helps.
You’re right Matt, I was thinking of Tom’s article.
Thanks to both you and Paul. I’ll start looking a little more into tints, shades, and tones and see what looks good, and not worry so much about the hue.
Really like the article! I was wondering, in the lookbook, bottom row in the picture to the right, where is the jacket from. That’s quite cool!
Good to be reminded about other colours; I do choose those grey/blues too often. I think the main issue with me and green is I instinctively go for military detailing. So I then avoid green because I don’t want to look like I visit army shops. This all too often results in yet another black jacket purchase. Green accessories like scarfs I find much easier to buy. As for skin tone (I’m pale) I always go for richer, darker tones. So that middle pair of shoes is the perfect green for me and those washed out green jackets (like very top left) are definitely to be avoided.
I really like green, but for some odd reason I don’t have a lot of it in my wardrobe. One thing that I think every man should have, though, is a bold green polo. It goes with pretty much anything and you can dress it up or down.
Hi Matt, I have a question, but it’s a bit off-topic…
I’ve been reading though your fashion basics articles recently, and they’re already helping me a lot. Things are starting to click for me. In your first basics article, you said that fit is most important of all, but I haven’t found and answer to my question. So here it is.
How long should a t-shirt/ shirt be when left untucked? I’ve been trying to find an answer online, but answers from reliable sources are quite hard to find. So should it be halfway down the zipper, bottom of the belt, or something else?
Well for T-shirts it doesn’t really matter because they should always be untucked, never tucked in. As long as they are not longer than where they crotch ends on your jeans/chinos/trousers you’ll be fine.
Now shirts is a whole other situation. Most dress shirts, if made properly, will have long tails so that when you’re tucked in and you, for example, raise your arms above your head they don’t come untucked. These are to never be worn untucked because it will look ridiculous. However, their are some designers (Topman springs to mind and the designer Richard Chai) who are cutting their shirts a little shorter that end 1-2 inches below the belt line and are perfect to leave untucked.
So as a recap – anything longer than a few inches below the belt should stay tucked, always if it’s a dress shirt. A few inches below can stay untucked. If when you raise your arms it shows your stomach, don’t buy it or ever wear it!
Thanks for your answers!
And when you say “raise your arms,” you mean vitruvian man style, right? Not diving style? Because my shirts usually do show a little stomach when I raise my arms all the way up…
well, the sign of a well made shirt is that it doesn’t come untucked when you put yourt luggage in an overhead compartment but those shirts tend to cost a lot of money and how often do people really do that movement? So yea, as long as when you’re moving your arms around it doesn’t come untucked it’s fine.
Really intrigued to know who and what the person is wearing in the very top picture to the right of Bowie? Looks like Ryan Gosling but I could be wrong. Green has become somewhat of a favourite of mine recently, always swayed towards the neutrals of navy, grey, white etc. Such a versatile and bold colour which definitely compliments most looks, a paramount colour of my wardrobe
Hi joe, that picture is Ryan Gosling you are correct ! I watched the film the other day ‘crazy stupid love’ where he takes the other guy to the shopping mall to buy new clothes…it appears to be a scene from the set. great movie by the way.
As for green, I go for forest green, moss green, olive green, avocado green because i have light brown eyes/ dark mousy blonde hair with not much contrast between my hair and skin. It suits me down to the ground and i do not look washed out like with some of the military greens !
Im rockin this jacket with brown suede desert boots, khaki or rust coloured chinos but it goes with everything from navy to tobacco coloured trousers. i think a mid-dark red would go really well underneath..
http://www.johnlewis.com/303401/Product.aspx?SearchTerm=RecentlyViewedList
Nice article,
I’m really curious to know where the cardigan shown at the top left of the advanced section’s lookbook is from, can anyone tell me?
Thanks for the article! I have the same question as the guy above me, where to get the jacket from the lookbook, bottom right pic? Thanks for info! :)