Wedding Dress code: "No Jeans"

hugh51271 said:

Dress as sharp as you can. You will look the best, the women will adore you (great if you are into women of course) and you can not fail.
Who cares what the guys in over sized chinos and crap shoes think. The fact they mention what you're wearing will mean they have noticed. If another scruff turns up they won't bat an eyelid.
Never dress down because everyone else may do. It leads to a downward spiral and you'll get lazy. Jeans and running shoes await the lazy.

Click to expand...

I can see where you're coming from, but it's my belief that it's bad taste to show up the groom at his own wedding.



Quarmac said:

I can see where you're coming from, but it's my belief that it's bad taste to show up the groom at his own wedding.

Click to expand...

That's certainly correct. But it usually isn't that easy to do, unless you show up in black tie.

I, too, thought the shirt was gray. If it really is chambray, I'm not sure whether to laugh at your ironic wit or slap my forehead and roll my eyes. It is certainly an . . . interesting choice for a "no jeans" wedding.

But brighten things up, in any case. At least a light blue shirt and a more colorful pocket square. I would also be tempted to switch the jacket out for something blue.

Put on a tie at least. Always better to be overdressed than under.

Master-Classter said:

why try to dress as 'low' as possible? look at this as an opportunity to shine.

Click to expand...

hugh51271 said:

Dress as sharp as you can. You will look the best, the women will adore you (great if you are into women of course) and you can not fail.
Who cares what the guys in over sized chinos and crap shoes think. The fact they mention what you're wearing will mean they have noticed. If another scruff turns up they won't bat an eyelid.
Never dress down because everyone else may do. It leads to a downward spiral and you'll get lazy. Jeans and running shoes await the lazy.

Click to expand...

^ all of that. Why shoot for lowest acceptable? Even if jeans were allowed (allowed, not enforced... I've seen some country weddings where jeans were required and even the groom was in jeans), I'd stick to the standard of semi-formal to formal. Dress your best. Take this as an opportunity to put your best foot forward. Would you dress the lowest grade possible for a date? For an interview? Aiming for the lowest mark is a bad habit and one that a person should never impose on their own self.

Quote:

Bounder said:

That's certainly correct. But it usually isn't that easy to do, unless you show up in black tie.

Click to expand...

I think this is safe advice. As long as you don't do the full tux or velvet dinner jacket and black velvet slippers, you're almost certainly at least going to be in the category of less-dressed than the groom. That does NOT mean, however, that you won't look better than he. Especially if he opts for a rented, ill fitting tux and you arrive in a well-thought, fitted outfit.

I don't know what your wardrobe contains, but if I was trying to stay away from the black tie rig (aka, black pants, black jacket, white shirt, black tie), I would don my mid gray pants with a subtle pattern (think sharskin, but a tad softer), crisp white shirt, black velvet jacket (the one piece that says "I'm attending a wedding and wanted to look special for your occassion"), no tie, subtle pocket square, and black shoes (no patent leather, no velvet slippers). Or I may go with the full gray suit, another white shirt, no tie, with walnut strands. Staying with the white shirt may make you more comfortable and not throw you into the "Look at me! I'm trying to steal attention from the wedding" category. Just thoughts.

Oh, and a parting wish, I wish you would be happy enough in whatever you wear so that at some point a smile, or at the very least a neutral expression, paints your face. You should never voluntarily outfit yourself in such a way as to appear vehemently displeased with your attire.

Gauss17 said:

They said "No Jeans". Since you are not wearing Jeans, I believe you have succeeded. If you are really in doubt, call the bride or a bridesmaid and ask, they will be happy to tell you if you are appropriate or not.

Click to expand...

Probably the wisest thing to do instead of picking you r brains out if you're dressing appropriately or not.



BrizzleCizzle said:

if I was trying to stay away from the black tie rig (aka, black pants, black jacket, white shirt, black tie)

Click to expand...

That is not proper black tie at all.

http://www.blacktieguide.com

Bounder said:

That is not proper black tie at all.
http://www.blacktieguide.com

Click to expand...

I apologize if that was miscontrued. I meant it in the frame of staying away from any outfit that might convey "I'm shooting for black tie." Good note on the specifics of true black tie.



CousinDonuts said:

Put on a tie at least. Always better to be overdressed than under.

Click to expand...

+1. I say this all the time. Plus its a good opportunity to add some life to that outfit.



Quarmac said:

I can see where you're coming from, but it's my belief that it's bad taste to show up the groom at his own wedding.

Click to expand...

You're right. The only thing that's worse is if a woman shows up and upstages the bride.

1. Wear a tie.

2. You have an opportunity here that a lot of people won't get. Because of the anonymity of the 'net, people are willing to say things to you that they wouldn't say face to face. Often it will be bogus flaming, but in this case, it's valuable for you.

Here's the deal - if that's the expression you usually put on your face when someone points a camera at you, change it.

A little drab for a wedding but it meets the so-called 'dress code' if that is a fair description of it.

"No Jeans"...are you leaving out some details? Is the wedding in a park, on a farm, on the beach, in a pub? If the bride is wearing a wedding dress and the groom a tux, then show some respect to the bride, groom, their families, the church, temple or justice of the peace and wear a clean suit with a tie. However, if the wedding is in a teepee in a national park or at Harry Potter World, then by all means satisfy the "No Jeans" request/guidance. Don't worry about dressing to nice and upstaging the groom. After all, this is the one day he gets the girl. a wedding is generally a coming of age event so try not to be the bloke who looks like he isn't mature enough to dress appropriately and stand his drink.



dirkweems said:

"No Jeans"...are you leaving out some details? Is the wedding in a park, on a farm, on the beach, in a pub? If the bride is wearing a wedding dress and the groom a tux, then show some respect to the bride, groom, their families, the church, temple or justice of the peace and wear a clean suit with a tie. However, if the wedding is in a teepee in a national park or at Harry Potter World, then by all means satisfy the "No Jeans" request/guidance. Don't worry about dressing to nice and upstaging the groom. After all, this is the one day he gets the girl. a wedding is generally a coming of age event so try not to be the bloke who looks like he isn't mature enough to dress appropriately and stand his drink.

Click to expand...

I agree with this to a certain extent only. If you are saying everyone there is going to be wearing suits and you are afraid of wearing a bespoke SR suit or a Brioni one then don't be because you are still within the dress limits set by the wedding party. If everyone there is in a dress shirt and slacks (including the groom) then you will look like a tool wearing a suit or even a sports jacket. In the end its really your own choice but keep in mind that this is THEIR wedding that they were gracious enough to invite you too not some "opportunity to show your sartorial splendor". If you want a chance to dress up then just dress up for a night on the town, but let them have their day.

Grey trousers, white or light blue shirt, navy jacket, rolled-up tie in your pocket. Add tie or lose jacket depending on the formality you see when you arrive.



jeff13007 said:

If everyone there is in a dress shirt and slacks (including the groom) then you will look like a tool wearing a suit or even a sports jacket.

Click to expand...

I don't think we've reached a point where attending a social event in a sport coat could be perceived this way. Yet.....

jeff13007 said:

If everyone there is in a dress shirt and slacks (including the groom) then you will look like a tool wearing a suit or even a sports jacket.

Click to expand...

RogerC said:

Add tie or lose jacket depending on the formality you see when you arrive.

Click to expand...

Sound advice. Very sound.

HughJ said:

I don't think we've reached a point where attending a social event in a sport coat could be perceived this way. Yet.....

Click to expand...

Not at all. Unless of course we loosen the defintion of social event to included meeting friends at a fast food joint or seeing a movie (and, really, going to a movie probably is still okay for a sport coat, so nevermind on the movie).

To quote some random quote: "You can never be over dressed or over educated". While I wouldn't recommend following this to a T and showing up in black tie, I would most certainly never recommend dressing to the lowest acceptable defintion of "No Jeans" in attempt to not upstage everyone. It's a wedding, for crying out loud, if they didn't want you too dressed up they would've said "No Jackets".