# Will colorful men's suits ever come back into style? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 28, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484 "2023-02-28T14:06:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/1 "2023-02-28T14:06:30Z")
For my high school graduation in 1986(I think), a classmate chose to wear a lavender-colored suit. He looked good, but that was about the last time I’ve personally seen someone wear a bright suit. Will fashion ever move back that way? Black/brown/navy suits are just boring, and only Boss Hogg could really pull off the all-white suit. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/2 "2023-02-28T14:12:08Z")
I sincerely hope not, but anything is possible. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/3 "2023-02-28T14:15:22Z")
I doubt it. Colorful men’s suits mean that men need to care about fashion, and enough don’t that I expect it to be unpopular. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/4 "2023-02-28T14:24:57Z")
I still have hope for eventual penetration of US culture by the [sub-Saharan African sapeur](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Sape) and/or [South Asian sherwani](https://www.utsavfashion.com/men/sherwani) traditions, but probably won’t happen in my lifetime. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/5 "2023-02-28T14:25:55Z")
Those are pretty stylish. I now share your hope. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/6 "2023-02-28T14:43:24Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > Black/brown/navy suits are just boring. For a while (starting circa 2010, inspired by “Mad Men”), lighter blue suits were somewhat popular in my area. I still see them occasionally. E.g.: > **[Hemsworth Prince of Wales Blue Blazer](https://www.indochino.com/product/hemsworth-prince-of-wales-blue-blazer)** > > Classic, versatile and reliable - the Hemsworth is your tried-and-true blue blazer. This blazer in pure premium wool stands up to whatever the daily hustle throws at you. ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/7 "2023-02-28T16:23:45Z")
Colorful or patterned suits are fairly common here in Kentucky, between the Derby and Keeneland. You don’t see them as standard work uniforms very often, but most guys who wear suits a lot have one in the repertoire. I have a green three-piece that I think bridges the gap pretty well. I’m due for a visit to my suit guy, and the plan is to get something dull (but not that dull) and something more fun. ---
**Author:** ![NinthAcolyte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ninthacolyte/32/13676_2.png) [@NinthAcolyte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinthAcolyte)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/8 "2023-02-28T16:35:40Z")
Visit a Black church on Sunday morning or a family restaurant near a Black church after services! You’ll see lots of very vibrant and colorful men’s suits. Likewise, visit a tailor or menswear store that caters to Black men and you’ll see lots of really cool and colorful stuff. Outside the US, take a look at men’s fashion in various African countries. Brightly colored suits are often popular there as well. Google [Congo Dandies](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2020/aug/27/congolese-dandies-meet-the-stylish-men-and-women-of-brazzaville-in-pictures) for examples! ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/9 "2023-02-28T16:38:38Z")
> [@DoctorJ](#): > > Colorful or patterned suits are fairly common here in Kentucky, between the Derby and Keeneland. Think Herb Tarlek? ---
**Author:** ![medstar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f07891/32.png) [@medstar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/medstar)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/10 "2023-02-28T16:53:00Z")
Check out Steve Harvey’s suits on Family Feud—you’ll see all colors in the suits he wears. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/11 "2023-02-28T18:20:39Z")
Clearly I need to expand my circle of acquaintances and TV. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/12 "2023-02-28T18:28:09Z")
> [@medstar](#): > > Check out Steve Harvey’s suits on Family Feud—you’ll see all colors in the suits he wears. Indeed; sometimes, he’s in traditional, conservative colors, but other times: [![](https://cdn1.edgedatg.com/aws/v2/abc/CelebrityFamilyFeud/showimages/b5a42d9c042070683058d067d47ec7d9/1200x676-Q75_b5a42d9c042070683058d067d47ec7d9.jpg) ](https://cdn1.edgedatg.com/aws/v2/abc/CelebrityFamilyFeud/showimages/b5a42d9c042070683058d067d47ec7d9/1200x676-Q75_b5a42d9c042070683058d067d47ec7d9.jpg) [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Kax6IO65dOI/sddefault.jpg) ](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Kax6IO65dOI/sddefault.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/13 "2023-02-28T18:40:06Z")
> [@NinthAcolyte](#): > > Google [Congo Dandies](https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/gallery/2020/aug/27/congolese-dandies-meet-the-stylish-men-and-women-of-brazzaville-in-pictures) for examples! What a cool photo gallery. Anybody know what all those tools are in front of Edwige Mbourangon’s shop? At first glance they looked like giant novelty push pins which is - of course - absolutely inaccurate. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/14 "2023-02-28T19:04:09Z")
One of our local TV news guys wears a purple plaid suit every once in a while. I guess you’re more likely to see things like that on TV, where you want the colors to pop, than out in public where people would just point and laugh. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/15 "2023-02-28T19:14:30Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > One of our local TV news guys wears a purple plaid suit every once in a while. It’s often the sports anchors, or maybe the weather persons, who seem to be more likely to wear funkier suits on air; most TV stations seem to want the “hard news” anchormen to be more conservative. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/16 "2023-02-28T19:17:52Z")
Yeah, this guy’s weather. You’re right, sports and weather do tend to dress more loudly. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/17 "2023-02-28T19:18:17Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > It’s often the sports anchors, or maybe the weather persons, who seem to be more likely to wear funkier suits on air; most TV stations seem to want the “hard news” anchormen to be more conservative. I guess they’re seen as being “wackier” than the regular anchors. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/18 "2023-02-28T19:21:27Z")
> [@Love\_Rhombus](#): > > I guess they’re seen as being “wackier” than the regular anchors Exactly – _especially_ the sports reporters. ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/19 "2023-02-28T19:21:57Z")
I’ve seen a few around, but not many. Why not be the first? Yes, some will laugh. Others will say “if he can do it, I can do it.” Seriously. In high school a friend of mine got a messed up perm and didn’t have time to do anything about it so she threw a bandana on her head for the day. She got some odd looks, but I backed her up a week later by using perm rollers to kink up my hair, then I used a different style of scarf, wore big hoop earrings and tucked my pants into my riding boots. And, boom, a trend appeared at my high school. Other girls started dressing similarly “oddly” and then my outlaw group started doing dress up days on Friday and suddenly, everyone started dressing up. This was in the late 70s when jeans and oxford shirts or polos were practically uniforms. It was like everyone else needed permission to show some flair with their clothing. Our dressing differently showed that flair. Also, when I first went to work as a consultant, my mentor/boss told me to go out and spend money on suits because consultants should always dress slightly better than the local employees. That was sage advice. I often had people sidling up to me asking “Where’d you get that suit?” and “Wow, I love your daring colors.” because I refused to wear a complete suit, but would mix and match and wear cheap with expensive. It boosted my confidence, and it boosted theirs to know it could be done. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2023, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484/20 "2023-02-28T19:24:09Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > I’ve seen a few around, but not many. Why not be the first? Yes, some will laugh. Others will say “if he can do it, I can do it.” Hmm. I suppose the next logical step is to find an occasion to wear said suit once I have it. I once shaved my head to find out what it felt like to be bald, so this should be easy. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/will-colorful-mens-suits-ever-come-back-into-style/980484.md?page=2)