Is this OK for a wedding ( help a newbie :)

ukali1066 · Dec 10, 2007

Hi guys,

I'm a newcomer to smart styles, you all look great on here in your vintage threads.

Now I haven't worn a suit in my entire life...I've stumbled through 33 years of life in hip hop/skater style fashions....so I need your guidance...my friend is getting married, but I may wear the suit out and about too if I like it.

I've finally wanted to actually dress like a man...Here's what I've bought on ebay this week.

This is the ensemble I have in mind, the 3 piece suit is wool, 1970's and tailor made...all I can afford at the time....the trouser legs are straight not flared though, here's the sellers description:

A very nice tailor made fitted suit from the 70s tailored by Leslie Andrews, the jacket feature fitted waistline, double vent, rounded lapels two button fasting with the button well appointed, three buttons on each sleeve, four pockets one inside and three outside, the jacket is lined with 100% viscose, the lapel has the rose slit which is well appointed too, the trousers are a tight straight cut featuring two side pockets, one button down back pockets, 2" to let down if required, yet again showing off the quality of the tailoring This is a very well made vintage suit and in fantastic condition, made in England,
by Leslie Andrews

Brown leather brogues and a maroon spotted tie, with a white shirt to boot.

Does it match ??????

imoldfashioned · Dec 10, 2007

That suit is marvelous--I love the fabric and any man wearing a vest gets bonus points in my style book--and the shoes are very stylish too.

Ugarte · Dec 10, 2007

I like that suit a lot. To my mind, the only questionable thing about that outfit is that it isn't the kind of neutral, dark color that I have usually seen at occasions like weddings.

Where is the wedding and what time of day? And what about a hat?

Mark

Mark from Plano · Dec 10, 2007

Should be great. Tell us a bit more about the wedding. Assuming that the invitation doesn't say "black tie" (doubtful) you should be fine.

Buy yourself a solid cream (not white) colored shirt (preferably a spread collar with french cuffs...the kind that take cufflinks) and you'll be one of the best dressed guys there.

Great shoes by the way. Go with brown socks (just about any tone will work, but they should probably be solid given the pattern in the suit...just to be safe).

Tie will go great with that suit.

I would suggest adding a pocket square, but I'm puzzled about what to suggest without seeing some choices. A solid, perhaps in cream colored silk would work great, but so would a paisley with predominantly maroon colors (though again, much riskier).

ukali1066 · Dec 10, 2007

Cheers guys, great advice there...many thanks !

The wedding is very casual and it would have been ok to even not wear a suit, but thought I would for once.

I want to be showing quite a bit of shirt cuff...a lot of guys these days wear their jacket sleeves to long...

The cream shirt is a great idea...I just measured my scrawny neck and it's 15 inches...better start hunting for a good shirt

Mike in Seattle · Dec 10, 2007

Since you're not a member of the wedding party, I think it's a great outfit. But do keep in mind or check with your friends on the style of wedding they're having. IE, if they're expecting black tie, I'd go with something else. And even so, that's a great outfit for so many other ocassions.

Spitfire · Dec 10, 2007

OK? It's great!!!!
If the wedding is a bit relaxed - you might even go for a cravat - same pattern/color as the tie.
With matchin maroon socks!

Baron Kurtz · Dec 10, 2007

That suit is great. My paternal grandad wore suits like that, and he always looked cool.

bk

wedding belle · Dec 10, 2007

Lovely suit

I'm sure you'll cut quite a dash

Jovan · Dec 10, 2007

The fact that this is your first suit and it's a three piece vintage one, well, is great. It should hold up for years to come and will be pretty versatile with the waistcoat. My first suit was a pretty unfortunate choice in retrospect and I should have given myself a lot more time.

I think a white shirt and cotton/linen pocket square would look just fine. If you're going to do a pocket square, I'd keep it to a plain or TV fold, since the suit pattern is already making a lot of impact.

How far away is the wedding? If you haven't gotten the suit yet, you should be sure you have time enough to get alterations if it doesn't fit perfectly (and this can happen even if all the measurements seem spot on from the description). Make sure you're comfortable above all else. Since this is both a vintage and tailor made suit, the armholes should allow a good amount of movement in that area. Many modern suits are cut with large armholes which restrict movement a lot. Also, the trousers may be cut with a fairly low rise if it's from the '70s, but you may already know how they fit from the description.

Overall, I think you're doing pretty well for yourself as a first time suit wearer.

eightbore · Dec 10, 2007

The suit is absolutely fabulous but seems a bit "country-ish" for a wedding....unless the wedding is taking place outdoors.

JMHO,

eightbore

Ugarte · Dec 10, 2007

The OP said the wedding was casual and a suit was optional. That being the case, I think this outfit just fits the bill. The more I look at those shoes, the more I want them.

I would also recommend dressing it up a bit with a white (or cream, or tan) shirt with French cuffs. I would favor barrel-rolling the cuffs, so if you could find an inexpensive pair of double cufflinks, rather than the more common shank type, that would be uber cool. A vintage shirt with a soft collar and a gold collar bar would look really nice as well.

It's not an ideal first suit, but you've made it this far with no suit at all, you may never need the dark, conservative business ensemble so commonly associated with what my father referred to as "real clothes".

Mark

.

ukali1066 · Dec 10, 2007

Many thanks guys !

I'm very flattered with all the responses and very grateful for the help

The wedding isn't actually until June, so I have plenty of time if alterations need to be made

imoldfashioned · Dec 10, 2007

eightbore said:
The suit is absolutely fabulous but seems a bit "country-ish" ...

Oh, but that's part of what I like about it. Plus, I always admire folks who step out of line a bit sartorially--I think the suit is still formal enough for a wedding but different enough to be interesting.

ukali1066 · Dec 10, 2007

Haha yeah if you saw me hun...you'd realise how "sartorially out of line" I am....

imoldfashioned · Dec 10, 2007

ukali1066 said:
Haha yeah if you saw me hun...you'd realise how "sartorially out of line" I am....

Ah, but you're here aren't you? I can just feel that new leaf turning over!

ukali1066 · Dec 10, 2007

Haha yeah....I'm getting my therapy from the Fedora lounge community

Edward · Dec 11, 2007

Good looking suit, excellent choice on the tie / shoes front. I'd go with gold-toned cufflinks with it. White shirt should be fine, though a cream or even a subtle primrose should work well with the warm brown tones. How about a hat for travelling there and any time spent outside? A brown fedora would be great; as the wedding is in June a panama would also be a good option.

Miss_Bella_Hell · Dec 11, 2007

ukali1066 said:
Haha yeah if you saw me hun...you'd realise how "sartorially out of line" I am....

We'll have you spending all your money on ebay in no time.

Zastrozzi · Dec 14, 2007

The suit looks good - I'd agree with what others have said about a 'country' look but you know the happy couple and we don't, so go with your instinct. It's a fine looking suit, that's for sure.

My only comment would be that the brogues look like they're straight out of the box - a couple of evenings with polish and water would age them up nicely to match the suit, and protect them too...

Is this OK for a wedding ( help a newbie :)

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