What is a broken suit?
Fortunately, it’s not a suit that’s “broken” in a torn or distressed sense. The term just refers to wearing a jacket from one suit with a pair of pants from another. In essence, you’re breaking up an existing suit into a new combination, extending the versatility of your wardrobe and finding some fun new combinations while you’re at it.

Broken suit style
There are a few pointers you’ll want to follow for broken suit success. Take note of them, and you can turn two suits into four. 

Match texture with texture
One of the subtle ways even like-colored solid suits differ is in the texture of the fabric. For instance, fresco is a wool fabric that has a more open weave, giving it a flatter, less “shiny” appearance than a same-colored suit in a finer fabric like worsted wool. That makes it more casual, and far easier to pair with highly textural fabrics like seersucker.

Patterns with solids, and vice versa
Have a windowpane suit you love, as well as a glen plaid? We salute your spirit of adventure. However, combining two distinct, loud patterns in a single outfit may be a little overwhelming on the eyes. Instead, choose one solid and one pattern—like a grey wool pant and a windowpane jacket, or a glen plaid pant with a bright blue jacket—and watch balance in action.

Room to explore
The best part? If you have trouble deciding which part should be the solid and which part should be the pattern, you can just reverse the order the next time around. That’s the real magic of the broken suit.