HOF: What Are You Wearing Right Now - Part IV (starting May 2014)

[upr_crust]

Yesterday evening, amidst the rains that continue to fall here in NYC, my husband and I went out to meet friends from out of town for drinks. At their request, we made it a dressed up evening, which lasted very late indeed - a modest amount of alcohol, and an immodest amount of entertaining conversation.

Prior to heading out for our rendezvous, I was able to take some photos of the "defensive dressing" I wore for the evening - nothing fresh from the dry cleaners, and older footwear.

Suit - New & Lingwood
Shirt - Brooks Brothers
Tie - Thomas Pink
Cufflinks - The Victoria and Albert Museum (a souvenir of their recent exhibit on the Mughal dynasty)
Braces - Paul Stuart
Pocket square - no name brand
Vintage watch chain
Shoes - Finsbury, Paris
Raincoat - Burberry
Scarf - Zegna
Cap - Saint Martin

Spoiler

 

[Corson]

Not wearing this right now, but had this outfit recently at the New Year's gala of our bilateral chamber of commerce and industry (which takes place in February). Worsted wool, it looks navy in my photos but actually it is more of a midnight blue, probably the best color rendering is in the fourth photo, where you can see also the shoes. The shirt is a very pale pink popeline. Instead of grabbing my black captoes I thought let's spice things up a bit, so went with an oxblood, but I think the grain and the brogueing were a bit too adventurous for the event (the dress code announced was black tie or cocktail). What do you say, should I stick to more conservative footwear?

Anyway, with the lighting of such events nobody could see if the color of the shoes was oxblood or black.

 

[sugarbutch]

Not wearing this right now, but had this outfit recently at the New Year's gala of our bilateral chamber of commerce and industry (which takes place in February). Worsted wool, it looks navy in my photos but actually it is more of a midnight blue, probably the best color rendering is in the fourth photo, where you can see also the shoes. The shirt is a very pale pink popeline. Instead of grabbing my black captoes I thought let's spice things up a bit, so went with an oxblood, but I think the grain and the brogueing were a bit too adventurous for the event (the dress code announced was black tie or cocktail). What do you say, should I stick to more conservative footwear?

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Anyway, with the lighting of such events nobody could see if the color of the shoes was oxblood or black.

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The combination looks nice, but for an event which calls out black tie as an option, a dark, solid-color suit, white shirt, dark tie, and black shoes would have been my choice.

 

[Corson]

The combination looks nice, but for an event which calls out black tie as an option, a dark, solid-color suit, white shirt, dark tie, and black shoes would have been my choice.

Thanks, got it. I did not want to wear my tuxedo, I think I've worn it maybe 3 times. It has to be something VERY important to get me in a tux. Interesting, it looks like most guys in our business association and guests opted for cocktail. Among the 500 plus men present, only around a dozen went for black tie.

For next year gala I may choose a dark grey single breasted 1 button peak lapel suit, which I avoided this time because the cloth is a little flanneled, in my mind a worsted seemed more appropriate to this kind of event.

 

[hpreston]

Not wearing this right now, but had this outfit recently at the New Year's gala of our bilateral chamber of commerce and industry (which takes place in February). Worsted wool, it looks navy in my photos but actually it is more of a midnight blue, probably the best color rendering is in the fourth photo, where you can see also the shoes. The shirt is a very pale pink popeline. Instead of grabbing my black captoes I thought let's spice things up a bit, so went with an oxblood, but I think the grain and the brogueing were a bit too adventurous for the event (the dress code announced was black tie or cocktail). What do you say, should I stick to more conservative footwear?

View attachment 2333435

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Anyway, with the lighting of such events nobody could see if the color of the shoes was oxblood or black.

View attachment 2333445

View attachment 2333447

If black tie optional was on the dress code and you have a tux, wear a tux.

The combination looks nice, but for an event which calls out black tie as an option, a dark, solid-color suit, white shirt, dark tie, and black shoes would have been my choice.

If no tux, solid dark colored suit, white shirt, black shoes, somber tie. Pinstripes scream business (daytime) to me.

Thanks, got it. I did not want to wear my tuxedo, I think I've worn it maybe 3 times. It has to be something VERY important to get me in a tux. Interesting, it looks like most guys in our business association and guests opted for cocktail. Among the 500 plus men present, only around a dozen went for black tie.

For next year gala I may choose a dark grey single breasted 1 button peak lapel suit, which I avoided this time because the cloth is a little flanneled, in my mind a worsted seemed more appropriate to this kind of event.

See above, if black tie optional, I lean tux, be in the best dressed minority

 

[ericgereghty]

Not wearing this right now, but had this outfit recently at the New Year's gala of our bilateral chamber of commerce and industry (which takes place in February). Worsted wool, it looks navy in my photos but actually it is more of a midnight blue, probably the best color rendering is in the fourth photo, where you can see also the shoes. The shirt is a very pale pink popeline. Instead of grabbing my black captoes I thought let's spice things up a bit, so went with an oxblood, but I think the grain and the brogueing were a bit too adventurous for the event (the dress code announced was black tie or cocktail). What do you say, should I stick to more conservative footwear?

View attachment 2333435

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View attachment 2333439

View attachment 2333443

Anyway, with the lighting of such events nobody could see if the color of the shoes was oxblood or black.

View attachment 2333445

View attachment 2333447

Certainly go for something more subdued, if not BT itself, next time. Don't like the shoes, but everything else looks quite good for a normal suiting day, but a Gala isn't (seemingly) intended to be that.

 

[WoolyLamb]

Not wearing this right now, but had this outfit recently at the New Year's gala of our bilateral chamber of commerce and industry (which takes place in February). Worsted wool, it looks navy in my photos but actually it is more of a midnight blue, probably the best color rendering is in the fourth photo, where you can see also the shoes. The shirt is a very pale pink popeline. Instead of grabbing my black captoes I thought let's spice things up a bit, so went with an oxblood, but I think the grain and the brogueing were a bit too adventurous for the event (the dress code announced was black tie or cocktail). What do you say, should I stick to more conservative footwear?

View attachment 2333435

View attachment 2333437

View attachment 2333439

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Anyway, with the lighting of such events nobody could see if the color of the shoes was oxblood or black.

View attachment 2333445

View attachment 2333447

If you had the goods for black tie you would have looked much sharper.

I love wingtips but even in black it would look off with this suit. Black oxfords or tassels would have been my pick.

 

[Nelton]

Just back from Japan and picked up a few Kamakura shirts for my troubles!

Very happy with the collar on this one.

 

[Corson]

If black tie optional was on the dress code and you have a tux, wear a tux.

If no tux, solid dark colored suit, white shirt, black shoes, somber tie. Pinstripes scream business (daytime) to me.

See above, if black tie optional, I lean tux, be in the best dressed minority

Thank you, I see most of you favor black tie as first option, probably would have looked smarter. Nevertheless, as a member of our association I had a different view of the event. The first invitations said only dress code "cocktail", then the last (two weeks before) said - in this order: "cocktail / blacktie attire". I took the first, felt at ease and still in the best dressed minority. Next time I'll take the dark solid + white shirt + dark tie + black shoes.

 

[comrade]

Just back from Japan and picked up a few Kamakura shirts for my troubles!

Very happy with the collar on this one.

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Great suit. Outstanding tie.

 

[Nelton]

Great suit. Outstanding tie.

Thank you sir! It was a steal off eBay. Whenever I go back to the UK I always stock up as the tie selection is so much better than what I can find down under.

 

[s4swordfish]

Thank you sir! It was a steal off eBay. Whenever I go back to the UK I always stock up as the tie selection is so much better than what I can find down under.

what fabric is the suit?

 

[wristandfeet]

My first ever blazer. A chance encounter and fits nicely off the rack (to my novice eyes, at least).

Still need to find a high quality local tailor to make alterations in the back and hand sew sleeve buttonholes (currently unfinished) to match the rest of the jacket, and may swap out the heavy metal buttons for brown horn buttons.

 

[Corson]

Certainly go for something more subdued, if not BT itself, next time. Don't like the shoes, but everything else looks quite good for a normal suiting day, but a Gala isn't (seemingly) intended to be that.

Thank you, will do. I knew the shoes were not exactly for this outfit and still could not stop myself trying. Well, you live, you learn. Speaking of learning, I may need to dive in the Black Tie thread.

 

[Corson]

If you had the goods for black tie you would have looked much sharper.

I love wingtips but even in black it would look off with this suit. Black oxfords or tassels would have been my pick.

Tuxedo suit - check, white pleated shirt check, black bow tie - somewhere in the drawers together with the braces/suspenders. Only the shoes are gone missing - and the will to dress these items. About the shoes you got a point. Thank you for the comment.