Wedding outfit help required

[Hobbs]

To put this into context, I came across this site doing a seach for wedding suits on Google, having been looking for some general tips on style and suitable colours.

As evinced by the length of time between joining the site and making my first post, I've been stunned by the level of detail and knowledge put forward by posters here. For me, buying suits to date has been guiding more by brand name rather than the more qualitative criteria I've found on this forum.

I own two Armani suits and don't have regular cause for wearing suits in general. For my impending marriage I would like to put a little more thought into what I buy and so am heading over to London for a weekend with the sole intention of purchasing the whole outfit.

I'm 5 11", weigh 182lbs with a 31" waist, and 50 jacket size.

I'm leaning towards a two-button, dark navy suit; these Sweeney shoes, a Macclesfield tie. Beyond that I'm still cluless though and would appreciate suggestions for places to go for a suit, anything else I should look for, and potential shirt colours (to complement a pale Irish complexion!). Willing to spend ~£1300 on the suit.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Manton]

A white shirt for the groom is pretty close to required, unless the wedding is in a relaxed locale, or you just want to buck tradition for whatever reason.

Please, please, (please!) rethink the shoes. :shudder:

 

[leon12]

Those shoes are scary ugly. I would suggest finding something a little more "classic" from here www.plal.com, with C&J being your best bet.

 

[Hobbs]

Fair enough on the shoes, will have a more in depth look at the Crockett and Jones selection.

 

[TheFoo]

Yes, the shoes are hideous, but you're making a good choice by going with a navy suit. I screwed myself by choosing dark grey. While I think grey will be more useful for me in the long run, it's also harder to make a grey suit look dynamic when you're stuck wearing a white shirt for the occasion. I'd love to wear one of the wedding ties advocated by Manton, but I think I'll wind up looking too monochromatic.

Would you consider brown shoes? It's what I'm wearing, but it's probably not as proper. I'm sure Manton can instruct on the matter .

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Yes I'd love to wear one of the wedding ties advocated by Manton, but I think I'll wind up looking too monochromatic. .

I wouldn't worry. But if you are, you can always get a blue and white or silver wedding tie.

Would you consider brown shoes? It's what I'm wearing, but it's probably not as proper. I'm sure Manton can instruct on the matter.

No, no, no.

 

[Hobbs]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Would you consider brown shoes? It's what I'm wearing, but it's probably not as proper. I'm sure Manton can instruct on the matter .

It's not really something I've considered to be honest mafoofan. On leon12's prompting I quite like the Crockett & Jones Aintree shoes.

What kind of white shirt are you going to wear? I was thinking of a Turnbull & Asser but need to see how they look on me first.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Manton

I wouldn't worry. But if you are, you can always get a blue and white or silver wedding tie.

I suppose if I did a silver or b/w wedding tie, I could spruce things up with a bright flower and an interesting pocket square.

Originally Posted by Manton

No, no, no.

Is that "No, no, no, don't worry about wearing brown shoes," or "No, no, no, don't wear brown shoes!"?

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Is that "No, no, no, don't worry about wearing brown shoes," or "No, no, no, don't wear brown shoes!"?

Do you have to ask?

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Hobbs

What kind of white shirt are you going to wear? I was thinking of a Turnbull & Asser but need to see how they look on me first.

I'll be wearing a white shirt with a spread collar and French cuffs made by Anna Matuozzo. I would worry less about the brand of your shirt, and find one that fits right and looks good. The price of a RTW Turnbull shirt makes it a really bad value proposition in my mind. Moreover, if you're just looking for a white shirt, you won't really be utilizing Turnbull for what they're best at.

Originally Posted by Manton

Do you have to ask?

Apparently! Anyway, it's too late: they're antique chestnut and fabulous.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

they're antique chestnut and fabulous.

No doubt, but inappropriate for a wedding.

 

[John Ellis]

Originally Posted by mafoofan

Yes, the shoes are hideous, but you're making a good choice by going with a navy suit. I screwed myself by choosing dark grey. While I think grey will be more useful for me in the long run, it's also harder to make a grey suit look dynamic when you're stuck wearing a white shirt for the occasion. I'd love to wear one of the wedding ties advocated by Manton, but I think I'll wind up looking too monochromatic.

Would you consider brown shoes? It's what I'm wearing, but it's probably not as proper. I'm sure Manton can instruct on the matter .

A grey suit with white shirt and grey tie producing a monochromatic look actually looks superb on some people, usually those with dark hair and a tan. Cary Grant was always wearing it.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by Manton

No doubt, but inappropriate for a wedding.

Well, I've always wanted to be a rebel.

 

[TheFoo]

Originally Posted by John Ellis

A grey suit with white shirt and grey tie producing a monochromatic look actually looks superb on some people, usually those with dark hair and a tan. Cary Grant was always wearing it.

Maybe, but it's not a look I particularly admire. I haven't ditched the idea, but I'm exploring the alternativies. I think once you've strayed from a fully proper and formal wedding, the 'rules' become a lot more discretionary. If I look tasteful and elegant, I'll be happy.

 

[Manton]

M, you can get a blue and white, or blue and silver, weddiing tie. Those look great with gray suits.