Written by Tiffany McLean, Veteran Stylist at Suits & More

Tiffany McLean is a veteran stylist at Suits & More with years of experience dressing men for church, events, and special occasions. She specializes in complete coordinated looks and has worked with walking suits from Montique, Stacy Adams, SilverSilk, and more.

Last updated: February 2026

Walking Suits: The Complete Guide to Styles, Fit, and Brands

The walking suit is one of the most versatile pieces in men's fashion - sharp enough for church and special occasions, relaxed enough for everyday wear, and distinctive enough to make a real impression wherever you go. This guide covers everything you need to know: the history, every major style, the top brands, how to find the right fit, and how to accessorize the complete look.

What Is a Walking Suit? A Brief History

Walking suits trace their roots to the leisure suits of the 1970s - two-piece coordinated sets that emerged as a direct response to the stiff, formal menswear that dominated the decades before. The original versions were made from polyester, celebrated for its durability and easy care, and featured matching long-sleeve shirt-jackets and trousers, often with contrast stitching and bold patterns.

What started as a fashion rebellion quickly became a cultural statement. The leisure suit embodied a new idea of masculine style - one that did not sacrifice comfort for appearance. Over the decades, the silhouette evolved, the fabrics improved, and the term "walking suit" replaced "leisure suit" in modern menswear. The coordinated set concept remained the same: a matching shirt and pants, designed to be worn as a complete look.

Today, walking suits are a staple in church, event, and occasion dressing for men who want a complete, polished look without the formality of a traditional business suit. Brands like Montique, Stacy Adams, and SilverSilk have each brought their own interpretation of the style to a new generation of customers.

A man sits comfortably on a green sofa in a brightly lit room with palm trees visible through the window behind him. He wears sunglasses and a relaxed casual look with a colorful tropical print walking suit shirt, a light green blazer, and orange pants.

Walking Suit Styles: Which One Is Right for You?

Walking suits come in more variations than most people realize. Here is a breakdown of the major styles and when each one works best.

Long Sleeve Walking Suits

Long sleeve walking suits are the most formal of the walking suit styles and the go-to for church, weddings, and evening events. They come in solids, tone-on-tone patterns, plaids, houndstooth, and windowpane designs. If you are building one foundational walking suit for your wardrobe, a long sleeve style in navy, burgundy, or charcoal is the most versatile starting point.

Short Sleeve Walking Suits

Short sleeve walking suits are built for warmer weather and a more relaxed occasion. They come in the widest variety of colors and patterns - solids, color blocks, paisley, tone-on-tone, and bold prints. These are the most popular style for summer events, outdoor gatherings, and casual weekend wear. Do not mistake relaxed for underdressed - a well-fitted short sleeve walking suit with a clean hat and shoes is a complete, sharp look.

Tone-on-Tone Walking Suits

Tone-on-tone walking suits feature a single base color with a subtle woven pattern in the same hue - the texture creates visual depth without competing colors. This is the most sophisticated option in the walking suit category. It reads as intentional and refined in any setting, from church to a formal dinner. If you want a walking suit that looks custom without bold patterns, tone-on-tone is the answer.

Plaid and Paisley Walking Suits

Pattern is one of walking suits' defining features. Plaid walking suits bring a classic, structured energy that works across formal and casual settings. Paisley walking suits are bolder - they are for the man who wants his outfit to make a statement on its own. Both styles work best when the accessories are kept simple and coordinated, letting the pattern do the work.

Denim Walking Suits

Denim walking suits are a modern interpretation of the coordinated set concept. They blend the casual durability of denim with the polished look of a matched outfit. Available in distressed, painted, and patterned finishes, they are best suited for casual and fashion-forward settings where standing out is the point.

Short Pants Walking Suits

Short pants walking suits are the most casual option - a coordinated shirt and shorts set that keeps the put-together look intact while maximizing comfort in warm weather. These are ideal for outdoor summer events, vacation wear, and any occasion where long pants would be overdressed.

A man dressed in a short-sleeved shirt walking suit and pants in shades of purple with a stylish geometric pattern. He has a groomed beard and hairstyle. The background shows a long blue building with multiple doors.

Top Brands: Montique, Stacy Adams, and SilverSilk

Three brands define the walking suit category. Here is what each one brings to the table.

Montique

Montique is the most recognized name in coordinated walking suits. Their strength is in the complete look - shirt and pants are designed to work together down to the color matching, and their collections frequently include coordinating hats and accessories. Montique offers everything from clean solids to bold patterns, and their attention to detail in the coordination between pieces is what separates them. If you want a walking suit that looks like a complete outfit rather than separates, Montique is the standard.

Stacy Adams

Stacy Adams has been a name in men's fashion since 1875. Their walking suits carry that heritage - the construction is precise, the fits are reliable, and the designs blend classic tailoring sensibilities with current patterns and colors. Their collections include everything from retro-inspired wide lapel styles to cleaner, more modern cuts. If you value craftsmanship and brand history alongside style, Stacy Adams delivers both.

SilverSilk

SilverSilk is where fabric quality is the lead story. Their walking suits are made from exceptionally soft materials that feel as good as they look, making them the go-to choice for men who prioritize all-day comfort. Their range covers short sleeve, long sleeve, woven and short pants styles - there is genuine breadth across the catalog. If you spend long hours in your walking suit and want it to feel effortless by the end of the day, SilverSilk is worth the investment.

A man stands confidently outdoors wearing a short-sleeved navy and yellow patterned walking suit, secured with a tan belt. He completes the look with a white fedora hat. The background includes a sandy area and a colorful building.

Completing the Look: Hats and Accessories

A walking suit is a complete look - and the hat is what finishes it. Here is how to approach accessorizing:

For a bold or patterned suit - choose a hat in a tone-on-tone or solid color that matches one of the suit's colors. A burgundy hat with a burgundy-and-black paisley suit. A navy fedora with a navy tone-on-tone. Let the suit make the statement and let the hat belong to it.

For a solid or neutral suit - this is where you have room to add a focal point. A red-bottom fedora, a hat in a contrasting complementary color, or a bold brim style can become the centerpiece of the whole look. Browse our fedora and dress hat collection to find the right finishing touch.

Shoes and belt - keep these in the same color family as the suit or accessories. Black shoes and belt for dark suits. Cognac or tan for earth-tone and brown-based looks. Matching the shoe and belt to each other is the baseline rule - matching them to the hat elevates the whole look to a coordinated statement.

How to Find the Right Fit

Walking suits are sold as coordinated sets - the shirt and pants come together and are not sold separately. Getting the fit right on both pieces is essential.

Size for your chest and shoulders first. These are the hardest areas to alter. The shirt should sit across the shoulder seam at the point where your shoulder ends - no overhang, no pulling. From there, the waist and length can be adjusted.

For the pants - they should sit comfortably at your natural waist without needing a belt to hold them up. There should be enough room to move freely in the seat and thighs. Length should just touch the top of your shoe. If you are between sizes, go up and have the length hemmed - it is the easiest and cheapest alteration.

Use our size chart before ordering. Sizes vary between brands, so always measure your chest, waist, and inseam and match them to the specific brand's guide. When in doubt, our customer service team is available to help.

A man walks confidently down a city street wearing a fitted lilac walking suit with red embroidery, paired with rose-colored trousers, a matching belt, a wide-brimmed burgundy hat and sunglasses.

Caring for Your Walking Suit

Check the care label first. Most walking suits should be dry cleaned to preserve color and structure. If machine washing is recommended, use cold water on a gentle cycle with mild detergent. Wash similar colors together.

Store properly between wearings. Hang on quality wooden hangers and use a garment bag to protect from dust and light. Avoid overcrowding your closet - fabric needs room to breathe. For stains, dab gently with a soft damp cloth rather than scrubbing, which can cause color fade and fabric damage.

Keep out of prolonged direct sunlight. UV exposure fades color over time, especially on rich, saturated tones. Store in a cool, dark area when not in use.

A man with styled facial hair walks along a narrow pathway next to a wooden building. He wears a short-sleeved white shirt with a blue bamboo pattern, paired with dark pants, in a relaxed and confident stride.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a walking suit?
A walking suit is a coordinated 2-piece set consisting of a matching shirt and pants, designed for comfort and a sharp, put-together look. Unlike a formal suit, the shirt is worn as part of the outfit rather than tucked under a blazer with a tie.

What is the difference between a walking suit and a leisure suit?
The terms are used interchangeably. Leisure suit refers to the original 1970s two-piece coordinated sets. Walking suit is the modern name for the same concept - a matching shirt and pants set designed for comfort and style outside of formal settings.

What brands make the best walking suits?
Montique is the most recognized brand in coordinated walking suits, known for bold patterns and complete look coordination. Stacy Adams brings heritage craftsmanship with a modern edge. SilverSilk specializes in luxuriously soft fabrics with a relaxed fit.

What hat goes with a walking suit?
A fedora is the classic pairing. For a subdued suit, a bold fedora adds a focal point. For a patterned or bright suit, a tone-on-tone fedora in a matching color creates a coordinated, finished look.

How should a walking suit fit?
The shirt should sit at the shoulder seam without pulling or overhang. The pants should sit at the natural waist without needing a belt to stay up, with room to move freely. Length should just touch the top of your shoes. Size for chest and shoulders first - those are hardest to alter.

Ready to find your look? Browse the full walking suit collection at Suits & More - long sleeve, short sleeve, tone-on-tone, plaid, paisley, denim, and short pants styles from Montique, Stacy Adams, SilverSilk, and more. Easy returns within 30 days.

Shop All Walking Suits · Long Sleeve · Short Sleeve · Shop Hats · Size Chart

The Resurgence of Walking Suits: A Walkthrough of Stylish Comfort