True black is dark enough to make the small-scale check the clear focal point without either piece competing for attention. The shorter length keeps the pattern from reading busy across a longer torso. This is for the office day with an actual audience — a pitch, a review, a first meeting with someone new. A patterned men's business casual outfit that reads put-together instead of loud, which is the whole trick with checks.

Finish with black leather derbies and a black belt to keep the palette locked in.