Once the signature of the city gent, the pinstripe suit has broadened its appeal in recent years, and now has a place in every man’s wardrobe. It’s at once classic and modern, and can give you a stand-out look at any event.
That said, when it comes to styling, those subtle stripes do demand a little more thought than you’d perhaps need to put into a plain suit. It’s all about maintaining the balance and structure, and achieving that end is what we’ll be dealing with in this article.
Choosing the Right Pinstripe Suit
Zeroing in on the perfect pinstripe suit for you takes in a number of important factors. First, there’s the fit. Any well-tailored suit should follow your body’s shape as closely as possible, with seam lines sitting perfectly on the shoulders and the trousers falling just right above the shoes.
The pinstripes give a new dimension to contouring, as they can be used to emphasise your chest – just like the contours on a map. If you have a slender build, narrower stripes can create an illusion of bulk, while broader stripes can add a little structure to a stocky frame. Balancing the stripe style with your body type enhances the overall appearance.
When it comes to colours, classic hues like navy blue, charcoal or black are versatile and will see you right in pretty much any setting. Of the three, charcoal – or even a lighter grey – is probably the most versatile. It can be toned up or down by choosing a colourful tie for celebrations such as weddings and award ceremonies, or toned down for more serious events by choosing a black or grey tie.
Styling Tips
You’ll usually find that solid colours work best under a pinstripe suit. The stripes of the suit can clash with any sort of pattern, unless they’re really subtle themselves. It’s hard to go wrong with a pure white shirt under any suit, and pinstripes are no exception. If in doubt, that should be your go-to option. Plain colours work when they complement the suit. A reliable cue is to wear a shirt that’s the same colour as the stripes, as you’ll already know it complements the main colour beautifully.
Your tie choice is also important, and again, we’d usually recommend a plain tie. Diagonal stripes can cause a slightly disoriented sensation, especially if the pinstripes are prominent. As we mentioned above, use the colour of the tie to match the tone of the occasion: colourful for light, dark and muted for serious.
If you do want to wear a patterned tie, try something with relatively large, repeating, organic patterns, like a paisley. It will break up the overall look without being overpowering, and shouldn’t clash with the stripes, while introducing a little style. If you do choose a patterned shirt, however, steer away from any kind of pattern in the tie.
Finishing touches like a pocket square, subtle cufflinks and tie pin will probably be all the accessories you need. Pinstripes always bring enough formality and elegance to proceedings, so you don’t need to go overboard.
Footwear
As with the rest of your outfit, your shoes should follow the golden rule of not being fussy or distracting. For that reason we’d tend to avoid brogues or monks, opting instead for a classic look like Oxfords or Derbies in a plain style. Try to coordinate with the suit as best as you can. For a grey or black suit, black shoes will always match up well, although grey will let you get away with a darker, oaky brown.
For a blue pinstripe suit, a brown pair will work perfectly. Opposites attract here – a darker blue suit will work with lighter brown shoes, while lighter blue, or a suit with more noticeable stripes, is set off better with darker brown shoes.
Find your Perfect Suit in our Exclusive Collection
Despite our name, we’re not just about shoes. We have the whole collection of garments and accessories to turn your style up to 11, whatever the occasion. And that of course includes a wonderful collection of suits, from classic looks to modern interpretations. Have a look at our suits, then find the perfect shoes to match it.