Odd Trousers ... Sport Coat ... what collar?

[CK__]

When wearing odd trousers and a sport coat .. should I always be wearing a tie?

If not ... what type of collar should I be wearing. I've worn OCBDs before (without a tie) and I'm learning from this forum that it's not a great look under a sport coat.

When I order shirts off of proper cloth for use with a tie ... I get semi spread. Are these fine?

 

[BlueSteel]

No.

Why not?

Yes.

 

[Thin White Duke]

When wearing odd trousers and a sport coat .. should I always be wearing a tie?

If not ... what type of collar should I be wearing. I've worn OCBDs before (without a tie) and I'm learning from this forum that it's not a great look under a sport coat.

When I order shirts off of proper cloth for use with a tie ... I get semi spread. Are these fine?

Do a search for @DapperPhilly for some exemplary pics of odd jackets with ties. There are several other posters who do this well but he is among the top dogs

 

[notdos]

I prefer a collar with more spread, than semi.

 

[SKS]

When wearing odd trousers and a sport coat .. should I always be wearing a tie?

No.

what type of collar should I be wearing.

There is no strict rule as far as I'm concerned.

When I order shirts off of proper cloth for use with a tie ... I get semi spread. Are these fine?

Personal preference, normally depends on your preferred knot volume.

 

[CK__]

No.



There is no strict rule as far as I'm concerned.



Personal preference, normally depends on your preferred knot volume.

Sorry I should have clarified better. I meant worn without a tie, underneath a sport coat.

 

[SKS]

Sorry I should have clarified better. I meant worn without a tie, underneath a sport coat.

Then I don't understand the question. What's the problem exactly?

You absolutely can wear a shirt without a tie with a sports coat, just undo the top button. Or two if you are feeling like Hugh Grant.

As a matter of fact I see many local business people abandoning tie entirely and wearing formal black/charcoal/navy suits with just a shirt.

 

[Retri]

Button down is less formal than spread and would suit (no pun intended) a sport coat + odd trousers combo better; it would also look decidedly less out of place and keep its shape more firmly without a tie, especially if you have button dyslexia like me (aka, shirt unbuttoned all the way down the 2nd or 3rd button, depending on the season).

If you choose a button down collar you can also get away with slightly more formal fabrics, without making the ensemble look too stuffy, since the collar is already bringing down the formality a notch.

Ultimately, there's something about spread + large tie knots that make you look like you're on your way to a wedding and you might want to steer clear of that.