5 suits every man needs (and why to own one)
By sneakersInn team · Updated
The five suits every man needs are navy, charcoal grey, black, light grey and a linen or cotton suit for the heat. If you only buy one, buy navy: it works for interviews, weddings, church and the office, and it looks right in daylight and at night.
| Suit | Buy it for | Wear it with |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Navy | Your first suit; almost every occasion | White or light blue shirt, brown or black shoes |
| 2. Charcoal grey | Business, interviews, evening events | White shirt, black oxfords |
| 3. Black | Funerals, black-tie-optional evenings | White shirt, black tie, black oxfords |
| 4. Light grey or stone | Daytime weddings and outdoor events | Light shirts, brown shoes or loafers |
| 5. Linen or cotton | Hot days, beach and garden events | Open-collar shirt or knit polo, loafers |
What are the benefits of owning a suit?
A suit means you are never underdressed. When an invitation says "formal", "corporate" or nothing at all, a well-fitting dark suit is always acceptable.
Owning one also saves money and stress:
- No last-minute buying. Weddings, funerals and interviews come at short notice. A suit already in your wardrobe means no rushed purchase at whatever price is on offer that week.
- It breaks into separates. The jacket goes over jeans or chinos; the trousers go with a shirt and knit. One good suit is really three outfits.
- It shows care. At a funeral, a wedding or an interview, dressing well is a sign of respect for the people there.
- Fit flatters every body. A tailored jacket gives structure to the shoulders and a clean line through the waist, whatever your build.
1. Why should my first suit be navy?
Navy is the most versatile suit colour. It is formal enough for a wedding or interview, relaxed enough to wear the jacket on its own, and it suits every skin tone. Brown shoes make it softer; black shoes make it sharper.
Choose a plain navy or a very fine pattern for your first one. Bold checks are memorable, which is the problem when you wear the same suit often.
2. When do I need a charcoal suit?
When you want something more serious than navy. Charcoal is the standard for business meetings, job interviews and evening events. It pairs best with black oxfords and a white shirt, and it works for funerals if you don't own black.
3. Do I need a black suit?
You need one if you attend funerals often, which many men in Ghana do. Black is the expected colour at most funerals here, often with a black or red-and-black accent. Outside funerals and evening events, black can look severe in daylight, so it should not be your first suit unless funerals are where you will wear it most.
4. What is a light grey or stone suit for?
Daytime events in the heat. Light colours reflect sunlight and look fresh at outdoor weddings, garden parties and naming ceremonies. Wear it with a light blue shirt and brown shoes or loafers.
5. Why own a linen or cotton suit?
Because Accra is hot. Average highs are around 31°C most of the year (climate of Accra), and linen and cotton breathe better than heavy wool. Linen creases, and that's part of its look. Wear it with an open collar and loafers.
Which suit fabric is best for Accra's heat?
Lightweight wool, linen or cotton. Avoid heavy wool and suits that are mostly polyester, which trap heat and shine with wear.
| Fabric | Feel in the heat | Creasing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tropical or fresco wool | Cool, breathes well | Low, recovers overnight | Suits you wear often |
| Linen | Coolest | High | Daytime and outdoor events |
| Cotton | Cool | Medium | Relaxed suits, separates |
| Wool and polyester blend | Warmer | Low | Budget suits, travel |
Wool labelled "Super 100s" or higher means fine fibres: Super 100s cloth must be made of wool no thicker than 18.75 microns on average, under the industry's labelling code (S number on Wikipedia). Higher numbers are softer but wear out sooner. For a suit you wear every week, Super 100s to 120s is a sensible range.
How should a suit fit?
Fit matters more than fabric or price. Check these six points before you buy, and have a tailor fix the rest:
- Shoulders: the seam ends where your shoulder ends, with no dent below it. Shoulders are the hardest thing to alter, so get them right in the shop.
- Jacket length: it covers your seat.
- Button: the top button (or the middle of three) closes without the fabric pulling into an X.
- Sleeves: about 1 cm of shirt cuff shows below the jacket sleeve.
- Trouser waist: sits without a belt doing all the work.
- Trouser length: touches the top of your shoe with one small break or none.
Single-breasted or double-breasted?
Single-breasted, for your first suits. A two-button, single-breasted jacket with notch lapels is the most versatile and the easiest to wear open. Double-breasted jackets look sharp but must be worn buttoned, which is warm in Accra.
How do I look after a suit?
Hang it on a wide wooden hanger, brush it after wearing, and let it rest a day between wears. Dry clean it only when it is stained or smells, two or three times a year at most, because cleaning wears the cloth. Steam out creases instead of ironing directly on the fabric.
Questions
What shoes go with a suit?
Black oxfords with charcoal and black; brown derbies, oxfords or loafers with navy, light grey and linen. Our guide to the 5 shoes every man needs covers each pair.
Can I wear sneakers with a suit?
With a relaxed linen, cotton or light grey suit, clean white leather sneakers can work for casual events. Not for funerals, interviews or formal weddings.
What should I buy before a suit?
The five basics in the clothes every man needs. A suit sits on top of a working wardrobe, not in place of one.
Does sneakersInn sell suits?
Menswear (knitwear, quarter-zips, outerwear, shackets, denim jackets, jackets and suits) is coming soon. Ask about it on WhatsApp, or see what we sell today on the facts page.