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Home Men's Fashion How to Wear an All Grey Look for Men

How to Wear an All Grey Look for Men

by Jamie Wilson
How to Wear an All Grey Look for Men

Unsure of how best to pull off the all-grey look? Wondering if grey on grey really is in fashion. Well, sit back and let us take you through our very own guide on how to wear an in-fashion, grey-on-grey outfit.

If you’re a rather more cautious bloke when it comes to fashion, you probably have doubts about rocking an all-grey outfit. Even better, it can be done without an obsession in colour matching, and gives you a look that’s simple, sophisticated, and stylish all rolled into one.

Matching Shades

This is arguably the most important aspect to consider when rocking the all-grey look. Instead of creating outfits composed of a single block shade of grey, designers are getting increasingly creative coupling up darker and lighter shades to great effect. The key word here is texture. You can combine a grey jacket or a grey overcoat, with grey chinos or jeans and a grey jumper or shirt underneath. Try out black shoes and a white shirt or a blue shirt for starters. Stick to a darker shade range since you can’t go wrong with this color combo. 

How to Wear an All Grey Look for Men
@Юлиана Маринина via pexels

Grey Suit Combinations

When choosing your grey suit one of the most important considerations to have in mind is the hue of grey. Nearly all shades of the grey suit are, conveniently for you, work and pleasure appropriately. Wear a light grey suit or a charcoal suit and you’ll be able to jump from the office to a social destination and still maintain a smart and classy appearance that doesn’t give off the ‘about to make a pitch for dragons den’ vibe. Here are some tips about picking a hue that will suit you. If you’ll pardon the pun.

Grey Suit Combinations
@Marina Abrosimova via pexels

Light Grey Suit

A light grey suit is a perfect acquisition for someone of a smaller or slimmer build. Not only can it make you like you’ve put on a bit of size but its neutral colour allows you to pair it up with a variety of shirt colours. Go for a crispy clean white t-shirt and brown shoes if you’re trying to get that formal look and you wish to look sharp. Dark grey trousers may leave out an impression of a monochromatic look, but it is a classic example how most Hollywood stars can pull it off. 

Light Grey Suit
@John Tocci via pexels

Another easy way to keep your all grey look varied is by wearing different textures. Instead of silk or cotton, grab a grey wool tie and watch as your outfit gains another dimension. You can even try rocking a grey wool suit with a cotton shirt and grey wool tie for an autumnal style that exudes class. With this shade range opting for burgundy shoes or leather shoes may be a good strike. 

Dark Grey Suit

Yes, you’ve guessed it… Go darker! In recent years the men’s fashion world has seen the rise of the charcoal suit. A less formal, yet, distinguished and less traditional alternative to black; look no further than David Gandy and Daniel Craig for some charcoal suit inspo. Stick with the right color combination for both formal and casual occasions. Most guys opt for Chelsea boots and a stylish black belt in this case to round up the look.

Dark Grey Suit
@PNW Production via pexels

The fact that dark colours make you appear slimmer to the eye is not just an old wives tale, it really works, while the dark hue is extremely complimentary when sporting a watch, cufflinks or a ring or two. As if with the lighter grey suit and its flattering abilities for men of a lighter complexion, the same can be said for those possessing darker features. Summed up, the charcoal suit is sleek, functional and very much in fashion.

How to Wear a Grey Suit

As with any suit, the jacket should fit snugly around your shoulders and slim in the waist. Don’t go too tight in these areas as you won’t have the space to layer your outfit. You don’t want your suit jacket to fit like a straight jacket so make sure you have enough flexibility whilst keeping it trim. Keep the sleeves at a good length. You don’t want them too long or baggy as unlike jackets, rolling up the sleeves of a suit jacket is a cardinal sin. 

What to Wear on Your Feet

With a formal suit, you really want to a nice formal shoe to round off the outfit. The obvious choices are oxford shoes or brogues, both classic lace up shoes that will complete any suited outfit. You could also opt for a pair of loafers when you’re dealing with warmer weather. Matching the colour of your shoe with your grey suit also doesn’t have to a challenge. Different styles will require different shoes, so browse through! 

David Gandy Suit
File:2013 LCM – David Gandy by Simon McGill.jpg” by https://www.flickr.com/photos/my_soul_insurance2004/ Simon McGill (@MySoulInsurance) via WordPress

All Grey Outfits For Men

If you want something that’s more casual and less corporate but still radiates the same refined, cultured air then we’re here to help. Swap out the all-grey suit for a grey blazer, taking away the heavy feel of a suit jacket while preserving the same opulent aura. And I know what you’re thinking, every bloke out on a Saturday night has a grey blazer. It is true, the grey blazer has become a popular feature of the fashionable man’s wardrobe.

Throw on a plain grey T-shirt (importantly this must be a different texture or shade) and a pair of grey jeans or chinos, lighter than the hue of the blazer. Now, with grey being the neutral colour it is nearly any colour shoe will work with this outfit. We recommend you steer clear of anything that doesn’t quite suit the tone of the look (tacky trainers, clunky books or god forbid, sandals) and you my friend are onto a winner.

How to Wear a Grey Jacket

The grey overcoat is a bit like an overstated blazer.  Only this beauty is currently being flaunted around the fashion blogs, Instagrams and catwalks of the world. The perfect antidote to your severe lack of variation in the jacket department. The grey overcoat is an absolute must-have for this winter season, and what makes it an even better purchase is that after donning the grey overcoat not only will you feel like David Beckham dropping his kids to school on a cold January morning, but you will be wearing an item that completely dominates your look.

Grey Jacket

Just throw on a pair of jeans or chinos in a darker grey tone. Then slip into a cotton t-shirt or shirt to allow a bit of textural contrast. This will create two distinct blocks of grey, adding both continuity and difference to the outfit.

Grey this Season

The Autumn/Winter collections demonstrated how designers are working grey into their collections in interesting ways right now. Worn as more statement pieces or as subtle tones in a more colourful look, grey is an essential colour this season as it’s just so versatile. Whether you want to go all out and wear an all-grey look or just want the subtle tones with a colourful outfit, it can really work for you.

Minimal

Try wearing this grey crew neck jumper from Farah under a black or grey overcoat. Teamed with a pair of black slim legged jeans and some white trainers and you can have a causal look that’s spot on for this season. Worn with a simple white button-down shirt and a pair of black trousers for a more elevated look that’s perfect for this season, and who doesn’t love a bit of tweed?

Grey Tweed Blazer

Nostalgic

We’re seeing a massive rise in vintage trends this season with brands displaying their own versions of 1920s/30s shapes. Wide legged trousers have become the new go-to for many men with the slim shapes taking more of a back seat. These Dickies wide legged trousers in this light grey colour will work perfectly with a darker grey tee on top. Lighter colors are very calming and cool-laid back, perfect for those who want a simple pant styles.

Dickies Trousers

Pattern

Now don’t run n fear of pattern, you can easily pull it off without looking like you’ve dressed in the dark. This jumper from Cheap Monday with this all over fly print is spot on – the print is subtle enough to get away with yet still has the full impact of the detailing which won’t over power the outfit you team with it.

For a more classic look then why not try this long sleeved T-shirt from Selected. Everyone needs a striped tee in their lives and this number is spot on – teamed with a pair of slim legged black jeans, loafers and a leather biker jacket you can have a cracking transitional look that’s perfect for this season.

Mens Grey Jumpers

Your Quick Guide on How to Wear All Grey

  • Use different shades of grey in your outfit to avoid looking like you’re in a prison jumpsuit.
  • Mix up the textures – cotton, denim, wool, and suede in grey can all add an extra dimension to your outfit.
  • Don’t wear a shirt and tie in the exact shade or colour of your suit.
  • When rocking the grey overcoat, let the jacket do the talking. Keep the rest of the outfit simple.
  • When dressing up for formal events stick to darker colors, while for everyday events can enjoy pastel colors with a cool denim jacket on top.

On That Note

So there you have it. All the information you need to style out the all-grey look.  You can go out feeling and more importantly be looking utterly dapper with a style that’s banging on trend. Forget Orange, grey is definitely the new black. You can look on point with as little or as much effort as you chose.

Feature image from Pexels

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