How to Mix and Match a Suit: The Esquire Menswear Guide to Suit Separates

The Rules Have Changed
Wearing a suit used to mean one thing: matching jacket, trousers, and waistcoat, all from the
same box. That era is over. Across weddings, proms, race days, and formal events, the men
who turn heads are the ones who've built their look from separates — combining colourways
within a collection to create something that feels personal, considered, and entirely their
own.
At Esquire Menswear we've stocked suit separates from Paul Andrew, Marc Darcy, and
House of Cavani for exactly this reason. Here's how to make it work.

Start With One Statement Piece
Pick the piece that does the most work — usually the jacket or the waistcoat — and build
around it. If you're going to a summer wedding and want something fresh, a Beige Paul
Andrew blazer paired with a contrasting trouser in Navy or Charcoal gives you a modern,
relaxed look without losing the formality. If you want to stand out at prom, a bold coloured
Marc Darcy jacket with a tonal trouser keeps it sharp without going over the top.

Understand Tonal Dressing
The easiest win in mix and match tailoring is tonal dressing — staying within the same colour
family but varying shade and texture. A lighter Grey blazer with darker Grey trousers.
Champagne and Cream. Slate and Silver. The pieces feel connected without being identical.
House of Cavani and Paul Andrew both work particularly well for this, with collections that
are designed with tonal pairing in mind.

Use the Waistcoat as the Accent
If you're wearing a three-piece and want to add personality, let the waistcoat do the work.
Wear a matching jacket and trouser as the base, then bring in a waistcoat in a contrasting
colourway from the same collection. It's subtle enough to stay smart, bold enough to make it
yours.

Come In and Try It
Mix and match is one of those things that's best experienced in person. Seeing the pieces
together on the rail — and trying them on — makes decisions easy. Our team at both
Nottingham Victoria Centre and Merry Hill know the collections inside out and will help you
find the right combination for your occasion.
No appointment needed. Come in, try the separates, and build your look.

The Brands We Stock for Mix & Match

• Paul Andrew — elegant, versatile, multiple colourways across blazers, waistcoats,
and trousers
• Marc Darcy — one of the UK's most popular tailoring brands; sharp cuts and a wide
colour range
• House of Cavani — contemporary tailoring with real edge; ideal for making a
statement
Find us at Esquire Menswear, Nottingham Victoria Centre and Merry Hill.