Proper attire for weekend dinner

[NBankston]

I searched the archives but did not find a specific answer to the question, "what is appropriate attire for dinner, on the weekend, at a nice restaurant (without dress code)?"  I am mid 30's and typically date women in their late 20's/early 30's.  I prefer to wear a suit but invariably out dress my date.  What are my options?

 

[cuffthis]

I would wear a blue blazer or coat, grey flannel trousers, dark brown suede cap toe shoes and a cotton button down shirt.

Classic, but elegent. Add a pocket square to jazz it up.

 

[STYLESTUDENT]

You could also substitute a cashmere or merino long sleeve polo shirt in place of the oxford shirt in the outfit that Cuffthis has suggested.

 

[benchan]

I would simply go with a spring colour cashmere sweater, grey trousers and some ankle boots. Women like the feel of nice cashmere when you hug them.

 

[Manton]

I would wear a blue blazer or coat, grey flannel trousers, dark brown suede cap toe shoes and a cotton button down shirt.

Can't do much better than that.

 

[NBankston]

Excellent suggestions. Thank you.

Cuffthis, I have the suede cap toes from Peal & Co. (C&J, I think) for BB. They seem a bit light to me for evening. I like your suggestion of a darker brown suede. Any specific shoe recommendations?

 

[Renault78law]

Depends. What city, what kind of venue?

 

[spatten]

I like the ideas so far. I have given a lot of thought to appropiate date wear - how to look classic, smart and not outdress the girl.

I like to take it down a notch - I'll usually go for a brown check jacket with patch pockets. I usually wear a nice thin wool,silk sweater underneath. Slacks and a nice semi-brouge.

One large caveat is if I were down/up town in a metropolitan city - I would wear the darker colours. Closer to the original suggestion. I probably wouldn't wear a button-down shirt - a little to Amer Trad for the city and your age.

 

[cuffthis]

Cuffthis, I have the suede cap toes from Peal & Co. (C&J, I think) for BB. They seem a bit light to me for evening. I like your suggestion of a darker brown suede. Any specific shoe recommendations?

Try the Brooks Brothers web site. I just looked on there and they have a very dark color brown suede tassel loafer. That is the color I was suggesting. I have a pair this color in a lace up cap toe that is my favorite choice to wear with grey flannel.

 

[STYLESTUDENT]

Try the Brooks Brothers web site. I just looked on there and they have a very dark color brown suede tassel loafer. That is the color I was suggesting.

Probably my favorite Alden shoe-$78 less than Brooks every day at NYC Citishoes (no association). I wear the shoe year- round (black suit thread is over, as to suede shoe rules), as it is smoother and less textured than, say, a Crockett and Jones suede.

 

[Vintage Gent]

I would wear a blue blazer or coat, grey flannel trousers, dark brown suede cap toe shoes and a cotton button down shirt.

Classic, but elegent. Add a pocket square to jazz it up.

In theory, I think this is a wonderful idea: timeless, classic, conveying just the right amount of casual elegance. But I'd be afraid your date might wonder why you were dressed like a museum security guard. Like it or not, the navy blazer/grey flannel trousers look has been co-opted in a less-than-desirable way.

 

[NBankston]

Chicago. A range of restaurants. Mostly upscale. Mostly downtown but some neighborhood locations as well. Trendier. Places like Blackbird, Kamehachi, Nine, but also Gibson's for people watching, if you're familiar with Chicago.

 

[Manton]

But I'd be afraid your date might wonder why you were dressed like a museum security guard. Like it or not, the navy blazer/grey flannel trousers look has been co-opted in a less-than-desirable way.

Musuem guards wear badly cut SB blazers with cheesy insignias. Well cut DB will look nice. Plus they wear worsted trousers, not flannel. I think it will look great. The suede shoes are coup de grace.

 

[STYLESTUDENT]

But I'd be afraid your date might wonder why you were dressed like a museum security guard. Like it or not, the navy blazer/grey flannel trousers look has been co-opted in a less-than-desirable way.

So that's why strangers approach me in the street and ask "when do you open" and "can I take photos using a flash".

 

[Styleman]

How about a black slim fit shirt, with some deep indigo or black jeans, and a slim lapel jacket, by something like Dior Homme, with some nice boots for a bit of a younger look.

Or a black cashmere roll neck with some jeans crisp, fresh looking dark jeans always looks nice.