Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Bar-Mitzvah dress code?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Bar-Mitzvah dress code?

post #1 of 62
12/16/11 at 3:08pm
Thread Starter 
Thread for the Jewish ones. A bar-mitzvah seems to be an important religious event, hence it should require "formal" dress (actually, a simple suit). But it usually takes place in the morning, and the party after the ceremony is often very, very casual... So, I think the "formal" suit demanded for weddings or funerals (charcoal or navy suit, crisp white shirt, black shoes, etc.) can look out of place for a bar-mitzvah. I may be wrong however. Is it correct to dress down just a little bit for this occasion? By "dressing down", I mean the usual SF attire: sportcoat with dark pants, subdued blue shirt, sober tie with a white pocket square, and dark brown monkstraps. Is it suitable?

(Unfortunately, I lost my Kiton tallit.)
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 62
12/16/11 at 3:22pm
if the party is a luncheon after the service, then that sounds perfect.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 62
12/16/11 at 3:41pm
While my initial inclination is to agree that slacks and a sportscoat would be fine, my second reaction is that there are going to be at least a dozen 13 year-old boys there, most of whom will be wearing a suit. I think if 13 year-olds will put on a suit, I myself will wear a suit. It doesn't have to be an interview outfit, but I would go with a suit.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 62
12/16/11 at 4:16pm
Wear a suit. Like you said, it is a serious religious occasion and your dress should show your respect for the participants and their/your religion.
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 62
12/16/11 at 5:25pm
I agree with a suit. Very important day where a boy becomes a young man.

A tip for Gentile guests (if applicable)...
On wearing a Kippah (or Yarmulke), If you are a gentile (non Jew) and the service is in a reformed temple you probably don't need to wear one, but if it is a conservative temple, then wear one. Wearing one in either setting is a sign of respect to God and the hosts. Some services have them available for guests at the door. If you are able to check with the host beforehand, do so. I always wear one myself at such events.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 62
12/16/11 at 5:51pm
Thread Starter 
Actually, I'm asking this because I don't have "formal" suits anymore. All my suits have flecked, tan, Prince of Wales fabrics... i.e. not suitable for a great occasion. Ergo, I thought a modest, subdued sportcoat would do the trick.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 62
12/16/11 at 7:56pm
Bad move posting this on Friday night man. lol8[1].gif

Wait for in stitches to finish Shabbos, he will give you the low down.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 62
12/16/11 at 8:20pm
Ought the pocket square compliment the kippah? Me thinks the most attractive ones are the kippot srugot, which are lovely crocheted. I like geometric patterns.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 62
12/16/11 at 10:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SpooPoker View Post

Bad move posting this on Friday night man. lol8[1].gif
Wait for in stitches to finish Shabbos, he will give you the low down.

rotflmao.gif

Donnie, you know I don't roll on the Shabbos!
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 62
12/17/11 at 6:18am
wear a suit, you can't goo wrong..
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 62
12/17/11 at 4:24pm
FWIW, I attended a bat mitzvah back in June. Religious services in the late morning, followed by a luncheon at a fondue restaurant.

I wore a tan poplin suit, white OCBD, blue silk knit tie, tassel loafers, and silk pocket square. I was neither the most formally dressed man present, nor the least - I'd say somewhere solidly in the middle. (And the rabbi was wearing a bow tie. Good for him!)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chrenetique View Post

Actually, I'm asking this because I don't have "formal" suits anymore
It's really not a bad idea for a man to have at least one grey or navy "formal" suit, just in case he needs it for a religious ceremony, funeral, court appearance, wedding, or something similar.
--
Michael
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 62
12/17/11 at 7:19pm

This thread is such a winner.

Reply
Reply
post #13 of 62
12/17/11 at 9:22pm
Yes, a suit is quite necessary. Formality should be keyed in this instance to the ceremony, not the reception.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 62
12/18/11 at 3:45am
"Bar Mitzvah" ...oh had to look that one up on Wikipedia.
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 62
12/18/11 at 4:12am
Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeDT View Post

"Bar Mitzvah" ...oh had to look that one up on Wikipedia.

You are kidding, right?
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Men's Clothing
Styleforum › Forums › Men's Style › Men's Clothing › Bar-Mitzvah dress code?