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The Best Men's Grey Suits of 2024 Aren't Just for the Office
Ten takes on the conservative classic that are anything but stuffy
Recent movements in menswear have promoted a carnival of colour and flamboyance: a defiant reaction, perhaps, to the insistent gloom of the past few years. But Technicolor dreamcoats and kaleidoscopic trousers will take you only so far, and as of late, some of fashion’s most forward-thinking designers have looked to the past: specifically to that most apparently conservative of items, the grey business suit, an outfit more readily associated with legends of traditional mid-century masculinity (Gregory Peck; Cary Grant) than the more avant-garde affects of today’s style icons.
Not that the new grey suit is stuffy. When Zegna designer Alessandro Sartori opened the brand’s AW23 show with a slate two-piece and then, two days later in Paris, Bianca Saunders followed suit (so to speak), both relieved the grey suit of its corporate connotations — the former with three-quarter-length sleeves and a relaxed fit, the latter a pullover blazer.
And where more orthodox takes on grey tailoring has been presented in following seasons, it's the styling that has given them the edge. Kim Jones dared us to sport us grey suits with neon polo shirts beneath – and, if you're feeling extra gutsy, a bejewelled cardigan on top – at Dior SS24; for Burberry Winter 2024, Daniel Lee championed extremely deep-plunge knitwear below oversized grey blazers; a spiky-haired model who walked the Versace AW24 runway rocked his fog-coloured five-button suit with shiny black leather gloves, equally-as-shiny black leather shoes, a silver necklace and thickset eye makeup. The message is loud and clear: grey suits can be colourful, too.
So, hunt out that grey suit you archived long ago — or treat yourself to a brand-new one (preferably one of those that we've listed below) — and wear it any time, anywhere, with all the sartorial eccentricities you’ve acquired over the past few years. We’re thinking prep knits and penny loafers on workdays; polos and sneakers on weekends; and with not much underneath — as prescribed by the current Mr Nova Check — on holiday.
Acne Studios
We kick things off with a statement grey suit by the style gurus over at Acne Studios. The boxy, big lapels blazer affords the look a certain seventies rakishness whilst the straight-leg trousers ensures it looks good in any era, especially this one right now.
£1,240; libertylondon.com
Cos
There's something quite scholarly about Cos' new grey herringbone wool suit – a quality that lends itself to the current mode.
Looks best with: a preppy tie and a book in hand.
£340; cos.com
Dior
Kim Jones uses the humble grey suit to explore contrasts: he utilises workwear tropes to create a two-piece fit for the nobility.
£3,150; dior.com
Veilance
A grey suit that will conjure curiosity.
People will ask, 'Where is it from?' (it's from Veilance, the formalwear facet of the Arc'teryx brand), 'What is it made from?' (it's made from Tech Wool, a blend Merino wool and recycled synthetic fibres), 'Is it waterproof?' (sure is – has anti-odour properties too) and 'Are you from the future?' (the suit likely reminds them of their favourite sci-fi show).
£900; arcteryx.com
Homme Plissé Issey Miyake
It's comfy. It's versatile. It comes out of the washing machine looking brand-new. It never needs an iron. It genuinely looks good as separates.
What is it? It's 'light grey' by Homme Plissé Issey Miyake.
£1,155; harrods.com
Tom Ford
Of course Tom Ford has turned the Gomez Addams suit (greyscale + pinstripes + double-breasted) into something super sexy.
Is there any look the sartorial seducer can't spin?
£5,250; luisaviaroma.com
Jacquemus
From Jacquemus' 'Les Sculptures' collection comes a real work of art: a sleek, chic grey suit comprising a collarless blazer and baggy pleated trousers.
Pair with a white shirt and black leather accessories to smarten it up (see the suit on the Spring 2024 runway for inspo), orrrrr do what Bad Bunny did for the collection's campaign and wear it over a deep scoop vest for more of a chilled vibe.
£1,495; brownsfashion.com
Theory
SHOP TROUSERS
Mr P describes this Theory suit as “an easy choice for the busy workweek,” and that's exactly what it is. All thanks to Precision Ponte, the easy-care, winkle and abrasion-resistant knit the suit is crafted from.
£540; mrporter.com
Prada
We're completely convinced it's impossible to not look utterly suave in a Prada single-breasted suit, especially when that suit is of a smoky grey hue, like the one we have right here.
£2,850; farfetch.com
Reiss
An obvious choice, but there are ample reasons why the British retailer is such a popular go-to for suits (grey ones included) – too many, in fact, to list here.
£896; reiss.com
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