Style Director Benjamin Tay & Richie Koh Mediacorp in his Green MS Romania Three Piece Suit

Ah Green. The colour of vitality, nature, ecology and harmony is everywhere around us. It makes perfect sense then for business casual and today we are going to showcase “How To Wear A Green Suit”

Unfortunately Green is such an underrated colour because everyone tries to stick with the classic blue and grey theme. It is extremely versatile and can dress an outfit up or down while creating a mesmerizing colour palette.

Not only that, but it can help you develop that signature style that everyone will recognize and admire. In a sea of blue and grey you can be the elegant exception.

BUT THERE ARE A MILLION SHADES OF GREEN

You are probably right for thinking that and it is a regular occurrence amongst men. We tend to put all the different shades of one colour into one basket. However, say that this is pink next to a woman and she will correct you by saying “No, it is salmon pink“.

Likewise, Green has many different beautiful shades. In the darker side of the spectrum we find shades like Hunter Green, Emerald Green or Forest Green. On the other hand pastel colours are lighter like Neon, Lime and Sage Green for a more summer look.

If you are one of those who crave attention or regularly visit Pitti Uomo, you can literally wear anything but that does not mean it looks good in my book. In Misiu Academy we do dare to differ while also trying to apply the ground-rules.

What does that mean?

It means that if you want to wear a Green Suit for Business there is only one choice and that is darker shades.

Green is already a more informal tone inappropriate for Business Formal, so a darker colour will keep it well in the formality range for Business Casual. Simply put, the darker, the better

TODAY’S PARTICIPANTS

In an effort to better showcase how We style Green Suits on Singapore’s Celebrity Richie Koh we have kept the core the same while changing the accessories and the shirts. The choice was the Army Green Single-Breasted by Made Suits using fabric by Vitale Barberis Canonico.

Fit: MS Romania Housecut
Material: Pure Wool
Composition: 100% Wool
Woven By: Vitale Barberis Canonico
Price: $1,959 SGD

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS START WITH FIT

No matter what fabric you choose, which type of lapels or colour the most important aspect of clothing is fit. A 1000$ suit will look terrible if is too big or too tight, while on the other hand a cheap polyester H&M Suit that fits well will look much better.

The idea is not to rush to H&M and waste your money (you might as well burn them) but to understand the importance of a good fit. This is further complimented by taking it to a tailor and altering some spots. It is very hard to find perfect fitting Ready-To-Wear clothes so hemming the pants or shortening the sleeves can be the cheapest yet most effective value purchase you will ever make.

SINGLE BREASTED OR DOUBLE BREASTED?

This is a matter of personal preference but both jackets will look great. I am a huge fan of Double Breasted Suits so for such a bold piece I wanted to make a statement but also look effortless. I really feel it blends classic and modern at the same time.

As for the lapels, Peak will always look better on a Double Breasted version.

WHAT ABOUT THE POCKETS?

Now this is something that can stir up a lot of debate. Jetted and Flap Pockets are always going to be more formal while Patch Pockets make for a better sports jacket.

In my opinion when you go for a green suit you are conscious that it is always going to be more informal. You could argue that Flap Pockets will improve that, but in my opinion this is the one occasion where I think Patch Pockets fit perfectly.

Not only you can use this as a suit separate and essentially a sports jacket/blazer but I also believe it blends well with the colour and the construction.

As aforementioned, this is personal preference so if you are unsure what to look for I would advise starting with Flap Pockets since you can never go wrong with them.

BUT CAN YOU TELL ME WHICH COLOURS COMPLIMENT GREEN?

Versatility is the beauty of green and the combinations are endless. Shades of white, orange, blue and brown go extremely well with green. Here is a visual illustration of some colours that compliment it exceptionally.

TIES

As my examples demonstrate it is very easy to pick a tie for a Green Suit. They can be made from silk for a more formal look or wool/grenadine for some texture and flair.

Gold accents and orange tints are fantastic with green, but also pink and purple. A tie is a way to express yourself so floral and geometric patterns or polka dots are appropriate and fun.

Brown is another personal favourite of mine, but I would generally avoid a green tie to not appear uniform. Burgundy could possibly work but I would avoid any kind of strong red colour.

Needless to say that navy and grey are always safe options

SHOES

Another playground with many possibilities! If you have read our Dress Shoes Guide you will know that Oxfords, Derbies, Chelsea Boots and Monk-Straps are ideal for suits.

Your choice is dictated by the occasion but Chelsea Boots and Monks have been my go-to shoes lately. In summer months you could even wear loafers for a more casual look.

POCKET SQUARES

Last on the list is Pocket Squares. There is not much to write about colours that has not been mentioned before and you can go wild with patterns and shapes or different folds.

However, what needs to be said is that you should not match your pocket square exactly to your tie. Instead, try to use something that has a little bit of your shirt and tie colour.

WEARING A GREEN SUIT IS NOT AS HARD AS YOU MIGHT THINK