Suits are one of a man’s wardrobe staples. You can wear one to the office, to parties and formal events. Suits are more formal wear than anything else. But there are ways you can dress them down to fit the occasion. Suits are readily available everywhere; you can buy them off the rack, or if you are particular about the fit on your body, you can have a bespoke tailor make one with your specific body measurements. Bespoke suits are more expensive than ready-to-wear ones, as the former have your very own measurements that no one else has. The latter, on the other hand, are of standard sizes manufactured by the hundreds in each size.
Table of Contents
Rule of thumb
Remember that a suit comprises several pieces – from the jacket to the shirt to the trousers, and sometimes a vest. Dressing it down means that you can exchange a piece or two for other pieces to achieve that dressed down look.
Chuck that tie
Dressing down means relaxing your outfit, and wearing a necktie just doesn’t do the job. Get rid of the necktie and open your shirt at the neck for a relaxed look.
Wear a knitted vest
Wearing different textures is one way of looking dressed down. Wear a knitted vest over a shirt during the colder months. Don’t forget to choose thin knits to maintain the silhouette of the suit jacket. Wearing a thick knitted vest will make you look chunky underneath the jacket.
Wear a t-shirt
Nothing spells dressed down more than a crew neck or V-shaped t-shirt. Rest your formal shirts in your closet in favour of a fitted t-shirt. Pair your look with cool sunglasses, and you are ready to go.
Switch up your trousers
The trousers that come with your suit are most probably tailored to fit your legs and thighs like a glove. Switch it up with chinos or jeans for a more relaxed look.
Wear casual shoes
Sneakers, boots and other types of casual shoes are one of the best ways you can dress down a suit. You can showcase your footwear by cuffing the hems of your trousers to show your ankles or funky socks. Just make sure to still look polished by wearing clean shoes.
Accessories
A brown leather belt instead of a black one will make your entire look more laidback. Accessorising with a sporty watch and casual jewellery will also help you achieve your desired look. Your accessories will lend your look the casualness you are aiming for.
If you are going to shop for suits, pick classic cuts and colours that you can match with other existing wardrobe pieces in your closet for that dressed down and relaxed look. You need not spend a lot of money on a suit or two; you can score inexpensive ones at reasonable prices. But if you are willing to pay serious cash for a suit, you better be able to pair it with other pieces so you can get value for your money.