BY ABBIE UY
The ultimate color selection for your on-the-job suits!
We’ve all grown accustomed to working from home that we’re used to creating our own quarantine fashion — that being your shirt and a pair of lounge shorts. As quick and effortless as this sounds, it’s time you get out of your comfort zones (literally) and say hello to the suits in your closet!
You may or may not have an entire collection of suits but the bigger question remains, how are you going to style them? With a thousand colors in the color wheel (or your closet), there are definitely many to choose from. It can sometimes be overwhelming to try and put together the best possible color combination.
Not to worry, as long as you have the right colors already, then you’re golden. You can repeat colors and styles yet still exhibit different looks fit for working and looking your best. That being said, I’ve laid out basic yet all-around colors for you to play with alongside their complementary colors, and also took the liberty of curating and creating color palettes just for you.
The Colors You Need to Have
Black
Starting off with everyone’s favorite color, black. May it be the shirt, suit jacket, trousers, tie, or vest, having this color is a must-have in your closet because it literally matches anything. But let’s go with the specifics on this one. Apart from black itself, here are the best colors you can match it with: blue, gray, beige, and white. Black is indeed universal, so you can go ahead and settle with dark colors such as navy blue and gray, or if you’re feeling a little creative, you can add a bit of contrast to your look and pair it with beige and white.
Palette 1: The Classic-Not-So-Classic Suit
When you hear the word classic, what comes into mind is black and white. And that’s exactly what this palette aims to show. However, I’ve added a “not-so-classic” touch just to spice up your usual black and white suit. This consists of a gray piece in your outfit that makes it cooler and sophisticated.
Suit Jacket: Black, Suit Trousers: Light Gray, Inner Shirt: White
Gray
If gray were a person, he’d be full of swag and well-reserved. This color is another must-have in your closet because it all the more makes monochromatic looks appear vibrant yet cool. The best colors to pair with gray are black and shades of white and gray. Yes, monochromatic at its finest.
Palette 2: The Cool and Crisp
You may or may not wake up way past your alarm and before you know it, you’re cramming your way to getting ready for work. The Cool and Crisp can be your go-to palette and will give off that effortless and clean impression that’s bound to help you conquer the day.
Suit Jacket: Dark Gray, Suit Trousers: White, Inner Shirt: Light Gray
Blue
Striking and bright, blue is an attractive pick if you feel like you want to make a statement — light blue for a fresher look and dark blue for a stronger presence. In descending order, here are the most complimentary colors to pair it with: gray, white, and black. The more basic the color is, the more well-put-together it looks.
Palette 3: The Strong and Reliable
The color blue is usually linked to feelings of sadness as often described in music or cinematography. Not in this case, however. This color combination expresses determination and responsibility because from here, we associate the color blue with the calming ocean and sky. We also mention blue stimulates attributes of integrity and loyalty. Blue is not your typical pick for suits, especially because several find it hard to pair it with. But if you’re in the mood for going the extra mile and wanting to make an impression the second you walk through those office doors, this color palette might just do the trick.
Suit Jacket: Navy Blue, Suit Trousers: Light Gray, Inner Shirt: Black
Beige
Beige is another color that makes monochromatic looks appear attractive and clean. Navy blue and gray are two colors that look best with beige. But you can go ahead and work with white for a more subtle look. You can even pair this with army green or khaki if you’re feeling playful.
Palette 4: Sunshine o’clock
Beige can sometimes be described as pale, but I’d say it leans more toward warm and cozy because it has undertones of yellow and green. If you’re in the mood for a monochromatic look that doesn’t look too washed off, you can have fun with this color palette.
Suit Jacket: Beige, Suit Trousers: Khaki, Inner Shirt: Cream
Brown
Earth colors are definitely a win in your closet. Having to look at them from a standing point of view almost feels like you’re connecting with nature and it’s like a breath of fresh air. All the more why it’s fun to incorporate this color into your collection of suits. The best color to pair brown with is with shades of brown itself. You can add off-white and light gray to the list to create some variety, but light brown and beige work best.
Palette 5: The Calm and Collected
Not only are earth colors subtle to the eyes, but they’re also fairly easy to pull off. You walk inside the premises and you’re like a breath of fresh air as if mother nature was called upon.
Suit Jacket: Brown, Suit Trousers: Beige, Inner Shirt: White
Maroon
Maroon may or may not be rare when it comes to office looks, but it’s a nice touch to your collection if you’re feeling like you want to go out of the basic zone and play with more loud colors. Maroon is an attractive color that appears elegant and posh. Beige, white, and black work best with maroon.
Palette 6: The Loud and Subtle
Feeling playful and quirky? This one’s for you! This color selection is a mix of… drum roll please… loud and subtle. There are choices of strong and bright, at the same time they are toned down with the soft and easy-going pair of coordinates. Pro tip: This can also be worn for date nights!
Suit Jacket: Maroon, Suit Trousers: Beige, Inner Shirt: Off-White
White
If black is the absence of color, then white is the combination of all colors, hence why it is also considered a universal color because it matches anything. You can play with all the colors listed above and it will still look neat and well put together.
Palette 7: Simple and Chic
This color palette ranges from the lightest shades of brown to white. It’s almost as if you’re going for an all-white-everything look. But you can never go wrong with that because, for one, it looks clean and chic.
Suit Jacket: Cream, Suit Trousers: White, Inner Shirt: White
Now that you have all of these colors and color palettes, what’s next? Well, that’s entirely up to you how you want to mix and match these colors. Feel free to throw in a necktie or a vest for more character and create a signature style of your own, as long as you feel good and comfortable with them.
If you’re interested in copping these pieces, you can check them out at ZALORA today.