Another wedding attire question - what would you do?

[Thin White Duke]

So I've been invited to my mate's wedding. It's his third time down the aisle so he's keeping it casual - ceremony in the grounds of a brewery (!) and after party at his house. From the invitation:

" ... This is going to be a very simple ceremony -- very low-key, relaxed and true to ourselves. Dress code is extremely casual. The ceremony will be outdoors, on a bluff overlooking the river. After the ceremony, we'll head back to the casa for some finger foods, drinks and cake for any of those who are interested in partaking ... "

And then:

" ... Update on the dress code for the wedding. Originally, we wanted a destination wedding to a tropical locale, but this would have been difficult with kids and family. Instead, my brother proposed everyone wear a tropical or Hawaiian shirt for the wedding instead. We said casual, now we're taking it to another level ..."

So what would you do?

There is no friggin way I'm wearing a hawaiian shirt but in a situation like this do you really want to be the only one suited and booted when everyone else is dressed down?

I have a few summer outfits - white linen suit, seersucker suit, white cotton picque blazer etc. but I just recently snagged a beige cotton/linen summer suit off ebay which is away at the tailors being 'nipped' as I type, and I think this would be a great event to debut it.

I do own two camp shirts (like a hawaiian shirt/Charlie Sheen bowling shirt) but in solid colours - one aqua, one black. Could break the habit of a lifetime and leave untucked, worn with bucks or driving mocs.

Would you go with the Panama hat too or is that a step too far?

I'm not exactly agonising over this as I have plenty of options, but I am curious what the igent consensus would be given the suggestions in the invitation. Fire away!

 

[Archivist]

The correct answer is, wear a tropical or Hawaiian shirt for the wedding. Linen trousers, and the Panama.

 

[JohnnyCrockett]

You can wear a summer-y shirt, button-down collar or not, and a pair of white or cream linen pants or chinos. Add linen jacket if you want (I would).

Tuck in.

Loafers no socks, if you must.

No reason to dress in poor taste, even if the wedding party requests it. What would you wear if you went to Hawaii? I would wear what I've described above..substitute shorts if daytime and really hot.

It's not a costume party.

 

[cptjeff]

A summery plaid sport shirt (short sleeved, of course) that fits well, light linen trousers, white jeans, something along those lines, leather sandals, loafers, or canvas sneakers. No socks.

You don't have to go Hawaiian, but don't be an ass. You can still look good on a very casual end of the spectrum.

 

[JLibourel]

Maybe a Madras shirt with one of your summer suits? A Panama, especially a sportier type, would seem in keeping with the spirit of the invitation.

 

[JayJay]

You don't want to be dressed better than the groom. Wear what was requested, and have fun.

 

[TimelesStyle]

I would never in a million years wear an actual Hawaiian shirt, but I've come across some great short sleeve button-front summer shirts in much less offensive patterns (a little livelier than the camp shirts). I'd do this with white jeans, driving mocs and a pair of sunglasses bordering on obnoxious (to be worn indoors).

 

[Thin White Duke]

Originally Posted by JayJay

You don't want to be dressed better than the groom. Wear what was requested, and have fun.

Good point but the groom said he'd be in a suit, shirt and tie so no problem there.

I have two panamas both light beige with black grossgrain ribbons. One traditional teardrop crown, fedora shape, lightweight straw, more formal. The other a bit more plasticy/resistol lighter coloured straw which I take to the beach, pork pie crown, stingy brim, fake optimo crease in the front of the crown. Less formal. Leaning towards the latter.

I appreciate the tips fellas. Keep 'em coming. Pics will be posted eventually!

 

[Bounder]

snerk I guess it is really true that no one ever looks at the front page. http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=223305

Originally Posted by TimelesStyle

I would never in a million years wear an actual Hawaiian shirt
Some of them simply aren't that loud or even that bad. If someone is willing to wear red pants with little lobsters embroidered on them or shudder madras, they shouldn't even blink at a tasteful, reversed Hawaiian shirt. In its proper context, a Hawaiian shirt is perfectly acceptable. If, for example, you are going to a beach party someplace tropical -- or even semi-tropical -- you would look as much a prat wearing a suit and tie as you would wearing a Hawaiian shirt to a club in St. James. This guy's wedding certainly isn't what I would have organized -- I hate it when people are "true to themselves, I much prefer them to fake being civilized -- but if you are going to go, you had better get a Hawaiian shirt and get with the program.

 

[bringusingoodale]

Wear a suit. Who cares what the groom wants. You will be excommunicated from SF if you wear a Hawaiian shirt

But really, I think the madras recommendations are good. Doesn't have to be madras, just wear a summery shirt. A Hawaiian shirt is to the regular non-SF bloke what a madras shirt is to the SF bloke.

I suspect if you wear a colorful enough, overtly summery shirt, no one is going to make an issue out of you not wearing a Hawaiian shirt. The real issue is the jacket. If no one is wearing a jacket of any kind except the groom, then do expect to stand out even in an unstructured linen jacket.

 

[Thin White Duke]

Double post

 

[Thin White Duke]

OK so which hat to go with? I'm leaning towards the pork pie on the right, pushed back of course!

 

[SkinnyGoomba]

Light blue linen shirt, your seersucker suit jacket paired with white linen pants and loafers. Wear a panama hat as well.

If its uncomfortably casual than take off the jacket and roll up your sleeves.

 

[dragon8]

Originally Posted by Thin White Duke

OK so which hat to go with? I'm leaning towards the pork pie on the right, pushed back of course!

I like the choice. Don't forget the sunglasses and a cigar to finish the look.

 

[Thin White Duke]

I appreciate the input fellas - the wedding is tomorrow so I will post fit pics in this thread when I get the chance and you can decide if it worked out or if I blew it. My best accessory is my g/f but she won't be in attendance so I hope there's some decent bait and lash laid on (food and drink, in my dialect!)