Suit for a Wedding

Would a herring bone patterned suit be considered too casual for a wedding?

My wife's brother is getting married in June. I don't want to wear a black suit due to the temperature and I have a recently purchased a Hugo Boss two button that has a micro herring bone pattern that I want to try out but I'm wondering if it's too casual. I won't be apart of the ceremonies, just a guest.

It would really depend on the formality and scale of the occasion, and the social circle present. A wedding can be trash showing up wearing Hawaiian shirts with a shoelace for a tie, all the way up to full Black Tie. But if it accessorized smartly, I see no reason why a micro herringbone pattern would be ruled out.

Thanks.

According to my wife the event isn't black tie, but a tie and jacket is required. Hopefully, every gentleman won't be wearing black. My suit is a dark, grayish brown. I think a plain white shirt with a matte black tie will be all right. I'm sitting with my wife and her family and don't want to be the odd man out.

I would consider some other tie instead. Plain matte black is too somber for a summer wedding, especially if it is a daytime ceremony. Pastel colors would be better, or perhaps a black/white or black/silver patterned tie (more traditionally acceptable for weddings): Two threads about wedding ties: http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=62219 http://www.styleforum.net/showthread.php?t=216530

Please post photos of the suit.

Originally Posted by Man Of Lint

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Please post photos of the suit.

Haha. Sure, but you'll have to wait. It's at the tailor. I pick it up Weds.

Originally Posted by H. neanderthalensis

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Thanks. According to my wife the event isn't black tie, but a tie and jacket is required. Hopefully, every gentleman won't be wearing black. My suit is a dark, grayish brown. I think a plain white shirt with a matte black tie will be all right. I'm sitting with my wife and her family and don't want to be the odd man out.
I personally hope none of the gentlemen are wearing black. They do that here in Japan, and it just looks bad. But then again, the traditional color for Japanese funerals was a mid-grey, so I guess they don't feel the same sort of prohibition on such somber dress for a happy occasion...

Originally Posted by dasai

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I personally hope none of the gentlemen are wearing black.

At least in much of the US, many of the young men at such a wedding might be expected to wear black suits. Far fewer of the older gentlemen - particularly those who wear suits more than once in a blue moon - would be wearing black suits.

This is not a hard and fast rule. It's just what I've observed at weddings (and similar functions) over the past several years.

I'm closing in on 50 years of age, and don't care much for black suits. (Generally, not even at funerals.) But then, neither did I care for them 25 years ago. I was taught that with vanishingly few exceptions, if you're considering wearing a black suit, you'd be better off wearing a dark grey suit. Maybe this is old fashioned advice, and maybe it's not entirely valid (that's certainly arguable), but I'm comfortable with it and don't really have much motivation to overcome this anti-black bias.

Anyway, I accept that it's currently fashionable in certain circles to wear black suits for both professional and social purposes, particularly among those who wish to appear stylish and modern. I don't happen to share this preference, but I accept that it exists. And if I show up somewhere where more than half the men are wearing black suits, I never feel uncomfortable or under-dressed simply because I'm wearing grey or navy.

FWIW, I was also taught that one wears black shoes with one's grey and navy suits. But I did work up the motivation to overcome that bias, and at this very moment I'm sporting a pair of burgundy AE Park Avenues with a navy suit. So it's not like I slavishly adhere to every wardrobe rule I was taught in my youth.
--
Michael

PS - H. neanderthalensis, if it's not a black tie event, your suit is probably fine. (Without a picture I'm reluctant to go beyond "probably.") But, like tgt465, I don't think your black tie is the best choice.

Originally Posted by 12345Michael54321

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At least in much of the US, many of the young men at such a wedding might be expected to wear black suits. Far fewer of the older gentlemen - particularly those who wear suits more than once in a blue moon - would be wearing black suits.

This is not a hard and fast rule. It's just what I've observed at weddings (and similar functions) over the past several years.

I'm closing in on 50 years of age, and don't care much for black suits. (Generally, not even at funerals.) But then, neither did I care for them 25 years ago. I was taught that with vanishingly few exceptions, if you're considering wearing a black suit, you'd be better off wearing a dark grey suit. Maybe this is old fashioned advice, and maybe it's not entirely valid (that's certainly arguable), but I'm comfortable with it and don't really have much motivation to overcome this anti-black bias.

Anyway, I accept that it's currently fashionable in certain circles to wear black suits for both professional and social purposes, particularly among those who wish to appear stylish and modern. I don't happen to share this preference, but I accept that it exists. And if I show up somewhere where more than half the men are wearing black suits, I never feel uncomfortable or under-dressed simply because I'm wearing grey or navy.

FWIW, I was also taught that one wears black shoes with one's grey and navy suits. But I did work up the motivation to overcome that bias, and at this very moment I'm sporting a pair of burgundy AE Park Avenues with a navy suit. So it's not like I slavishly adhere to every wardrobe rule I was taught in my youth.
--
Michael

PS - H. neanderthalensis, if it's not a black tie event, your suit is probably fine. (Without a picture I'm reluctant to go beyond "probably.") But, like tgt465, I don't think your black tie is the best choice.

Charcoal or a navy suit with a conservative tie will be fine. A charcoal suit and regimental tie are what I'm wearing to my cousin's wedding.

It probably depends on how 'micro' the pattern is. This is my go-to job interview suit:

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/IWCatP...=&sectionsize=

I don't think anyone would consider that too casual (I even got an offer while wearing it )

Originally Posted by divitius

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This is my go-to job interview suit

I own a similar suit - mine's also Saxxon, also navy herringbone, but a Madison, not Fitzgerald. I wouldn't hesitate to wear it to a job interview, no matter how conservative the potential employer. The herringbone pattern is sufficiently subtle that it gets a pass as an honorary solid navy suit.
--
Michael