two piece suits

What a two piece suit covers

A two piece is the default for a reason. Worn together it reads as a suit; split up, the jacket works as a blazer over chinos and the trousers work on their own. That flexibility is what makes it the first suit most people should own and the one that gets worn most often after the event it was bought for. Navy and charcoal cover the widest ground. Grey dresses down most easily. Black is best kept for evening and ceremonial wear, where it reads formal rather than severe.

Two piece or three piece

The only structural difference is the waistcoat, but it changes how formal the outfit reads. A three piece suit is the better choice for a wedding, a formal ceremony or any event long enough that the jacket will come off, because the waistcoat keeps the shirt from carrying the outfit alone. For everything shorter and less formal, a two piece is the more sensible buy. Our three piece versus two piece guide works through the comparison properly.

Where a two piece stops working

A black two piece suit is not black tie. If the invitation asks for black tie, what is being requested is a dinner suit with satin or grosgrain facing on the lapel and a matching stripe down the trouser — see black tie suits or mens tuxedos. A plain black suit will get you through the door but it will read plainer than everything around it.

For the full range of cuts and patterns, including pinstripe and double breasted, start at mens suits. The suiting guide covers fit and measurement.