The London Lounge

Is a black suit acceptable for everyday business?

Certainly. But to some of us a black day suit looks a bit old-fashioned; to others, a bit too somber. If the cloth and cut are good, though, why not wear it if you wish?

I wouldn't try it.

A black suit is correctly worn by lawyers during court appearances in many Commonwealth countries (though it must be noted that this is a post-war mutation of the black jacket and striped trousers rule).

Priests wear a black suit as their tenue de ville, when outside the church grounds. The only other professional usage generally condoned is when a black suit is worn by undertakers in the performance of their duties.

Otherwise it is best reserved for funerals.

It may be acceptable, but is it desirable?

Fashion, media, advertising and the like love black. None of it is bespoke, though. Other than as a stroller or for funerals, I would always chose some alternative, such as charcoal sharkskin or midnight blue herringbone.

I did have a couple of black suits in my misguided youth (the ghastly coloured cheap stuff undergraduate gowns at university were made from clashed with anything other than black when subjected to artificial lighting), but they have been purposely worn out in the office and retired long since.

I dislike plain black suits intensely.

Bad idea, IMO.

Even for funerals-- unless the whole party is going to be wearing black (not likely, these days), charcoal is more pleasing even if it photographs more or less the same as black.

The only exception I would make is a setting where black is considered normal-- maybe if you work in a really "downtown" atmosphere, in media or similar. But not in mainstream business.

It seems plain black as a suit colour is frowned upon here. However I rather fancied a black three-piece would serve me quite well with a Bowler when attending parade off-duty or venturing into the City. Would charcoal indeed be better suited to this in your opinions? I am still a misguided youth who has only just begun his quest to truly understanding and appreciating Gentlemanly fashion and decorum.

Black is not the best suit colour for starting out. My first one was black -- big mistake. However, it was a cheap department store suit that my father bought me, so it mostly did duty as a funeral and wedding suit. If I had to do it over again, I would get charcoal or grey.

That said, I have seen many men wear black suits quite well. It's all in the cut and attitude.

Black is not the best suit colour for starting out. My first one was black -- big mistake. However, it was a cheap department store suit that my father bought me, so it mostly did duty as a funeral and wedding suit. If I had to do it over again, I would get charcoal or grey.

That said, I have seen many men wear black suits quite well. It's all in the cut and attitude.

I would go dark charcoal or a dark navy.


pvpatty

Anonymous wrote:I would go dark charcoal or a dark navy.


pvpatty

I agree - plain black is rather funereal and also reminds us of the Roderick Spode-Giorgio Armani Axis of the Black Shorts and the Black T-Shirts - a seditious and dangerous group.
NJS

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would go dark charcoal or a dark navy.


pvpatty

I agree - plain black is rather funereal and also reminds us of the Roderick Spode-Giorgio Armani Axis of the Black Shorts and the Black T-Shirts - a seditious and dangerous group.
NJS

A bicycle and umbrella for every Englishman!'



pvpatty

I think the old fashion of wearing a black, medium to high buttoning lounge with striped morning trousers is quite smart. Add a bowler and you'll be the toast of the town.

Think about dinner jackets look like in daytime,boring in my opinion. Even my dj isn't black. Why not go with a dark grey?