To Grey, or not to Grey...

[LordBelacqua]

So, I'm relatively new to hatting (I own a few cheaper hats, but having bought a few new suits, I'm embarking on my first proper adventure in hat-buying), and I'm torn, ladies and gentlemen.

I plan for my first hat to go with my recently-purchased navy blue 3-piece suit - however, I've seen a grey hat I love.

The suit itself is rather a dark navy (here - it's almost black) - so how light a grey would the hat need to be?

I know this is rather higgledy-piggledy, it's been a long day. A long day.

 

[danofarlington]

So, I'm relatively new to hatting (I own a few cheaper hats, but having bought a few new suits, I'm embarking on my first proper adventure in hat-buying), and I'm torn, ladies and gentlemen.

I plan for my first hat to go with my recently-purchased navy blue 3-piece suit - however, I've seen a grey hat I love.

The suit itself is rather a dark navy (here - it's almost black) - so how light a grey would the hat need to be?

I know this is rather higgledy-piggledy, it's been a long day. A long day.

Nice suit. I would say, the hat ought to be somewhat lighter than the suit. There might be a light gray that's too light, sort of almost ivory, which I would avoid, but anything medium light gray sounds right to me. I guess you could also match it with a black hat, but that might look very severe.

 

[LordBelacqua]

Thank you for the prompt reply - this is the hat I'm currently looking at.

 

[monbla256]

Nice choice

That color and style would work very well with your choice of suit IMHO If you feel a bit more adventurous, try a pair of brown reverse calf cap-toe shoes with the brown version of that suit as well Nice coice

 

[LordBelacqua]

That color and style would work very well with your choice of suit IMHO If you feel a bit more adventurous, try a pair of brown reverse calf cap-toe shoes with the brown version of that suit as well Nice coice

I've actually bought the brown version of that suit on Monday - I've managed to pick up a camel-coloured Nor-wind crombie and I needed something to go with it! I have to say, I've not paid massive attention to shoes, do you know of any examples?

But thank you for the advice - I'll make sure to put up a picture when I receive it (I'm off out for a coffee with a friend who is training me in the art of picking clothes - I'd like to show her that I'm learning well!)...

EDIT: This coat!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57986319@N06/5330932028/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57986319@N06/5330934286/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57986319@N06/5330325573/

EDEDIT:

Further question - would I want a light or dark-bristled hat brush with that? As my previous hats were rather cheap-and-cheerful, I never thought to buy one. Now, however...

 

[danofarlington]

Thank you for the prompt reply - this is the hat I'm currently looking at.

Good one. Christy's has nice hats.

 

[monbla256]

I've actually bought the brown version of that suit on Monday - I've managed to pick up a camel-coloured Nor-wind crombie and I needed something to go with it! I have to say, I've not paid massive attention to shoes, do you know of any examples?

But thank you for the advice - I'll make sure to put up a picture when I receive it (I'm off out for a coffee with a friend who is training me in the art of picking clothes - I'd like to show her that I'm learning well!)...

EDIT: This coat!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57986319@N06/5330932028/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57986319@N06/5330934286/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57986319@N06/5330325573/

EDEDIT:

Further question - would I want a light or dark-bristled hat brush with that? As my previous hats were rather cheap-and-cheerful, I never thought to buy one. Now, however...

You be stylin' bro It all looks good to me! At this stage of my life and career I'm fortunate to not have to "dress-up" anymore ! But I remember when I did ! As for a brush, usually a light colored brush for light colored hats, dark for dark. The important thing is that it be a NATURAL bristle brush, usually horsehair and i'm sure Christy's sells 'em as well. Lookin' good guy
Onward thru the fog

 

[LordBelacqua]

You be stylin' bro It all looks good to me! At this stage of my life and career I'm fortunate to not have to "dress-up" anymore ! But I remember when I did ! As for a brush, usually a light colored brush for light colored hats, dark for dark. The important thing is that it be a NATURAL bristle brush, usually horsehair and i'm sure Christy's sells 'em as well. Lookin' good guy
Onward thru the fog

Ha! I love it - there's nothing like being the lowest on the ladder but dressing better than the best at work - plus, working in a school, it helps to educate a new generation of hat wearers (I hope). Thanks for your help guys - I might just stick around

 

[Widebrim]

At this stage of my life and career I'm fortunate to not have to "dress-up" anymore !

Say it ain't so!:eeek:

 

[kaiser]

Thank you for the prompt reply - this is the hat I'm currently looking at.

I think that that Hat goes very well with the dark blue suit. Go for it !

 

[hatophile]

Nice suit, Lord B. and I think the hat will go nicely with it. You need to post some pictures when you recieve the two.

 

[LordBelacqua]

Nice suit, Lord B. and I think the hat will go nicely with it. You need to post some pictures when you recieve the two.

Not my choice of suit (as I said, I'm in training to become a model husband and I was accompanied to be taught what looks good on me), but I do rather enjoy it - I managed to pick up the waistcoat for it a few weeks after the purchase of the coat and trousers. I'll make sure I get a few snaps!

 

[danofarlington]

I think that that Hat goes very well with the dark blue suit. Go for it !

I lost sight of the fact that the suit is blue. When I clicked on it, it looked gray. Let me revise my comment: Any gray hat, whatever the shade, ought to go with the suit in principle. Of course you can't finally know until you put them together, but a dark gray would be good, a light gray, or anything in between. I originally said a light gray hat--thinking the suit was gray, and a hat same shade as the suit ain't good.

 

[avedwards]

My opinion is quite simply that any mid-grey hat will look good with practically any suit colour; be it navy, grey, black, brown, beige or anything more unusual. As for navy suits, any shade of grey will work as the above poster pointed out. For grey suits make sure the hat is not the same shade/hue of grey and it will be fine.