Need off white shirt for a wedding.

[M4rtin]

We're getting married in two months and I finally bought a black Z Zegna suit.
My fiance wants me to buy off white shirt so it'll match her wedding dress. She bought Pronovias Silaba which she tells me is not white, nor ivory, but slightly off white color.
She says if I get white shirt I'll stand out in pictures, so I need to get something matching.
My budget is around $150, I will be wearing bow tie, and also will need to buy vest(undecided on color)

I could really use some help, we cannot find anything locally.
Here's a link and picture to her wedding dress.


http://www.pronovias.us/wedding-gown/silaba2012.html

 

[skokiekid]

I am a newb but I'll try. I think you should wear a white shirt. If you wear an off-white shirt, you risk looking in your pictures that you are wearing a dull or gray shirt. Even tho you are wearing a suit and not a tux, black tux and white shirt are the classic combo. Also, you will look better if you don't wear a black tie. More experienced members may chime in with better reasons.

Best wishes on your upcoming marriage!

 

[ter1413]

WHITE SHIRT!!
You already f'd up by getting a black suit. She is your fiance...but tell her to leave the men's fashion to MEN!

Wait..wut..I just re-read...a vest and bow tie????

 

[cptjeff]



WHITE SHIRT!!
You already f'd up by getting a black suit. She is your fiance...but tell her to leave the men's fashion to MEN!
Wait..wut..I just re-read...a vest and bow tie????

He's wearing a clown tux. Beyond help.

 

[ter1413]



He's wearing a clown tux. Beyond help.

Fiance needs to stick to the dress and flowers. You need to come to SF for what you are gonna wear, No use looking less than perfect cause you listened to the missus...

 

[M4rtin]

Ok, any info is great, this is my first suit pretty much.
Are a vest and bow tie no go as far as what's in style ?

What do you think would make it look good, suggest me something, maybe if I show it to my fiance she'll like it.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Just let this thread develop a little more, then show it to her.

 

[cptjeff]

Read this. Ignore the bit about a tuxedo during the day, nobody actually cares other than a small sample of people who learn about this stuff on the internet and have no idea that the 1920's book of etiquette didn't always apply in practice then and certainly doesn't now.

Basically, the black suit is bad. The bowtie will make it look like a poor imitation of a tuxedo- which will be much worse. A contrasting vest in some stupid color will look absolutely moronic. They exist because brides and wedding planners who know absolutely nothing about menswear have an urge to make the groomsmen look awful and match the bridesmaids all at the same time. They should never be worn. Ever.

And no, don't wear an off white shirt. It'll look bad against the harshness of the black. If your bride didn't want anything in the pictures brighter than the dress (and with the amount of shirt showing being so minimal, it's not like it would distract much anyway), she probably shouldn't have bought an off white dress.

 

[ter1413]



Ok, any info is great, this is my first suit pretty much.
Are a vest and bow tie no go as far as what's in style ?

What do you think would make it look good, suggest me something, maybe if I show it to my fiance she'll like it.

A black suit with a vest looks 'silly'.
A groom in a black suit REQUIRES a white shirt.
Black shoes. Get the suit nicely tailored(wear or take shoes with you when you get them hemmed/cuffed.) Make sure that the sleeves of the suit are not too long and that your shirt sleeves are long enough.
As for the tie....................

 

[ter1413]



Ok, any info is great, this is my first suit pretty much.
Are a vest and bow tie no go as far as what's in style ?

What do you think would make it look good, suggest me something, maybe if I show it to my fiance she'll like it.

Listen.....if my fiance was wearing that dress....and I already have the black suit.....I would have it tailored to a tee! I mean TO A FUKKIN TEE! White shirt. Black shined TO THE FUKKIN TEE shoes(not your work shoes.) And I would go with a standard black or white tie(not bowtie.) It will be a black/white look for you 2.....but you already have the black suit which limits it!

There is no experimenting with a black suit/bowtie/vest!!

 

[saiyar1]

Just get a nice white shirt. I haven't really ever seen a shirt sold as "off-white". They all just say "white" or occasionaly I've seen "Ecru", which is actually a deeper cream often with some hints of beige.

The point is that we men don't have idiotic names for indistinguishable hues of the same color, much the way the female fashion world does. That said, just look around and get a good white shirt. Keep looking around casually and if miraculously this off-white shirt comes up and she forces you to buy it, then get it. But plan on wearing a normal white shirt and buy one of those silver wedding ties. Search the forum... there are many links.

Stick with black suit, shiny black suit, crisp white shirt, and wedding tie. Done.

Enjoy the wedding... I'll be married in 11 days!

 

[JayJay]



Read this. Ignore the bit about a tuxedo during the day, nobody actually cares other than a small sample of people who learn about this stuff on the internet and have no idea that the 1920's book of etiquette didn't always apply in practice then and certainly doesn't now.
Basically, the black suit is bad. The bowtie will make it look like a poor imitation of a tuxedo- which will be much worse. A contrasting vest in some stupid color will look absolutely moronic. They exist because brides and wedding planners who know absolutely nothing about menswear have an urge to make the groomsmen look awful and match the bridesmaids all at the same time. They should never be worn. Ever.
And no, don't wear an off white shirt. It'll look bad against the harshness of the black. If your bride didn't want anything in the pictures brighter than the dress (and with the amount of shirt showing being so minimal, it's not like it would distract much anyway), she probably shouldn't have bought an off white dress.

Quoted for truth and emphasis. Pay particular attention to the link, it's all you'll need to know to look good and appropriate.

And, of course, Congrats to you and your bride-to-be.

 

[ter1413]

Some good advice right thurr^^. (2 up)

My post above I meant to say..."silver" vs 'white tie." That is a good look if going with a black suit. Black/White/Black(shoes)/Silver....

If she disagrees......re-think the wedding!

 

[comrade]

Hilditch and Key is having their semi-annual sale.
Very good shirts. Major discounts. The non slim-fit ones
run quite full. Here are two "off white " shirts:

http://www.hilditchandkey.co.uk/Gentlemen/Shirts/Cutaway-Collar/Page-3.aspx

 

[GBR]

An off white short will look at least mildly ridiculous and a bow tie even worse.

Tell your fiance to attend to the flowers and leave dressing you to those who know what they are doing. The concept that "She says if I get white shirt I'll stand out in pictures" is frankly a nonsense. You will not and that will be fine as would a pink or pale blue shirt if you want a degree of informality. Stay with white probably given your circumstances but not of necesaaity. A normal tie is appropriate, unless you wear a bow tie every day it will appear an affectation and a poor man's evening dress which is a nonsense.

the waist coat too is over doing it - if you must a paisley one with a plainer tie but serious forget that idea as well.