Why Your First Suit Should Be A Navy Suit

Everyone here at HSS is firmly behind the idea that your first suit should be a navy suit in hopsack or a “four season” wool. In fact, it’s a pretty widely agreed upon stance across the menswear world. But why? Why is a navy suit such a great choice for your first foray into the world of men’s tailoring?

If you ask me, it comes down to one simple priority – versatility. When it comes to the foundations of your wardrobe, especially when you build from the ground up, versatility is key, and nothing is more versatile than a navy suit. Here are four reasons why:

1.Wear it (pretty much) anywhere.
2. Dress it up or dress it down.
3. Easy to match.
4. A strong separate game.
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[circumquentiam]

Here is a really fun story my dad used to tell me. One time he was at a business conference and he wore his classic navy suit. All day he was in and out of meetings, shaking hands with people in the industry, and so on. When the conference was over he only had a few minutes before the dinner started. Instead of heading straight there, he went to his room and changed his tie. At the dinner everybody kept asking him if he changed his suit! Moral of the story, a good navy suit can be completely transformed in an instant!

[bruswane]

1. Navy
2. Charcoal
3. Blue
4. Light grey
4 suits is plenty for the hot & humid weather I live in all year round.

[zrider]

My only 2 suits are Navy and Charcoal. @ 6' and 180 my charcoal suit gets endless compliments from both guys and girls.

[grungeallday]

Yes! I've long thought the navy suit was ideal for the first. Charcoal may be a little more formal, but navy goes with all colors of shoes and usually looks better with more dress shirts.

[MrKDubya]

I always thought that a black should be the 1st suit, but now I'm thinking either a navy or charcoal gray because they are more versatile

[KC-PROMEGA]

I just got my first custom suit. Navy, hopsack, single breasted, notch lapel (3.74'), roped shoulders, flapped pockets. Single pleated, 2 inch cuff.
Thank you.

[mrtodd]

I took a long break from suits and when I reentered I bought a charcoal suit. I did buy blue later on. I think Charcoal is more practical.

[manslikeaugustine]

Im glad i found this video and my first suit is navy blue. Cannot wait to rock it.

[pythonjava]

I wish I could like this twice☺. could you do a video on suit fabrics and another on shirt-tie combos perhaps?

[CornCod]

Even though I came from a working class family, I think I got my first suit at age 13 or so. Way back then most little boys had a suit for church, funerals and whatever. I guess most fellows these days get their first suit after their BA or associates for job interviews. I remember my little clip-on kiddie tie!

[TheKrish]

Also, contrasting button colors (as you have on your hopsack suit jacket) enhances the versatility of the navy suit

[TheCameltotem]

I really wanna rock a brown suit, looks so great.

[qarhsi]

the points you mentioned applies to a dark grey suit too. so why not a dark grey first suit?

[nathanhunt]

My first suit (and only at the moment) was black. Dad took me to Men's Wearhouse to get a suit for his dad's funeral. Definitely need to get a navy suit.

[divyabksunar]

My first suit light gray since it was the only color in my size

[ryancooke]

Yes the navy suit is perfect 👍🏻 👍🏻 and it’s great for a job in the office, for law school, for a job as a lawyer, a teacher in school, a wedding etc and I was 12 years old when I got measured for my 1st suit and it was in the spring of 2007 before I turned into a 13 year old teenager in August 2007 because I was going to a special wedding at the time and I wore the same dark navy blue suit when I went to my school banquet such great memories

[federanger]

As always i love the content, just great(the best menswear). How ever i dont share thoughts on my mind when it comes to this matter. I think a grey suit is a better option it can be dressed down but when dressed up it blow the navy suit out of the water, i feel a navy suit is not as refined and also can looks a bit faded, how ever im more of a minimalist and dont really like color .

[FX-opxh]

Nice advice but I think a flap pocket works better than a patch pocket for versatility. Patch pocket is usually too casual in business environments.

[apolinarioenglish]

Truly helpful and well explained. Thank you. Keep up the good work.

[martintanz]

I would say, navy or charcoal grey are a tie for most versatile first suit. But, charcoal grey with some sort of subtle blue accent woven into the fabric (maybe a window pane) is actually the perfect first suit. Careful suggesting using a suit jacket as a blazer. A well dressed man should have at least one navy blazer in his wardrobe, followed by a black blazer and a brown or tan blazer). In this day and age of casual attire, one good suit and 3 good blazers or sport coats might be all most men need.