Charcoal suits

Dear WSO
Please could some of you post an image of what exactly a charcoal suit should look like.
I live in rubbish South Africa where it is next to impossible to get a decent wool suit.
Also, I've seen about 5 different "charcoals" here in wool so please help a brother out.

Also I have no idea what I am doing on this site I came here hoping for some sort of respite but I guess I'm going nowhere fast.

Thanks.

Comments (21)

9y 
nontargetPSD92, what's your opinion? Comment below:

+1

“Success means having the courage, the determination, and the will to become the person you believe you were meant to be”
9y 
clayelliot, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Ha @fez at first I thought you posted a pic of a batman suit in jest. Yea, realized it's just your avatar.

9y 
Federal, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Thanks a lot. Are charcoal suits the most formal of the lot or navy? I understand navy blue is the least formal. We call navy suits ink here.

9y 
TraderDaily, what's your opinion? Comment below:

@ Federal: I would agree. I believe that charcoal is more formal than navy. Personally I like navy more though.

9y 
meekrab, what's your opinion? Comment below:
TraderDaily:

@ Federal: I would agree. I believe that charcoal is more formal than navy. Personally I like navy more though.

There's no occasion where a charcoal suit is appropriate but navy (traditional, dark navy, not sharkskin or suitsupply "navy") isn't; they're equivalent. It's not like showing up to your aunt's funeral in glen plaid.
9y 
Blank999, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Navy, Grey, Charcoal, all fine suits. Probably own one of each if you wear suits often.

9y 
Federal, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Anyone got any other pics to post, just so that when I go to the retailer today I get it right?

Best Response
9y 
Blueapple, what's your opinion? Comment below:

I wouldn't say charcoal is more formal than navy or the other way around. Tie, shirt, and accessories would determine formality between these two colors, not the color itself. Yet they both are usually considered more formal when compared to olive, brown, gray, or tan suits.

As for which suits, there are some good stub articles on blogs as well as the GQ and Esquire website with information on selecting a suit. I would say theses are the factors, in order of importance, to consider when buying a suit: 1) Fit 2) Style 3) Color 4) Label/name brand

Obviously, everyone has different degrees of price-consciousness, so that will come into play somewhere. For fit, focus on shoulders and waist in particular.

  • 3
9y 
Federal, what's your opinion? Comment below:

I've bought suits before and I've read enough to know exactly how they should look and fit. I am just concerned as to what exactly charcoal is in these parts but I think I will make it.

9y 
Federal, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Indochino have free shipping which is great and their suits are apparently stellar, problem is I will have to pay important duty apparently which is up to 40% so I have to go local. At least I have a better idea of the colour, more to the black than grey side. Thanks fellas.

9y 
Surveillance, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Speaking of plebs, be sure that you have a high quality monitor that has been perfectly color calibrated, otherwise the color that you see on the screen may not be the color you receive when you get your orders. Blacks, whites, and grays are particularly prone to distortion on a pleb monitor.

9y 
Federal, what's your opinion? Comment below:

Got it.

9y 
Ruhm, what's your opinion? Comment below:

I usually have this color in mind charcoal suit

9y 
JakeSill, what's your opinion? Comment below:

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