Although you love the idea and feel comfortable in a suit, you don’t have the time or the occasion to wear it. The suit jacket is something you would normally wear on its own, but what about wearing it with jeans? You could also wear the suit jacket with chinos or another pair of trousers. Is it true?
The short answer is YES. However, it all depends on what type of suit you have.
Let’s dive into the details so that you can be sure you are wearing your suit jacket with proper jeans.
HOW VERSATILE IS YOUR SUIT?
These 5 Things Are Important for Your Suit:
This is what The Book Of Style Rules says: It’s wrong to wear separates from suits. The Broken Suit is an offense.
It looks great when done properly, however. This practice is accepted by most people and looks great if done correctly. It all comes down to how casual or formal your suit is. It is more likely to be worn separately if it contains casual elements.
Take a look at the suit you are wearing and ensure these five items match. If you are able to match the five items, you may be able to wear your suit jacket with jeans, or the trousers with a casual jacket. Or any other combination you think of. Not all elements can be worn together. It is about the combination of these elements within a jacket. The more you have, the greater the chance that it will be a casual-leaning suit you can separate and wear.
THE SUIT’S FABRIC
These fabrics can be worn separate:
- Flannel
- Wool that is thick
- Tweed
- Cotton / Linen
- Fabrics with noticeable texture, springy and thicker fabrics
These fabrics can not be worn separate:
- Worsted wool
- Cashmere
- Silk
- Fabrics with a slight sheen, such as shiny or smooth fabrics
Worsted wool is the most traditional and formal of all the suits that you will find in shops. Although silks and cashmere are rarer, they are still readily available.
Because of their texture, appearance, and ease of wear, linen, cotton, tweed and cotton fabrics are more casual than other fabrics.
Tweed is best for the cooler months. Linen jackets work well in warmer months. Both can be worn with trousers, chinos or denim.
BUTTONS FOR THE SUIT
These buttons can be worn separate:
- Buttons in gold, silver, and pewter
- Shell buttons or horn buttons in contrast
These fabrics can not be worn separate:
- Buttons that are not contra-signed
- Dark buttons on dark fabric
Your jacket’s fabric will have more contrast than your buttons, so you are more likely to wear it as a separate.
The jackets can also be worn separately if they have silver, gold, or pewter buttons, like on a navy blazer. You can also wear the suit separately if your jacket has plastic or contrasting buttons. If the buttons on your suit jacket match closely with the jacket or are low in contrast, it gives off a formal vibe and you should not wear this jacket as an additional jacket.
THE SUIT JACKET POCKETS
These types can be worn separate:
- Patch pockets
- Patch flap pockets
- Flap pockets
These types can not be worn separate:
- Flap pockets
- Jetted/welt pockets
The most casual style, with the exception of patch pockets, is the one that’s considered least formal. This helps if the jacket is being worn as a sport coat or you want to dress it down. You’ll find flap or jetted pockets if you have a tuxedo, or a more traditional, conservative style suit.
You will notice that both lists have flap pockets. Flap pockets are a hybrid of formal and casual. This pocket style can be found on both sport coats and suits.
You will need to consider other factors, not just your pocket style, when deciding if your suit jacket is suitable for wearing with jeans or chinos.
THE SUIT’S PATTERN AND TEXTURE
This can be worn separate:
- Bold patterns (checks, wide stripes, houndstoothe, etc.)
- Tactiles that are more rough or tactile (seersucker and tweed, springy wool, springy wool, etc.)
This can not be worn separate:
- Cloth with a subtle sheen
- Fabrics with a shiny, smooth texture
- Worsted wools with high “super” counts
You can wear the jacket alone if you have a boldly-patterned suit (e.g. a large check or houndstooth). Pinstripes are a bold, but subtle pattern. Pinstripes tend to be more formal and the jackets can’t always stand alone. It all depends on your personal preference, but we would recommend staying away if you are unsure.
The jacket’s ability to be worn alone depends on the fabric texture. It’s better to wear the suit trousers with the jacket if the fabric has a slight sheen or fine wool. The jacket may stand alone if the cloth is more texture, such as tweed, birdseye or linen.
COLOR OF THE SUIT FABRIC
These colors can be worn separate:
- Bold, vibrant, or multiple colors
These colors can nor be worn separate:
- Darker colors
The jacket can be worn alone if you have a bright or bold suit or any other color than your usual business colors (charcoal, navy or black, brown, brown, or tan).
TO SUM UP
- FABRIC COLOR is the most important factor in determining whether a person will be able to tell if they are wearing a garment with a particular color. Although this may not be the most common view, we believe the first thing you notice is the color of your suit, regardless of the fabric or texture. You can wear a brightly colored suit jacket with buttons and pockets. You can wear them separately with jeans, chinos or other trousers if they are more formal.
- FABRIC TYPE/TEXTURE is the second most important. You should not wear your suit if its fabric is silky, smooth, luxurious, or has a high S number. For example, a jacket made of winter wool, tweed or cotton twill can be worn with jeans, chinos or other trousers.
HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF A SUIT
- FIRST, BUY ONLY THE RIGHT ONE
Adult men need at least two to three suits. If you have zero, you should focus on finding one that is versatile and can be used often.
- THE PERFECT SUIT FOR THE GUY WHO DON’T WEAR SUITS VERY OFTEN
A single-breasted, double-vented cotton twill navy suit would be a great choice if you don’t have to wear suits for work or home every day. Why cotton twill? It’s a fabric that is casual enough to be used by its parts, but formal enough to be worn by the occasional suit-wearer when he needs it.
The Havana navy cotton suit is a SuitSupply model. It’s a great suit. Cotton suits are usually released in spring, as a way to prepare for warmer spring and summer temperatures.
- FIT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE BRAND
Ready-to-wear suits are available in many price ranges. You should determine what your budget allows you to spend and then choose a suit that fits. As we have said in other articles, a $300 suit can make you look like a million dollars if it is tailored well.
- SUITS GENERALLY GET BETTER THE MORE YOU SPEND
If you are old enough and can afford it, you should buy the best suit you can afford. You can have your suit for many years. As long as it is well-made, you won’t need to replace it anytime soon.
- YOUR TAILOR MAY MAKE A PERFECT FITTING OFF-THE RACK SUIT FOR YOU
This is a common saying: It’s important that you find a tailor who makes you feel good. It is rare that a suit fits perfectly right out of the box. You may need to have the suit tailored if you purchase made-to-measure. Do your research, find a tailor to fit your needs, and then give him a piece of work to test his skills.
