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Three-piece without a tie?

otheme

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No, not a la Saturday Night Live style. Classy spread collar shirt, only the top button open. The suit is also traditional, everything but the tie. What do you guys think?
 

Neb

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maybe if you just wore the vest and not the jacket..
 

MalfordOfLondon

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I've seen a tweed 3 piece pulled off very well without a tie.
 

Slewfoot

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I'd be more inclined to do a buttondown collar as opposed to spread, but in general it should work fine.
 

otheme

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3-pieces are quite formal, and button-downs are quite informal. If the suit is made of fine worsted wool and of a conservative color, wouldn't that be a bit self-contradictory? On the other hand, a tweed 3-piece with a well crafted yellow or blue button-down could work quite well.

Originally Posted by Slewfoot
I'd be more inclined to do a buttondown collar as opposed to spread, but in general it should work fine.
 

Slewfoot

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Originally Posted by otheme
3-pieces are quite formal, and button-downs are quite informal. If the suit is made of fine worsted wool and of a conservative color, wouldn't that be a bit self-contradictory? On the other hand, a tweed 3-piece with a well crafted yellow or blue button-down could work quite well.

Personally, I don't think we should all pay as much attention to the "rules" that much. We should essentially do whatever we think works best. I think a buttowndown collar would work without a tie regardless of fabric. With a tie I do agree it would be best with something like tweed, linen, etc.
 

loreley

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Originally Posted by otheme
3-pieces are quite formal, and button-downs are quite informal. If the suit is made of fine worsted wool and of a conservative color, wouldn't that be a bit self-contradictory? On the other hand, a tweed 3-piece with a well crafted yellow or blue button-down could work quite well.

I would think "professorial" would be a better description of a 3-piece than formal. You already are creating a bit of that "contrast" as you put it, between "formal" and "informal," might as well make it blatant.
 

ktrp

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As another poster said in a recent thread on 3-pieces, the most significant fact about 3 piece suits is not that they are, traditionally, more formal, its that they are warmer, and that was a significant reason for wearing them. European buildings with retrofitted climate control can be fairly cool, and this is one reason three pieces are more popular there than in the u.s.

If a three piece will be temperature appropriate, it will help it look appropriate, without a tie.
 

someotherstyle

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Originally Posted by Slewfoot
I'd be more inclined to do a buttondown collar as opposed to spread, but in general it should work fine.

ffffuuuu.gif
facepalm.gif
 

Slewfoot

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Originally Posted by someotherstyle
ffffuuuu.gif
facepalm.gif


Ha! I used to enjoy spread collars more, but have been gravitating towards buttondowns. Perhaps the old man in me is finally coming out in full force! :^)
 

Sanguis Mortuum

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Originally Posted by otheme
No, not a la Saturday Night Live style. Classy spread collar shirt, only the top button open. The suit is also traditional, everything but the tie. What do you guys think?

I think it can look fine.
 

B|aze

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Originally Posted by Neb
maybe if you just wore the vest and not the jacket..
Yeah and get me another drink while you're at it
 

loreley

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I know Trep is not to everyone's taste on this side of the board, but just as visual reference:
reIMG_8535-682x1024.jpg
 

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