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[Tacitus]

I'm going to a black tie optional wedding next month, and don't own a tux. Charcoal suit seems like the best option, but should I go with white shirt + plain black tie + white square (to look as similar as possible to actual black tie), or something a little less boring (e.g. navy tie, square with a bit of color)?

(I'm over-thinking this, but that's what Dappered is for, right?)

[Degentleman]

Going to be raging at a tailgate this weekend. I plan on wearing slimfit jeans, but not sure which shoes to wear. Whatever I wear will ultimately take a beating. I want to be comfortable, look good, and have shoes that can be cleaned up. Any suggestions? I have a lot of styles of shoes, and money is not a huge issue on what to buy.

[ryn]

I'm going to a black tie optional wedding next month, and don't own a tux. Charcoal suit seems like the best option, but should I go with white shirt + plain black tie + white square (to look as similar as possible to actual black tie), or something a little less boring (e.g. navy tie, square with a bit of color)?

(I'm over-thinking this, but that's what Dappered is for, right?)

Do you already have specific ties in mind? I think that you could get away with a dark solid tie. Especially, if that's what you already have. Of course, even solid black tie covers a variety of ties.

[JohnR]

I'm going to a black tie optional wedding next month, and don't own a tux. Charcoal suit seems like the best option, but should I go with white shirt + plain black tie + white square (to look as similar as possible to actual black tie), or something a little less boring (e.g. navy tie, square with a bit of color)?

(I'm over-thinking this, but that's what Dappered is for, right?)

Really it comes down to how close to black tie you want to be. Obviously I don't know the crowd so could be wrong about this but, it's a virtual certainty that the men's attire at the wedding will range from business casual to a couple of guys in a tux. Unless this is a particularly posh crowd, you're unlikely to not fit in. Most likely, if you're wearing a charcoal suit, you'll be in the top 10-20% best dressed men there, regardless of the tie you select.

Having said that... I go to a BTO event every year and am pretty close to the guys who put it on. We're at the same table, etc... but I don't own a tux. So, out of respect for them, I wear my dark suit with a vest, white shirt, black tie, and white pocket square. It fits quite well with the rest of the gang.

[ncf05]

what do you guys think about this suit jacket as a sport coat separate? They have it in pics as a seperate and i think they used to sell it as sport coat

https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens_categor...ame=light-grey

[JBarwick]

what do you guys think about this suit jacket as a sport coat separate? They have it in pics as a seperate and i think they used to sell it as sport coat

https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens_categor...ame=light-grey

Hard to tell from the pics then video. It looks casual enough and is cotton but for some reason it looks more suit jacket than sport coat.

[ncf05]

Hard to tell from the pics then video. It looks casual enough and is cotton but for some reason it looks more suit jacket than sport coat.

ya, j crew has gone thru this tough trend where i feel like they are making alot of in between stuff. like suit jackets that they make casual enough to also be a blazer. and less straight blazers/sportcoats

[Tacitus]

Really it comes down to how close to black tie you want to be. Obviously I don't know the crowd so could be wrong about this but, it's a virtual certainty that the men's attire at the wedding will range from business casual to a couple of guys in a tux. Unless this is a particularly posh crowd, you're unlikely to not fit in. Most likely, if you're wearing a charcoal suit, you'll be in the top 10-20% best dressed men there, regardless of the tie you select.

Yeah, this seems accurate - I'm not worried about being underdressed just because I'm wearing a non-black tie. More just wondering what people think would look good. But as you point out, at the end of the day (night) it doesn't matter that much.

[Tacitus]

what do you guys think about this suit jacket as a sport coat separate? They have it in pics as a seperate and i think they used to sell it as sport coat

https://www.jcrew.com/p/mens_categor...ame=light-grey

I own this (in cotton/linen rather than cotton/spandex) and frequently wear it as a sports coat in the summer. The fabric prevents it from looking too much like a mismatched suit jacket.

[DocDave]

I'm going to a black tie optional wedding next month, and don't own a tux. Charcoal suit seems like the best option, but should I go with white shirt + plain black tie + white square (to look as similar as possible to actual black tie), or something a little less boring (e.g. navy tie, square with a bit of color)?

(I'm over-thinking this, but that's what Dappered is for, right?)

I'd say this works. I don't know if I'd deviate much or worry about being plain. Chances are you'll be better dressed than most of the men there anyway.

[ncf05]

I own this (in cotton/linen rather than cotton/spandex) and frequently wear it as a sports coat in the summer. The fabric prevents it from looking too much like a mismatched suit jacket.

How does it look in person? I had a cotton one that i outgrew in mid blue that i loved. But, ive also seen some of their cotton blends look quite cheap.

Do you think if im wearing an overcoat, i could also still pull this off during cooler temperatures? I live in chicago and we have like 3 month summers

[Tacitus]

I think it looks good (or I wouldn't wear it, haha) - the fact that it's linen blend means that the slight rumpling looks good rather than bad (and makes it work a little better as a sports coat).

Not sure about overcoat; I've never owned one. It's a pretty good deal as a summer suit for around $200 though, even if you aren't wearing it as a sports coat.

[ncf05]

im looking for a cheap camel blazer? is this one too old fashioned as by the lapels? its a 30 dollar buy off ebay that id plan to wear to work during the cold chicago months

https://imgur.com/a/qHCMrji

[armedferret]

im looking for a cheap camel blazer? is this one too old fashioned as by the lapels? its a 30 dollar buy off ebay that id plan to wear to work during the cold chicago months

https://imgur.com/a/qHCMrji

looks okay from here. pockets cause it to be a little more formal than patch pockets would, but that's the only observation I have. Lapels seem fine to me.

[JBarwick]

im looking for a cheap camel blazer? is this one too old fashioned as by the lapels? its a 30 dollar buy off ebay that id plan to wear to work during the cold chicago months

https://imgur.com/a/qHCMrji

In the listing are there any close ups. From a distance it looks like it was worn a lot so you wouldn't want bald spots or anything of that nature.