Most men’s suits sold today are in solid colors such as charcoal, black and navy. One or more of those should always be a staple of the modern man’s wardrobe and the go-to option if in doubt about the most appropriate style for a particular occasion. But that wardrobe should also include at least one patterned suit, because patterns can add significantly to the options available.
The most common style of pattern for a men’s suit is the vertical stripe, typically pinstripes. There are many other types of stripe, though, range from the subtle (the stripe can be woven into the fabric as a shade of the base color) to the dramatic – off-white chalk stripes on a charcoal suit, for instance, or widely spaced fine stripes in a contrasting color like maroon on a navy background.
The presence of stripes in men’s suits immediately adds height and can often appear to reduce width.
The other popular pattern style in men’s suits is the check, especially the Glen and Prince of Wales checks. The pattern is made by crossing horizontal lines and vertical lines of different colors during manufacture, and this offers a slightly less formal look – even if the cut of the suit itself is sharp and classic.