The best suits for men: 22 stylish suits for every occasion
Presenting GQ’s ultimate guide to buying a men’s suit. Whether you’re in the market for a linen, cotton or wool suit, we’ve got you covered...
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Every man should have a suit in his wardrobe. There, we’ve said it. There really is no exception. Gay Talese, former journalist at the New Yorker, once said, “Putting on a beautifully designed suit elevates my spirit, extols my sense of self and helps define me as a man to whom details matter”, and it will do the exact same for you. Even if you don’t work in a job that demands one. Whether you need a suit for a wedding, job interview or funeral, it’s likely you’ll need a smart, tailored look at least once a year.
And, sure, while a decent suit will make you feel a million dollars (figuratively speaking), with so many suits out there, chances are you could fall flat and end up looking pretty awful. Every leading style figure has at one time or another donned a suit, whether it’s Harry Styles or Donald Glover (and, to be honest, they know how to get it right).
With that in mind, we thought it was about time we compiled the ultimate GQ guide to suits. So whether you’re in the market for a wool suit fit for the winter months or a wedding suit that won’t break the bank, we can (and will) help you out. Don't hesitate, thinking you may not be able to afford any of the suits below, either. We’ve got you covered with the best suits for men, no matter your budget.
What are GQ's best suits?
- Best linen suit: Percival, £378 at percivalclo.com
- Best affordable suit: Uniqlo, £104.80 at uniqlo.com
- Best corduroy suit: Drake's, £795 at drakes.com
- Best velvet suit: Oliver Spencer, £480 at mrporter.com
- Best budget wool suit: Arket, £368 at arket.com
Wedding suits
For your typical wedding, formality should be at the forefront of your mind. “A versatile, ever-smart-suit-that-flatters-your-proportions three-piece suit” is the best option and the one that Ben Clarke, head cutter at Richard James, suggests men go for. If there is a colour scheme, it’s best to stick to it. If in doubt, a plain mid-grey will go with anything, while navy is versatile and flatters all complexions. If you do decide to opt for a three-piece suit, then always remember that when wearing a waistcoat, there is no time or place for a belt.
“Sunny-weather weddings lend themselves to more casual styles in lighter tones with softer constructions (less padding and canvasses). Soft linens, cottons and summer wool frescos all come into play during the summer,” explains Clarke.
And while a wedding itself may break the bank, your suit doesn’t need to. Whether you head to high-street favourite Marks & Spencer or Alexander McQueen, there is something to suit every budget, without compromising on the fit.
Summer suits
With the turn of summer comes the ability to change up your suiting. Summer suits, when put in contrast to their winter-friendly compatriots, should be lighter, cut from more porous fabrics (such as linen, silk or fine merino wool), and styled in pale, sun-reflecting shades to reflect the warmer climes. You could even go down the route that John Legend favours and go for suits in vibrant shades such as yellow and purple.
You also have the opportunity to play around a little more when wearing a summer suit – perhaps by switching out a shirt for a vest (as Harry Styles and Kanye West like to do) or by going shirtless completely, as seen on the catwalks of Louis Vuitton and Dior.
Winter wool suits
Sure, you might not be a fan of the cooler weather that the winter months bring, but there is one good thing about it: you get to wear a wool suit. Softer and therefore more wearable than tweed, it is a happy medium between comfort, style and warmth, making it our go-to between the months of October and March (give or take a few, remembering we still live in temperamental Britain). Essentially, wool is a better idea than lighter alternatives in the cooler months because you won't have to cover up all that excellent tailoring under a coat.
Wool is also a good idea because, rather than its polyester counterpart, it is less damaging to the environment. When you want it to, wool will biodegrade in a matter of months, without causing microfibre or plastic pollution. It’s a win-win (unless, of course, you try to wear it in a heatwave).
Linen suits
A linen suit is a warm-weather must-have. Lightweight and loose, the mighty linen suit tends to be constructed in flax fibre with an extremely low thread count (fine cotton tends to be around 200, with a fine linen around 80-150), which means it is a lot lighter than other suits (the wool suit, in particular). If you have any business obligations that take you to warmer climes, then the linen suit should be a bit of a staple.
Whether you wear a linen suit for a formal day look with a pair of sandals and an open, linen shirt (Chris Hemsworth does this well), or wear it with a crisp white shirt and tie, you can guarantee that a sweaty back will be furthest from your mind.
Lounge suits
Historically, the lounge suit was the less formal version of morning dress or morning suit. Today, however, that has changed. Ben Clarke suggests that “these days, I would say that a lounge suit is simply a suit of two or three pieces that has each been cut from the same cloth. After the Second World War the waistcoat rather disappeared because of cloth rationing and so the two-piece lounge suit was born.”
The lounge suit, as we know it today, is something of an umbrella term, covering both two- and three-piece suits. When you read a dress code on an invitation that reads “lounge suit” rather than “cocktail attire” you can expect that your office suit is more than up to scratch, rather than tailored eveningwear.
Essentially, most suits you see on the high street or in the office are lounge suits. The colour, style and shape preferences are up to you.
Made-to-measure suits
While you can find some great tailoring on the high street right now, chances are an off-the-peg fit will always be a little off (unless you’re built to model-sized specifications, of course). If you're looking for something truly perfect, made-to-measure is your best bet.
Made-to-measure suits are typically taken from a ready-made fit pattern and then altered by a tailor to fit you, meaning the finished garment will be fully customised to your body and style. If you’re looking for a suit that fits like a glove, then you’re probably going to want to go down the made-to-measure route.
Nowadays, most brands offer a made-to-measure service, from Paul Smith to Gieves & Hawkes.
Dinner suits
If you have a black-tie event, then you’re going to need a dinner suit. The classic tuxedo (AKA the penguin suit) is sharp, fitted, and comes in a range of styles with small tweaks. A traditional dinner suit comes with a single-breasted jacket with jetted pockets. Typically, it features peak lapels or shawl collar, which are equally authentic and correct and usually come in silk, satin or grosgrain. Notched lapels aren’t seen as typically acceptable for a black-tie event.
Today, the dinner suit has come a long way from its 19th-century origins and the red carpet at awards ceremonies have become awash with different variations. The blue tux is a popular option (Tyler, the Creator and Donald Glover favour a more colourful-hued suit). Then there's the bolder, mismatched tux; a look which the likes of Timothée Chalamet is a fan of, donning black slim-fitting trousers with a patterned dinner jacket.
There is also the white jacket dinner suit. The rules of white tie are akin to those of black – just make sure everything fits and avoid notched lapels (a bow tie is customary).
With all that in mind, below we have picked the best suits you can get your hands on right now, to fit any occasion…
How do we select our favourite suits?
So, how exactly do we choose what constitutes the best suits for men in 2024? Simple. We know our stuff, we do our research, and we get out there to experience as much product as possible.
Our section head of menswear for GQ Recommends, Heidi Quill, is obsessed with clothes. Joining British GQ in 2021, Heidi might primarily look after clothing content, but she spends a healthy amount of time up to her neck in samples, checking product for the very best quality, price and design, all before recommending it to you. That includes knowing everything there is to know about an excellent suit.
A suit is a uniquely personal item, and one that ought to be considered carefully before buying. For our part, Heidi and our team of contributing writers and freelancers (Jessie Atkinson, Faye Fearon, and Adam Cheung) have primarily taken fit and material into account in their selections, and have primarily chosen from brands — both high street and designer — that they've worn and loved before. Scroll on for their findings.
Shop GQ’s edit of the best suits for men…
Best Linen Suit
1/22Percival
Linen Suit
- Fabrication: Linen
- Colours: Green, Navy
Percival's foray into suiting is a clever one. The brand, beloved by celebs from Tom Holland to Ryan Reynolds, offers a louche take on tailored ensembles – a current shoutout going to this green seersucker set. Lightweight upon wear thanks to its deconstructed status, it's detailed with internal pockets and shirt grip across the trouser waistband.
Best Velvet Suit
2/22Oliver Spencer
Mansfield Velvet Suit
- Fabrication: Cotton/Velvet Blend
- Colours: Green, Burgundy, Black
While most suits are made from wool or linen or – if you’re extra fancy – cashmere, the Mansfield by Oliver Spencer goes down a more Old Hollywood route with this velvet masterpiece. Dipped in a rich emerald green hue, it’s fitted with narrow peak lapels and soft shoulders that look effortless and elegant at the same time. It’s also available in a bunch of other colour options, but this one is our fave.
Best Affordable Suit
3/22Uniqlo
Airsense Suit
- Fabrication: AirSense
- Colours: Beige, Navy
Regular fit; irregular pricing. Uniqlo’s unfeasibly affordable wares reach an apex with the AirSense suit in a simple, classic style featuring single-breasting, notch lapels, and the not-so-classic two-way stretch fabric that makes Uniqlo the brilliant mad professor of the high street.
Best Budget Wool Suit
4/22Arket
Hopsack Wool Suit
- Fabrication: Wool
- Colours: Black, Navy
The ultimate suit for the baggy-loving gent, Arket's semi-constructed number is undeniably modern, but deeply infused with '90s-era boxiness. In keeping with this mood, we'd style it with a crisp white dress shirt, chunky brogues, no tie.
Cos
6/22Cos
Wide Leg Terracotta Suit
- Fabrication: Stretch Linen/Cotton Blend
- Colours: Black, Terracotta
A snifter of Ben Cobb x Tiger of Sweden without the heftier price tag, this set by Cos leans heavily into the 1970s with a relaxed, boxy jacket and wide-leg trousers in a Boogie Nights-tastic shade of terracotta. Even better, its cotton and linen blend make it appropriate to wear for hot Sicilian evenings or a destination summer wedding.
Mr P.
7/22Mr P.
Phillip Linen Suit
- Fabrication: Linen
- Colours: Pink
Forget all the noise and see pink for what it actually is: a beautiful shade that, in this textured salmon hue, is flattering on most skin tones. Part of the ever-reliable Mr P. line, the colour has been used here on a raw linen set comprising of a double-breasted jacket and tapered trousers with unfinished hems for the perfect bespoke fit.
Mango
8/22Mango
Slim Fit Linen Suit
- Fabrication: Cotton/Linen/Tencel Blend
- Colours: Beige, Brown, Khaki
The eminently affordable suiting section at Mango continues to bear fruit this season with this juicy two-piece in a comfortable blend of cotton, linen and Tencel lyocell. Unlike some suits built for the summer months, this set retains a structured appeal with smarter travellers and roaming businessmen its intended wearer.
Gucci
9/22Gucci
GG Linen-Blend Canvas Suit
- Fabrication: Linen-Blend Canvas
- Colours: Brown
The GG monogram has long been the coolest way to flaunt a label without looking tacky or boastful. Rather, a canvas suit like this one from Gucci exudes a playful edge that usurps its brazenness, making it one of our favourite sets for the fashionably unafraid.
AllSaints
10/22AllSaints
Moad Skinny Fit Stretch Blazer
- Fabrication: Polyester/Wool Blend
- Colours: Blue
Inject some punk into your everyday tailoring with the Moad from AllSaints. Constructed from a part recycled and wool blend fabric, the shape is on the skinnier side, but it’s got the perfect amount of stretch so you can rock this both on and off the stage. Make sure to grab the matching trousers, and jump into some penny loafers while you’re at it for an air of indie sleaze.
Polo Ralph Lauren
11/22Polo Ralph Lauren
Stretch Corduroy Suit
- Fabrication: Cotton-Blend Corduroy
- Colours: Navy, Cream
Donning your corduroys for summer might feel a little anachronistic, but Polo Ralph Lauren knows its customer base and it knows that linen won’t cut it for every single day of the warmer months. This cotton-blend cord, then, is tactically lightweight, intended for days at the regatta. Pair with the cream trousers for the full toff look.
Loro Piana
12/22Loro Piana
Double-Breasted Wool Twill Suit
- Fabrication: Wool/Cotton/Cashmere Blend
- Colours: Navy
Whether you plan to wear it with a dress shirt or a rollneck jumper, this double-breasted suit from Loro Piana works with everything. Tailored in Italy from a wool, cotton, and cashmere blend, it’s soft, it’s breathable, and it’s the only one you’ll ever need in your life. Wear it with some brown Oxfords, or soften the look with a pair of clean sneakers. The choice is yours.
Paul Smith
13/22Paul Smith
A Suit To Travel In
- Fabrication: Wool
- Colours: Black
It’s no secret that Paul Smith makes some of the greatest suits known to man. Whether you’re looking for something with wider lapels or a tux or maybe a lightweight blazer while you’re holidaying in the Riviera, the British tailor has everything that you need and then some. But if what you’re searching for is actually just a simple all-black two-piece, they’ve got your back as well. Part of the latest season, it’s the perfect companion for business both at home and abroad.
M&S
14/22Marks & Spencer
Skinny Fit Check Suit
- Fabrication: Textile Blend
- Colours: Grey
If you’re ballin’ on a budget and you’re looking for something that won’t break the bank, Marks & Spencer has got your back with this check suit. Giving your formal fits some extra spice, the pattern is both classic and contemporary at the same time. While this two-piece is skinny, the material is actually pretty stretchy. So if you’ve had a little extra for lunch, that’s not something that you need to worry about.
Zegna
15/22Zegna
Double-Breasted Suit
- Fabrication: Linen/Wool Blend
- Colours: Tan
Crafted in the same mill that Ermenegildo Zegna opened back in 1910, the linen-wool fabric will keep you looking sharp during the warmer months. However, while most summer suits go down a more casual route, this one goes all-out with the formalities. We’re talking a classic double-breasted design, peak lapels, and patch pockets across the sides for your essentials.
Theory
16/22Theory
Clinton Suit
- Fabrication: Textile blend
- Colours: Black, Grey, Navy, Blue
A darted waist and higher than usual button placement on Theory’s highly-recommended ‘Clinton’ jacket drawz the eye upwards to the triangle of material above the button closure, making it an ideal canvas for your new favourite tie. Collected and cool enough to shine with nothing but a simple white shirt too…
H&M
17/22H&M
Loose Fit Suit
- Fabrication: Textile Blend
- Colours: Black, Lilac
Hero of the high street, you might be surprised to hear that H&M can also be relied on for an excellent piece of budget-friendly suiting; but you really shouldn't be. This unstructured two-piece is designed for a shruggish, loose fit, bringing a touch of laissez-faire to your formal events.
Paul Smith
18/22Paul Smith
Kensington Suit
- Fabrication: Wool-mohair
- Colours: Blue, Purple, Navy, Dark Green (and one other)
A slim fit suit is still acceptable for those of you who don’t perform in The Libertines, but take Paul Smith’s cue and don’t go too skinny. A wool-mohair affair in rockstar powder blue, this concoction by the British designer Paul Smith evokes 1960s London. Suit trousers complete with unfinished hems if you want the look of something more bespoke…
Charles Tyrwhitt
19/22Charles Tyrwhitt
- Fabrication: Cotton
- Colours: Navy, Black
Only the debonair should apply within Charles Tyrwhitt for this slice of luxe Italian velvet. This navy jacket — a more flattering and wearable shade than traditional evening black — may not come with “matching” trousers, but the textural riot of the cotton velvet is better suited to a more discreet trouser situation anyway. We recommend trying these moleskin slim-fits.
Husbands Paris
20/22Husbands
Tweed Suit
- Fabrication: Tweed
- Colours: Grey
Paris-based brand Husbands has made a name for itself in menswear thanks to its immaculate approach to tailoring. A fine case in point? This single-breasted tweed suit. Designed using a black and white blend of the classic fabric, it's detailed with sharp Roman shoulders, grand notch lapels, horn buttons and internal pockets. Fully canvassed for extra warmth, it's a smart companion to see you through imminent colder days. Check out the brand's heeled leather boots for a flattering base.
Hawes & Curtis
21/22Hawes & Curtis
Twill Suit
- Fabrication: Wool
- Colours: Navy, Blue, Charcoal, Black
A true wardrobe staple, this exquisite black suit from Hawes & Curtis is one that every single guy should own. Made from some of the finest Super 100s pure wool known to man, it’s completely lined along the inside, and it’s equipped with a welt breast pocket and two straight pockets on either side with flaps. It’s very well–priced as well, so you can look a million dollars without having to pay a million dollars.
Drake's
22/22Drake's
Corduroy Suit
- Fabrication: Cotton Corduroy
- Colours: Brown
As an insulator and a wind buffeter, corduroy is second to none. Also, while people lose sleep over whether it is or isn’t in fashion, it continues to look suave and therefore has longevity, plus its durability means it will physically last. This Drake’s suit harnesses all the swagger of old-school tailoring to produce a fantastic winter two-piece.
