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Royal Garden Party Suit/Shoes Combination

Ovid

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Hi all - I'm lucky enough to be going to the royal garden party this summer, as a younger +1 of the deserving guest (my father). I work in tech and have no usable suits (ancient/disintegrated/cheap) - I'm taking the opportunity to get a decent quality suit that, with tailoring, I'll be able to wear to weddings (or, failing that, use as a not too expensive learning experience) etc.

This means I won't be going the morning suit route (boo, I know). I was thinking I might potentially go for this - link - suit
1581935783501.png

from G&H. If I'm making a dreadful mistake here that my virgin eyes are unable to spot, I would very much appreciate being told in no uncertain terms to try again, as I still have plenty of time. I've ordered it to the store for £499, down from perhaps about £800.

I have it waiting for me in a 38, which may be slightly too large - if the fit in the shoulders is slightly too large would best advice be to find something else entirely, or go for tailoring?

My third key question is the colour of the shoes - black or brown? Does anybody have desperately strong opinions, given that it's a navy suit at a royal garden party? I imagine I'll wear either a white or very pale blue shirt, and I have a couple of decent (Hermès) ties lurking around of currently unknown colour, if that helps at all.

As a final bonus question - a backup I've identified but am concerned my taste may be way out regarding: this suit from massimo dutti I quite like as a cheap "get it tailored and if you've made a mistake you haven't broken the bank" option. Would this, in fact, be a catastrophic suit to (first) buy and (second) to wear to a royal garden party? I imagine I'd skip the waistcoat. It's fully fused, unsurprisingly, whereas the G&H is half-canvas and I can't tell how much of a snob I should (learn to) be given the prices involved.

Many thanks for all and any help!
 

HotToddy

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It seems like you’re going in with your eyes open with regards to it being a half canvas suit. I would personally try to stretch to something full canvas but I appreciate that may not be feasible with a limited budget.

I imagine one benefit to going to G&H is they will be much more proficient at pinning for alterations and getting a good fit.

Black shoes are a must with morning dress so I would also wear black
 

imatlas

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Shoulders are just about the hardest thing to alter. Nail the shoulder fit off the rack so you don’t have to think about trying to get it adjusted.
 

Andy57

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I think if you get a good fit with the G&H suit, it will serve you well for quite a while. With a white shirt and black shoes you will be dressed very appropriately and you'll make your father proud.
 

JJ Katz

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Royal Garden Party = black captoe oxford; well shined.
 

norMD

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Hm. This is supposed to be a party. I think that if you go navy suit, white shirt and black captoes you can allow yourself some color in your tie.
 

JJ Katz

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Agree on having a bit of latitude with the tie though from what I understand a Royal Party is to a *party* as the “at ease!” command is to being at ease. I.e., not really.
 

Ovid

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The two I have with me are
1582032189681.png
1582032205326.png
though others can be obtained if necessary.
 

RogerC

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Solid navy tie and white shirt are good. I’d recommend black cap toe oxfords, but would not go for the solid navy tie. It’s just a bit too slick. Either you can take inspiration of what the royals wear themselves (subtle print ties in summery colours), or wear a school/military tie if you’re entitled to one.
 

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How important is full vs half canvas to you for heavier sport jackets?

  • Definitely full canvas only

    Votes: 55 35.5%
  • Half canvas is fine

    Votes: 60 38.7%
  • Really don't care

    Votes: 17 11.0%
  • Depends on fabric

    Votes: 27 17.4%
  • Depends on price

    Votes: 28 18.1%

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