Dressy (ish) clothing questions

[kgola]

When I posted my question about the suit in the fall formal post, I realized many of y'all actually understand men's fashion (something I'm trying to work on)! So I'm gonna ask a couple more questions I've got about matching and levels of dressy-ness

Comments

[ladylilo]

Black and Blue = Yes.
Black and NAVY Blue = NO!!

[densemore]

Basically, yes.

For the most part I think the black and blue thing is a myth, but they don't always go together.

PS Black shoes are always fine with blue stuff.

Re: Advice, now with proper HTML

[kgola]

you can wear a sports jacket with other colored pants, though, yes? And it's still dressy-ish (not suit-level dressy, but dressier with say, a black jacket and gray pants than with khakis?).

my suit came as a set - I think I actually impressed someone last night by owning a real suit

Re: Advice, now with proper HTML

[citabria]

I agree with most of this, but disagree strongly about the tie advice.

As I've said before, with men's clothes the tie makes the outfit. To me, the kind of neutrals kadath described are, to me, just as much a waste as solid color ties (for the most part) -- you're not getting nearly enough fashion value for the price.

I know these are likely out of your price range for now, but this is the only website where I know I'll be able to find good designs to show you as examples:

This tie in gold
The color's not great for a starter tie, but the pattern's terrific
I'd go for this in either the navy or the gold

In general, while you're starting, stay away from green -- green is *very* hard to make work. Also, unless you're going for a very young prep school look, I'd recommend that you stay away from striped ties.

Finally, before you ask, yes you can wear patterned ties like these with striped shirts -- just take a look at the combo from afar, first, to make sure the combination isn't too busy.

Happy dressing!!!!!

[persis]

Let me put on my MIL-hat for a second time (I typed a nice reply then it got lost in the ether... and now have to recompose) and offer advice from 15 years of marriage to a man whose mother winters in Palm beach and summers in Cooperstown NY. I know this is probably not the social circle you plan to travel in, :-) it's not mine either, but the how-to-dress applies anywhere

[chaiya]

Oooooh ... I bet Kit would look amazing in a Utilikilt! :)

[kgola]

Kit has a utilikilt!

But it's camouflage, so it doesn't really work in dress situations... I've worn it at Arisia before (I think I may even have worn it the year I met you... I think I wore it twice that year, actually).

[persis]

You are so correct about the camo, but black... works wonders, goes everywhere. You might think about investing in another one. Whenever David wears his, he *always* gets compliments. (I bet you did too.)

[chaiya]

hakamadare strongly suggests you buy yourself a book by Alan Flusser.

[kgola]

that book is like, $74 and seemingly out of print-ish...

[persis]

Try one of the others listed on the page; this one or this one.

[chaiya]

Exactly. :)

[lordameth]

Thanks for posting about such things, Kit. I've always been confused as to the rules on this stuff, but never bothered to ask...