[the1element]

ive notice when i wear simple classic clothes without a lot of color i get a lot of girls looking at me. I went to the bar wearing navy blue chinos, leather boat shoes from the 60's, basic fitted t shirt and a black jacket that wasn't done up and girls were approaching me and introducing themselves. Keep it simple and black if your friend.

[WestIndianArchie]

(03-06-2015 01:35 AM)DarianFrey Wrote:  

Some great tips guys, thank you.

Laner, I'm going on a short trip to Gothenburg soon and will be checking out the various outlets there. I've heard Freeport is some sort of suit haven.

I'll keep your suggestions in mind and look for materials that breathe as May can get quite hot up here.

What color of brown shoes and belt do you recommend to go with a navy suit, lighter or darker?

Light and Dark



Mostly light.



Light/Medium



Medium/Reddish



Dark Brown



Dark



Oxblood (on left)



Which looks better to your eye? I'd say in general, guys go dark brown, medium brown.

I personally like light brown/cognac.

WIA

[Vienna]

Thanks for the examples WIA.

The lighter/medium shades look better I think, I like the contrast. Going to be fun hunting for a suit & shoes this time around, first one was in high school way back when I didn't really care (clueless kid)!

Last question: are shoes in darker shades generally considered more formal than lighter shades?

[Carlos100]

(03-06-2015 06:27 AM)DarianFrey Wrote:  

Thanks for the examples WIA.

The lighter/medium shades look better I think, I like the contrast. Going to be fun hunting for a suit & shoes this time around, first one was in high school way back when I didn't really care (clueless kid)!

Last question: are shoes in darker shades generally considered more formal than lighter shades?

Yes. I usually wear my tan/lighter brown shoes to work only on casual Fridays. That's not the whole story, however. All else being equal, oxfords are usually more formal than derby shoes which are more formal than monkstraps (all the photos in WIA's post above are oxfords except for the monkstraps). Oxford shoes have the lace flaps streamlined into the show while derby shoes have the lace flaps sewn onto the top of the shoe. Brogued shoes, like wingtips, are also considered less formal, if I understand correctly.

[WestIndianArchie]

(03-06-2015 06:27 AM)DarianFrey Wrote:  

Thanks for the examples WIA.

The lighter/medium shades look better I think, I like the contrast. Going to be fun hunting for a suit & shoes this time around, first one was in high school way back when I didn't really care (clueless kid)!

That's my personal favorite

(03-06-2015 06:27 AM)DarianFrey Wrote:  

Last question: are shoes in darker shades generally considered more formal than lighter shades?

Generally, yes.

There are a lot of top level style guys (tailors, fashion buyers, authors, magazine writers) that don't mind Blue suits and Black Shoes.



It looks odd to me though.

WIA

[Carlos100]

(03-06-2015 11:56 AM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  

There are a lot of top level style guys (tailors, fashion buyers, authors, magazine writers) that don't mind Blue suits and Black Shoes.



It looks odd to me though.

WIA

I think in order to make it look more congruent you have to put a little more black or grey into the ensemble. Besides black shoes and black belt; a black watch band, a pocket square or tie that has some black in the pattern (the guy above has some black strips in his tie, but there is still a little too much contrast with his shoes somehow. I think if his pocket square was a darker pattern it would help out), a black ivy cap or fedora, a black V-neck sweater (if it's cold), and/or a grey shirt, or even a black shirt if it's at night.

[Kieran]

Plain navy suit, plain white shirt, and black shoes and belt can look nice and clean, and more formal than the same with brown for when necessary. To my eye there's too much going on in the above photo with the stripes.

[WestIndianArchie]

(03-07-2015 07:10 AM)Carlos100 Wrote:  

I think in order to make it look more congruent you have to put a little more black or grey into the ensemble. Besides black shoes and black belt; a black watch band, a pocket square or tie that has some black in the pattern (the guy above has some black strips in his tie, but there is still a little too much contrast with his shoes somehow. I think if his pocket square was a darker pattern it would help out), a black ivy cap or fedora, a black V-neck sweater (if it's cold), and/or a grey shirt, or even a black shirt if it's at night.

This is a raging debate on Styleforum.

You're thinking about this particular picture.

I'm thinking about when I see black shoes with a navy suit in the sun light.
Whenever I see it in real life, the black always looks way too harsh. Much the reason that black suits look so horrible during the day time, or midnight blue suits can look darker than black at night.

On the color wheel, blue is contrasts well with yellow/orange -> so brown makes sense.



For a business suit, it usually makes sense to go with a dark grey, so you can pair with either brown or black in terms of a shoe.

But if our Scandinavian Sartorialist is looking to holler at chicks, that's more of a night time and edgy thing.

WIA

[Laner]

I have never worn my black suit during the day. In Scandinavia though I did notice a lot more men wore black suits during the day and it looked good. For me its just a personal preference.

I was going to say more but there is no point.

WIA has said everything I would have mentioned.

[Altium]

My contribution:

[MrXY]

Third from the last guy dresses exactly like me, including white pants, sportcoat, ps, sunglasses, hairstyle and is therefore the clear thread winner.

[robreke]

(03-07-2015 09:08 PM)MrXY Wrote:  

Third from the last guy dresses exactly like me, including white pants, sportcoat, ps, sunglasses, hairstyle and is therefore the clear thread winner.

^I like that look. Is that your look even in warmer weather?

Where do you buy your blazers and white pants like that?

[MrXY]

When its hot I wear linen or cotton sportcoats

I hate paying full retail, so I get a lot of my clothes from ebay (mostly new, some used) yoox.com, gilt.com,hautelook.com, lastcall.com and other online discount clothing sites. Yoox especially is good for the Italian clothes that I prefer.

[Vienna]

(03-07-2015 12:22 PM)WestIndianArchie Wrote:  

I think in order to make it look more congruent you have to put a little more black or grey into the ensemble. Besides black shoes and black belt; a black watch band, a pocket square or tie that has some black in the pattern (the guy above has some black strips in his tie, but there is still a little too much contrast with his shoes somehow. I think if his pocket square was a darker pattern it would help out), a black ivy cap or fedora, a black V-neck sweater (if it's cold), and/or a grey shirt, or even a black shirt if it's at night.

This is a raging debate on Styleforum.

You're thinking about this particular picture.

I'm thinking about when I see black shoes with a navy suit in the sun light.
Whenever I see it in real life, the black always looks way too harsh. Much the reason that black suits look so horrible during the day time, or midnight blue suits can look darker than black at night.

On the color wheel, blue is contrasts well with yellow/orange -> so brown makes sense.



For a business suit, it usually makes sense to go with a dark grey, so you can pair with either brown or black in terms of a shoe.

But if our Scandinavian Sartorialist is looking to holler at chicks, that's more of a night time and edgy thing.

WIA

Hah, well maybe I didn't make it clear enough but the biggest reason I'm getting a suit in the first place is graduation from university.

I've already decided on a navy blue. Everyone else will be wearing black.

Concerning the shoe debate, I've always had an aversion to wearing black or very dark shoes no matter the color of the pants. Looks weird to my eyes as well. I only wear black shoes with black jeans or beige chinos. Most of my shoes are lighter shades or in various browns - to my wardrobe that's enough versatility.



Just looks uninspired.

[Brian Shima]

what does every one think about a light "beta" ( ) version of a rock look......google image search The Prodigy to get a idea of what I mean......leather jacket, cool tennis shoes & boots, levis, a necklace??......

[HonantheBarbarian]

Question to all you boot guys; how do you feel about tucking your jeans into your boots? I do that shit all the time with my black boots that are about 6" up past the ankle and lace up. For whatever reason this look seems to get a lot of hate from style "authorities" which im not sure I agree with.

It obviously varies with the boot and the style of the outfit going with it. For instance id never do it with my zip up Lee Kee boots but I think it looks good provided your jeans fit right.

Some good examples of the look im talking about:













some BAD examples:








(I know the gay pose doesn't help either but im focusing mainly on the jeans/boots combo)


On this pair of black boots I just got I tried on both tucked in and not tucked in and I think tucked in looks way more interesting and edgy. I think the look is easier to pull off if you have on outerwear and your overall look matches the vibe.

This (sorry for bad pics/dirty mirror)




vs

This




I prefer the first look personally but I wanted to see if other guys are rocking something similar and maybe could share their take on it.

[Dalaran1991]

^^ I prefer it tucked in too, but I'm short so there's downside to doing that. Makes you look shorter.

Other than that, I think the reasons it got a lot of hate is because:

1. Associated with military, especially Nazis
2. Appear trying too hard, because that means you have to spent the time putting your jeans inside your boot, then lace it up and make it look pretty.
3. Associated with gay and hipster gothic style

To be honest Id go with the look you prefer, make you look more masculine IMO, something like the cowboy of old (one more reasons they are denounced. If you are not a cowboy, don't dress like one) and real edgy look. Fuck the hater.

Trick is the boots need to be really casual. Yours are fine.

[General Mayhem]

(03-17-2015 06:39 PM)AfgScarface Wrote:  

Some good examples of the look im talking about:

Anyone know what kind of boots these are?

As far as tucking goes, the only time I ever tucked my pants into my boots was in the military. Maybe that tainted it for me.

[HonantheBarbarian]

Mayhem Im not sure what brand they are. I know a few of the pics have the brand and model in the file name, so maybe try right clicking and checking that way. I would but I'm on the mobile version.

Yeah Dalaran I think most of the hate comes from people who can't pull off an edgy look like that. A lot of people rock also rock the look very wrong or with the wrong type of jeans, eg boot cut which imo contributes to its bad rep.

[tallglassofmilk]

I went out for the first time last night wearing a suit (post wedding). I was amazed at the difference compared to wearing what everyone else is wearing. I had girls approaching me (and my posse). When we picked up pizza after last call we got waved to the front of the line. I was amazed at the difference. Many here espoused wearing suits,. Having tried it, count me a true believer.

[Easy_C]

(09-06-2015 11:49 AM)tallglassofmilk Wrote:  

I went out for the first time last night wearing a suit (post wedding). I was amazed at the difference compared to wearing what everyone else is wearing. I had girls approaching me (and my posse). When we picked up pizza after last call we got waved to the front of the line. I was amazed at the difference. Many here espoused wearing suits,. Having tried it, count me a true believer.

Keep in mind that there's a huge difference between wearing a suit that looks like you had to wear it for work vs. a suit that you look like you're wearing because it's stylish.

It's the difference between this(typical Wall St. daytime attire):



And something like this





On another note going for a more "casual" look with good jeans/khakis, a patterned button down or fitted V-neck, and a blazer is a good combo. I talked a buddy into trying that once and he rarely goes out without his blazer since.

[Laner]

Always keep in mind that the biggest difference between wearing suits is:

Look like you are wearing a suit because you want to vs. wearing a suit because you have to.

This frame of mind should start at your wardrobe selection and be obvious in your nighttime game as well.

[Adrenaline]

I consider myself pretty fashionable (for an Australian ) to the point of feeling overly metrosexual at times. The most effort 99% of guys go to here outside of work is jeans and a T-Shirt, or an untucked button down at the most.

When going out, I usually go for tight short sleeved shirts tucked into slim fit chinos with a nice casual belt and classy black or chocolate brown shoes. I wear short sleeves because they show off my muscular physique more, and I like to think of it as a unique personal style of mine. Any opinions on this?

I don't even an own a suit and have no reason to. There are no occasions, other than a job in business, where suits are a normality. If I went out wearing a suit every weekend, I would probably be laughed at by both men and women.

Where I struggle is dressing down in casual wear, especially outside of winter. When going to university, shopping malls etc. jeans and a T-Shirt are my only option and 3/4 seasons it's to hot to even do that. I usually end up getting lazy and wear extremely casual shorts, a T-Shirt and thongs/flip flops. In my opinion, all shoes look fucking horrible with shorts. Any suggestions for shoes that won't?

[Surreyman]

(09-07-2015 07:36 AM)Adrenaline Wrote:  

I consider myself pretty fashionable (for an Australian ) to the point of feeling overly metrosexual at times. The most effort 99% of guys go to here outside of work is jeans and a T-Shirt, or an untucked button down at the most.

When going out, I usually go for tight short sleeved shirts tucked into slim fit chinos with a nice casual belt and classy black or chocolate brown shoes. I wear short sleeves because they show off my muscular physique more, and I like to think of it as a unique personal style of mine. Any opinions on this?

I don't even an own a suit and have no reason to. There are no occasions, other than a job in business, where suits are a normality. If I went out wearing a suit every weekend, I would probably be laughed at by both men and women.

Where I struggle is dressing down in casual wear, especially outside of winter. When going to university, shopping malls etc. jeans and a T-Shirt are my only option and 3/4 seasons it's to hot to even do that. I usually end up getting lazy and wear extremely casual shorts, a T-Shirt and thongs/flip flops. In my opinion, all shoes look fucking horrible with shorts. Any suggestions for shoes that won't?

Suede lace ups, with slim fit chino/linen shorts. That was huge this summer in London. Guys still wear boat shoes as well. Suede's good because it doesn't have that 'oven effect' you get from normal leather.

[HonantheBarbarian]

Guys I got a wedding coming up and can't really afford to drop lots of change on a really great suit, so I decided to go with a Combatant Gentleman Slim Fit Charcoal. I am 5'11 160lbs light complexion.

I don't see myself needing it for much besides this event, however I like the idea of having a decent suit just in case something comes up or I want to dress it up a bit. This would be my first real suit purchase, and this would be my main and only suit. Is charcoal suitable in this regard? I would like relative freedom to wear it day or night across various seasons (I live in southern Cali).



In addition I plan to purchase 2 Oxford shirts from the same site, 2 ties as well as an extra pair of suit pants. They have an option of adding a vest which would essentially make it a 3 piece which I'm not sure about. I'm going to hold off on pocket squares until I get more used to suiting up.