The best men's suits under £400: 14 favourites for every occasion (and how to style them)

The Guardian

08-07-2025

Every man needs a suit. From weddings to funerals, job interviews to formal events – like it or not, sometimes it's the only appropriate thing to wear.
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There's one snag, though: a suit is a big-ticket item. It's not uncommon to spend a few hundred pounds on your chosen two-piece, and if you're after Savile Row-standard tailoring, that number can tip into thousands. But if you know where to look, a good-quality suit doesn't need to cost a fortune. Choose something timeless and you'll have it for years.
I still wear a few suits I've held on to for almost a decade. The ones that ended up at the charity shop, meanwhile, typically strayed from the timeless rule, with a skinny leg, bold colours or an ill-fitting silhouette.
Suits never really go out of style, but they're having a moment in fashion right now. Tailoring was prominent at the spring/summer 2025 menswear shows – look at Fendi, Gucci, Bottega Veneta, Saint Laurent and Dior for reference. And suits are enjoying a resurgence outside fashion week, too. Menswear influencers (namely @chico_lachowski, @reubenlarkin and @josefmiichael) are sporting suits beyond formal events, and their accounts provide some good styling inspiration – even if you choose to wear the trousers and blazers separately.
Read on for my pick of the best suits around at the moment, and scroll below for a guide to how to pick the right suit for you.
Hawes & Curtis navy double-breasted suit
£349 at Hawes & Curtis
The heritage British suit maker, founded in 1913, has four royal warrants under its belt. Today, it's still an expert in tailoring, from a wide range of shirts to silk accessories, as well as a good selection of suits themselves. This double-breasted navy design is an example of what the brand does best: a classic yet strong silhouette made with premium textiles for a suit that looks and feels expensive.
Moss black double-breasted tuxedo
£279 at Moss
The British high-street store Moss Bros rebranded as Moss a couple of years ago – ever since, its menswear collections have gone from strength to strength. The suits now feel modern yet wearable, and more luxurious than most other budget-friendly options. My favourite is this tuxedo (which has some key differences from a plain black suit, namely the contrast satin lapels, satin-covered buttons and satin taping on the trouser seams). It's made using a wool-polyester blend that's crease- and stain-resistant and water-repellent. An added touch of elastane gives it a comfy stretch finish.
Mango Amalfi linen suit Blazer
£149.99 at MangoTrousers
£79.99 at Mango
At smart summer events, it's always the guys wearing cream linen who stand out – think Leonardo DiCaprio as Jay Gatsby. Aesthetics aside, pure linen is great for a few reasons. It's naturally breathable and antibacterial, so it'll keep you cool even when it's hot. It's also not a problem if it's a little creased. This Amalfi suit from Mango is a great option.
H&M brown suitBlazer
£64.99 at H&MTrousers
£37.99 at H&M
No one can argue with the fact that dark brown looks luxurious. If you don't believe me, the Row's autumn/winter 2025 collection should be enough to convince you. While a suit by the Olsen twins' hyped-up brand would cost upwards of £3,000, you can get a similar colour for much less if you shop around. Case in point: this suit by H&M. For just over £100, this looks stylish, fits nicely, and gives people the impression you just get menswear.
Kin black linen-blend suit
Blazer
£91 at John LewisTrousers
£48 at John Lewis
Kin is John Lewis's in-house label, and its menswear collections feel more fashiony than the department store's main line, thanks to its modern silhouettes and fashion-forward fabrics. Although it's described as a slim fit, this suit is a little looser than a classic slim cut, making it feel more appropriate for 2025. The linen-viscose blend gives a louche, flowy finish that can be dressed up or down.
Selected wool double-breasted suit
Blazer
£69 at John Lewis£161 at SelectedTrousers
£94.50 at Selected
Selected is a strong choice for affordable menswear. The online-only brand's collections feel both fashion-forward and premium, especially considering the price bracket. If you're into a roomy fit, this is just the suit for you. It has strong peak lapels, a slouchy shoulder and a double-breasted fit, and is constructed using a timeless neutral wool.
Percival tailored seersucker suit
Blazer
£143.40 at PercivalTrousers
£83.40 at Percival
Percival is known for menswear classics with a twist. This suit, for example, has patch pockets instead of flaps. It's cut to a cool, laid-back fit. And rather than using a common woven twill or linen, it's made from an interesting seersucker that adds another layer of texture.
Asos stone marl slim suit
£120 at Asos
You can always find a good suit by Asos Design. You may have to scroll past a few stretch-skinny or brightly coloured options, but you can always find something that feels far more expensive than its RRP. This season, this stone double-breasted suit tops the list thanks to its modern fit, tonal tortoiseshell buttons and subtly textured marl fabric.
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Arket wool suit
Blazer
£189 at ArketTrousers
£129 at Arket
Grey suits can be a little tricky but look super chic if you get them right. It's best to avoid anything too light and lean towards darker shades, such as charcoal and slate. It's a colour that can easily look corporate, so avoid that by looking for more relaxed details such as a loose fit or patch pockets. This wool design by Scandi high-street hero Arket nails the brief.
Jaeger tailored linen-wool blend suit
£370 at M&S
You can count on Marks & Spencer for a classic suit at a great price. This time, it's a black double-breasted number by the retailer's high-end line, Jaeger. A black suit may not scream summer, but monochrome fans will be pleased to hear this one's made from a lightweight linen-wool-silk blend to give you a good chance of staying cool in the heat, even in the worst colour for it.
Asos Design oversized suit
£100 at Asos
Pinstripes are best when they're subtle – you want them to be your outfit's supporting character rather than the lead. The barely there stripes on this Asos suit are exactly what you're looking for. This suit will help you lean into the 'corpcore' aesthetic without looking like you're cosplaying an advertising director in the 60s. Double down by wearing it with a striped shirt beneath.
Wax London rust linen suitBlazer
£210 at Wax LondonTrousers
£130 at Wax London
Whether you've got a destination wedding (sincerest apologies to your bank account) or want a nice dinner 'fit for a holiday, Wax London's rust suit could be the answer. It's made from linen, the best fabric for the heat, and is designed with a roomy fit to give a laid-back look without feeling too casual. You could dress it down with a vest or up with a linen shirt – and if this orange shade isn't for you, there are five others to choose from.
Charles Tyrwhitt navy twill suit
£329 at Charles Tyrwhitt
A single-breasted navy suit is the classic white T-shirt of the tailoring world. Wear it to any formal engagement, regardless of the time of year or tone of the event, and it will always look good. That's why it's good to invest in quality.
Charles Tyrwhitt suits focus on luxe fabrics and good craftsmanship. This is a classic tailored fit made with a natural stretch twill. If you really want to treat yourself, check out the brand's collab with premium Italian fabrics company Reda, which takes things up another notch.
Zara hounds tooth linen-blend suit
Blazer
£49.99 at ZaraTrousers
£19.99 at Zara
A hounds tooth has a lot to offer. The micropattern adds depth to give a finish more interesting than a plain weave. This suit comes in a versatile shade of green that sits somewhere between moss and sage.
There are two key words to keep in mind when you're on the hunt for a suit: fit and fabric. You'll want the suit to be cut and constructed well, with an appropriate textile – linen for summer, wool for winter, or cotton or polyester if you're after an all-rounder.
At the moment, double-breasted silhouettes a la Remington Steele (a young Pierce Brosnan smarming his way through a comedy-detective show in top-notch tailoring) are top on the fashion agenda, although a single-breasted style is more understated. The cuffs should always show a touch of your shirt and, as a general rule, the jacket's length should stop around the middle of your palm when your arms are hanging by your sides (an easy test is to see if you can grab the jacket hem with your hand).
Trousers should generally have a straight leg with a slight break on the shoe – by which I mean the hem should sit lightly on the shoe, rather than hang above it.
For longevity, it's best to stick to a classic colour. Every man should have a black suit to hand: it works for most formal events and it's essential for most funerals. After that, you've got some options. There's my personal favourite, navy, as well as dark brown, cream and the occasional breakout colour. You don't need the entire selection, but it's good to have a choice of a couple of shades so you can choose the best for the engagement at hand – something brighter for summer weddings and something navy for dressing up in the city, for instance.
Checks, pinstripes and hounds tooth patterns are all a nice addition, but only as a supporting detail to add depth. That means you should avoid XL checks, bold stripes and loud colour combinations, and instead go for a subtle and understated finish such as a mini hounds tooth or tonal pinstripe.
When you're buying off the rack, there are a few names to know. M&S, Zara and Mango are your best bet for affordable options, usually coming below £150. Reiss, Moss and Hawes & Curtis are all tailoring specialists and come with the price to match – costing upwards of £350 – while Percival and Arket are usually top of the list for more casual designs.
It's hard to find any you'd consider cheap, but we've made sure every option in this list comes in at less than £400, so you don't need to remortgage your house to look sharp at your next formal function.
Though the two-piece is obviously important, it's the accessories that make or break the outfit. A subpar tie or pair of shoes can make an acceptable suit look far less sophisticated.
Some tried and tested advice on ties: in my experience, secondhand silk ones have always garnered the most compliments – and they're often much cheaper than brand new. Try a charity shop or thrift store and more often than not you'll find one that works. Or take a look at Rokit, which usually has a good selection.
If you're wearing a pocket square too, it's best for it to complement your tie without being too matchy-matchy. And as for shoes, it depends on the occasion. If it's more casual, a pair of loafers or derbies will do, or potentially even smart trainers. A formal dress code usually calls for oxfords.
Peter Bevan is a stylist and fashion journalist covering menswear, womenswear and beauty