Light-colored suits after dark?

[Threadbearer]

I've been trying on LOTS of suits lately, and I find that I look the best in those in the silver-gray family. I already own a dark charcoal suit, and it's not nearly as flattering to my own coloration as anything I've seen in light silver-grays.

The only thing keeping me from buying one is the question of utility. I seem to recall hearing that one ought to wear dark suits at night and reserve lighter colored suits exclusively for daywear. If I'm only going to own a couple of suits, I'd like to be able to wear them at all hours of the day.

Please respond to my poll and let me know how seriously this "rule" is taken by the SF gurus. Please also let me know if I've misunderstood or am misapplying the rule.

 

[yachtie]

It's totally venue dependent. Fine some places, will get you tossed out on your ass in others.
Nowadays it's not nearly as rigorously enforced as it used to be ( except by some members here)

 

[Fuuma]

Originally Posted by yachtie

It's totally venue dependent. Fine some places, will get you tossed out on your ass in others.
Nowadays it's not nearly as rigorously enforced as it used to be ( except by some members here)

I'm not sure I can think of any non black/white tie event that would fit that definition.

 

[koolhistorian]

Acceptable if it is summer, or you are in a tropical or sub-tropical location - i.e. endless summer. If you are in a temperate setting No Way - you will look like having one of the Soprano's as sartorial consultant. And I don't like silver grey too much!

 

[Golf_Nerd]

At night (without (day-) light) coloration dissapears. Wear black.

 

[Golf_Nerd]

Ohh, and i forgot: Dumb poll!

 

[porcelain monkey]

Originally Posted by yachtie

It's totally venue dependent. Fine some places, will get you tossed out on your ass in others.
Nowadays it's not nearly as rigorously enforced as it used to be ( except by some members here)

It absolutely depends on the venue, and it it not a dumb poll, it's actually a good question. Like all matters of dress, you must read the situation and either 1) do what is expected of you, or 2) do whatever you want and attract attention because of it. I don't know if you will be tossed out, but in certain business or social situations, you might be looked down on a bit. To me it is similar to wearing an open collar when everyone else has a tie on. You will stick out - to some it may be positive to others negative.

 

[Holdfast]

Personally, I have an aversion to wearing light-coloured suits in gloomy weather, let alone at night. Summer nights are an exception, and sometimes in winter it happens naturally (going straight out for drinks/dinner after work, for instance), but otherwise I don't generally do it.

This is a purely aesthetic rather than rules-based argument for me - I just don't like the look. If YOU like how you look in a light-coloured suit at night, then go for it. I don't think there's a formality-level problem here at all.

 

[Threadbearer]

Originally Posted by Golf_Nerd

Ohh, and i forgot: Dumb poll!
The poll results say otherwise. I'm especially intrigued by the fact that the number of men who've never heard of the rule is nearly equal (so far) to the number of men who know the rule and reject it.

Besides, since when is curiosity ever dumb?

 

[LabelKing]

I think it would be delightfully tacky to wear like a white or tan suit at night.

 

[Bird's One View]

^ thank you.

 

[LabelKing]

I envision a white suit and a red fez at a nightclub.

 

[yachtie]

Originally Posted by LabelKing

I envision a white suit and a red fez at a nightclub.

Teh monocle would be a necessary accessory then.

 

[LabelKing]

Originally Posted by yachtie

Teh monocle would be a necessary accessory then.

The lens might be too Germanic.

For this ensemble, I think a pair of Buddy Holly glasses would suffice. Very 1950s King Farouk.