16 Best Black Suits for Men 2025, According to GQ Editors
ShoppingThe new-school black suit isn't for weddings and funerals—it's for any time you need to feel extremely fly.By Rob NowillFebruary 21, 2025Photo: Getty Images; Collage by Sarah CassutoSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.Maybe we’re crazy, but we think the best black suits for men deserve the “essential” title just as much as a 6-pack of white tees. Yes, a black suit will punctuate the major milestones in your life: weddings, job interviews, funerals. (And for that reason, most of us tend to overlook them for anything else.) But done right, a great black suit is a reliable fixture for any time you want to look a little sharper, a little sleeker, and a little more put together. There’s a reason why it’s the only thing worn by reigning indie cool-kid The Dare: done right, a black suit is an inherently sexy garment.That said, there are suits, and there are suits. Pay attention to the depth of color: a wishy-washy black will fade with wear, leaving sad-looking worn patches on the elbows and knees. The shoulder line should be clean, with no lumps or bumps: either sharply cut (with or without some slight padding to make your silhouette more defined), or gently sloping over the shoulder for more casual styles. And the trousers need to pick a lane: either a precise slim-straight leg, or a more relaxed, roomier cut with a bit of swing. Anything in between could look like a school uniform.Or, of course, you could just consult our list below of the best 16 on the market right now, and know that we’ve already done the hard work for you.The Best Men's Black Suits, According to GQThe Best Black Suit Overall: Todd Snyder Italian Gabardine Madison Suit, $996The Best Black Suit on a Budget: Banana Republic Signature Italian Hopsack Suit, $600The Best Lightweight Black Suit: Auralee Light Wool Gabardine Suit, $1505The Best Black Suit for Fashion Guys: Mfpen Wool Suit, $735The Best Investment Black Suit: Saman Amel Silk Double-Breasted Silk Suit, $5945The Best Casual Black Suit: Studio Nicholson Wool Jacket and Pants, $1365The Best Corduroy Black Suit: Buck Mason Blackthorn Matchstick Corduroy Suit, $746Looking for Something Specific?AccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronMore Black Suits We LoveHow to Style a Black Suit in 2025How We Test and Review ProductsHow We Make These PicksBest Black Suit Overall: Todd Snyder Italian Gabardine Madison SuitTodd SnyderItalian Gabardine Madison Jacket$698 Todd SnyderPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsSuper fabrication for a reasonable priceFlattering constructionConsDetails aren’t quite as refined as in some of the pricier optionsTodd SnyderItalian Gabardine Side Tab Trouser$298 Todd SnyderWhen you’re using Italian wool, expert cuts, and still coming in at under $1,000, you’ve got a strong chance of earning our best overall prize. That’s just what Todd Snyder’s done here. This Madison suit is made from gabardine, a kind of yarn that’s lighter than normal wool, meaning it’s less sweaty and more breathable. Plus, the ever-so-slight curvature to the lapels is something only usually seen on more expensive tailoring. So while this is a relatively affordable suit (and yes, for a suit, under $1,000 is not bad at all), it really doesn’t look or feel like one.It’s worth taking a closer look at the cut, too: the tapering fit through the leg means it’ll look smart but won’t bunch or strain around the thighs. It also gives the suit a pleasingly classic, grown up silhouette, for men who want to signal that they’ve outgrown the “slim-fit everything” phase.Best Budget Black Suit: Banana Republic Signature Italian Hopsack SuitBanana RepublicSignature Italian Hopsack Suit Jacket$450 Banana RepublicPros & ConsAccordionItemContainerButtonLargeChevronProsItalian fabrics are always a winnerConsSynthetic liningQuite slim through the leg, which doesn’t suit everyoneBanana RepublicSignature Italian Hopsack Suit Pant$200 Banana RepublicFor an entry-level suit, there’s a lot to admire here – it sits neatly within Banana Republic’s increasingly impressive roster of menswear staples, which are made to a level of quality superior to many of its peers. Unlike most affordable styles, which tend to be heavy on the synthetics, this is made from hopsack wool, produced in an Italian mill – so it won’t have that sheeny, plasticky look that some cheaper suits tend to carry. The fabric also has a surprising heft to it, which helps to make it look fancier than it is.The cut is fairly slim, so it should be worn with similarly neatly-cut clothing: fine-gauge knitwear or a classic button-down would work better than anything too loose. If you’re looking for your first suit, or don’t want to blow the budget, this is a pretty unimpeachable place to start.Best Lightweight Black Suit: Auralee Black Light Wool Gabardine SuitAuraleeBlack Light Wool Max Gabardine Blazer$975 $731 SSENSEPros & ConsA
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Maybe we’re crazy, but we think the best black suits for men deserve the “essential” title just as much as a 6-pack of white tees. Yes, a black suit will punctuate the major milestones in your life: weddings, job interviews, funerals. (And for that reason, most of us tend to overlook them for anything else.) But done right, a great black suit is a reliable fixture for any time you want to look a little sharper, a little sleeker, and a little more put together. There’s a reason why it’s the only thing worn by reigning indie cool-kid The Dare: done right, a black suit is an inherently sexy garment.
That said, there are suits, and there are suits. Pay attention to the depth of color: a wishy-washy black will fade with wear, leaving sad-looking worn patches on the elbows and knees. The shoulder line should be clean, with no lumps or bumps: either sharply cut (with or without some slight padding to make your silhouette more defined), or gently sloping over the shoulder for more casual styles. And the trousers need to pick a lane: either a precise slim-straight leg, or a more relaxed, roomier cut with a bit of swing. Anything in between could look like a school uniform.
Or, of course, you could just consult our list below of the best 16 on the market right now, and know that we’ve already done the hard work for you.
The Best Men's Black Suits, According to GQ
- The Best Black Suit Overall: Todd Snyder Italian Gabardine Madison Suit, $996
- The Best Black Suit on a Budget: Banana Republic Signature Italian Hopsack Suit, $600
- The Best Lightweight Black Suit: Auralee Light Wool Gabardine Suit, $1505
- The Best Black Suit for Fashion Guys: Mfpen Wool Suit, $735
- The Best Investment Black Suit: Saman Amel Silk Double-Breasted Silk Suit, $5945
- The Best Casual Black Suit: Studio Nicholson Wool Jacket and Pants, $1365
- The Best Corduroy Black Suit: Buck Mason Blackthorn Matchstick Corduroy Suit, $746
Best Black Suit Overall: Todd Snyder Italian Gabardine Madison Suit
When you’re using Italian wool, expert cuts, and still coming in at under $1,000, you’ve got a strong chance of earning our best overall prize. That’s just what Todd Snyder’s done here. This Madison suit is made from gabardine, a kind of yarn that’s lighter than normal wool, meaning it’s less sweaty and more breathable. Plus, the ever-so-slight curvature to the lapels is something only usually seen on more expensive tailoring. So while this is a relatively affordable suit (and yes, for a suit, under $1,000 is not bad at all), it really doesn’t look or feel like one.
It’s worth taking a closer look at the cut, too: the tapering fit through the leg means it’ll look smart but won’t bunch or strain around the thighs. It also gives the suit a pleasingly classic, grown up silhouette, for men who want to signal that they’ve outgrown the “slim-fit everything” phase.
Best Budget Black Suit: Banana Republic Signature Italian Hopsack Suit
For an entry-level suit, there’s a lot to admire here – it sits neatly within Banana Republic’s increasingly impressive roster of menswear staples, which are made to a level of quality superior to many of its peers. Unlike most affordable styles, which tend to be heavy on the synthetics, this is made from hopsack wool, produced in an Italian mill – so it won’t have that sheeny, plasticky look that some cheaper suits tend to carry. The fabric also has a surprising heft to it, which helps to make it look fancier than it is.
The cut is fairly slim, so it should be worn with similarly neatly-cut clothing: fine-gauge knitwear or a classic button-down would work better than anything too loose. If you’re looking for your first suit, or don’t want to blow the budget, this is a pretty unimpeachable place to start.
Best Lightweight Black Suit: Auralee Black Light Wool Gabardine Suit
If you haven’t heard of the rising Tokyo-based menswear brand Auralee, think of them like this: the most ordinary things in your wardrobe, made really well. They excel at making perfectly cut, smartly fabricated versions of clothes without bells and whistles, that you can wear over and over again. As a result, they’ve become beloved by menswear guys.
This suit is a good example of why – while it doesn’t look like much from afar, its cut is the differentiator. Just roomy enough to be distinctive, but not so baggy as to look try-hard or sloppy. The added bonus: It’s made from a lightweight, highly breathable gabardine, so you’ll have zero risk of overheating. A black suit you could wear to a summer wedding, who’d have thought it?
Best Black Suit for Fashion Guys: Mfpen Wool Suit
Like all the best Scandi brands, mfpen makes streamlined, gently-tweaked menswear classics whose magic lies in their perfectly contemporary proportions. Here, it’s the slightly boxier cut of the jacket, which nods towards a Nineties silhouette without being overly literal about it. As a result, this suit is a more fashionable choice for guys who want to look distinctive without looking shouty. Its roomier cut means it’ll work well with all manner of shirts, from traditional button-downs to looser cuts. Just avoid fitted styles, which will jar with the silhouette.
It’s also notable, and admirable, that mfpen’s collections are made responsibly, using deadstock wherever possible and avoiding overproduction. Which also makes it less likely you’ll bump into someone else wearing the same fit.
Best Investment Black Suit: Saman Amel Double-Breasted Suit
If you’re going to spend the money on a serious suit, swerve the flashier names and go straight to a brand that really knows its onions. The Swedish suitmaker Saman Amel might be a relatively new contender – the brand was founded only ten years ago – but they’ve rapidly built a reputation as a powerhouse in refined, minimal and faultlessly constructed tailoring. The majority of the suits they make are bespoke creations, but they do offer a small number of off-the-rack styles, like this one, through a handful of blue-chip retailers.
This particular suit sings in the details. For one, its jacket is made entirely from silk, so it’ll hang on you better than any other possibly could. The double-breasted cut perfectly narrows the waist, while the proportion on the trousers will make almost anyone look taller. Essentially, at this level of quality, all the hard work is done for you.
Best Casual Black Suit: Studio Nicholson Wool Suit
Now celebrating its fifteenth birthday, the British menswear brand Studio Nicholson should be a regular stop on your browsing rotation. It makes the kinds of clean, crisp, smartly structured clothes you’d imagine an architect or creative director might wear on his weekends off, and all their pieces straddle the line between considered and casual: they’re relaxed enough to look cool, but are never sloppy.
Take this suit: worn alone, the jacket could be thrown over a t-shirt or sweatshirt and worn with straight-leg jeans. But paired with the matching pants and a crisply cut white shirt, you could wear this to dinner or a more laid-back wedding. Don’t be put off by the wider cut of the trousers: it’s often more flattering than a slim leg. Wear them with a heavier-soled shoe, or a classic pair of black loafers.
Best Corduroy Black Suit: Buck Mason Matchstick Suit
A corduroy suit might not sound like an essential, but when made in black it suddenly pulls double duty. By day, you can wear it with a textured shirt and a knitted tie and give off a Robert-Redford-meets-Dustin-Hoffman vibe. At night, swap in a silk tie, and suddenly you’re wearing a relaxed, cooler take on a velvet suit.
This one, by Buck Mason, is cut with a soft shoulder, in the style of classic Ivy League tailoring. That means it won’t look overly precious, and that its constituent parts will pair well with other things. You could have some fun with footwear here – while a derby or loafer will work just fine, just know that it’d kill with a pair of Yuketens or a heavy-soled boat shoe.
More Black Suits We Love
Yohji Yamamoto is the undisputed king of black clothing – he’s hardly worked outside of that palette for the last fifty years. This suit, cut in his signature shape, is the perfect choice for men who want to flex a little more on the fashion front.
You might already know Issey Miyake’s Homme Plissé line for its precise pleatwork. It’s a technique that rarely works better than when applied to tailoring: not only does it add visual interest, it means this is the perfect suit to travel with, as it’s virtually crease-proof.
If the very thought of wearing a suit makes you feel claustrophobic, consider this route by Smock, the in-house brand of the estimable retailer Mohawk General Store. Its slouchier cut will feel just as comfortable as your favorite sweats.
Speaking of evening suits, a great one is hard to find on a budget. This wool suit, by COS, is one of the best. It’s cut for a boxier fit, so leans a little more into ‘fashion’ territory, but it’s executed with enough restraint to work for any formal event.
Though its eponymous founder departed last year, the Belgian label Dries van Noten has more than maintained its reputation for elegant, quietly romantic clothing.
A sensible suit is all well and good – but there are times when you’ll want to flex a little harder. Saint Laurent’s double-breasted, high-waisted version has a Silk Sonic-like energy built in: wear it with a silk shirt, and leave a few buttons open.
Made in the USA from cotton twill, this suit is harder-wearing and sturdier than a typical style – so while it’s a little pricer than an entry level option, it’s likely to be far more enduring. The relaxed double-breasted jacket will perfectly straddle smart and casual occasions.
In case you missed it, the heritage tailor Drake’s has undergone an almighty shakeup, and now produces some of the UK’s most dependably impressive menswear. If you need a suit specifically for evening dress, this handsomely cut tuxedo, finished with a shawl collar, is one to turn to.
A wide-leg suit looks bold, but is remarkably easy to wear: the trick is to keep everything else simple and streamlined. This version, from the ultra-minimalist brand Séfr, balances the roomier legs with a slightly abbreviated jacket.
How to Style a Black Suit in 2025
Yes, you can wear it with a white shirt. And yes, if it’s a formal occasion, you probably should. But that’s where any “rules” stop: These days, there’s nothing wrong (and a lot right) with wearing another shade underneath. Heck, the right printed shirt can work, too, though stripes and graphics will work better than florals. (You could also consider a knitted polo shirt, or a merino sweater.) In terms of footwear, it’s best to stick to boots, lace-ups or loafers, though a pair of unobtrusive sneakers can slot in nicely too: this is where your trusty pair of Sambas will come good.
As a general rule of thumb, if the suit is sold as two separate pieces, it can be worn that way—but if it’s sold as a single item, it shouldn’t be broken up, as it usually means the jacket isn’t cut to work as a blazer. The advantage of separates, of course, is that you’re instantly gaining a great jacket to wear with black jeans, and a great pair of black pants for tucking T-shirts into.
How We Test and Review Products
Style is subjective, we know—that’s the fun of it. But we’re serious about helping our audience get dressed. Whether it’s the best white sneakers, the flyest affordable suits, or the need-to-know menswear drops of the week, GQ Recommends’ perspective is built on years of hands-on experience, an insider awareness of what’s in and what’s next, and a mission to find the best version of everything out there, at every price point.
Our staffers aren’t able to try on every single piece of clothing you read about on GQ.com (fashion moves fast these days), but we have an intimate knowledge of each brand’s strengths and know the hallmarks of quality clothing—from materials and sourcing, to craftsmanship, to sustainability efforts that aren’t just greenwashing. GQ Recommends heavily emphasizes our own editorial experience with those brands, how they make their clothes, and how those clothes have been reviewed by customers. Bottom line: GQ wouldn’t tell you to wear it if we wouldn’t.
How We Make These Picks
We make every effort to cast as wide of a net as possible, with an eye on identifying the best options across three key categories: quality, fit, and price.
To kick off the process, we enlist the GQ Recommends braintrust to vote on our contenders. Some of the folks involved have worked in retail, slinging clothes to the masses; others have toiled for small-batch menswear labels; all spend way too much time thinking about what hangs in their closets.
We lean on that collective experience to guide our search, culling a mix of household names, indie favorites, and the artisanal imprints on the bleeding-edge of the genre. Then we narrow down the assortment to the picks that scored the highest across quality, fit, and price.
Across the majority of our buying guides, our team boasts firsthand experience with the bulk of our selects, but a handful are totally new to us. So after several months of intense debate, we tally the votes, collate the anecdotal evidence, and emerge with a list of what we believe to be the absolute best of the category right now, from the tried-and-true stalwarts to the modern disruptors, the affordable beaters to the wildly expensive (but wildly worth-it) designer riffs.
Whatever your preferences, whatever your style, there's bound to be a superlative version on this list for you. (Read more about GQ's testing process here.)
