Stripes are a universal pattern in menswear. You can often see them in casual clothes and tailored ensembles. Stripes have earned their place as a men’s wardrobe staple. The Unstitched said that striped outfits are undeniably a piece that every man should have as they look remarkable in casual and formal styles.
Types of Stripes
- Rope Stripes. These stripes tend to be bolder. Leave them to those with higher positions on a professional food chain. They are also good for guys who want to make an imposing impression on an audience. As the stripes are thicker, the spacing between them is often greater than we see with pinstripes.
- Chalk Stripes. Chalk stripes are typically thicker than pinstripes but aren’t necessarily as thick as rope stripes. They are most often found on flannel wools.
- Pinstripe. The prefix “pin” in menswear means “small,” therefore, pinstripe refers to “small or thin stripes.” They are usually thin and fine vertical stripes running in parallel. Generally, pinstripes are light-colored patterns, while the base fabric is rather dark. Men who don’t wear suits very often should own a pinstripe suit as a backup.
What To Consider When Buying a Striped Suit
- Colors. Try before you buy. Pick a suit color that looks good for your skin tone.
- Type of Stripes. You must think twice about how wide the stripes are and how much they stand out from others. The bolder the contrast of the stripes is with the base of the fabric, the more you’re going to be noticed. The Coolist said that the more you try to stretch up, the narrower the stripes should be. And, the more you want to stretch outward, the wider.
- The Fit. It’s better to save money on your new suit and spend it on a tailor than get a better suit that fits awkwardly.
- Styling. Between your tie, suit, and shirt, at least one should be in a solid pattern.
What to Avoid
- Avoid stripes in neon colors, such as electric blue, which is a common conundrum in menswear.
- Avoid combining striped suits and striped shirts with the same width.
- Avoid trying to combine different patterns, especially stripes, as they would look very bad.
How to Style Striped Suits
↓ 20 – Black And White Stripes
Do not choose a contrasting collar. And a touch of burgundy or maroon with your tie or even better, with a pocket square.
↓ 19 – Suit For Weddings
A three-piece striped getup is most suitable for formal events. Make sure you coordinate the colors well because this pattern can easily look awkward when mismatched. Here are some more ideas on Casual Wedding Guest Attire For Men.
↓ 18 – Chalk Stripe
Pinstripe suits are considered acceptable for formal events, especially if they are darker, like navy tones. Try to style them with neutral-toned accessories and dress shoes to don the look perfectly.
↓ 17 – Double-Breasted
This suit looks great in dark shades like black or navy, but you can always spice things up slightly in a pale blue or cream. For formal events, get a classic shirt and tie in complementary colors. Here is our complete guide on How to Wear Double-Breasted Suits for Men.
↓ 16 – Grey Pinstripe Suit
Greys and charcoals are easy options to add instant elegance to any event, plus they look fantastic on every skin tone. You can enhance the tint with a complementary shade, such as blues and purples.
↓ 15 – Best Ties For Pinstripe Suits
Complement the shade with a tie in a lighter or deeper shade to create depth in the ensemble. Another option is to throw a salmon or hazel tint into the mix for a fresh combo.
↓ 14 – Royal Blue
↓ 13 – Vintage Blazer
This calls for a smart-casual getup. When it comes to knitwear and T-shirts, go for horizontal stripes. The classic Breton stripe is perfect for a look that straddles the line between formal and relaxed.
↓ 12 – Navy
Best for business meetings and weddings. Add some professional feel to this pinstripe outfit in a button-down and tie or mix things up with sneakers, a dress shirt, and a turtleneck. When styling this formal wear, stick to neutral colors such as white, grey or even light blue. However, if you want to make an impact, opt for a contrasting color like dark orange or mustard. Here are more ideas on Wearing Blue Suits with Brown Shoes.
↓ 11 – With Chinos
When pairing with chinos, limit your color options to white, khaki, and black. For a more uniform look, base the color of the chinos on the stripes of the blazer. With this combo, you will achieve smart casual and business-appropriate looks.
↓ 10 – With Jeans
Jeans can go well with almost any staple in your wardrobe. It might be a casual dailywear, but the outcome is jaw-dropping when paired with a formal piece. Consider pairing blue jeans with blue striped blazers.
↓ 9 – With White Sneakers
If you will your suit with a white button-down underneath, get those white sneakers to do some matchy-matchy!
↓ 8 – Classic
With its origin going back decades, this piece is kind of hard to style. Try to pair it up with a white button-down shirt and charcoal or grey tie for a sophisticated vibe. If you’d like to mess things up a bit, go for some brown shoes with a matching belt, which adds a modern touch to its traditional design.
↓ 7 – For Travels
Suits are a great option for travels and leisure time. If you are in for an out-of-town gig, grab that striped suit you’ve been dying to wear. Navy blue is recommended.
↓ 6 – For Parties
↓ 5 – With Turtle Neck
In winter, get a dark suit and then match it with a turtle neck. This is a good substitute for a dress shirt without going overboard.
↓ 4 – Business Casual
For your days at the office, wear a pinstripe suit with a button-down shirt and contrasting tie. The pinstripe suit is a corporate wardrobe staple. However, these days it’s also making cameos in other matters. Therefore, it’s no longer business as usual; it’s now a savvy, sartorial look that can be modern and adventurous all at one time.
↓ 3 – Casual Striped Blazer
Blazers are usually worn for formal to semi-formal occasions. However, you can make it casual by wearing it with a basic white tee underneath. Don’t close the buttons, and leave the undershirt loose. Chinos like khaki are recommended.
↓ 2 – Pink Perfection
Enhance it with a complementary shade, such as blue chinos. A pink suit with some grey hints looks best with muted tones like dove grey or sky blue.
↓ 1 – Red Summer Suit
Try to wear a flashy striped suit once in a while. It’s not a bad idea to go out of the norm (like blue and black blazers). This outfit is suitable for summer-themed celebrations.
