Black Shirt with Black Suit. I have to get this off my chest.

I would choose either a pocket square or a flower, not both.


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Holy **** mother of all noob threads

I'm going to be the umpteenth guy to say the same exact same thing but as a show of unity:

Matching is kitschy. So are satin shiny white shirts, ties, pocket squares, square toe shoes.

Buy a cheap white cotton shirt from hnm, Zara, uniqlo, or j crew.

If you had any budget at all I'd suggest getting different shoes. Just not the square toed alfanis. Google black captoe. You don't need 200 for bad quality beaters that look reasonable. Just get shoes that look like black captoes. Not derbies as in not shoes with flaps sewn on the outside.

Stop trying to stand out. Every other douche at the party is going to try and stand out and look douchey doing so. No red pocket square. Dont need a tie bar. Flower is ok cuz it's a formal. Don't match your date. Plain matte neutral color tie like grey or navy blue. No cuff links. And ignore that philp32 dude going on about color coordination. Mad for that dude. A white pocket square. A simple dress watch with leather watch strap at most for accessories

I disagree with above dude. White pocket square with light flower to match date is totally reasonable.

Post fit pics cuz I highly doubt your suit actually fits.

A blue cornflower will be fine. The flower shouldn't match her dress per se, but you would want to match it to her corsage if you're getting one for her. Most girls like the corsage.

You can match flower and ps as long as they're both white. My understanding is tie is already blue to match dress? In this case blue flower to match dress means marching flower to tie which I don't like. If tie weren't already blue I'd be ok with matching flower to dates dress

Didn't catch the tie color. Pics will bring it all together.

indesertum said:

Holy **** mother of all noob threads
I'm going to be the umpteenth guy to say the same exact same thing but as a show of unity:
Matching is kitschy. So are satin shiny white shirts, ties, pocket squares, square toe shoes.
Buy a cheap white cotton shirt from hnm, Zara, uniqlo, or j crew.
If you had any budget at all I'd suggest getting different shoes. Just not the square toed alfanis. Google black captoe. You don't need 200 for bad quality beaters that look reasonable. Just get shoes that look like black captoes. Not derbies as in not shoes with flaps sewn on the outside.
Stop trying to stand out. Every other douche at the party is going to try and stand out and look douchey doing so. No red pocket square. Dont need a tie bar. Flower is ok cuz it's a formal. Don't match your date. Plain matte neutral color tie like grey or navy blue. No cuff links. And ignore that philp32 dude going on about color coordination. Mad

for that dude. A white pocket square. A simple dress watch with leather watch strap at most for accessories
I disagree with above dude. White pocket square with light flower to match date is totally reasonable.
Post fit pics cuz I highly doubt your suit actually fits.

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I came in here expecting this response, but it's not without its points. I came into this trying to reinvent the wheel and trying to pursue black on black, and I have been explained otherwise and completely agree.

Considering my situation, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel. I'm going to match her because that would make her happy, therefore I would be happy in response and I'm willing to make that concession on my part of style if it will do so. I understand your concerns though, a more neutral attire would serve better in any situation. Furthermore, how we had cited earlier how matching tie to satin vest is unreasonable since it is a more immature style, I can see where that fits into this application of attire matching as well.

The shoes are going to stand since I do not have the money nor the time to afford other shoes, and in the end, my mom had bought them for me and I know that's what she would like to see me wear.

The tie bar and cuff links were also a gift, and are more an experiment of my choosing to see how I like them since I have never tried both on to a formal setting before. I'm curious to see my own reaction and those of others, and I'll make my decision from there as to whether or not to cede that venture entirely in the future. What better way to learn then to just try it once?

Color coordination makes sense to me, if anything through transitioning colors to form some balance to accent one another, agree to disagree. I used to be a large proponent of simple matching of colors, but it requires balance like anything else. That's what I took away and hope to make my own.

As for the flower, I think I'll stick with a white flower with a blue accent on it, and the white pocket square still sounds like a solid base.

Mentioned before concerning the pictures, I can't post them yet since they are at the cleaners as I said before for the top jacket. But as of this morning they do fit.

I do apologize for irritating you though, I know what I came into here sounding as with full knowledge as to the response I would receive. I did the best I could trying and researching my own opinions, but I never really had that sort of model to base it off of when I was growing up. I came here and received a very welcome and warming response, and to those I thank you. You make great points and I'll honestly take them all into consideration for the future.

unbelragazzo said:

You can match flower and ps as long as they're both white. My understanding is tie is already blue to match dress? In this case blue flower to match dress means marching flower to tie which I don't like. If tie weren't already blue I'd be ok with matching flower to dates dress

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That makes sense. I feel like that would off-balance the picture I'm trying to set with this attire. I'll do the white PS and white flower (but with some blue accent under it) since it is neutral as well. I'll be getting my date a white corsage too, that should bring it together nicely.

PhiPsi32 said:

Didn't catch the tie color. Pics will bring it all together.

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Tie is mainly blue with white and grey diagonal stripes, all of them in the same direction. I can take a picture of that and upload it! Gimme a little bit.

Honestly, I don't think you should worry about the shoes or anything else anymore.

Based on what you are wearing you're going to look better than 99% of the other guys there, so get used to being a 1-percenter

Just don't let the clothes get in the way of having fun. Remember, once you get there its not about what you are wearing, it's about what you are doing!

To be honest I'm not crazy with the black shirt & black suit combination. A light -colored shirt is still my preference.

There are plenty of opinions flying around. Let me make it simple. If your date is happy with what you're wearing, you'll be more than OK. As indesertum mentioned, you're welcome to ignore my comments. I don't take it personally.

I brought up fit pics, well, because after all the dialogue I think many of us would like to see what you're wearing.

Have a great time; that's #1. In six months, no one will remember what you were wearing.

As you experiment with different styles and brands of clothing, I hope you stay active of StyleForum.

Best of luck!



langdon20 said:

You can rock a black shirt & black suit at night, I'd pair it with a midnight blue tie maybe.

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...maybe (and that is a very strong maybe) at a nightclub, but certainly not at a college formal.

So, are we going to get an after action report? How did it go?

I know I'm new here and late to this party, but here are a few thoughts about black on black or black shirts in general.

Aside from the douchebag look, black suits with black shirts give the appearance of one being either an undertaker or an assassin (think John Cusack in Grosse Pointe Blank), especially if paired with a black tie. The other look, depending on your personal appearance, is the Johnny Cash "Man in Black" vibe. Unless you are channeling him - which you are not - then that look is already taken.

In my opinion, a black or midnight blue (or dark navy) shirt can work in limited circumstances. I have worn them in certain European settings, at night, in the winter. A gray suit can work with a black shirt if the tie, scarf, and coat complement the look. The tie cannot be too contrasty. I have a few ties for winter wear that incorporate colors such as black, navy, dark purple, dark green, brown, and bits of silver or copper. These dark hues can complement each other and the shirt if paired with a lighter jacket, a scarf (assuming you are outside) that brings it all together, and a rich winter-hued coat (navy, burgundy, black).

This is a tricky look to pull off and you need to lay out everything together when you first go for it to ensure it all goes together properly. Once you decide to wear it, then own it. Pair it with some black or dark brown dress boots, accessorize lightly (less is more), and channel your grownup elegance and sophistication.