Vest for charcoal suit?

granto · Apr 24, 2013

I plan on wearing a two button wool charcoal suit, white shirt, and lavender tie shown below to my wedding (as the groom!). Should I find a vest or leave it out? I think it looks nice/classic without, but don't want to seem too casual. If you think I should wear a vest, any recommendations on color? I wouldn't attempt to match the charcoal.

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GBR · Apr 24, 2013

If the suit does not have one then don't even think of it,

JayJay · Apr 24, 2013

GBR said:
If the suit does not have one then don't even think of it,

This. Wear the suit as is.

YRR92 · Apr 25, 2013

ivyshaw said:
A two button wool charcoal suit seems to be something called casual, and might look strange with a vest.

What in god's name would make that casual?

Also, I do think you could wear a light-colored linen vest for a summer wedding (a la Will from ASW), but then again, it would need to be perfect. I don't think you could find one that was exactly right OTR. Also, the suit would need to have a high-enough rise and be worn without a belt.

I don't think you'd have to worry about the two-piece not being formal enough. Leaving out the vest is still probably the best option.

AmericanGent · Apr 25, 2013

If you would like to wear a 3-piece suit, I suggest you go ahead and get a 3-piece suit.
Adding a stray waistcoat to a 2-piece is a recipe for regret. That is not something you want to have on your wedding day.

Congratulations on your pending nuptials!

Calder · Apr 25, 2013

The problem is that your waistcoat will not match perfectly, no matter how hard you try, and a slightly odd waistcoat is in many ways worse than a completely odd waistcoat.

Wearing a waistcoat that is just slightly odd looks like you tried to match and failed, whereas wearing one that's obviously contrasting appears deliberate and therefore better.

Wearing an odd waistcoat can be done, and done well. However, it is generally a rather more casual look than a traditional three piece.

AmericanGent · Apr 25, 2013

I don't disagree, Calder, and I think that we would also agree that the time to experiment with an odd waistcoat would be best reserved for a day other than the OP's wedding. I have a cream linen odd waistcoat that has been sitting for a few years and I realized it would look great with the robin's egg linen suit that I have and, POW, it's a great fit.
To swing and miss is perfectly ok with me, just not on the day of days!

Calder · Apr 25, 2013

Oh I entirely agree, but I thought we had rather answered that part already. The idea behind odd waistcoats itself though, is interesting.

Personally I have a burgundy waistcoat I've worn with my favourite charcoal suit more than a few times, which looks rather good. I wouldn't wear it to my wedding though.

AmericanGent · Apr 25, 2013

Yes. So we agree that we agree!
OP, you have two votes against the waistcoat.

Good luck!

VinnyMac · Apr 25, 2013

You should wear the matching vest that came with it. If you don't have one, then don't wear one.

granto · Apr 25, 2013

Everyone, thanks for the advice. It basically confirms what I thought originally. I forgot mention that the bride-to-be was the one who injected the whole idea and started making me doubt myself

random-adam · Apr 25, 2013

granto said:
I forgot mention that the bride-to-be was the one who injected the whole idea and started making me doubt myself

If I had a nickel for every time a new member posted that, I could buy a buff linen vest.

Best wishes for your upcoming matrimony!

MSchott · Apr 25, 2013

granto said:
Everyone, thanks for the advice. It basically confirms what I thought originally. I forgot mention that the bride-to-be was the one who injected the whole idea and started making me doubt myself

I'm guessing your bride to be will be wearing a traditional wedding dress. If so, you should be in a black tux. Our wedding was small and not too formal and I wore a black tux, white vest and white bow tie. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos and black accessories with white tuxedo shirts.

Man of Wealth and Taste · Apr 26, 2013

MSchott said:
I'm guessing your bride to be will be wearing a traditional wedding dress. If so, you should be in a black tux. Our wedding was small and not too formal and I wore a black tux, white vest and white bow tie. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos and black accessories with white tuxedo shirts.

Feh to this. He should wear what he wants. It's a rabbit-hole of what traditional actually is. Take for example your described outfit. A white bow tie should only be worn with full dress, i.e. tails, for an evening event. Thus your outfit was not traditional (although I'm sure it looked great, particularly in contrast with your groomsmen in black). The suit he described will look great (as long as he takes the advice here about not trying to match the vest)

granto · Apr 26, 2013

MSchott said:
you should be in a black tux. Our wedding was small and not too formal and I wore a black tux, white vest and white bow tie. The groomsmen wore black tuxedos and black accessories with white tuxedo shirts.

You must have mistaken this for the "what should I wear to my wedding?" post. While we're handing out unsolicited advice, I'd say you and your groomsmen were overdressed for your small, not too formal wedding. But don't let me stop you from patting yourself on the back.

Man of Wealth and Taste said:
Feh to this. He should wear what he wants. It's a rabbit-hole of what traditional actually is.

Exactly. I think suits look better than tuxes, and so do a lot of people. Also, to me, strict adherence to traditional etiquette is boring and shows a lack of confidence in one's peer group . But I knew someone wouldn't be able to help themselves.

Vest for charcoal suit?

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