In the ever-evolving world of men’s style, certain beliefs can develop a firm grasp on our choices.

And I am not exempt from developing my own beliefs.

One of those beliefs, for me, was the notion that black suits were reserved solely for somber occasions – like funerals, to give a simple example.

That’s how I saw it for years and years.

That was just my own take on them.

And I was 100% convinced of this.

As a matter of fact, I remember giving certain types of advice to my friends, readers and followers: “do not ever buy a black suit“, “there is no need for a black suit… at all“, “black should be your last choice when buying a suit“.

That’s how strongly I felt about them.

But little did I know that my perception of black suits would soon undergo a significant transformation, leading me to embrace them in a variety of stylish ways.

This blog post explores the change in my perspective of black suits.

My Old Belief: Black Suits for Funerals

As a menswear enthusiast, I’ve always been open to experimenting with different styles, fabrics, and colors.

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It’s part of what I do and what I always recommend.

Try new things, step out of your comfort zone and think outside the box.

But there was one color that I, and perhaps many of us, had tucked into the “funeral attire only” category – black.

More specifically, the plain black suit.

It was a personal understanding that black suits were a symbol of mourning or extreme formality, and that’s where their role began and ended in my wardrobe.

But as a dapper men’s style blogger, my journey into the world of men’s style style would soon reveal that there’s much more to black suits than meets the eye.

It was a series of experiences and a shift in my mindset that led me to reconsider the potential of this classic and timeless piece of menswear.

Basically, I had to eat my own words.

Bending the Rules

My approach to the black suit began to change with a single moment of curiosity.

I found myself wondering, “Do I really need a black suit only for funerals and another handful of counter occasions?“

It was a simple question, but just asking this question with an open mind sparked a new way of thinking about black suits.

So I went for it and got myself a made-to-measure black suit.

I decided to break free from the confines of tradition (or my own prejudices) and give black suits a chance to shine in various settings.

It was a conscious decision to explore outside my own style and what felt right to me.

Or maybe it was more of a challenge I wanted to put upon myself.

A Test of Versatility

The first challenge was to put my black suit to the test at an event where a black suit would not really be expected.

I chose a semi-formal gathering with friends, and yeah, I couldn’t help but feel a bit rebellious… at least in my own mind.

Sure, most people out there would not even bat an eye at the sight of a black suit and my choice would most likely go unnoticed.

But it was a big deal for me.

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If you’re anything like me when it comes to your own style, you know what I mean.

Would a black suit look out of place in such a setting? well, I was about to find out.

To be honest, when I put on the black suit, there was a sense of elegance and sophistication that I could feel.

No different from what I would feel wearing a navy or charcoal suit, you know?

It felt right.

And it looked pretty damn cool, no doubt.

Then I simply completed the look with a striped tie, a white dress shirt, and polished black double-monks.

The final result was truly remarkable, if I’m allowed to say so myself – and it opened my eyes, right there, to the versatility of black suits.

One that I hadn’t considered could be a reality before.

Navigating Different Settings in My Black Suit

Encouraged by my first successful experiment, I decided to explore more diverse settings.

My perspective was starting to change a bit, as you can tell by now.

From stylish parties to dinners, I found that my black suit could adapt effortlessly.

All it took was coming up with cool, interesting suit and tie combos, trying different ties, different shirts, and different accessories.

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I realized quickly there is a lot of opportunity to properly wear black suits in different settings.

At the very least, I felt comfortable in it… and I truly believe that’s what made a real difference.

The black suit can be a bit of a chameleon indeed, taking on the mood of the occasion and letting my personality shine through with my style choices.

Surprising Discoveries

I guess the most surprising discovery came when I decided to wear my black suit to a wedding.

Traditionally, black had been off-limits for such occasions, but I was determined to make it work.

And granted, this was an evening wedding, where dark colors are appropriate (what can be darker than black?) and I wasn’t about to break any other rules.

Just for the record, I would never wear a black suit to a daylight wedding.

There’s a time and place for everything, after all – although this goes against the basic premise of this blog post, but allow me to contradict myself a little bit.

Well, going back to that wedding experience… to my amazement, the black not only worked but also added a touch of sophistication that I really enjoyed.

Again, it felt right – and I felt right.

A Couple Caveats

I know this blog post reads as if black suits are extra special.

In complete honesty, they’re just another color that you can choose to wear in your suits beyond the basics like navy, gray, charcoal, etc.

Another tool in your suit style arsenal, that’s it.

And I do want to point out that even after embracing the black suit as a personal choice, there are limits to how much I have adopted them.

Like I already mentioned, wearing a black suit during the daytime can certainly look out of place, specially in warmer weather.

I would also argue that a black suit with a pattern like a nice herringbone pattern, invisible stripes or  a birdseye texture would perhaps provide more versatility and interest than a simple, plain black suit (for the record, my made-to-measure black suit is plain – no pattern whatsoever).

Lastly, I do believe coming up with combos that satisfy my style interests is a bit harder with a black suit as the canvas.

Maybe I just love putting together more colorful, rich suit and tie outfits and black hardly lends itself to help me reach this goal.

Or maybe I just need to keep trying different things until it finally clicks for me.

Whatever the reason, I just wanted to put this out as it’s a reality I’m encountering.

Not that any of this keeps me from exploring my new love for a black suit, but that’s how things are right now.

My Verdict: Black Suits Can Be Much More Than Just Suits For Funerals

In conclusion, my journey from seeing black suits not much more than just funeral attire to embracing them as versatile, stylish companions was a bit of a revelation.

It was a reminder that style is not ever set in stone; it’s a canvas for self-expression.

And how we use self-expression can change and adapt as our perspectives evolve.

A black suit can be as fitting for a formal event or a night out on the town.

It’s all about how you wear it and the confidence you exude.

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So, the next time you contemplate adding a black suit to your collection, remember that it’s all about what you make of it – and not necessarily about what all those rules or self-imposed beliefs tell us is right or wrong.

Give it a chance, and you might be pleasantly surprised.

I was.

And I still am.

Thank you.

Ed.