What does wearing a dark brown suit say about a guy?

That he owns more than one suit.

But dark gray or navy are better for a job interview.

thank you that helps. the funny thing is it’s actually my only suit…so is dark brown appropriate for a formal evening event?

Tried to think of something funny, but there really isn’t anything. What a random question.

eeeee…not really, unless it’s all people your own age…dark gray or black would be better….

How dark of a dark brown is it? Are you pants properly hemmed or do they puddle around your ankles? The reason I ask is that if it’s really dark brown, and the pants are fitted correctly, then maybe you could pull it off with a white shirt and a dressy tie.

Brown is softer than black, less crisp…...and less formal. A brown suit (even a dark one) does not say “formality”. It can be smart, dressy, but not formal and not a so-called power suit

wildflower got it exactly right! It can be very nice with the right shirt, tie & shoe, but never formal.

I think there’s a margin of forgiveness if you’re still in college, and the “formal” event is a wedding or anniversary party. Events where a tie is expected aren’t really “formal” but it doesn’t mean that he shouldn’t go if he only owns a brown suit. it does mean that needs to buy something more conservative should be in his future

What is the event that you are going to?

Hmmm… I was going to say that it means the guy is confident enough to defy ridiculous social conventions that tell us which colors are appropritate for certain events. Who makes these rules and why? If a person looks and smells clean, why should the color of their clothing make any difference?

@hearkat, Maybe there are rules because this seems like a good idea?

@Alfred:
HaHaHa! But here’s my point… so what? If he likes it and thinks he looks good and wears it with confidence, what difference does it make? People choose what they wear, and so it represents them… I’d guess that guy is easy-going and has a good sense of humor. What is the harm in him wearing it?

No harm in wearing it, if having everyone look at him and laugh is the desired effect, and if his date for the soiree is okay with that. Takes a lot of self-confidence. Here is indeed, a person who “wears the bottom of his trousers rolled.”

I wonder if color preferences are cultural, or if there is something built into our brains that leads to the preference. Why is it that the non-colors indicate power, and colors seem a little less serious? Is it the same thing that drives biological differentiation of the sexes? Such as where one sex is much more colorful than the other?

That he is a earthy type of guy.

@ daloon; colours and their symbolism is very much a cultural thing. I wouldn’t say the non-colours signal the most power per se, i.e. navy (blue) would be considered more ‘powerful’ than white or grey in mens suits and a red dress would be bolder and more powerful than white or black for women.

As I was reading this I glanced up at the TV and both news-dudes
were wearing brown suits. I guess it says you are an aspiring newscaster. :0)

Perhaps it sets an unintimidating tone?
I think many sales people have brown suits.
Maybe it’s helpful to appear unintimidating
when selling things and announcing the news?
You could argue that the news is trying to sell you something too.

I think if it’s tailored right and accessorized properly (shirt and tie, cufflinks, etc), and you wore it with confidence, it would be wonderful, possibly stylish enough to gain compliments. If it’s a random brown suit you found kinda thing, or an old one that’s baggy in places, I think it looks pretty bad. In my mind there’s less lenience in wearing a non-fitting brown suit than wearing a non-fitting black suit, because black gives off more of a professional feel IMO.

Brown suits make me think of professors. They wear brown suits with leather patches on the elbows of the jacket, and windowpane oxford shirts with nubby red ties. And tan Rockports.

The only other person I remember rocking the brown suit was Ronald Reagan, who didn’t give a fig what anyone thought of his clothes, as he was president and too old to care.

I don’t have a good impression of brown suits, but, of course, YMMV. You may be just the guy who can wear one well.

It says you’re Dwight Schrute.

I have a dark chocolatey brown suit I picked up for cheap in Rome and the ladies love it. Looks very good with almost any combination of colored shirts + ties. The pattern is subtle and silky and, I think, adds to its richness. When I wear it, I am typically a standout in a crowd as it seems to be that most everyone in the states is very conservative and has only a black, blue or grey suit. This is like saying, “I am badass enough to have at least four suits. I need to be suave on a nearly daily basis. My sophistication outweighs nearly that of everyone in attendance here.” Possibly. That, or @breedmitch is right, you’re Dwight Schrute.

@daloon What are “non-colors”? I can’t even begin to imagine what those may be. No, really. Could you please explain?

Black is the absence of color. Grey is just a variation on that, with a little bit of white added in.

@daloon: Which leads to the next question… if black is the absence/absorption of all color and white is the presence/reflection of all color, how can grey exist?

Black is the absence of light not color.

@hearkat Grey doesn’t exist. I don’t know what you’re talking about! ;-)