Suit and Sneakers - Do's and Dont's

[sonic]

Again, I am a newbie to fashion, but being that i am young and like this whole maverick breaking-the-rules be-different outlook on life, the suit with sneakers look kinda appeals to me...

the question is, when to wear it.. tie or no tie.. could this somehow fly at a wedding... and what kind of suit works well with this approach.. i wouldnt want to commit any faut pas..

 

[thinman]

I wouldn't do it, but I'm an old geezer, relatively speaking. Now, monkstraps or loafers are a totally different story. You might even get away with the sockless loafer look, sans tie.

I'll need to defer to my younger brethren for advice on sneakers with a suit.

Welcome to the forum.

 

[Get Smart]

hmmm....I'm pro "maverick breaking-the-rules be-different outlook on life" moreso than the next guy, but the one pet peeve of mine is suits/sneakers. It can look passable for a really young skinny guy in a more casual party/club setting but I wouldnt do it at a wedding, since it shows a sort of disrespect for the occasion since you probably know better, but decided to go against your better judgement on footwear choice

 

[Thomas]

Originally Posted by sonic

Again, I am a newbie to fashion, but being that i am young and like this whole maverick breaking-the-rules be-different outlook on life, the suit with sneakers look kinda appeals to me...

the question is, when to wear it.. tie or no tie.. could this somehow fly at a wedding... and what kind of suit works well with this approach.. i wouldnt want to commit any faut pas..

Suit with sneakers IS a faux pas, but if you're intentionally committing, then...You'll hear a variety of comments, but here's my $0.02.

If you're young (under 25), here are some ideas:

Shoes: Adidas Samba
Suit: dark, solid colors (navy, charcoal), slim cut
pinstripes: maybe
box plaids: maybe
shirt: white, or white with large pattern
tie: no
When: with friends or family at casual gatherings.
Weddings: never. Please look like a grown-up when surrounded by grown-ups.

If you're over 25, please disregard the above and wear proper shoes.

 

[Mentos]

Not at a wedding--you're there as a guest, and must observe traditions a bit more closely.

There's an ad for Tod's in the mens mags this month showing a navy pinstripe suit (well, actually just the stright pant leg) with a brown suede sneaker. It looks real good, in a "young italian guy on his way to a creative job" sort of way.

 

[ComboOrgan]

I'd say you're only as formal as your shoes.

I play in a band, and I like to wear a suit with converse all-stars occasionally on stage. It works in that setting.

For goodness sake though - do it with cool sneakers (Chucks, Purcells, pf Flyers, etc.) - no Jerry Seinfeld tennis shoes.

 

[The Devil's Hands]

Puma Speedcat

 

[gamelan]

i absolutely hate attending traditional weddings since i find them so amazingly boring. but since you've been invited and if you know that it's going to be a typical wedding, by all means dress appropriately.

but if you're going to a non-traditional wedding (whatever that means), i think a fashion forward slim suit (like something from Dior) would go well with a pair of Chucks. gotta have the skinny tie and attitude too.

-Jeff

 

[drizzt3117]

I'm thinking this is going to be difficult to pull off without looking like a douchebag, but I would echo the previous sentiments in terms of picking cool sneakers. I would also stay away from dressier sneaker derivatives, as they just don't fly in most occasions and very much so not with a suit, although I guess they'd be better than New Balances or something. I always think it's funny when I see execs wearing tennis shoes in the office with their suits instead of dress shoes, and putting them on for meetings or to see clients, serves them right for buying Donald J. Pliner or Florsheim...

 

[edmorel]

Originally Posted by drizzt3117

I'm thinking this is going to be difficult to pull off without looking like a douchebag,

I'd say impossible.

If you showed up to my wedding wearing sneakers, I'd promptly have one of my goon brothers take them off your feet and beat you over the head with them.

I never understood why everyone who wants to be a clothing maverick, chooses to disobey the rules only when it comes time to dress up. You want to be a maverick, wear a three piece suit to your next basketball pick up game or wear some nice wingtips with your cargo shorts.

 

[DocHolliday]

Originally Posted by gamelan

but if you're going to a non-traditional wedding (whatever that means), i think a fashion forward slim suit (like something from Dior) would go well with a pair of Chucks.

Seconded. Chucks are the only sneakers I can recall seeing work with suits. And only for casual purposes.

 

[dah328]

There is no do. There is only do not.

 

[Bandwagonesque]

There are some faux pas that are made to be broken - white after Labour Day, no black suits unless you're at a funeral, etc. The suits with sneakers is one that should never be done... that goes double if you're at a formal event or wedding, and if you do it at a funeral, you're one sick mofo. I don't care who on MTV is rockin a suit with Chucks or any other sneaker these days... it can't be done. It never looks good.

 

[kitonbrioni]

If sneakers and a suit looks good to you, then there's no need to ask the rules. Please post a picture of your sneaker and suit outfit.

 

[sonic]

haha..
thanks for all the great response..

i will definitely obstain from this disaster of an idea. but the suit and sneakers thing will happen for sure at some lounge outing.
thanks again !