Is it the man who makes the suit or the suit that makes the man? Either way, these characters certainly know how to wear one.
In a world that’s turned towards more casual-wear, there’s still nothing quite like a well dressed man in a suit.
Whether it’s their career that dictates the suit or simply their personal choice, it’s clear that not all suits (or the men in them) are created equal.
Check out these 17 fine looking gentlemen who grace our TV screens in impeccable suits that make us swoon.
Harvey Specter – Suits
Harvey’s first words of advice to protoge, Mike Ross, was to go out and buy some real, well-fitted suits. “People respond to how we’re dressed, so like it or not this is what you have to do.” Harvey is rarely without his business suits. They are custom tailored three-piece suits, generally pinstripes with flapped pockets, double vents, and wider peak lapels that accentuate those amazing shoulders. Harvey Specter is always handsome but it’s his choice in suits that exudes power and confidence.
Patrick Jane on The Mentalist
Patrick Jane was rarely seen without his three piece suit over the seven season of The Mentalist. It was his signature look with the vest, no tie and usually in shades of blue. Why? The color blue is believed to convey a warm and trustworthy feeling. Getting people to trust him certainly made it easier for Jane to play his mentalist mind games…it also really brought out his blue eyes!
Agent Phil Coulson – Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
It doesn’t matter if he’s fighting the bad guys from his office or in the jungle, Agent Coulson always wears his suit. The leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. can seem a little uptight but that’s because he’s a career government man. Coulson likes tradition and consistency. Showrunner Jed Whedon says “No matter what the situation, Coulson feels most at ease when in his suit.” And it shows!
Ricky Ricardo – I Love Lucy
In the 1950s, I Love Lucy was the biggest hit on TV and although many watched to see what Lucy wore, it was difficult to miss her handsome husband. Ricky rocked those broad-shouldered suit jackets with a V shape that was close on the hip, had straight fronts, and frequently a TV fold pocket square. The look was popular with the Big Band leaders of the time and rumor has it that many of Ricky’s outfits came straight out of actor Desi Arnaz’s closet.
Derek Morgan – Criminal Minds
Derek Morgan can be sensitive. Derek Morgan can be one badass cop. But as hot as this crime fighter looks in a tight t-shirt and a bullet proof vest, he’s even more stunning in a suit. Take a look and just try and tell us we’re wrong.
Rick Castle – Castle
Rick Castle wears a lot of button down shirts and blazers but it’s on the rare occasion that we actually see Castle wearing a suit…and that’s a darn shame because he is so damn handsome when he’s dressed well! The show needs more special events so we can see Castle looking his absolute best more often.
Neal Caffrey – White Collar
Neal Caffrey was a conman, a charmer, and an FBI consultant, and he was good at them all, but not nearly as good as he was at wearing a suit. To his credit, Neal always wore a suit. Maybe they gave him that added confidence to pull off a good con, or perhaps he just knew how much his blue eyes shown when he was wearing the right suit.
Chuck Bass – Gossip Girl
Whether he did it in white, pin stripes or his favorite purple, Chuck Bass knew how to wear a suit. Gossip Girl’s resident bad boy was the object of many a woman’s desire and many a man’s scorn but no one can say he didn’t own his look. If asked why he was able to look so good in a suit…well, the answer was obvious. “I’m Chuck Bass.”
Cary Agos – The Good Wife
Cary Agos always looks sleek and sophisticated. He tends to wear a suit with a powerful but not over-powering tie. The Good Wife’s costume designer, Daniel Lawson says, “Cary wears a one button, slim suit on the show.” From off-the-rack Calvin Klein to custom-made Martin Greenfield and Thomas Pink shirts, Cary keeps it simple but still makes a statement. We especially like the neatly folded pocket squares.
Barney Stinson – How I Met Your Mother
No one can say that Barney Stinson didn’t look amazing in his suits. He wore them like designer armor and even performed a dance number (with Tim Gunn stepping in as Barney’s onscreen tailor) in order to defend them. Barney’s go-to suits were by Dolce & Gabbana but he also wore the occasional Prada, Paul Smith, YSL, and Marc Jacobs.
Frank Reagan – Blue Bloods
As Police Commissioner of the NYPD, Frank Reagan exudes a certain stature and his suits reflect that. His suits are custom made from Ralph Lauren Polo. The dress shirts are also custom made. The fact that the entire ensemble just happens to be worn by actor Tom Selleck makes it all the more impressive.
Edwin Jarvis – Marvel’s Agent Carter
Agent Peggy Carter’s stalwart and plucky sidekick is almost never found without his suit. According to the show’s Emmy award winning costume designer Giovanna Ottobre-Melton, Jarvis is dressed in custom three-piece suits that are generally done in tweeds or subtle plaids. He may not have a huge selection of suits but they are impeccably chosen with appearance and practicality in mind.
Special Agent Tony DiNozzo – NCIS
Tony DiNozzo is a guy who appreciates a nice suit. The show’s Costumer Gregory Pena takes Tony’s inspiration from the Rat Pack look of the 1960s with its lean silhouettes, starched shirts and skinny ties. While some of Tony’s suits come from Zara, others are from Prada and Hugo Boss which also offer that retro vibe. We’re definitely going to miss Tony and his awesome suits after this season of NCIS.
John Reese – Person of Interest
John Reese is literally referred to as “the man in the suit” on Person of Interest because of his trademark black suits. Reese wears his suits like a uniform with the jackets left open the majority of the time. Not only does it look good on him, it probably makes those fight scenes a lot easier to handle.
President Fitzgerald Grant – Scandal
Because he’s President of the United States, Scandal’s show costumer Lyn Paola is a bit confined in her choices for Fitz. “The suit is always the basis of the look, and the shirt and tie are where I get to play and finesse the character.” Paola says, “Often we can add elements to the look (such as) embroidery on the shirt, cuff or no cuff, tie or no tie, different kinds of ties.” But Fitz’s look, “is defined by the suit, everything else is window dressing.” No matter what the accessories, there’s no doubt that Fitzgerald Grant is a well dressed man.
Elijah Mikaelson – The Originals
Elijah may tear your heart out on The Originals. But he’ll do it while looking mighty fine.
Don Draper – Mad Men
Don Draper owns this1960s style in his classic two-button suit. It’s hard to go wrong with a classic
