Wedding dress

Drez

So I'm going to a wedding in less than a week. I bought myself a new black suit but apparently I need to wear other things under the suit, like a shirt. No shirt, no shoes, no wedding service.

I guess I'll get a white shirt.

Any advice on tie color and whether or not these shoes are "dressy enough"? http://www.amazon.com/Bostonian-Ipswich-Oxford-Shoes-Black/dp/B0033VHL7S/ref=sr_1_1?s=shoes&ie=UTF8&qid=1391432047&sr=1-1

Or if not those, any particular advice on shoes? I am 13W/14 so it's tough to pick out shoes in my size in brick and mortar stores.

Also, I'm only going to be gone for 2.5 days so I'm trying to minimize my luggage to carry-on if possible. What's the proper way to store a suit in luggage so it doesn't get all funked up?

Edit: I love red ties. Too showy? I dunno what's appropriate.

Edit 2: I need a new belt too. I'm lazy so I'm going to order online. What's the rule about picking a size, relative to your own waist size? Is this dressy enough: http://www.amazon.com/Florsheim-Big-Tall-Pebble-Grain-Leather/dp/B00C4RWTTC/ref=sr_1_9?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1391432777&sr=1-9

Djeet

Those shoes are fine. If taking formal wear I'd pack a garment bag, but this guy has a pretty good folding technique. As soon as you get to destination remove and hang your packed clothes.

Don't like red ties, but I think you're fine. Wouldn't go crazy with prints.

If you're buying a new belt, size it so the prong goes through a middle hole, so size it 2" longer than your waist (assuming no vanity sizing).

mts

tie color doesn't really matter for weddings. you can either try to m atch your date, or get a tie you could wear again

illig

now, these are just recommendations based on what i see the better dressed people at my work wear (and that i emulate) -

1. shoes:

i'd recommend a rounder/pointer toe dress shoe - square toes have been out of fashion for a while, and while the one you selected is barely squared off, it's still good to pick something that will still look fashionable in a few years

something like:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AYS7BYG/ref=s9_hps_bw_g309_ir21?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-7&pf_rd_r=0GX0GJPBQ13YSF3MET2D&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1615531262&pf_rd_i=2586244011

2. belt:

i prefer the type of belt buckle that sits on top of the belt rather than threading through it... the 'thread through' type tends to stress the leather, so you end up with a seam/bend right where you buckle

i also like much more plain belts (i.e. no faux thread detail - just nice thick leather) like so:
http://www.amazon.com/Kenneth-Cole-REACTION-Waldorf-Reversible/dp/B000O7PBDA/ref=sr_1_19?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1391444490&sr=1-19

for belts, you pick the size of your waist - they're a few inches longer than that, so you can safely buckle them...

3. tie:
plain red tie is what the republicans wear in washington DC (seriously - just look at CSPAN)... the tie is also your only way to customize your appearance assuming you're wearing a black suit and white shirt... so try going for a nice stripe or tartan...

something like:
http://www.amazon.com/100%-Silk-Woven-Burgundy-Striped/dp/B000W4MDCC/ref=sr_1_43?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1391444750&sr=1-43

also - pick something thinner... wide ties are also going out of fashion

4. transport - definitely get a garment bag. don't try to stick your suit in another bag b/c it'll come out looking awful, and you'll need to have it professionally ironed to look good again (trust me, trying to get the shoulders and lapels looking good yourself with a hotel room iron with non-working steam is almost impossible)

a cheap plastic bag, that folds in half for easy transport is more than enough:
http://www.amazon.com/Travel-Bag-Suit-Black-44/dp/B000KFUHPI/ref=sr_1_1?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1391444911&sr=1-1&keywords=suit+bag

in fact, you probably got one with your suit (if you didn't, go back to the store and ask for one - they'll probably throw it in for free)

Drez

Thanks!

Do you guys have an opinion on these three shoe styles?

http://www.dsw.com/shoe/bostonian+ipswich+oxford?prodId=198992&category=dsw12cat1970010&activeCats=cat20192,dsw12cat1970002,dsw12cat1970010
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/bostonian+wendell+oxford?prodId=dsw12prod3810403&category=dsw12cat1970010&activeCats=cat20192,dsw12cat1970002,dsw12cat1970010
http://www.dsw.com/shoe/nunn+bush+baker+oxford?prodId=292454&category=dsw12cat1970010&activeCats=cat20192,dsw12cat1970002,dsw12cat1970010

The third one is 10 dollars cheaper, but I kind of like it more. The only thing I don't like is that the bottom sole has some colorful logo.

Drez

@illig: Thanks! I'll take all that into consideration. I agree on narrower toe. Sadly I need 13W (13 2E) or 14 so choices are limited...

Djeet

@Drez have you looked at zappo's? They are not cheap (like you can get from DSW or amazon), but they've always given me 2-day shipping, they have a good selection of large/wide sizes, and exchanges are hassle-free (fit is very important to me and that's hard to guage when buying online).

Drez

No, I'll check them out too.

I'm not looking to spend too much but I could use a nice pair so whatevs, I may consider paying more than I wanted,

Drez

@illig: Belt-wise, something like this? http://www.amazon.com/Geoffrey-Beene-Big-Tall-Reversible-Plaque/dp/B00F9XNICK/ref=sr_1_49?s=apparel&ie=UTF8&qid=1391456570&sr=1-49

Deebaser

drez...
C21

Gaslight

I hate reversible belts. Aside from making you look like a cheap bum who can't afford more than one belt, they break quite easily, since on most of them the whole buckle has to rotate around a little post in order to make it "reversible."

badpoet

Second the reversible belt being a bad idea. They break all the time. I've had any number of good leather belts that I've had for years with no issues, but every reversible belt I've bought has been junk—whether I paid $20 or $50 for it.

I'd also suggest, depending on your size, to not go too skinny with the tie. I'm a striped tie (or even small patterns with space in them like dots or diamonds) kind of guy. Red striped ties like the ones that illig suggested are kind of power tieish, but if you like red there's nothing wrong with them.

Drez

Welp, I fly out Friday and this is a snowy week so my options are pretty much limited to Amazon Prime at this point.

I can't find a good pair of narrow shoes there or on DSW in my size that will ship in time. I'll try to go to Century 21, @Deebaser, but I dunno if I'll be able to. May be working from home the next two days.

So, bleh. I dunno.

Can I get away with slightly-squarish Oxfords?

Dhalphir

Is the wedding definitely suit and tie? The only reason I ask is that if the wedding doesn't specifically ask you to, you can easily skip the tie if you're more comfortable. I hate wearing ties with suits, I much prefer the more casual modern look with a coloured shirt and no tie with a suit - so I always avoid a tie if I can.

If unsure, I always take a tie in my pocket so that if anyone comments, I can whip it out and put it on.

Drez

I actually like wearing ties when I can. I can always take it off and stuff it in my pants.

pocket

pants pocket

Taeko

This post has been removed.

illig

Ooh, yeah. If you're near a C21, you can pick up a belt and tie quickly and cheaply. I understand the complaints about reversible belts - but honestly, if I get a year out of a $15 belt, I'm not going to complain.

Drez

I'm hoping this C21 has narrow shoes that fit.

InvisibleGriffin

If you're looking for new shoes, I'd suggest looking for something like these (123), specifically the design of the eyestay (I think that's the name for where the eyelets are). Wearing oxfords instead of derbies/bluchers gives you a bit more versatility going forward in that it is a bit more formal. Don't forget to match your leathers (basically, shiny black for patent shoes, normal, or really any, black for non-patent black shoes, a similar shade of brown for brown shoes).

For ties, black is the most correct for formal events and maroon is the most accepted alternative (particularly with a matching vest and white summer jacket, but that's not really relevant). If you don't like how fancy ties look when you're geared up, a colored pocket square (white, dark color like maroon or navy, or red) or carnation (white, red) is a nice touch.
For tie width, long ties should be roughly the width of your lapel, while bow ties should have a knot width somewhere between the distance between the outer corners of your eyes and the width of your face and a vertical width (how wide the wings of the untied band are) that's proportionate to your lapels (looking at the range, let's say the wing width should differ from 2.5" by the same amount your lapel differs from 3", so that a 3.25" lapel would prompt a 2.75" tie... or you could just buy the narrow bow tie at the store if you think your lapels look skinny and the normal tie otherwise).

zepherin

I wore a hello kitty tie to the lat wedding I went too. Most of the time the groom is happy to see you dressed well, because he remembers the time you woke up after a 4 day bender and had breakfast at Denny's wearing clothes homeless people passed up.

CelestialBadger

I went to a wedding a couple of years ago. Half the guests family from the East Coast. Half the guests friends from the West Coast. The difference was hilarious. East Coast people wearing suits, ties, and evening dress. West Coast people wearing ripped jeans, T-Shirts and piercings.

Basically, you can overthink this stuff.

MagicToaster

Drez wrote: »

Also, I'm only going to be gone for 2.5 days so I'm trying to minimize my luggage to carry-on if possible. What's the proper way to store a suit in luggage so it doesn't get all funked up?

When I got married, I had to fly with my tux in my suitcase for 40+ hours through 4 airports and a bus trip. I didn't want to carry it with me, so I just folded it in half and put it in the suitcase. I placed it sandwiched between clothes, just in case the suitcase was crushed. I also placed it in the vinyl soft cover that comes with the tux. It came back pristine and unwrinkled!

Do this at your own risk. I had enough time to take it to the cleaners if it was wrinkled or perhaps buy a last minute replacement.

November Fifth

Too late, but...

If you fly business or first class, you can wear your suit on to the plane, and they should have a place to hang your blazer.

They might hang it up anyway if you ask/beg nicely.