Pink shirt to a funeral?

[josepidal]

Imagine this. You're home in a small Midwest town for the holidays. You packed a sport coat for church, just a solid navy and nothing flashy. One of your in-laws' grandmothers passes away on December 24. You have two choices for the funeral: a pink dress shirt and a decidedly informal blue printed tie; or your most muted sport shirt and most somber tie.

Which is the better idea, lacking a black suit and white shirt?

 

[Newton]

Sorry to hear the bad news Jose!

Any pictures of the sport shirt?

It also depends partially on the shade of pink.

 

[Holdfast]

In this day and age, there must be an open shop nearby. Even if it's just a cheap polyester number you give away the next day, buy a white shirt and a black tie. Show the appropriate respect. Pair the navy coat with some dark trousers and you'll be fine. People would understand the short notice and holiday period means you couldn't wear a dark suit. But wearing a pink shirt and wacky tie? Just No.

My condolences.

 

[joseanes]

Sorry to hear.
Similar thing happened to me once -- my grandma died while I was visiting my father in PR. No suit, no tie. Just what was on my limited suitcase (I never check baggage).

Most of your family members will understand. Go with whatever looks more somber. I do have pink shirts that I would bring to a funeral, and then I have some that I would never bring. I would guess that very light pink is ok.

If I had a choice I would probably go to JCPenney/Sears/Marshals and buy a disposable light blue shirt or white shirt for $20 and go with that.

Then again, I am not a sartorial expert.

 

[DNW]

Originally Posted by Holdfast

In this day and age, there must be an open shop nearby. Even if it's just a cheap polyester number you give away the next day, buy a white shirt and a black tie. Show the appropriate respect. Pair the navy coat with some dark trousers and you'll be fine. People would understand the short notice and holiday period means you couldn't wear a dark suit. But wearing a pink shirt and wacky tie? Just No.

My condolences.

Ditto.

 

[Rocker]

Yep, just buy a cheap throw-away white shirt, if need be.

 

[JLibourel]

At any of the too-numerous funerals I have attended in recent years, your blue blazer, pink shirt and blue tie would probably have placed you among the better dressed people in attendance.

However, a pink shirt does strike me as a bit festive. If you can pick up white shirt and a somewhat sober-looking tie, you should be fine. I would eschew black, which is going to look like holy hell with your navy sport coat.

 

[yellman]

Originally Posted by josepidal

Imagine this. You're home in a small Midwest town for the holidays. You packed a sport coat for church, just a solid navy and nothing flashy. One of your in-laws' grandmothers passes away on December 24. You have two choices for the funeral: a pink dress shirt and a decidedly informal blue printed tie; or your most muted sport shirt and most somber tie.

Which is the better idea, lacking a black suit and white shirt?

Go to a really cheap store and buy a white shirt for under $10.

Wear it once and return or throw it away.

 

[guynamedsean]

I have never bought any clothing from WalMart, but I would if I were in your situation. I would rather wear polyester than draw attention to myself at a funeral with a pink shirt.

Very sorry to hear about your families loss

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by Holdfast

In this day and age, there must be an open shop nearby. Even if it's just a cheap polyester number you give away the next day, buy a white shirt and a black tie. Show the appropriate respect. Pair the navy coat with some dark trousers and you'll be fine. People would understand the short notice and holiday period means you couldn't wear a dark suit. But wearing a pink shirt and wacky tie? Just No.

My condolences.

+1

 

[JLibourel]

Why all this counsel to get a cheap white shirt and throw it away thereafter?Why shouldn't he get one of decent quality that he can get some mileage from thereafter?

 

[NoVaguy]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

Why all this counsel to get a cheap white shirt and throw it away thereafter?Why shouldn't he get one of decent quality that he can get some mileage from thereafter?

sure, he can do that as well. it seems to be the unspoken assumption, based on the fact that the individual is "home in a small Midwest town", and that fact that it is apparently an unexpected funeral, that he has limited time and access to decent quality items. but i could be wrong.

 

[Tomasso]

Originally Posted by Newton

Sorry to hear the bad news Jose!
I have a hunch that the OP is posing a hypothetical question.

 

[Edward Appleby]

I'm nearly certain that Jose is being hypothetical as well.

 

[acidboy]

I am pretty much sure Jose is not from the midwestern United States