Semi-Formal Help

[Tyr]

I have a semi-formal event I have coming up. My date is wearing an all black dress. We had hers this past saturday and it went well. I'm just not sure how i'm going to stand out if i'm just wearing black and white. I'm looking for some ideas. Here what i wore saturday for her semi.

I have a gingham pattern shirt i was thinking of wearing with a black tie and the vest and maybe repeat the hat. I also have a black pin-striped shirt.

 

[mmhollis]

To be honest, you probably would stand out if you wore black and white. I think its a really classic look that a lot of people have gotten away from because they want to stand out. The gingham isn't a bad idea though.

 

[bbaquiran]

Why not wear a suit?

 

[mmhollis]

Yea, just to clarify that is my suggestion black suit, black tie, white shirt.

 

[why]

Shirt does not go with tie does not go with vest does not go with hat.

And the tie reminds me of a cool mint bubblegum wrapper.

Please don't wear any of the stuff you mentioned.

...

And I don't mean this in a pejorative or racist way and I can't stress that enough, but you're feeding the stereotype with those types of clothes. There's nothing wrong with being dressed very minimalist and classic -- and if you buy the right clothes they'll look spectacular. You don't need to attract tons of attention to yourself because quite honestly it'll be very negative attention given the fact that your date is white (or at least it would be here). Don't fall into the stereotype -- heck, don't even go near them.

 

[constant struggle]

Lose the HAT please.
Wear a suit.

 

[HEWSINATOR]

My first assumption when he said black and white was black shirt and white tie, which I do not think would be endorsed.

 

[why]

Originally Posted by HEWSINATOR

My first assumption when he said black and white was black shirt and white tie, which I do not think would be endorsed.

Nor even close to semi-formal.

 

[JustinW]

Originally Posted by constant struggle

Lose the HAT please.
Wear a suit.

I like the hat - but I'm a bit old fashioned and un-American on that front: I would say don't wear a hat indoors, ever!

You gotta try the black suit & tie, white shirt before you dismiss it - I think you might be surprised how much you will stand out in a very cool and classic way. To really top it off - don't forget a nice hanky/ pocket square and cufflinks.

 

[James Bond]

Originally Posted by JustinW

I like the hat - but I'm a bit old fashioned and un-American on that front: I would say don't wear a hat indoors, ever! You gotta try the black suit & tie, white shirt before you dismiss it - I think you might be surprised how much you will stand out in a very cool and classic way. To really top it off - don't forget a nice hanky/ pocket square and cufflinks.
The mind boggles.

 

[thekunk07]

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[bbaquiran]

Originally Posted by why

Shirt does not go with tie does not go with vest does not go with hat. And the tie reminds me of a cool mint bubblegum wrapper.
Agreed. Matching shirt and tie color looks bad 100% of the time. Don't wear a black suit unless you want to get crucified by the Men's Clothing guys. Go for gray, charcoal, dark navy. Finally, men are not supposed to stand out at formal or semi-formal events. They are there as backdrop for the ladies.

 

[PolePosition]

Originally Posted by bbaquiran

Finally, men are not supposed to stand out at formal or semi-formal events. They are there as backdrop for the ladies.

+1

 

[sho'nuff]

+2
Wearing that whole, vest, hat get-up just makes it even harder for the op's date to attract any attention at her own ball.

 

[JustinW]

Originally Posted by James Bond

The mind boggles.

The guy wants to stay within a black/white colour scheme and also stand-out- I hardly think a black suit, white shirt and a black tie (not bow-tie) is that mind boggling. Perhaps not the height of iGentry, but perfectly adequate for the occasion.