One's only / ideal DB suit

[Sanddog]

Along the lines of this recently exhumed thread, and this fresher one...

My field (investment management) has gone business casual, and in any case disdains individuality (below $5MM / year, anyway...), so a DB suit is way too rakish to get away with at the office. However, I like the look, and would like to own at least one. I thought about charcoal pinstripe, but that seems awfully business for a suit that will only be worn to evening social events. What are the classic DB fabrics / colors / patterns? If you were only going to own one, for wear outside the office, what would it be?

 

[alliswell]

Solid navy.

 

[JayJay]

Solid navy, charcoal or gray.

 

[Citan1145]

This.

 

[Manton]

Solid navy or mid gray flannel. After that, various chalk stripes.

 

[edmorel]

Since you mentioned that it is for evening social occasions, I would get something solid, but would stay away from boring worsted wool. I would get a fabric like the guy in the middle, but make it 6x2 and use some brown buttons:

 

[Twotone]

I only have one DB suit in a bird's eye fabric that looks charcoal gray from a distance but is actually black with white points. Many compliments received.

The DBs in the above photo look good. The button stance on the guy in the center, however, looks too low and makes him look even shorter. I prefer the one on the right.

Twotone

 

[Sander]

Originally Posted by alliswell

Solid navy.
+ a gazillion. There's actually no alternative, especially for formal social occasions.

Originally Posted by edmorel

Since you mentioned that it is for evening social occasions, I would get something solid, but would stay away from boring worsted wool. I would get a fabric like the guy in the middle, but make it 6x4 and use some brown buttons:
/thread.

 

[George]

Originally Posted by edmorel

Since you mentioned that it is for evening social occasions, I would get something solid, but would stay away from boring worsted wool. I would get a fabric like the guy in the middle, but make it 6x2 and use some brown buttons:

That looks like Mohair. Mmmm, not keen on the Idea of Mohair for DB.

 

[lasbar]

Originally Posted by George

That looks like Mohair. Mmmm, not keen on the Idea of Mohair for DB.

Agree with you on that one...

This suit is just awful...

 

[George]

Originally Posted by Sanddog

Along the lines of this recently exhumed thread, and this fresher one... My field (investment management) has gone business casual, and in any case disdains individuality (below $5MM / year, anyway...), so a DB suit is way too rakish to get away with at the office. However, I like the look, and would like to own at least one. I thought about charcoal pinstripe, but that seems awfully business for a suit that will only be worn to evening social events. What are the classic DB fabrics / colors / patterns? If you were only going to own one, for wear outside the office, what would it be?
What do you mean by social events?

 

[George]

Originally Posted by lasbar

Agree with you on that one... This suit is just awful...
I don't mind the cloth, even though I appreciate that it's too flashy for some. There's something about the idea of using Mohair for a DB that doesn't 'feel' right to me, a bit like using Tweed for a DB. Mohair works best with a very minimalist cut IMO.

 

[lasbar]

Originally Posted by George

I don't mind the cloth, even though I appreciate that it's too flashy for some. There's something about the idea of using Mohair for a DB that doesn't 'feel' right to me, a bit like using Tweed for a DB.

Mohair works best with a very minimalist cut IMO.

Mohair in my mind is linked to the Mods or a minimalist single-breasted tailored suit...

 

[George]

Originally Posted by lasbar

Mohair in my mind is linked to the Mods or a minimalist single-breasted tailored suit...
I'd be interested in knowing what the OP means by 'social events', which to my mind covers a range from nightclubbing to going to the theatre. Personally, I wouldn't wear a DB if I were out clubbing.

 

[Manton]

I always wear a navy DB to dinner parties in Manhattan and to non-black tie formal events. In the sticks, I tend to wear SB.