The best black suits for unparalleled tailoring versatility
A seemingly simple menswear staple that’s wildly effective at turning its wearer into a slicker, suaver version of himself, herewith the best black suits a man can own in 2024
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From graduation, job interviews and the nine-to-five to weddings, dinner parties, funerals and plenty more, few of the best suits boast quite the same versatility as black suits. If a man is only going to have one trusty two-piece in his wardrobe, black is surely the most sensible colourway he can opt for. And yet, with a smorgasbord of more adventurous sartorial options to choose from, the black suit is so often considered boring.
Naturally, we find this aversion to monochromatic suiting somewhat bizarre. The spectrum of looks that can be achieved with a black suit range from the rock’n’roll (worn with a T-shirt and your chunkiest boots) to the out-and-out formal (crisp white shirt, bow tie and the shiniest of patent leather shoes).
Of course, not all black suits are created equal. The men’s style icons who consistently pull off this kind of tailoring (see Rami Malek, Nicholas Hoult and Richard Madden for some prime examples) don suits with razor-sharp silhouettes with smart, slim-cut, neat lapels and perfectly padded shoulders. Every major label has its take, but a select few stand out for ticking all the right boxes. Shop GQ’s pick below…
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1/22Paul Smith
This suit hails from Paul Smith’s ‘A Suit To Travel In’ collection, and let us be among the first to say, it's a damn good suit to travel in. The tension within the worsted wool means it can spring back to its original formulation fast, making it a veritable mission to crease. The suit features un-hemmed trousers so that you can get them tailored to your exact size, plus, there is a rubber grip on the waistband to keep your shirts in place. Simply put, a win. £975. paulsmith.com
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2/22Percival
The linen suit might classically come in Med-style neutral colours or Caribbean-indebted brights, but they’re not your only options. Percival’s popular new offering to the summer suiting trend comes in several shades, classic black included. With such a creation, summer meetings no longer mean sticky sweat-fests, and year-round louche dressers can also avoid overheating. Jacket, £219. Trousers, £129. percivalclo.com
3/22Homme Plissé Issey Miyake
The late and great Issey Miyake was known for many things, but, without question, his most iconic creation has got to be the Homme Plissé line, which has been seamlessly integrated into this two-piece suit. Crafted from a lightweight and wrinkle-resistant jersey, there’s nothing else quite like it out there. It’s also available in a bunch of different styles, but you just can’t beat the black-on-black combo. Jacket. £765. Trousers. £390. matchesfashion.com
4/22Gucci
Hailing from the label's SS23 collection, this black Gucci suit represents a reinterpretation of tailoring, where the house now looks through a “new lens” in the post-Alessandro Michele era. A nice mix of durability through the wool and finery through the silk. Emphasising its chicness and penchant for flair, Gucci gives this black suit its punch. £3,170. gucci.com
5/22Bottega Veneta
Not only does Bottega Veneta know how to design a cool bag and a solid pair of boots, the Matthieu Blazy-helmed fashion house also understands how to tailor, and tailor well. For this two-piece, the blazer and trousers are both cut from a textured blend of viscose and silk that results in a very subtle sheen. Because of its slim fit, you can layer this on top of everything from knitwear to a white T-shirt. Jacket. £2,060. Trousers. £990. matchesfashion.com
6/22The Row
When it comes to black suits, The Row is a name that you can trust with your life. Crafted in Italy with one hundred per cent wool, it features peaked lapels, a felted undercollar, and two front welt pockets. However, this beauty isn’t just surface level, as the entire inner lining of the Wilson is made of soft and supple silk. Jacket. £3,560. Trousers. £1,710. mrporter.com
7/22Next
Not all quality black suits have to cost an arm and a leg. Made for both work and play, this Next-made slim fit jacket is equipped with a slick peaked collar, twin back vents, and neat pockets on either side for all of your essentials. It also comes in a double-breasted option, a bunch of different colours, sizes, and fits, which are all infused with recycled materials. They’re also totally machine washable as well. Jacket. £60. Trousers. £35. next.com
8/22Lardini
Supremely sartorial, Lardini’s double-breasted suit takes the black tie aesthetic up a notch (or ten). Made in Italy and cut from one hundred per cent flax linen, it’s fitted with a pair of knife-sharp lapels and finished off with a flower-shaped pin on the left one, adding a playful touch. Wear this with a charcoal rollneck jumper and some polished Chelsea boots for a dinner party-ready vibe. £960. matchesfashion.com
9/22Ralph Lauren
You just can’t go wrong with Ralph Lauren. The epitome of luxurious American tailoring, this double-breasted number boasts wide, peak lapels and a felted undercollar that’s everything you want and so much more. However, what sets this apart from the rest is its cotton-corduroy construction that is truly timeless. Rock this with an all-white dress shirt and some formal shoes to complete the look. Jacket. £2,640. Trousers. £470. mrporter.com
10/22Asos Design
Ballin’ on a budget? This black suit by Asos Design was made with you in mind. With a versatile single-button fastening, notched lapels, and pockets across the inside and outside, it’s also fitted with padded shoulders to accentuate your frame. For less than £100 you can look a million bucks. All you need now is a cheap watch and a pair of budget-friendly shoes. Jacket. £60. Trousers. £28. asos.com
11/22Moss Bros
Simple but sophisticated, a clean cut is not to be sniffed at. With the optional addition of a waistcoat, this suit blends classic with contemporary to create a look worthy of a number of locations and events. Just grab a black leather backpack or cross-body bag and head out. £179. moss.co.uk
12/22Ben Cobb x Tiger of Sweden
While there’s no guarantee that slipping into this suit means that you’ll be able to grow a moustache as lusciously as Ben Cobb or don aviators quite in the same way, his approved Tiger of Sweden tailoring is sure to get you at least one step closer. Either way, his '70s-era swagger is unmistakably present within the large lapels and slightly flared legs of this slick jet-black number. Jacket, £570. Trousers, £308. At matchesfashion.com
13/22Charles Tyrwhitt
Dependable, strong and luxurious, this Charles Tyrwhitt suit is no ordinary piece of formalwear. Its ‘Super 100s’ wool construction is thin gauge wool giving it a soft, silken touch, whilst its twill weave adds tenacity under stress. Moreover, the fabric’s natural stretch makes it ideal for achieving comfort across work, play and travel. £299.95. charlestyrwhitt.com
14/22Burberry
Crafted in Italy from a luxury grain de poudre wool, Burberry’s latest take on the black suit is nothing short of excellent. Fastened with a double-breasted structure, the jacket is shaped with a very subtle oversized frame (bringing a discrete sense of nonchalance upon wear) and the accompanying trousers are detailed with a pleated finish and satin side stripes. Style the set with your best white dress shirt for maximum effect. Jacket, £1.990. Trousers, £820. At matchesfashion.com
15/22Ted Baker
Ted Baker has been a perennial port of call for suits since its inception in 1988, and this current Panama set proves just why. Assembled from a soft wool blend, it features every essential component for a staple sartorial silhouette – from the single-breasted button fastening and notch lapels to the 4 button cuff and inner pockets. Base it with patent leather shoes for a failsafe formal look all year round. Jacket, £175. Trousers, £104. suitdirect.co.uk
16/22Prada
Few tailored silhouettes are as sharp as Prada’s, and this current black suit exemplifies just why. Structured with the utmost precision across the shoulders, arms and hem (which is subtly cropped on the jacket for a modern touch), this mohair-blend suit is finished with white piping on the edges of its notch lapels to highlight its perfectly tailored construction. It’s a yes from us. Jacket, £3,050. Trousers, £1,300. At matchesfashion.com
17/22Moss London
Paying homage to vintage detailing whilst updating it for a modernised look, this Moss London double-breasted suit makes the perfect choice for the contemporary man with one foot in the retro-inspired world. Adapting the peaked lapel and double-breasted styles into a sleek, slim-fit design, this suit is as debonair as it gets. Keep styling simple with a white T-shirt and white trainers. Jacket, £119. Trousers, £60. moss.co.uk
18/22Alexander McQueen
Who says you can’t serve an opulent statement via a black suit? Certainly not Alexander McQueen, whose latest take on the classic tailored ensemble is finished with ornately embroidered nettles. Stitched across the upper body of the jacket, this bold detailing enhances its evening appeal, so too ensured by the generous peak lapels and sumptuous wool texture. If a formal event sits on your imminent social schedule, this is the set to call upon. Jacket, £5,590. Trousers, £870. At matchesfashion.com
19/22Drake's
You don’t have to be the King of England to do double-breasted, and you needn’t have played in The Kinks to do corduroy. Explode these two together and you get regal and rock’n’roll; a dinner jacket that would pair exceptionally with its matching trousers, but would also work unbuttoned with a more relaxed off-duty ‘fit. Jacket, £895. Trousers, £395. drakes.com
20/22Ted Baker
Ted Baker's reputation didn't come from just anywhere you know. Forming part of an extensive tailoring collection, this black suit is a master of the formal occasion. The versatility of this piece is matched only by its reserved yet confident demeanor, primed for wear to any dress-coded event your calendar may throw at you. Jacket, £191. Trousers, £112. tedbaker.com
21/22Sandro
If you want any evidence as to whether Sandro can do impactful minimalism, look only as far as the label in their suit; it sums up perfectly the direct and yet chic direction of the brand. The black suit has always been about aesthetic restraint, respect, and formality. This Parisian slim-fit shape, combined with the slim notch lapels, easy double-button front, and dual-flap pockets all work to embody the aforementioned adjectives. Jacket, £519. Trousers, £259. sandro-paris.com
22/22Saint Laurent
The black suit is often aligned with a formalwear shortcut, and in this sense, this Saint Laurent piece delivers everything that the black suit promises. From the virgin wool construction to the unctuous silk lining, this suit will bring traditional stylishness to any number of formal occasions. £2,315. At flannels.com
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