Black shirt: trying too hard?

[Kent Wang]

The black button-up shirt conjures up images of science-fiction villains wearing it with a garish all-black outfit, but can it be worn more respectably, say with a medium grey suit? What ties would you wear with it? The black shirt seems much more casual and clubby than any other color, even lavender or pastel green, so perhaps it should not be worn with a tie at all.

 

[Jovan]

The black shirt has really fallen out of favour for me ever since I started to know better. Yes, I still wear it casually, but never dressy.

 

[medtech_expat]

The black shirt - while arguably inappropriate with a suit - is perfect clubbing gear when paired with jeans and chelseas.

 

[Jovan]

That sounded like a page out of GQ.

 

[stach]

Black shirt with a tie is pushing it imo. Black shirt with a charcol or black suit (no tie) is fine for clubs etc.

 

[royal618]

I've got to say I rarely wear dark coloured shirts with suits anymore. Perhaps I would for night time events without a tie. That said, you can still do it with style if you don't go for a cheesy look. I'd go for a black shirt and a black tie with texture, perhaps a paisley or flower/plant type.. otherwise, silvers will work with mid greys, and you can work a color in with the silver perhaps.

The darkest shirt I'll wear to work these days is propabably a charcoal that has a light blue woven into the herringbone. Whilst I have a senior role as a marketer day by day, it wouldn't be worn into the board room, and perhaps only on a Friday when a more casual suit can be worn.

 

[whoopee]

I have a semi-sheer, self-fabric-striped, cocktail cuff, high collar, smoked MOP, slim Jil Sander black shirt. It has been my go-to clubbing shirt for a while. Useless in any other situation.

 

[montecristo#4]

Originally Posted by stach

Black shirt with a tie is pushing it imo. Black shirt with a charcol or black suit (no tie) is fine for clubs etc.

How about a black shirt with one of those western string ties. Kind of like Johnny Cash?

 

[luk-cha]

i like wearing black shirts more with jeans and a suit jkt for sort of semi formal out of office look!

 

[Get Smart]

I used to own/wear about 10 black shirts in 1994. In 2006 I don't own a single black shirt (other than polos) and cringe at the thought of having once owned them.

 

[Morris]

Black shirts = Limelight and Studio 54 in Manhattan. Please pass.

 

[globetrotter]

when I was much younger, I would wear dark silk suits with black cotton tee shirts.

 

[tiger02]

Originally Posted by Morris

Black shirts = Limelight and Studio 54 in Manhattan. Please pass.
Sounds like a good argument not to pass, actually.

 

[stach]

Originally Posted by montecristo#4

How about a black shirt with one of those western string ties. Kind of like Johnny Cash?

Only if your date is wearing a velvet scrunchie and an off the shoulder top.

 

[Lucky Strike]

Originally Posted by whoopee

I have a semi-sheer, self-fabric-striped, cocktail cuff, high collar, smoked MOP, slim Jil Sander black shirt. It has been my go-to clubbing shirt for a while. Useless in any other situation.
I agree - good for clubbing, otherwise useless. I have one, in a single-cuff, straight collar configuration. I've worn it far less than I anticipated when I bought it.