I have a clue, but want opinions

[mannySpaghetti]

My wife's got a high school reunion coming up and I figured I'd use this as an opportunity to buy a new suit. I found one I really like and a pair of shoes as well. The suits a charcoal grey and the shoes, well as you can see, black and white. Do you think that's way too much dark? I thought maybe I'd go with some grey shoes to offset the darkness of my getup, but I'm not too sure if that's the way to go. Like say the two tone wingtip or solid oxford below. I'll be topping it off with my favorite lid, a Dobbs "Fifteen" and my black DB topcoat, the very ones in my avatar. I was also thinking if I should go with suspenders or just a plain 'ole belt. I don't want to look "zooty" and wouldn't mind opinions there as well. The shoes are by far my biggest issue though and this is where I need the help most. All comments are appreciated, thanks Loungers.

 

[kuwisdelu]

I'd throw the color in with a burgundy tie and nice pocket square rather than worry so much about the shoes. A good dark burgundy cap toe would work well too, though, I think.

 

[cptjeff]

It's not too much dark. Charcoal is a nice color for a suit. I would stick with the solid color oxfords though- the black and white wingtips, while nice, would make you look rather zooty with the DB suit.

And please tell me you're not going to wear the contrasting collar shirt with the huge knot on the tie. I can't stand either of those looks.

 

[davestlouis]

I think it depends on whether you want to look like one of Capone's goons from the 1930s or a modern businessman. I like a lot of charcoal adn black, with any color coming from the tie. Spectators would not be my choice, Black lace up oxfords would be my preference, or even oxblood. The oxblood would add something other than grayscale to the outfit as well. I don't mind the contrasting color shirt collar, unless the body of the shirt is gray, then yuck. Be advised that these are nothing but my personal opinion and I'm no expert by any stretch...just an interested observer.

 

[Orgetorix]

Two-tone shoes are informal, and thus not really appropriate for the businesslike formality of a pinstriped suit. Unless, as has been said, you're going for a costume look, consider some plain black oxfords with that suit.

 

[Cigarband]

For an evening event, I'd go with the suggested Burgundy
shoes. Solid light blue shirt and small colored pattern on a dark blue tie, (small knot).
Beige or champagne silk pocket square. Just a thought.

 

[Feraud]

Go for the black shoes.

 

[mannySpaghetti]

Well, since I already own some black oxfords, I'll be going with those I'm sure. Thanks for saving me some dough folks! But I do have some burgundy ones somewhere though...hmmmm? I'll have to dig around through some moving boxes a little. I'll be wearing a plain white french cuffed shirt and I have a gaggle of ties that should work which I'll probably post up and see what yous think. any other suggestions are still welcomed too. I don't want to miss a step.

....I was just looking at some tie/cufflink/pocket square combos and wonder if I should stay away from something with lines in them thinking they might clash with the pinstripes.

or should I stay with something solid like...

 

[Tomasso]

contrasting collar shirt with the huge knot on the tie. I can't stand either of those looks.

I'm with you on the knot but the shirt is doable..

 

[cookie]

Where's that linen DB from Tomasso?

 

[David V]

....I was just looking at some tie/cufflink/pocket square combos and wonder if I should stay away from something with lines in them thinking they might clash with the pinstripes.

or should I stay with something solid like...

Please, no matching tie square and cuff links.

 

[Feraud]

For color scheme inspiration I suggest browsing these stickies -
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=10662
http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=43676
etc.
There are more stickies in the room.

I really like this one -

 

[mannySpaghetti]

Those are great thread Feraud. Thanks for pointing me in that direction.

Please, no matching tie square and cuff links.

Lol It's a bad habit I have.

 

[avedwards]

I have a charcoal/black SB pinstriped suit. I wear it with a white shirt and grey on grey patterned tie or a red tie. I personally prefer a white linen or cotton pocket square, simply because it isn't too attention-seeking. I think a blue shirt is fine too, but I don't like this too much as it lacks the formality of the white shirt. Sometimes I wear a white shirt with blue stripes, as this contrasts a red tie nicely.

I'm also inclined to think that matching tie, pocket square and cufflinks are a bad thing. Cufflinks are usually made of metal as well, so I think if anything they should match your watch or belt buckle but not the pocket square or tie which are made of cloth.

As for whether to wear a belt or braces, I hardly think it matters with a DB suit. It should stay fastened all the time so whatever waist covering you wear won't show. Just wear whatever you find comfortable.