If you're looking for a blue suit with the most versatility, then navy is the way to go. If, however, you already have a navy suit in your closet, then it's time to think about brightening things up.
For a lesson in why you should own a suit in an amped-up shade of blue, just look at Ryan Gosling. While attending the Song to Song premiere at SXSW in Austin, Texas, The Gos hit the red carpet in a two-button suit from Gucci that turns up the volume on standard navy, and basically stole the night.
While a navy suit is great for something where you need to appear classically stylish (like a business meeting), a brighter blue tone will work more magic when you want to grab attention—a party, a night on the town, your big film premiere, whatever. One key to keep in mind, though, is with a brighter color, you want to keep everything else simple. Try a crisp white shirt and air tie like Gosling does. Or you can add a tie in a muted color, like burgundy or black. You can even pair it with a tee and Chelsea boots or minimalist sneakers for a more dressed-down appearance.
However you wear it, a well-tailored, brighter blue suit is a great way to stay dressy without feeling too formal and buttoned-up. Think of it as your style secret weapon.
