Clothing Advice Needed - Wedding in New England

[HEARTLESS-531]

Shipmates,
-Attending my sister's wedding in New England this June.
-Have several dark, wool DB suits that don't seem 'right' for a June wedding.
-What about a poplin suit in khaki or a seersucker. Is that just tooo preppy?
-I also have the standard single breasted blue blazer and DB light wool blazer - both BBs. Do I have to wear a suit suit? Or is a blazer with a tie and slacks ok as well? I'm not in the wedding party per se.
Any advice appreciated here guys. Thanks.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

As a native Northern New Englander now living in Southern New England, my first question is: Where in NE is the wedding? If north of Cape Cod, you may find that a wool suit is just right in June. It can get quite cool in June, especially north of Boston. It can also rain a lot.

If the weather's sunny and not too humid, the DB blazer worn with cream wool trousers would be a great option. A great mix of elegant and easygoing, something like the guy in the attachment, taken from Will Boehlke's Suitable Wardrobe blog. If overcast, trousers of light gray wool or tan wool would be good.

I don't think New Englanders think seersucker suits are preppy: we do think they are Southern. I don't think anyone here would have a problem with you wearing one to a summer wedding. As for tan poplin, it's not at all uncommon during the summer here.

Tan DB suit would be great too, if you were ever thinking of getting one.

 

[HEARTLESS-531]

Wow - thanks Testudo! Wedding is in Maine - on the coast. Appreciate it!!

Originally Posted by Testudo_Aubreii

As a native Northern New Englander now living in Southern New England, my first question is: Where in NE is the wedding? If north of Cape Cod, you may find that a wool suit is just right in June. It can get quite cool in June, especially north of Boston. It can also rain a lot.

If the weather's sunny and not too humid, the DB blazer worn with cream wool trousers would be a great option. A great mix of elegant and easygoing, something like the guy in the attachment, taken from Will Boehlke's Suitable Wardrobe blog. If overcast, trousers of light gray wool or tan wool would be good.

I don't think New Englanders think seersucker suits are preppy: we do think they are Southern. I don't think anyone here would have a problem with you wearing one to a summer wedding. As for tan poplin, it's not at all uncommon during the summer here.

Tan DB suit would be great too, if you were ever thinking of getting one.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

Maine coast in June, eh? I spent quite a few summers there. In that case, it could get chilly in the evening, and might rain the whole day. If you decide to go with poplin or linen, I'd bring along a wool jacket, just in case.

Average high for Portland, Maine in June is 23 C, average low 12 C.

Unless you run very warm, I'll bet you would do fine in a lightweight wool jacket. If the weather is on the warmer side, you can ditch your undershirt. I'd be very surprised if it's humid.

In that location, I would definitely do the DB blazer for a wedding.

 

[Metlin]

I had my wedding on a boat in Cape Cod in late August last year. It was more than half a day -- starting at around noon and we stayed out in the waters until the wee hours of the morning (went to Martha's Vineyard and back). It was quite a bit chilly in the evening, and everyone had mid-weight wool suits on (and it was still a bit chilly).

There were a couple of folks in linen suits, but one of those guys was from Spain and the other from California -- I think they regretted it after the party started on the deck later in the evening. Fortunately, we were smart enough to bring a goodly amount of blankets, scarves, and hats that people used.

 

[Testudo_Aubreii]

Originally Posted by Metlin

Fortunately, we were smart enough to bring a goodly amount of blankets, scarves, and hats that people used.

That was smart, Metlin. Most definitely: If the wedding is out at sea off the Maine coast in June, then we should be talking flannel.

 

[Metlin]

Originally Posted by Testudo_Aubreii

That was smart, Metlin. Most definitely: If the wedding is out at sea off the Maine coast in June, then we should be talking flannel.
Yes, it was the bride's idea -- she used to be in the US Navy, and had experienced some things first hand.

We had scarves and hats with our names and date embroidered that people could take with them. The blankets, however, were plain. Simple flannel blankets in the theme colors of the wedding.

 

[thesecondprize]

When in June? And how far up the coast? I was born and raised in coastal southern Maine and would recommend that you don't generalize too much about Maine weather.

Maine is a huge state, and southern coastal Maine will be 5-10 warmer than Bah Hahbah/Acadia. Regardless, early June is still spring weather: warm enough in the sun to dress like it's summer, but evenings will often be <60. And if you're literally on the water, the sea breeze that you'll love during the day will have you shivering once the sun goes down.

By late June, you're getting into summer weather. But evenings will still be quite cool and, if you're going to be along the water in the evening, that seersucker suit probably won't be enough.

So I wouldn't totally rule out wool DB suits off-hand.

Of course, Maine weather is notoriously variable. So the weather report will by handy as the date approaches.