• Hi, I am the owner and main administrator of Styleforum. If you find the forum useful and fun, please help support it by buying through the posted links on the forum. Our main, very popular sales thread, where the latest and best sales are listed, are posted HERE

    Purchases made through some of our links earns a commission for the forum and allows us to do the work of maintaining and improving it. Finally, thanks for being a part of this community. We realize that there are many choices today on the internet, and we have all of you to thank for making Styleforum the foremost destination for discussions of menswear.
  • This site contains affiliate links for which Styleforum may be compensated.
  • We would like to welcome House of Huntington as an official Affiliate Vendor. Shop past season Drake's, Nigel Cabourn, Private White V.C. and other menswear luxury brands at exceptional prices below retail. Please visit the Houise of Huntington thread and welcome them to the forum.

  • STYLE. COMMUNITY. GREAT CLOTHING.

    Bored of counting likes on social networks? At Styleforum, you’ll find rousing discussions that go beyond strings of emojis.

    Click Here to join Styleforum's thousands of style enthusiasts today!

    Styleforum is supported in part by commission earning affiliate links sitewide. Please support us by using them. You may learn more here.

What's your opinion on wearing a suit to nightclubs?

dreamspace

Distinguished Member
Joined
Apr 8, 2012
Messages
1,266
Reaction score
286
Whenever I go clubbing, I notice that the vast majority, roughly 80%, of the male goers are wearing either:

-Button down shirt(RL Polo for example) and denim jeans or chinos. Maybe a SC if they're really pushing it.
or
-V-neck or crew-neck and jeans/chinos.

The remaining 20% tend to be a good mix of guys in suits and other clothings.

I'm thinking that wearing a good cut, slim-fitting (if you have the body, that is...) darker suit would look pretty decent, solid charcoal or navy. No tie, two buttons undone on shirt...so that you have a more relaxed/casual look.

What do you guys think?
 

JLibourel

Distinguished Member
Joined
Aug 7, 2004
Messages
8,287
Reaction score
501
Wouldn't a lot depend on the prevailing sartorial ethos at the the nightclub?

As a general matter, I am not fond of mixing an open-necked shirt with a "formal" suit such as you imply with "charcoal or navy." It just seems incongruous. I do like an open-necked shirt with a casual suit. In fact, I was so attired yesterday for a luncheon with some fine sartorial gentlemen, including Andy Gilchrist and OlSarge. However, I am probably not the best person to give counsel on contemporary nightclubbing attire, being one of the very oldest old farts in the whole forum!
 

add911_11

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jun 3, 2010
Messages
2,993
Reaction score
276
Yes, make sure you go to grown up clubs
 

David Reeves

Distinguished Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
3,211
Reaction score
2,285
Been going to clubs in suits since I was able to get in. Went down a storm at the Brighton beach night at the cockpit in Leeds circa 1998.

Context matters but I am sure you could wear a suit to the boom boom room in NYC quite nicely.
 

MikeDT

Distinguished Member
Joined
Jun 24, 2010
Messages
4,272
Reaction score
282
I think it all depends on the club, if a suit is appropriate or a good idea.

Do you think you're likely to get covered in lager, vodka Red Bull or projectile vomit? Are you likely to be thrown into an ornamental lake? Do you think you might end up face-down on the street, waking up in a police station? Do you think you might do too much Ecstasy or Speed?
 
Last edited:

lasbar

Stylish Dinosaur
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Messages
22,718
Reaction score
1,322
In some upmarket clubs, wearing a dark suit with an open shirt is fine..

In some other ones ,it could be a problem..:D
 

peteyyytran

Active Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2012
Messages
38
Reaction score
0
I think it would be a bit much... Depends really I would say. Have you been to this one before and have yo useen the people dress up or down for it ;)
 

lasbar

Stylish Dinosaur
Joined
Oct 13, 2006
Messages
22,718
Reaction score
1,322
The good thing with a dark suit and a white shirt , it is very versatile...

If you drop the jacket inside the club, you will lose the suit look anyway..
 

Dionysus

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2012
Messages
14
Reaction score
2
It certainly depends on the club. However, rocking a suit with a nice young cut would always be a nice and stylish presentation; keep in mind, first impressions are fundamental and good clothes which fit your personality help you stand out without looking vulgar.
 

David Reeves

Distinguished Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2009
Messages
3,211
Reaction score
2,285

I think it all depends on the club, if a suit is appropriate or a good idea.
Do you think you're likely to get covered in lager, vodka Red Bull or projectile vomit? Are you likely to be thrown into an ornamental lake? Do you think you might end up face-down on the street, waking up in a police station? Do you think you might do too much Ecstasy or Speed?


I think nearly all those things have happened to me whilst wearing a suit in my university days.
 

TM79

Distinguished Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2010
Messages
2,804
Reaction score
960
Not necessary at most clubs but there are definitely some trendy and nice clubs where it will not look out of place at all.

I have to go to a bachelor party at Foxwoods casino this weekend and have been trying to think of what I'll wear. The dress code says trendy/upscale with no jeans, hats, sneakers, baggy shirts, etc.

I still feel like I'd be one of the only dudes with a suit or jacket on if I did it, though.
 

Bounder

Distinguished Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
2,364
Reaction score
547

Not necessary at most clubs but there are definitely some trendy and nice clubs where it will not look out of place at all.
I have to go to a bachelor party at Foxwoods casino this weekend and have been trying to think of what I'll wear. The dress code says trendy/upscale with no jeans, hats, sneakers, baggy shirts, etc.
I still feel like I'd be one of the only dudes with a suit or jacket on if I did it, though.


You should wear a tuxedo, like Bond.

Only go with a notch lapel for a casual vibe.
 

GBR

Distinguished Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2006
Messages
8,551
Reaction score
732
Blend with your environment, so:


  • If everyone wears a tuxedo, then do so yourself
  • If every one wears shorts, then do so yourself
  • and every stage in between


unless you wish to appear out of place.
 

neato

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 3, 2007
Messages
111
Reaction score
1
It really depends on the club. When I used to live in Miami, I went to clubs often and I'd usually wear dark jeans, a sport shirt, and dress shoes. However, there were a few clubs where a sport coat or a suit made more sense. I remember at one Miami club in particular, most guys were wearing suits and sport coats. In the VIP section, I'd say 95-100% of the guys were wearing jackets.

In my experience, dress shoes, dark jeans, and a sport shirt can work from the lowliest bar to some of the nicest clubs. It's a very versatile outfit. I love wearing suits, but I'd be afraid to wear a nice one to a club where people might spill on me. Plus, you're more likely to get hot and sweat in a club than be cold........wearing a jacket will only increase your discomfort.
 

Featured Sponsor

How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 45 40.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 44 39.6%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 5 4.5%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 18 16.2%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 25 22.5%

Forum statistics

Threads
504,422
Messages
10,573,916
Members
223,687
Latest member
corcelleglauru
Top