Striped Suit Without Striped Pants?

Can we wear a lightly striped jacket but the pants are not? I tried it on once and it looks normal to me - the stripes are barely noticable from afar and it looks good.

But that's just my opinion. I'm not sure if the "popular accepted view" is that someone who does that looks silly.

Anyway, the suit and LIGHTLY striped jacket looks something like this:

http://media.kohls.com.edgesuite.net/is/image/kohls/325015_Black_Stripe…

and NOT this: http://www.swingoutfits.com/pictures/striped-suit-2.jpg

and NOT this either: http://www.mensflair.com/ns/media/stripes-wc.jpg

Can we do that?

Striped Suit Jacket with Different Pants

Our users generally believe that, on the job, it is not appropriate to wear a striped jacket with non-matching pants. Mix and matching suits is generally frowned upon. Our users explain below.

TNA:
I can barely see either stripes since the picture is so small, but if you’re talking about wearing the jacket with khakis or jeans or something then fine. If you’re going to mix and match suits, then the answer is no.

elephantastic:
No, you can't (or, that is to say: you can, but you shouldn't). First of all, two pieces of cloth differ from each other in more ways than whether they are striped. Even if they are about the same color, because of their different weights, weaves, ages, fiber sources, etc., etc., they will look somewhat different from each other when worn. It might not be immediately obvious, but something will just look off.

You can see an example of a mix and match suit with stripes below. This would be frowned upon in the work place.


Source: https://lookastic.com/men/navy-blazer/how-to-wear-with/light-blue-dress…

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I can barely see either stripes since the picture is so small, but if your talking about wearing the jacket with khakis or jeans or something then fine. If your going to mix and match suits then the answer is no.

 
Best Response

No, you can't (or, that is to say: you can, but you shouldn't).

First of all, two pieces of cloth differ from each other in more ways than whether they are striped. Even if they are about the same color, because of their different weights, weaves, ages, fiber sources, etc., etc., they will look somewhat different from each other when worn. It might not be immediately obvious, but something will just look off. For example, your jacket might drape differently than your pants. Or, one might have a different sheen from the other. In other words: it will look like you tried to improvise a suit from an odd jacket and a pair of odd trousers. Don't do it.

Second, I don't care how many people do it, what GQ says, or what you see on TV: it looks stupid to wear a suit jacket with jeans or khakis. Sport coats are differentiated from suit jackets by cloth type (sport coats are usually rougher in texture and bolder in color and pattern) and detailing (often, sport coats have patch pockets, not besom). So, sure, you can wear a suit jacket with whatever you like, but it will probably always look like a suit jacket. This is particularly true for a jacket with stripes. Pinstripes and chalk stripes strictly denote business wear.

 

It is acceptable to wear a striped sport coat with non-striped odd pants if that is what you are getting at. With suit separates, according to traditional rules they should not be worn with anything else but their matching counterpart. However, someone with a bit of flair could potentially pair a charcoal striped jacket with odd solid light grey pants, if they are careful about how the colors interact (fabric weight is important too). Never try to match it with a similar color, you will look like a homeless dude with a suit on.

 

You knew the answer the minute you started writing this thread.

The answer is no. Sorry, but no.

 

The stripes are pretty subtle, but some people prefer no stripes at all until you have landed the gig. I would say fit is most important, and if it fits well you should be okay. I'm more a fan of solids as far as interviews go, but once you get the gig wear it all you want. Not sure what your price range is, but if you're looking for a well tailored quality suit, give suitsupply a look.

 

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