Dark Dress Shirts

[Snidely Whiplash]

I just got a great deal on a load of new Barba dress shirts (10 black label, one gold label and one green label), direct from Italy. The price worked out to $85 per shirt all in, and they fit me beautifully. Thing is, most of the shirts are dark (burgundy, bordeaux, deep geen, dark gray, dark blue, etc.).

Can you provide any general advice on how to wear dark dress shirts in a (more or less) SF-approved manner? I'm also very open to suggestions of more a streetwear & denim variety. Any photos of how you pull this off (for any of the above colors) would also be appreciated.

Cheers!

 

[westinghouse]

Wear them with grey dress slacks.

 

[Snidely Whiplash]

Thanks for the advice. Any other advice for shirts that are, say, dark green vs. burgundy vs. dark blue vs. charcoal?

 

[badsha]

Show us some photos of the shirts.

 

[RSS]

NVM. After Master Classter's photos (see Post 7) ... I'm changing my tune.

 

[cptjeff]

Mid gray sweaters. Wear 'em under those, and whatever the hell you want on the bottom.

I would also throw one on with lighter pants- say white jeans.

The key is to keep contrast without going gimmicky. But stay away from contrasty light sportcoats for the most part. It can be done, but don't come off like the guy in the white suit, black shirt and white tie. But feel free to wear a light colored cardigan or something like that. If you want to go off the deep end, a white cafe racer.

 

[Master-Classter]

khaki/tan suits. and mid-grey. Red, orange, etc no problem. Brown, Black, Navy shirts... all doable for example:

 

[Snidely Whiplash]

Wow - thanks for the photos. Great ideas in there...

Now who wants to sell me a tan suit?

BTW I get hot easily and have issues with sweaters

 

[cptjeff]

Originally Posted by Snidely Whiplash

BTW I get hot easily and have issues with sweaters

One wouldn't wear them in summer... But all those are merely suggestions. Modify them to suit your own requirements and sensibilities.

Just pair the shirts with stone khakis to start, and work your way from there.

Oh, and I bet you can find a tan suit or two on B&S this time of year.

 

[Snidely Whiplash]

cptjeff - I do appreciate the suggestions. Turning 40 this year so maybe fall will be the time to start experimenting with (light, easily removable) sweaters...

 

[Patek]

I find them more appropriate to wear in the evening.

 

[Sazerac]

Originally Posted by Master-Classter

khaki/tan suits. and mid-grey.

Red, orange, etc no problem.

Brown, Black, Navy shirts... all doable for example:

This is so subtly played. The pocket square works perfectly.

 

[thinman]

Originally Posted by Patek

I find them more appropriate to wear in the evening.

This. They are more fashion-forward, so I reserve mine for evenings/dates, though I'm impressed with some of the suggestions and pictures above. I may re-think the use of my dark dress shirts and become more daring.

 

[Patek]

Originally Posted by thinman

This. They are more fashion-forward, so I reserve mine for evenings/dates, though I'm impressed with some of the suggestions and pictures above. I may re-think the use of my dark dress shirts and become more daring.

I see people not pull this off every day at work. People show up on a bright summer day with a cheap-looking H&M or Express dark shirt that makes them look like they are about to hear to a singles bar or to the disco.

In pictures above, they look good--especially with the light jackets. However, this is a look that is easy to get wrong.

 

[gauche.story]

Come on. Why did you pose like a fairy? Otherwise, good looks.