Olive Suit Outfits: How to Style an Olive Green Suit
Published on November 24, 2024 | Updated November 25, 2024
By Lily ErtischekSay Okay to Olive
Olive green suits are having a moment—and it’s easy to see why. As a stylish alternative to classic black, navy, or gray, an olive suit brings a fresh, earthy vibe to suits for men, women, or anyone without losing any of the sophistication. This color is not only versatile but also surprisingly adaptable; it can be dressed up for formal wedding attire or down for a casual-chic look, making it a perfect choice for a range of events and personal styles.
In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about rocking an olive green suit, from the best colors to pair it with to outfit ideas for different occasions. Whether you’re aiming for a polished office look, a stylish wedding guest outfit, or just want to shake things up with a new wardrobe staple, you’ll find plenty of inspiration to make this color work for you. Let’s explore all the ways to style an olive green suit like a pro.
Key Takeaways
- Olive green suits are a stylish alternative to traditional colors, suitable for both formal and casual events.
- Pairing an olive suit with earth tones and neutrals like beige, gray, and navy creates a cohesive, sophisticated look.
- Seasonal styling is easy with an olive suit, from light fabrics in spring and summer to textured tweeds for fall wedding guest attire and warm layers in winter.
- Olive green suit separates can be mixed and matched with other wardrobe staples, like a tan blazer or black slacks, for even more versatility.
- For weddings, olive green suits provide a unique option for grooms, groomsmen, and guests, adding a modern twist to men’s wedding guest attire.
Why Choose an Olive Green Suit
An olive green suit is a perfect choice for anyone looking to add something unique yet versatile to their wardrobe. This rich, earthy color is a great way to stand out without going overboard, making it ideal for everything from office wear to special events. Let’s take a closer look at why choosing an olive green suit is a smart and stylish move.
- Versatility: Olive is a chameleon color—it easily adapts to both casual and formal settings. You can dress it up with a white shirt and tie for a polished look or keep it relaxed with neutral tones for a more laid-back vibe.
- Seasonal flexibility: Olive green suits look equally stylish year-round, fitting in seamlessly with both warm and cool color palettes. It’s especially popular in fall, perfect for those looking to bring subtle color into their seasonal wardrobe.
- Timeless appeal: While olive is a modern alternative to traditional suit colors, it’s a shade that never feels too trendy, making it a staple you can wear for years. It’s also an ideal pick for earth tone wedding attire, allowing you to blend classic style with a fresh, natural hue.
- Flattering shade: Olive green is universally flattering and complements a range of skin tones. Its rich yet understated hue adds warmth and depth, making it easy for anyone to wear confidently.
An olive green suit brings the best of both worlds: a pop of color that’s effortlessly stylish and versatile for just about any occasion.
How to Style an Olive Green Suit
Styling an olive green suit is all about striking the right balance between color, texture, and personal flair. This versatile shade pairs well with various colors and styles, making it perfect for any occasion. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of the best shirt colors, ties, shoes, and accessories to make your olive green suit truly stand out.
Shirt options
A white dress shirt is always a winning choice for a clean, classic look with an olive suit. For something softer, light blue or pastel tones create a light contrast, while black or gray shirts add a sleek, modern edge. If you’re going for a more rustic look, try a brown, burgundy, or mustard yellow shirt, which will bring out the earthy undertones of the suit.
Tie selection
For a polished look, stick with neutral-colored ties in shades like black, navy, or gray, which will keep the focus on your suit. Earth tones, like tan, brown, or burgundy, also look great with olive, adding a warm and cohesive feel that’s perfect for any setting.
Footwear
Brown leather shoes, like Oxfords or loafers, bring a sophisticated touch to an olive green suit, while black shoes lend a more formal edge. For a casual twist, consider pairing your suit with plain white sneakers or tennis shoes and a simple graphic or plain tee or turtleneck—ideal for a night out or a relaxed event. Just skip the tie to keep the vibe smart-casual.
Accessories
Elevate your look with accessories like a pocket square in complementary or contrasting colors, such as beige or burgundy. A minimalist watch and classic cufflinks are great final touches that add elegance without overpowering the overall look.
When to Wear an Olive Green Suit
An olive green suit offers a stylish twist on classic men’s suits, bringing a touch of modern flair to various events. This versatile color works well in both formal and semi-formal settings, adapting beautifully from weddings to office meetings and outdoor gatherings. Whether you’re attending a wedding, a business event, or a garden party, an olive green suit strikes the right balance between timeless style and contemporary charm.
Weddings
Olive green suits have become a popular choice for grooms and groomsmen, offering a blend of elegance and modern style that stands out without being too bold. For guests, an olive green suit is an excellent option for a polished look that’s versatile enough for both men’s wedding guest attire and cocktail attire. To achieve a cohesive look, match the olive tones with complementary bridesmaids’ dresses or the bridal party’s color scheme, enhancing the overall wedding palette.
Business casual events
Olive green suits are a unique but professional choice for office settings, conferences, and business meetings. Because of its versatility, olive green suits can be dressed up or down to achieve either a business casual or business professional look. The color exudes confidence without straying too far from business formality, making it an excellent pick for those wanting to bring personality into their work wardrobe while still maintaining a polished appearance.
Outdoor events
Blending seamlessly with natural surroundings, olive green suits are perfect for garden parties and outdoor occasions. The earthy tone is ideal for garden party attire, complementing the outdoor setting and creating a look that feels sophisticated yet relaxed.
Daytime formal events
For daytime events, an olive green suit offers a standout look that’s appropriate without overpowering. Choosing a made-to-order suit in olive green ensures you get the perfect fit and feel for any formal occasion, adding a unique yet refined touch that suits both the event and the daylight.
Styling Your Olive Green Suit for Different Seasons
Olive green suits have a unique versatility that makes them perfect for any season. Their earthy tone feels fresh in spring and summer while adding depth and richness in fall and winter. No matter the season, an olive green suit can be styled to capture the mood and adapt to different temperatures, giving you a polished look year-round.
- Spring: As the weather warms up, pair your olive suit with lighter-colored shirts, like soft whites or pale blues, to brighten up your look. Opt for breathable fabrics that keep you cool and comfortable, creating an effortless vibe that perfectly suits the season’s freshness.
- Summer: For hotter days, choose an olive suit made from lighter fabrics like cotton or linen. These materials allow for better airflow, keeping you cool and looking sharp even when temperatures rise. Minimal accessories and a crisp, open-collar shirt create a relaxed yet stylish summer look.
- Fall: Olive green suits are especially fitting for autumn, where heavier fabrics like tweed or wool add warmth and texture. This look works beautifully for fall wedding guest attire, where you can pair the suit with deeper tones like burgundy or rust in your shirt or accessories to match the season’s rich palette.
- Winter: In winter, layering is key. Add a sweater or turtleneck under your suit jacket for extra warmth, or pair with darker shirts and ties for a seasonal, sophisticated look. Richer hues and cozy layers bring depth and comfort to your outfit, making your olive green suit ideal for winter festivities and formal gatherings.
Olive green suits are incredibly versatile and can be styled with a wide range of colors to suit various occasions, seasons, and personal tastes. The key is to choose colors that either harmonize with or complement the earthy tone of olive green, creating balanced combinations.
- Earth tones: Earthy shades like brown, rust, and camel work beautifully with olive green, creating a warm, grounded look. These colors add richness, making them great choices for accessories, shoes, and layering pieces that add texture to your outfit.
- Neutrals: Classic neutrals like white, black, gray, navy, and beige are timeless choices that give an olive green suit a sophisticated edge. They work well for both formal and business settings, allowing the suit’s color to be the focal point.
- Warm tones: Warm colors such as burgundy, mustard yellow, and terracotta provide a striking contrast to olive green. These shades can add a touch of warmth to your outfit, ideal for autumn or evening events when you want a pop of color.
- Cool tones: Lighter cool tones like light blue, mint green, and teal offer a fresh, modern twist on the olive green suit. These colors keep things light and airy, especially suited to daytime events for a softer look.
- Metallics: Subtle metallics, such as gold, bronze, copper, and silver, can add a hint of glamor. Metallics are excellent choices for cufflinks, watches, and other accessories that elevate the suit without overpowering it.
Yes, olive green suit separates are perfect for mix-and-match styling, offering a wide range of combinations to achieve both casual and dressy looks. For instance, you can pair olive green suit pants with a tan blazer for a refined look that maintains an earthy aesthetic, or opt for an olive green blazer with black slacks to add contrast and formality. Use SuitShop’s Fit Guide to help create seamless combinations with well-fitting separates that elevate your style.
Absolutely, an olive green suit can easily transition into casual wear. Pair your olive green suit jacket with jeans or chinos for a relaxed, elevated look, or swap out the dress shirt for a graphic tee and add sneakers for a modern, casual vibe. Dress pants can also work well with a simple t-shirt or casual shirt to create a laid-back outfit with an understated elegance.
A Modern Classic: Why Olive Green Suits Are Here to Stay
Incorporating an olive green suit into your wardrobe opens up endless styling possibilities, from formal weddings to casual outings. Its versatility across seasons, occasions, and styles makes it a standout alternative to traditional suit colors, and it complements everything from earthy tones to neutral shades. Whether you're considering earth tone wedding attire or dressing up for a more formal occasion, olive green suits offer a unique blend of timeless style and modern appeal.
At SuitShop, we understand the importance of finding the perfect suit for every occasion, and we offer a range of options to fit your style, including olive green and tweed suits—ideal for adding character and warmth to wedding looks. For those looking to achieve that perfect fit, SuitShop’s Fit Finder is here to make sure every piece is tailored to your measurements. From styling a tweed suit for grooms to women's suit outfits and curating men’s suits for guests, SuitShop provides high-quality options so you can confidently dress for any event. Let SuitShop be your go-to for impeccable style and fit, helping you look your best on every occasion.
Lily Ertischek
Lily is constantly reading, keeping up with the latest TV, and seeking out the best bites. She lives in New York City.