For generations, the classic two-piece suit has been the backbone of men’s formalwear. A matching jacket and trousers, clean lines, a unified fabric - it remains a cornerstone of timeless dressing. But in 2025, the modern gentleman’s wardrobe is evolving. Work has changed. Occasions have changed. Expectations around formality have relaxed, while interest in personal style and considered dressing has risen.

Enter the mix-and-match suit: a refined, contemporary approach to tailoring that offers the elegance of a suit with significantly greater versatility. Instead of purchasing a perfectly matched pair, men are increasingly pairing a blazer with complementary trousers - or styling their formal trousers under jackets and knitwear in new ways. It’s polished, flexible and, importantly, deeply wearable.

This trend aligns with our long-standing philosophy: invest well, choose quality and create looks that work hard in the real world. A mix-and-match wardrobe allows you to wear your tailoring more frequently and with more creativity, while maintaining the refinement synonymous with luxury menswear.

In this guide, we explore why mix-and-match suiting is so big for 2025, how to build a look that feels intentional rather than improvised, and why high-quality separates offer intelligent value for the discerning gentleman.

Why mix-and-match suits are in

The rise of mix-and-match tailoring isn’t accidental - it reflects broader changes in how men dress today.

Formalwear has evolved

The “one-look-fits-all” suit has given way to a more nuanced approach to dressing. Offices have relaxed dress codes. Even formal events increasingly favour creativity, texture and personality.

Mix-and-match suiting lets you strike the balance between refinement and ease. It allows for subtle individuality without tipping into anything loud or showy - ideal for the customer who values impeccable taste.

Versatility is important

A high-quality blazer that only comes out for meetings is no longer enough. Tailoring that adapts is the key: to business lunches, evening dinners, smart-casual Fridays, and polished weekend plans.

A well-chosen jacket can be worn with:

• formal trousers
  

• chinos
  

• structured denim
  

• knitted polos
  

• layered fine-gauge knitwear
  

Likewise, a beautifully cut trouser can pair with shirts, knitwear, overshirts or dressier winter coats - not just its matching partner.

Dressing well is an investment that needs to work for you

For many of our customers, quality rather than quantity is the desired aim. Quality separates encourage thoughtful investment: each piece earns its keep because it works in multiple combinations.

A blazer in a textured navy or grey, for example, could be worn five different ways across the week. A brown blazer could underpin entire seasonal edits. When trousers and jackets can be interchanged, the value becomes clear.

A add depth through mixing

Mixing textures, colours and fabrics creates depth. It gives the wearer a more contemporary look while staying elegant. The best mix-and-match looks feature two refined pieces working together because they share qualities - tone, weight, cut - even if they’re not identical.

What what is a mix and match suit?

It’s simple: choose a tailored jacket and trousers that complement, rather than match.

This could mean:

• A navy blazer worn with charcoal trousers
  

• A textured jacket with smoother worsted trousers
  

• A brown jacket with cream trousers
  

The trick is harmony. The jacket and trousers should feel as though they belong together stylistically, even if the fabrics are different. That sense of cohesion is what elevates the look and keeps it firmly luxury. We recommend keeping your jacket darker than your trousers in order to avoid looking top-heavy, but beyond that, the concept is yours to experiment with. 

How to build a mix and match suit - your practical guide

Start with your jacket

If in doubt, begin with the blazer. This is usually the more expressive of the two pieces and sets the tone for the outfit.

Excellent starting points for a versatile mix-and-match blazer include:

Navy - the universal anchor

Navy pairs harmoniously with greys, beiges, browns, olives and even subtle checks. In textured wool, flannel or hopsack, it becomes a year-round workhorse.

Charcoal - elegant and understated

A darker, more formal option that works especially well with mid-grey, navy or muted brown trousers.

Brown - a strong seasonal performer

Particularly suited to Autumn/Winter, a jacket in brown could pair with tan, cream or olive trousers. 

Fabric tip: The blazer should feel slightly more structured or textured than the trousers - it sets the visual “frame” for the look.

Choose trousers in a plain fabric

The trousers complete the look and should harmonise with the jacket in both tone and texture.

Here are some reliable pairings:

• Navy jacket + mid-grey trousers: A timeless, confident combination.
  

• Charcoal jacket + navy trousers: Understated but refined.
  

Even with mix and match, fabric weight matters. Pair similar seasonal weights together. -  a heavy tweed jacket with very lightweight suit trousers, for example, can feel mismatched unless deliberately styled.

Don’t overlook the accessories

Shirts

Stick to classics: crisp white, light blue, micro-stripe or pale pink. These pair with almost any combination and help anchor the look.

Knitwear

Fine-gauge merino, cashmere or silk-blend knits slip effortlessly under a blazer and add depth. A rollneck works beautifully under winter separates.

Shoes

Keep to refined silhouettes - Oxfords, Derbies, loafers or Chelsea boots. Match leather tone to the warmth of the outfit: dark brown is a strong all-rounder.

Ties and accessories

Pocket squares, ties and belts should harmonise rather than match forcibly. The aim is a cohesive, not overly coordinated, finish.

What to Avoid When Mixing and Matching

A few gentle rules keep the look polished:

1. Avoid pairing vastly different fabrics

A heavyweight tweed jacket with a very lightweight worsted trouser will feel unbalanced.

2. Keep tones harmonious

Navy with mid-grey? Yes. Navy with black? Definitely not.

3. Ensure fit is consistent

A relaxed jacket with ultra-slim trousers can look mismatched unless deliberately styled.

The mix-and-match suit reflects how modern men dress: considered, versatile and quietly expressive. It brings together the best of tailoring - elegance, structure and refinement - with the flexibility demanded by today’s lifestyles.

For any gentleman looking to stay current, this approach is a natural step forward. It encourages investment in exceptional fabrics, thoughtful colour palettes and well-cut pieces that offer genuine mileage season after season. With expert styling guidance and a curated collection of premium separates, we can help you build a wardrobe that’s both modern and timeless.

Whether dressing for the office, evening plans or refined weekend wear, mix-and-match tailoring ensures you look polished - without ever looking predictable.

Expert menswear advice you can rely on

We've been outfitting gentlemen for over 100 years, so if you need advice on how to look your best during office party season, get in touch or drop into our shop on Westover Road, Bournemouth.