The green suit is on the rise in the world of fashion. You may have already noticed a few of them yourself.
But, if you think that green suits are for other guys, not you, think again. Anybody can pull off this trendy suit, and it’s easier than you think.
Green suits may be a little intimidating because they’re harder to match colors to.
Also, since they aren’t a neutral shade, more thought is needed to make this color work, but it’s worth it.
About Green Suits
I get it; you’re probably recoiling in horror right now. You’re asking, “Green suits? Really??” Yes, really!
Sure, green suits haven’t always been cool. In fact, there may have been a time in not-too-distant history that they were downright ugly. (I’m looking at you, the 1970s.)
However, they have come a long way since then. This is a new millennium, and green suits have indeed found their place in it.
Green Matching Colors
Aside from the obvious pairing options of black and white, there are more colors to match with a green suit than you likely realize.
Most green suits look best when matched with earthy, neutral colors such as brown, navy, or charcoal grey.
However, if you’re looking to make a bold fashion statement with your green suit, you can also wear brighter shades with it.
For example, a light blue shirt can look surprisingly fresh, or you could even match yellow for a very audacious mix.
Different Shades of Green Suits
One quick glance at different offerings of green suits, and you’ll soon see how many there are. There are almost too many green hues to name, and they certainly have an enormous range.
Emerald green, olive green, aqua, turquoise green (with some blue hints), mint green, and pistachio are some of the choices. All are attractive options for a suit.
If you’re struggling to figure out which shade you should wear, let the season and time of day guide you.
Lighter shades of green are best suited for summer temperatures or daytime outings. The darker green is perfect for colder weather and nighttime.
Green Suit and White Shirt Color Combination
You can pretty much expect that a white dress shirt will always be a good pairing with any suit color. Green suits are no exception.
White dress shirts are the quickest way to dress up a suit. It must be crisp and fit very well to truly elevate your suit.
Your white dress shirt will stand out, especially against a darker suit color, so you want it to be in excellent condition.
Shop The Look
Green suit by Suitsupply.
Spread-collar dress shirt by Charles Tyrwhitt.
Champagne tie by Tiebar.
Brown suede loafers by Magnanni.
Ties for Green Suit and White Shirt
A dark green suit paired with a white shirt would look best with a brown or black tie. Ideally, the tie would match your shoes.
For example, a black tie and brown dress shoes would be unsightly. So make sure you keep the shades similar.
A light green suit will work best with a lighter-hued tie. That said, a light brown or khaki tie would look very earthy and natural.
You could also match a darker green with your suit, but be sure that the greens have the same undertones and don’t clash.
Cocoa brown tie by Ties.com.
Striped brown tie by Ties.com.
Shoes for Green Suit and White Shirt
Ideally, brown or black dress shoes are your best choice for a green suit and a white dress shirt.
If you are wearing a dark suit, remember that dark shades are more formal. This means that a more traditional style of dress shoe is going to be best with this suit.
Oxford dress shoes are the number one choice, but you can branch out. For example, you could make your suit more contemporary with a pair of monk strap shoes.
Lighter green suits lean more casual, so you’ve got more casual dress shoes to choose from. A pair of brogued dress shoes can look very stylish, while loafers are very relaxed.
Green Suit and Pale Blue Shirt Color Combinations
Adding a pale blue dress shirt is a pretty bold move. It makes a chic combination, but it can be challenging to pull off successfully.
The light blue of the shirt tones down the green of the suit; it makes the green feel more neutral.
You still need to carefully coordinate all other aspects of your outfit for the pale blue shirt to look just right.
You’ll have better results pairing this shirt color with a dark green suit. A light one may compete too much with the blue of the shirt.
Shop The Look
Dark green suit by Suitsupply.
Light blue shirt by Suitsupply.
Navy and burgundy striped tie by Ties.com.
Burgundy loafers by Stacy Adams. View on Amazon.
Ties for Green Suit and Blue Shirt
Ideally, subdued shades are the best choices to wear with this green/blue combination. Muted colors will reduce the risk of looking like a cartoon character.
Instead, these colors will blend well together with the earthy shades of blue and green.
A dark brown tie or a maroon tie lends a very mature sense to the suit. A black tie would also be a fantastic way to tie the colors together.
Silk brown tie by Dark Knot.
Navy foulard tie by Dark Knot.
Shoes for Green Suit and Blue Shirt
Unless you have chosen to wear a black tie, dark brown shoes are a natural match for these colors.
However, for an elegant twist, consider a pair of oxblood or burgundy dress shoes.
The reddish tint can be a lovely complement to the dark undertones of the green suit.
Just make sure that there’s more brown than red in the shoes; too much red may make you look like a Christmas present.
If you’ve added a black tie to this ensemble, you can wear black dress shoes instead. The black will sharply contrast.
Green Suit and Black Shirt Color Combinations
A black dress shirt will only look appropriate with a darker shade of green; it would overwhelm anything light.
On the other hand, the black shirt will help accent the green in the suit and make the green tones more visible than they would generally be.
An emerald green suit, for example, really pops when paired with a black shirt. That’s because there are no brown undertones in the emerald suit to mute the green tint.
Ties for Green Suit and Black Shirt
For this combination, there’s only one acceptable tie you can wear – a black one.
It may seem like a green tie should work, too, but that would be a mistake. It risks looking very retro, like a 1980s suit or maybe even a teenager headed off to prom.
So avoid the youthful image and stick to a more mature look with the black tie. Or do not wear a tie at all.
Grosgrain black silk tie by Tiebar.
Black knitted tie by Dark Knot.
Shoes for Green Suit and Black Shirt
The best dress shoes for this ensemble are black Oxfords or Derbys. The thing is, it makes sense to have your shoes match a significant component of your attire.
You can probably get away with super dark brown shoes if needed. However, be sure that they don’t contrast too much with your black shirt. Otherwise, they’ll be too distracting.
What Else to Consider
When done correctly, green suits can be among the most beautiful options out there.
They can be incredibly elegant, professional, or stylishly daring.
The Suit’s Fit
A well-fitted suit demonstrates more than just your personal taste and how much attention and care you give your appearance.
Your suit should look as if every single part of your it was designed just for your body, including the shoulders, sleeves, and chest.
Ensure your suit sits on your shoulders comfortably, forming an hourglass shape without pulling the fabric. The jacket should fasten easily around your belly button.
Also, your suit trousers should fit smoothly at the seat without any sagging or pulling.
Best Materials
The three primary materials that are best for green suits are twill, wool, and linen. Just as with your suit’s color, the fabric of your suit should be appropriate for the setting.
For example, a green linen suit is so light and breezy that it’s ideal for summer. It would look impeccable at an outdoor summer wedding. But beware of linen’s famous wrinkles.
Color and material should also complement each other. A thicker, heavier material such as wool should be reserved for dark, rich colors, while lighter-weight fabrics like twill are best suited for lighter tones.
The Formality of the Green Suit
As with any suit, the darker the shade is, the more formal it is. A green suit is no different.
You can wear a dark green suit in most of the same places you would wear other dark suits. For example, if a navy or charcoal grey suit would be appropriate, a dark green suit would also work.
Lighter suits, on the other hand, are naturally more casual. You certainly wouldn’t wear a light green suit for a formal evening event, but plenty of other opportunities are available.
Lighter shades are excellent for business casual ensembles or smart-casual outings.
Reducing the Formality of the Green Suit
If you want a more casual approach to your green suit, you can separate the jacket and pants to create a new look.
Wear just the trousers with a button-down shirt, and leave off the tie for a business-casual day at the office.
If you’re aiming for an even more casual look, try a high-quality t-shirt. You could also add a separate blazer of a different color to alter the style a bit.
Or, wear just the jacket with a pair of dress pants from another suit. For example, light grey dress pants with a green suit jacket would make the green less formal.
Where to Wear a Green Suit
A wedding would be the ideal place to debut your new green suit. However, you can wear it to any semi-formal event.
If you’ve got a cocktail party in the evening, you will stand out wearing this dark green suit. Fall and winter are the exact right times for this shade.
You can wear it to any semi-formal occasion if you dress it up with a shirt and dress shoes. Other accessories like tie and pocket square can further elevate the green.
You can also tone it down and wear it to an office or business meeting by pairing it with a turtleneck or T-shirt.
Hi, I’m Alex, and I’ve studied and specialized in styling in Rome. Through my writing, I want to help men dress well and learn the purpose and significance of suits and other formal attire. My final goal is to make men more confident in their wardrobe choice and life in general.
Hello
I am getting engaged and having a small party. I was so into olive green suit which I bought and I want to wear with white shirt but I don’t know about the tie. Can you please help me with the tie and shoe combination so I can match my fiancé in a beige/champagne dress. Thank you very much
Beige has earthy tones, so I suggest you go with light brown loafers or Oxfords, depending on your wedding dress code. At least introduce brown accessories, like tie and pocket square. Then, it’s easier to play around the shoe color. Check this image as an example.
I have a green 3-piece suit, it can sometimes seem greyish green. Usually depends on the light. I have already paired it with a light blue shirt and a dark brown tie with a silver circle pattern, which I really like. But would it look good with a white shirt and a dark blue or navy tie with some sort of pattern? And what colour shoes should I pair with it?
I like your initial combination. Although, a white shirt pairs best with a green suit. If you opt for a navy tie, wear black shoes. You can also pair the combo with a brown tie and shoes.
I am a 56-year-old Preacher, and I am wanting to know if a dark green suit with a white or black dress shirt would be proper for the Pulpit.
Green suits (even dark green) are not as conservative as other dark colors, like navy or black. So although it’s doable, it mostly depends on the church/chapel’s dressing character during the sermon.
Yes sir
Hello, I’m in the process of getting a green/gold tonic suit made for a wedding.
I was going to wear oxblood shoes but wondering about a shirt and tie.
My first thoughts were either grey or a fine black/white check with a grey/dark tie. Any ideas?