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What to wear: Navy Pinstripe, Formal Event

Pac_Man

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I have a formal event in the near future and am looking for some advice on what to wear for the occassion. I currently have a navy pinstrip suit and an odd assortment of ties and shirts. I have an opportunity to buy another suit and more shirts and ties for this event and am thinking of a grey suit. Which is more appropriate for the occassion and what type of accessories would go well with either?
 

Manton

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Personally, I always prefer blue at night. White shirt, black shoes, and either a very light or very dark tie, solid or a discrete pattern.
 

ter1413

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Blue at night also. Buy a new white shirt for the event. If you have the money to spare, also get that grey suit, but use the blue for the event.
 

J. Cogburn

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Conventional wisdom is that black, midnight blue, navy blue, or even French navy blue (a shade that's a bit lighter than navy with a green cast to it) are better than grey at night because they look black or almost black under artificial light - more so than charcoal grey. This allows you to appropriate the look associated with a dinner jacket ("tux" to some) without actually wearing a dinner jacket. A crisp white shirt and long, dark solid satin tie (I like black but dark purple or blue will also do) will finish the look.

There is no agreement on the pinstripe issue. Some argue that stripes are so strongly associated with business that they are best left at home when going out in the evening. Others argue that the right kind of stripe can be very sporty at night, particularly those sorts of stripes that one rarely sees in the office.
 

MrDaniels

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I t would be helpful if we knew more about the nature of the event.
 

Pac_Man

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No bow tie for me, but others will likely be wearing one. It is a formal military banquet if that is more descriptive of the event.
 

MrDaniels

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Won't most of the men be in dress uniforms then?

If not, most military men are notoriously bad at dressing in the real world. So as long as you are wearing a decent suit, you pretty much can't lose.
 

Pac_Man

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We were given the option of wearing formal attire instead of our uniform on this occassion and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity.
 

southbound35

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Originally Posted by Pac_Man
We were given the option of wearing formal attire instead of our uniform on this occassion and I decided to take advantage of the opportunity.

My read on the military dress or "formal attire" is uniform or tuxedo.

Presuming a suit is OK, I'm on the pinstripes are too business-y side.

I also agree with the posters who said navy is preferable over charcoal for an evening event.
 

MrDaniels

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Originally Posted by southbound35
My read on the military dress or "formal attire" is uniform or tuxedo.

Presuming a suit is OK, I'm on the pinstripes are too business-y side.

I also agree with the posters who said navy is preferable over charcoal for an evening event.

I agree on all points.
 

HEWSINATOR

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Yes, Add one more to agreeing on all points by southbound. I was surprised that nobody on here told you to wear a tux. Then I would have responded that the use of "formal" on the invitation likely did not mean tux. Usually, formal today, does mean suit (no matter what people on here will tell you). BUT, in this case, I too read the instructions as meaning tux.
 

JayJay

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Originally Posted by HEWSINATOR
Yes, Add one more to agreeing on all points by southbound. I was surprised that nobody on here told you to wear a tux. Then I would have responded that the use of "formal" on the invitation likely did not mean tux. Usually, formal today, does mean suit (no matter what people on here will tell you). BUT, in this case, I too read the instructions as meaning tux.
I'm another who agrees with southbound, and I also interpret formal as tux.
 

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