Clueless dame needs help buying three outfits for my fiance - wedding present!

[brittain]

Originally Posted by luftvier

It's best if you don't focus on "outfits." As much as women's fashion is based around this concept, men's clothing should be based on the utility of each individual piece's ability to pair with other pieces in the collection.

E.g., while a woman might pick out a top, skirt, accessory that look best with one another, a man should have staple colors in shirts, ties, and suits that are completely interchangeable and each look fantastic together.

Your best option, rather than purchasing expensive brand names items of dubious quality, might be to take him to a tailor to get a full bespoke or MtM suit and a number of shirts as well. Then he'll have something that not only will last forever, but was made specifically for him. The value of that suit and shirts will be substantially greater than any mass-produced name brand attire.

As to Ari Gold as a style influence - I have not seen much of Entourage, but from what I remember he wore expensive suits and large tie knots with flashy shirts and jewelry? I would shy away from looks that brazen, unless your fiancee has a similar personality and successful lifestyle to back it up. Rather, more muted, traditional clothing will keep from looking dated and instead cultivate rakish elegance.

agreed, get him one nice MTM or bespoke suit in a classic color like charcoal or navy. You can go to the fittings together, and it will be a process you help with. You spend time together, plus you get to know his style a bit and will be more informed when giving him gifts down the road.

and I would disagree with whoever recommended J Press. I doubt someone who wants to look like Ari Gold is going to be interested in J Press.

 

[ter1413]

Originally Posted by in fits of print

This is very, very dangerous territory. No man, particularly a style-conscious one, wants to be paraded around town dressed head to toe in clothes his wife (particularly one who "doesn't know how to shop for a man") picked out and bought for him. He's not a doll for you to dress up. As a wedding gift I'd advise getting one thing that's just perfect, that will last forever, rather than a whole pile of stuff (get the symbolism here?). A watch, or a flask, or a cigarette case, that sort of thing. Something you can engrave.


+1. I suggest that you DON'T buy complete outfits for him! NO man wants to be dressed by a woman no matter how stylish she may be. I always say, don't try to buy an outfit....if you see a nice tie, buy it/if you see some nice shoes, buy them/etc. Then the wardrobe will fall into place. There have been times when I have been out with past GF's and mentioned that I liked a shirt, and she gets it for me as a surprise...that's cool. But if she came in one day with a complete outfit, I would almost bet that there would be something that I didn't like about it! Having a suit made for him where he can select the material/cut/etc is also cool....but not as a wedding gift! A watch with an engravement of something meaningful to the 2 of you would go much farther! Clothes can be bought throughout the marriage. "Outfits" arent bought all at once by stylish men(IMO.) I am sure not many men in SF go out on a Sat and say, "I need a suit and shirt to match, and socks..and shoes and a tie...cufflinks...etc!" It doesn't work that way!

 

[jcriswel]

I like the suggestion to skip the clothes and buy him a watch!

This will be around for many years to come and every time he looks at his watch he'll think about you!

 

[DavidinGray]

Clothing will tear and fade, while a good watch can last a century or more. You want your marriage, your love to be timeless, no? So get him something that is a reminder of that.

This is without even considering that style and fashion changes rapidly, while a gentleman will always find an excuse to wear a nice timepiece.

Kindest regards;
DIG