Contrasting Waistcoat

[EZB]

Attending an event with a dress code listed as “semi-formal.” However, I expect most attending don’t k ow what semi-formal means. 100% sure this is not a tuxedo function. Most will probably wear suits of various poor style. I’d like to dress in a way that fits the thought of semi-formal without being the one guy dressed properly.

I am considering wearing a mid-grey two-piece suit with a contrasting navy vest. Ill be wearing midnight navy quarter brogues as well to match the contrast. I appreciate thoughts on this combo.

 

[J.Odelius]

Hi,

I would reach out to the host and ask them what their interpretation of semi formal means.
Personally I'm not a fan of darker waistcoats with lighter coloured suit. I think it looks better if the waistcoat is in a lighter colour.
I also think that contrasting waistcoats look better when they are patterned.

 

[EZB]

Hi,

I would reach out to the host and ask them what their interpretation of semi formal means.
Personally I'm not a fan of darker waistcoats with lighter coloured suit. I think it looks better if the waistcoat is in a lighter colour.
I also think that contrasting waistcoats look better when they are patterned.

In this case, reaching out to the host is pointless. Host is a national union. Advice will be "semi-formal as written in the invitation; you can decide what that means."

I could switch the pattern and do a navy suit with the grey waistcoat, but that won't show the midnight navy shoes as well.

 

[928S4]

I think semi-formal is a meaningless term that lets you wear whatever you wish that doesn't involve jeans, Dockers or polo shirts. I wear a suit every day and almost always with a contrasting vest. Don't see grey with a blue vest as a good look. Blue suit with a grey vest usually is.

 

[ValidusLA]

Agree. Semi-formal means nothing. It is the invitation equivalent of "We wanted to ask you to wear a suit but we were uncomfortable requiring it."

This all gets into the problem with how wedding invitations have been weirdly worded to mask this whole thing. There are people who think "Formal" means "Black Tie" and "Semi Formal" means "Jeans are Ok".

If you are in a suit of any kind to a semi formal event you're probably ok, though I would agree with the gents above that the lighter waistcoat is better.

 

[TomFordStuff]

You’ve probably attended the event already but personally I don’t prefer contrasting waistcoats. It’s fine if the waistcoat is of a similar colour and pattern but anything wouldn’t look right as least on myself.

I would:

1. Match the suit with a turtleneck/roll neck in a shade of grey for something more casual
2. Turtleneck/roll neck in black you want classic
3. Shirt in a shade of grey
4. Accessories the outfit with an evening scarf (with fringes) in monotone
5. Beautiful dressy long sleeve wool polo with no accessories

 

[EZB]

You’ve probably attended the event already but personally I don’t prefer contrasting waistcoats. It’s fine if the waistcoat is of a similar colour and pattern but anything wouldn’t look right as least on myself.

I would:

1. Match the suit with a turtleneck/roll neck in a shade of grey for something more casual
2. Turtleneck/roll neck in black you want classic
3. Shirt in a shade of grey
4. Accessories the outfit with an evening scarf (with fringes) in monotone
5. Beautiful dressy long sleeve wool polo with no accessories

I did attend the event. I wore what I said and added a bow tie actually. Definitely was the best dressed. Other men varied from a polo shirt and chinos at the least formal to a suit with a thin tie for the most formal. There were a couple guys with traditional suits and Cole Haan dress sneakers....