Gray is the unsung hero of men’s fashion – a neutral powerhouse that offers unmatched versatility and sophistication. From charcoal suits to light heather sweaters, gray provides a refined backdrop that can elevate any outfit.
This guide explores the strategic ways to incorporate gray into your wardrobe, highlighting its adaptability across different styles and occasions.
How to Style Gray (Best Color Combos)
While blue is the all-time ideal colorfor men, grey works well when the days start to shrink down, and temperatures drop. Grey was a vital shade in any well-dressed man’s wardrobe for a long time.
Just take a look at archival footage of one of the best-dressed actors of all time, Gary Cooper, if you need some persuasion. Grey in menswear looks good on cloudy days and bright and sunny ones.
The fall/winter collections have quite a few different shades of grey, especially brands like Brunello Cucinelli, Bottega Veneta, and Acne Studios.
Where to begin with the grey color for men?
There is a world of difference between the classic garments that inspired The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit, which was Sloan Wilson’s treatise on post-war conformity, and how modern designers use color.
The world’s leading stylish men use grey and do it pretty well. For the modern user, I, as a stylist, turned to the streets of London, Paris, and Milan for inspiration.
Soften it!
Simone Marchetti, the fashion editor for the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, looks adorable in his grey ensemble. He picked three classic menswear pieces and put them together in a fresh and disarming way. It’s hard to imagine how a man in a double-breasted suit and a printed T-shirt can look sophisticated and relaxed. Still, a raspberry clutch and glasses together with lightweight fabrics convey a modern, lighthearted attitude.
While the two shades of grey are nearly identical, it’s instructive to see how they look complementary, given the contrast in overall textures between the suit’s fabrics and the relaxed print and a bright red accessory.
Choose accents
Grey creates a flat, neutral background, serving as a great base for bright spots of patterns and color. In this case, Thom Browne tricolor ribbons peek out from under the jacket cuffs and match the scarf colors.
A pale shade of grey (the one that Thom Browne himself often wears) goes well with a white shirt, which gives a harsh, minimal look that’s great for the office.
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Grey, dark grey, and more grey
Italian fashion insider Alessandro Squarzi (an agent for various labels) often attracts the attention of photographers, and for a good reason. He put on an outfit that oozes “carefree” (sprezzatura) on a cold day. The cotton chinos match the white shirt, contrasting nicely with the three layers of grey wool. It is a dark cardigan, a padded jacket with attractive white buttons, and a coat with a particular combat swing.
Notice how the different shades of grey add richness and three-dimensional quality to what is sometimes considered a relatively flat color. The overall impression is casual and confident, elegant enough for coffee with a client, but comfortable enough for a day out in the city.
Wear it with a print
Since grey is a muted color, it can be a substitution for dense patterns. For example, a raglan-sleeved flannel coat and a blue and white collared blazer with a gripping tape fastening. The bottom layer is a pop art-inspired printed shirt, reminiscent of Bridget Riley’s work, but central to how it fits into the outfit is the low contrast between the black and white shirt, blue and white blazer, and grey coat.
Layering
Before climbers influenced us to wear goose-down jackets, men relied on substantial wool coats to keep them out of the winter chills. This garment is really nifty.
The coat has more wool than the average lamb jacket because apart from the cotton shirt, everything is wool – tie, vest, single-breasted blazer, and structured coat. However, there are details at every turn that update these traditional elements. A thin tie clip, navy buttons on the blazer, a tight coat pocket, and a collar.
Grey for intellectuals
The appeal of grey goes beyond suits and jackets. This modern man changes his mood with a pair of black pleated pants with a certain intensity thanks to the contrast between their color and a pale coat and sweater. A loose-fitting wool turtleneck is chunky enough to keep warm in the coldest weather, while a coat looks elegant.
This man looks like he could have a drink with Irish playwright Samuel Beckett at the Left Bank Café or edit a high-circulation literary magazine.
In Closing
Mastering gray in men’s fashion is about understanding its nuanced potential. Whether used as a foundational color or a subtle accent, gray allows for endless styling possibilities.
By knowing how to mix, match, and layer gray pieces, you can create looks that are effortlessly elegant and timeless.
Before you go, you may be interested in this guide on How to Mix & Match Clothing Colors for Men.
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