Spring/Summer Essentials: Coloured Tailoring

Introduction

The menswear industry has been growing bolder and bolder over recent years. From subtle pops of colour to the current fixation with statement prints and patterns, modern men have become much braver with their wardrobe choices. Not only that, designers and high street brands alike continue to push boundaries and present new style possibilities to an ever-accepting audience.

Make no mistake, introducing new colours to your wardrobe and incorporating them within everyday outfits takes a certain amount of confidence to pull off. However, that shouldn’t put you off, as with the correct knowledge, coloured clothing is surprisingly accessible and wearable.

A Modern Spring/Summer Essential: Coloured Tailoring

You should already be aware that tailoring forms the backbone of any great capsule wardrobe. These days, the suit is a stylish and fail-safe option that has become acceptable daily attire – especially for those wanting to appear well dressed and generically on-point even when they are not in a formal environment.

As this renewed love of tailoring continues to take hold, designers and the high street are continually looking for ways to make the suit more appealing and increase its versatility for the everyday male.

Dressing down the most traditional of menswear pieces is something that has been covered on FashionBeans. Techniques such as pairing your tailoring with a t-shirt/trainers or mixing and matching separates are tried and tested methods that enable you to put a casual spin on this formal classic.

The relatively new trend for bold, block-coloured tailoring has become a great way to push the suit in a more smart-casual direction. The overall aim is to remove some of the corporate stiffness that is so inherently ingrained into its makeup.

Street Style/Celebrity Influence

From street style icons to celebrities and their stylists, here is a selection of snaps illustrating how the trend for bold coloured suiting is already beginning to take shape:

How To Wear: Coloured Tailoring

Look One: Smart

While coloured tailoring delivers a slightly more casual approach to the suit than a timeless navy or grey version, that shouldn’t rule it out entirely for when the occasion is a little dressier.

A purple suit isn’t too dissimilar to the burgundy sort that is currently having a menswear moment. The darker and more sombre tone of the purple means it is much more versatile and less in your face than one in, say, bright orange or red.

By pairing it with a collection of neutral accessories, the suit does all of the talking. A step away from the expected is perfect for making a statement at an event that calls for a sense of formality without over-stepping the dress code.

• Asos Smart Shirt
• Burton Purple Slim Fit Jacket
• Burton Purple Slim Fit Trouser
• Topman Black Textured Bow Tie
• Alexander Olch Polka-dot Silk Pocket Round
• Topman Hudson Tyskatu Loafers

Look Two: Smart-Casual

A suit is always going to maintain a certain level of smartness, even when it’s been expertly dressed down. That being said, you can certainly err more on the casual side of the smart-casual divide.

A teal suit is a great option for when a more casual approach to tailoring is called upon. Rock the suit with a simple, white v-neck t-shirt and a rakishly stuffed pocket square.

Finish off with a pair of mature, minimalistic trainers or loafers for a real off duty approach to your tailoring.

• Asos V-neck T-shirt
• Teal Skinny Fit Suit
• Reiss Abyss Linked Diamond Print Pocket Square Bordeaux
• Lanvin Two-tone Suede And Patent-leather Sneakers

Coloured Suiting Lookbook Inspiration

Spring/Summer Appropriate Suiting

• Asos Skinny Fit Suit In White
• Tiger Of Sweden Norden Single-breasted Suit
• Asos Skinny Fit Suit In Burgundy
• Asos Skinny Fit Suit Jacket In Polywool
• Asos Skinny Fit Suit
• Red Slim Fit Suit
• Boglioli Three-piece Linen Suit
• Asos Slim Fit Suit In Rust
• Paul Smith Slim-fit Wool Suit

Coloured Tailoring: Separates

Of course, the beauty of a good suit is that you are effectively getting three outfits in one. Being able to mix and match suit separates is a vital tool, crucial for getting the most out of your tailoring and elevating your style to the next level.

Utilise a green suit jacket with a pair of light-grey trousers, printed shirt and black monk straps for a smart-casual look that will see you through the day and into the evening:

• Burberry Prorsum Slim-fit Printed Cotton Shirt
• Reiss Pinot B Two Button Cotton Mixer Sage
• Topman Light Grey Skinny Trousers
• Sanders Black Monk Stampford Brogues

Utilise the matching trousers from the suit with a dark indigo granddad shirt and neutral double-monks to create a casual look that is dressed down to perfection:

• Allsaints Stopford Shirt
• Reiss Pinot T Cotton Trouser Mixer Sage
• Reiss Wallace Double Monk Strap Honey

Coloured Separates Lookbook Inspiration

Spring/Summer Blazers

Of course, some of you will never have any need or desire to own a full suit. If this applies, then a coloured blazer is the next best alternative. Take a look at some of the best spring/summer appropriate versions we have found within current collections:

• Oliver Spencer Portland Slim-fit Cotton-twill Suit Jacket
• Topman Cobalt Blue Flannel Heritage Blazer
• Ps Paul Smith Cobalt Cotton Patch Pocket Blazer
• Selected Homme Wave – Suit Jacket – Pink
• Selected Homme Sub – Suit Jacket – Red
• Marc Jacobs Cotton Patch-pocket Jacket 147842
• Massimo Alba Buell Cotton-linen Jacket 147968
• Gucci Dylan Cotton Stripe Jacket 144556
• Gant Preppy Canvas – Suit Jacket – Green
• Selected Homme Wave – Suit Jacket – Green
• Reiss Pritchard Two Button Peak Blazer Seafoam Blue
• Reiss Pritchard 2 Button Peak Blazer Purple

Conclusion

Coloured tailoring offers the wearer a bold spin on a timeless classic. While it may be something that won’t be welcomed with open arms by all, for those willing to take the risk, a bold-coloured suit could be the statement piece your current capsule wardrobe is missing.

By approaching the coloured suit without prejudgement, and a bit of flexibility, you open yourself up to a host of new wardrobe options across the smart-casual spectrum. Not to mention, it’s sometimes OK – and dare I say fun – to approach your style with a bit of joviality and whimsicality.

Let us know your thoughts on coloured tailoring in the comments section below…