Ask A Question, Get An Answer... - Post All Quick Questions Here (Classic menswear)



clarksdb said:

Tie combination with a red chambray shirt?

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I'd also tend to no, but if you have to do it, take a knit tie. Navy is obvious.

I am trying to decide what tie to wear for my wedding. I am wearing a standard tux and am trying to decide what bow tie to wear. I can't decide if I want to wear a black satin or silvery patterned one. Any suggestions? Finally- any brand suggestions? I can't seem to find discernible difference between brands. Is there something I should be looking for when I am buying them?



Dinhilion said:

I am trying to decide what tie to wear for my wedding. I am wearing a standard tux and am trying to decide what bow tie to wear. I can't decide if I want to wear a black satin or silvery patterned one. Any suggestions? Finally- any brand suggestions? I can't seem to find discernible difference between brands. Is there something I should be looking for when I am buying them?

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Brooks has some decent stuff. Get black, stay away from wild stuff with tuxes.

Black tie should be black, ideally in the same material as your lapels.



DocHolliday said:

Black tie should be black, ideally in the same material as your lapels.

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That is what I figured. Is diamond or square just personal preference?
Also- I forum searched for bow tie construction and got one really old thread. Does anyone know where to find a bow tie primer?

Not directly in response to your question, but please tell me you won't be wearing a tuxedo for a daytime wedding.

And that if your groomsmen will be wearing tuxedos, that you won't require them to rent identical ones.

I get that both of these are common practices, but that doesn't necessarily make them right.
--
Michael



12345Michael54321 said:

Not directly in response to your question, but please tell me you won't be wearing a tuxedo for a daytime wedding.
And that if your groomsmen will be wearing tuxedos, that you won't require them to rent identical ones.
I get that both of these are common practices, but that doesn't necessarily make them right.
--
Michael

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hmm
you don't think it's distracting if each groomsman wore something different?
i guess most people won't really notice as long as they are just black and white...



XKxRome0ox said:

hmm
you don't think it's distracting if each groomsman wore something different?
i guess most people won't really notice as long as they are just black and white...

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Different is good. They don't need to be dressed identically, just well, and at the same level of formality. If you're wearing a suit, they should be wearing suits, but not identical ones. If a tux, they should wear tuxedos. Let them choose their own detailing- shawl v. peak, cummerbund or vest, SB or DB. The only thing you should insist on is that they wear a bowtie, and that it be black.

Dressing the groomsmen identically looks like costume



12345Michael54321 said:

Not directly in response to your question, but please tell me you won't be wearing a tuxedo for a daytime wedding.
And that if your groomsmen will be wearing tuxedos, that you won't require them to rent identical ones.
I get that both of these are common practices, but that doesn't necessarily make them right.
--
Michael

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My wedding is at 7pm. And, while they are all wearing the same tux, it is only because I don't trust them to pick out their own. I see your point ab out different being good, I just don't know if it would work execution wise.

I think that most conservative black tuxedos are sufficiently similar in appearance that it's not distracting if they vary in some minor details. I know that if you examine wedding photos showing groomsmen (or just wedding guests) in tuxedos, it's very rare that you'd think to yourself, "Gee, that picture is nice. But it would look so much better if the men had rented identical clothing from Le Formal, over at the mall."

Just specify "black tie," and that's typically quite enough. If you think some of your groomsmen might not understand what "black tie" means, explain to them that they must wear a conservative, black tuxedo. If they already own one, great. Otherwise, they can rent one. That's really all it'll take.

My theory is that this relatively recent tendency of having groomsmen in matching rented clothing was brought about due to 4 factors:

1. The practice of women having to wear hideously ugly bridesmaids dresses. They figure that they can't make us share the pain of childbirth or menstrual cramps (well, not firsthand, anyway), but they damn well can get us to share the pain of having our wardrobe choices dictated to us when we're in a wedding party.

2. The tuxedo rental industry. Convincing people that groomsmen have to wear identical rented tuxedos is a financial windfall for them. (Yes, I own my own tuxedo. It's far nicer than a rental, and it fits me better, too. Rental tuxedos are like the rented bowling shoes of the wedding world.)

3. As people have grown ever less familiar with just what constitutes appropriate attire for situations too formal to call for jeans, it seems ever more sensible to simply tell your groomsmen what to wear. Don't let them decide for themselves, or you'll have a guy in a lime green tuxedo with wide, crushed velvet lapels, appearing in many of your wedding photos.

4. It looks kinda nice when, at a military wedding, the groomsmen are all in uniform. And that idea has spread way beyond its proper sphere.
--
Michael

How should I wash my 100% cotton chinos so they don't shrink? They fit just right and I don't want them to get smaller. I'd obviously prefer to use a washing machine. It's also the first time I will wash them (just bought).

Thank you.



12345Michael54321 said:

A pea coat is a relatively casual coat, and ideally should be worn with casual clothing. I won't claim that you'll never see someone wear a pea coat over a sport coat and tie, or even a suit, but it's not really the right choice.

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I don't think there is anything wrong in wearing a peacoat over a sport coat? Especially if you're wearing it with jeans.

I agree it's not good with suits though.

My Questions:

What is the history of one button suits and where can I find more info about the rules, style effects, etc. of a one button suit?

tiecrafters.com
says 4 ties minimum for tie cleaning...
i only have 1 tie that needs cleaning...

does anyone have any other tie cleaning service to recommend?

mlg321 said:

How should I wash my 100% cotton chinos so they don't shrink? They fit just right and I don't want them to get smaller. I'd obviously prefer to use a washing machine. It's also the first time I will wash them (just bought).
Thank you.

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Cold water, and no dryer. Hang them out to dry.

Chinos really don't shrink that much since they are woven, not knit, so you don't have to worry too much.