More versatile than you may think, the khaki suit would make a great addition in any guy’s closet this spring and summer. Stand out from the sea of standard grey and navy at the office, make a style statement at weddings, and break the two pieces apart for any occasion that doesn’t call for a full suit.
Below, three ways to wear a khaki suit, featuring J.Crew‘s Ludlow Italian Suit:
THE CLASSIC
Suit: J.Crew | Shirt: Calvin Klein | Shoes: Cole Haan | Belt: Gap
Pocket Square: J.Crew | Tie: 1901 | Sunglasses: Illesteva
Wear it Well: This look is great for a wedding, a baby shower, an engagement party or any other celebratory summer event. To dress it down for the office (if your office is a dressed-down type), opt a muted tie and ditch the pocket square. {Pocket square tip: fold the fabric into a rectangle the size of your pocket, slide it in length-wise, and have about a ¼ inch poking out above the top of the pocket.}
HEAD-TURNING CASUAL
Shirt: J.Crew | Pants: J.Crew | Shoes: Calibrate
Tie: Todd Snyder | Sunglasses: RayBan | Socks: Topman
Wear it Well: If you’re going to wear a tie, make sure your shirt is tucked into your pants. You don’t have to wear a belt if the pants fit well, but if they are a bit big around the waist, a belt is a must – just make sure it matches your shoes! No-show socks will allow you to shamelessly show those ankles.
NOT YOUR DAD’S HAWAIIAN PRINT SHIRT
Denim: Steven Alan | Blazer: J.Crew | Shirt: Hentsch Man
Sneakers: COS | Sunglasses: Raen | Bracelet: Miansai
Wear it Well: The suit jacket elevates this look just enough to take it from casual afternoon drinks to cool cocktail lounge. Cuff the hem on the jeans if they are bunching on top of the shoes.
Tell Me:
How do you style your khaki suit?
Want more style tricks and tips? See how to wear the nautical look and pair pastels.
Lauren Larsen is a Canada-based personal stylist who has been helping guys improve their personal style (and get their free time back) since 2013. Knowing that when we look good, they feel good, she works with clients on everything from fit to those foundation elements every man needs in his wardrobe.
Interested in working with Lauren? Learn more here.
I have so far failed to break up a suit like that (tried with a light grey one last year and went back to wearing a suit). The main issue has been that worsted fabrics really only work in a suit in my experience. Interested to try out this idea though – my local menswear shop has staff all in breezy summer suits this time of year and I really love the idea of them.
you’re totally right, Tod! Sometimes the fabric of a suit is just too fine to wear with something casual, like jeans. Typically summer suits are made of a linen blend or something more casual than fine wool winter suits, so it is much easier to break apart and pair with casual pieces. If you do end up picking one up, I’d love to know how it goes!
I just picked up a khaki suit a little over a month ago and have only worn it once so this post is perfect. I’m especially interested in trying something similar to that Aloha shirt (as it is properly called in Hawaii) combo at my office on Fridays. I’ve worn my Aloha shirt on a Friday but adding the pieces above will dress it up nicely.
Hi Noa! I totally think you should rock your ‘aloha’ shirt! As long as you dress it up appropriately, and it fits well, I don’t think you will look out of place on casual Fridays. A tip with the sleeves on the shirt, to ensure they aren’t too loose, cuff them once or twice. And as for the shoes in that look, I’d replace the sneakers with a nice pair of brown dress shoes or loafers for the office.
Nice, thanks Lauren I’ll take your tips and put them to use.
I like all those options, though I’m more likely to wear the second than any of the others. The third I might feel a bit too much like Hunter S. Thompson hanging out in Cuba.
Also, I am not on board for not wearing a belt when my shirt is tucked in. I have been watching Friends on Netflix lately, and it drives me crazy that Joey always tucks his shirt into jeans and doesn’t wear a belt.
My rule is if something has belt loops, I wear a belt. I have had the loops removed on a couple suits though, just for a little something different.
It’s true, a lot of guys have been rocking the suit with no belt look lately {I think we can thank the TV show Suits for that}! I like that you had your belt loops removed on a couple of your suits!
I like the 3rd look but I’d probably use the full suit or go with chinos over the jeans and trade out the sneakers for loafers but I’m not much of jeans and sneakers guy. I think it is kind of sad that in some circles, a khaki suit is seen as too casual in the spring and summer when wearing one would feel fresh and more comfortable, especially with less lining and in a cotton/linen blend. Of course I would never wear one to a funeral or a black tie event but other than that, I don’t see a problem with it.
that’s awesome TJ! I’m glad you’re comfortable rocking a full khaki suit – it is such a great look for the spring and summer.
I honestly like darker items with the Khaki or beige suit (my Ludlow summer suit is something called fine stripe, closer to beige than true khaki but similar in styling options I think.) My navy pindot is one of my go-to’s with this suit, especially with classic white sneakers…like so.
A whole lot of yes with that last look!
Josh – The Kentucky Gent
http://thekentuckygent.com
glad you like it!
Lauren, what are some tie guidelines for a khaki suite? I always struggle with shirt/tie combinations. Thanks!
Hi Fred! I’d say that the only thing you need to keep in mind when wearing a khaki suit is that because the fabric is light, you should also keep the shirt and tie light and bright, while still choosing somewhat contrasting colors to break it apart. You can’t go wrong with a white shirt, or any pattern shirt that has white as the based. Pastels (think purple, blue & pink) also look really great with khaki. Same goes for the tie – I’d stay away from blacks or anything too harsh. Navy blue does look great, but make sure the shirt is light if you are going to wear a dark navy tie. See the how to conquer shirt and tie paring blog (http://stylegirlfriend.com/conquer-shirt-and-tie-combos/) for more details!