Reader:

Hey SB,

Love the site. Check it everyday, and all that. Quick question: like you, I love the look and feel of cotton suits – I’m also Vegan and therefore don’t wear wool. How far into the year can you wear cotton suits, are they summer appropriate only? (I also live in the North East)

Thanks and please keep it coming!

-AH

SB:

Hey AH, thanks for reading.

As I’ve advised in the past; don’t dress for the calendar, rather dress for the current weather. There isn’t a specific date that I would stop wearing seasonal fabrics like cottons, seersuckers, linens, whites, flannels, cashmeres, etc. I leave my entire wardrobe out all year long, because you never know, there are warm days in the winter and cool ones in the summer. If the weather is appropriate for the fabric, go for it!

With that said, because I love the look and feel of cotton suits, I try to wear them as much as possible.  On those sneakily warm days in late fall/early winter, for example, I have no problem throwing one on (with or without an overcoat, scarf, gloves, etc).

A good trick to making a cotton suit feel more Fall/Winter appropriate: go green. Regardless of the fact that olive green is the “color of the year” in menswear, it is also surprisingly versatile and fitting for colder weather. Something about olive looks very wintery, even in a chino cotton. Also keep in mind that there are several winter-weight cotton fabrics such as corduroy, moleskin, denim and velvet, for example.

Olive cotton suit, brown stripe shirt and brown wool herringbone tie all by MAB (bespoke, my own designs). Brown minimal wingtips by Gucci. Gloves by Hilts Willard (size S). Watch by Montblanc. Watchband by Corvus. Tie bar by thetiebar.com. Pocket square by Bounty (quilted paper towel – was in a pinch ;)

Bonus Tip: an olive suit also looks great under a camel overcoat! Look for one that hits at mid-thigh for greatest versatility. Post on topcoats coming soon.

Bonus Tip II: lapel accessories are the new pocket squares! Plenty more on this coming soon as well…

Olive cotton suit, camel overcoat and brown gingham shirt both by Michael Andrews Bespoke (custom made). Gold pocket watch (in breast pocket), gold tie bar and stripe tie all Vintage (belonged to my late grandfather). Gloves by Hilts & Willard (size S). Shoes by To Boot NY.

Hope this helps! Thanks for reading.

Yours in style,

SB

PS. I recently met a couple Vegan fashion enthusiasts in my menswear design program. They inspired me to feature them in a post on “Vegan Style”. Stay tuned.