I was styling a customer for a trip he’s going on within the month and he asked me what the best neutral was to have in his wardrobe. I thought in regards to versatility (both in regard to season and day-to-night transitions), and at first thought of black. However, since I’m one for being a bit “out of the box” with how I style others, or myself I settled on gray.

Whether a rich charcoal or a lighter tone like smoke, it’s a perfect compliment to any outfit and beautifully works with most colors in the spectrum. He turned to me and said, “Oh, well then gray must be the new black.” So here’s to adding a subtle boldness and splash of variance to your clothing. With the new fall fashions arriving in stores, here are a few ways to sprinkle so much needed gray into your day-to-day.

  • A gray sport coat adds a healthy dose of sophistication to your casual look that makes it able to be carried from the daytime workplace to a glass of wine (or two) during an evening on the town. The lightness of wool/nylon blends make this an all-seasons look that can be worn even in the deep of summer. The new coats from Rag&Bone, Hugo Boss, Paul Smith, and Ralph Lauren offer this timeless piece in superb modern cuts.

 

Paul Smith Fall 2013, Source: style.com

Paul Smith Fall 2013, Source: style.com

  • Adding a pop of lavender, violet, dusty rose, or a soft pink can give a beautiful contrast to gray and introduce a fresh palette into your life (for those who are a bit daunted by color, it’s good start with a plaid before going for a bold solid). Whether it’s the subtlety of a pocket square or a collared shirt, brands like Rag&Bone, Gant Rugger, Billy Reid, and Hugo Boss are fine ways to bring these wonders hues into your clothing.

 

Hugo Boss Fall/Winter 2013, Source: HugoBoss.com

Hugo Boss Fall/Winter 2013, Source: HugoBoss.com

  • A gray pant can give your outfit an edge of easy elegance or a hint of cool casual at any moment. It’s a wonderful change up to the dress slack for the office or the street-ready uniform of a pair of jeans. Many brands like AG Adriano Goldschmied and Rag&Bone provide the healthy marriage between style and comfort with lightweight pants that are cut like a pair of your favorite jeans. For something a bit more work appropriate, Jack Spade, Burberry, American Apparel and Hugo Boss give you the style and sartorial edge you need for seasons to come.
Rag & Bone Fall 2013, Source: style.com

Rag & Bone Fall 2013, Source: style.com