[Closed] Help! Need some 'smart' clothes for a wedding! Haven't a clue!

M&S.

Lotsa high St places, you'll find plenty choice.

Grey/bright shirt sounds odd to me. I'd go blue (safe), you might also get away with smart chinos which might have a better chance of being worn again?

^What he said. There are plenty of options for buying a suit for not that much money (a cheap suit that fits well is way better than an expensive one that doesn't) and as you are not part of the wedding party no-one is going to judge you provided you don't dress like a scruff.

M&S.

smart chinos

🙁 Ugh. You're already putting me off.

no-one is going to judge you provided you don't dress like a scruff

Forgot to add; the guests will moslty be northerners, with a fair few coming in from Newcastle, and many from 'farming communities', so I'd have to try very hard to look worse than some of them will probably look!

Don't be shy
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Forgot to add; the guests will moslty be northerners, with a fair few coming in from Newcastle

Then embrace your northern brethren by assuming their cultural mores. The question isn't what suit, but what tattoo ....

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White slacks
cornflower blue shirt ([u]iron it[/u])
Tan deck-shoes / keds (if you can get away with it. Or brown shoes - seem to work better with jeans for future use than black shoes)
oatmeal waistcoat

?

All potentially wearable again in different combos.

NEXT is a reasonable place to start. Personally I'd just go with a decent 2 piece suit and tie and save worrying about it. Assuming you go for dark blue as a nice safe colour, and decent well polished black shoes will look OK so you can save a bit there by getting an EBay search running now.

Forgot to add; the guests will moslty be northerners, with a fair few coming in from Newcastle, and many from 'farming communities', so I'd have to try very hard to look worse than some of them will probably look!

😯

Full Pearly King?

this look seems quite popular
[url= http://jeansandsheux.tumblr.com ]http://jeansandsheux.tumblr.com[/url]

Slaters menswear if you can find a branch. Very helpful, will judge what's best if you tell them, I got an interview suit from them, just right, even got it paid for by the DSS 🙂

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I would suggest you have 2 options here:

1. A, not too expensive, suit. You can get something wearable for £200 from Debenhams. Slaters or M&S. It won't be the height of sartorial excellence but it will do a job. Go for navy blue and team it with a pair of good shoes (black or brown, not square toed), a matching belt and a lightly patterned shirt (light blue or pink will do the job, nothing too loud) with no tie.

2. The dangerous world of "smart casual". blue or "khaki" Chino's or smart grey trousers, team it with a light blue or pink Oxford shirt, a navy or tweed jacket and a pair of brown shoes (ideally brogues).

PErsonally, I'd go with a suit as you can wear it again for weddings/funerals/christenings/etc. Plus, you'll struggle to get a suit wrong, smart casual is a whole minefield of sartorial sins in waiting.

Chaity shop - a selection of worn, ill fitting and musty tweed garments should help you fit in nicely.

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you could do a lot worse than look at some of these examples, slightly dressed down but will look a lot smarter than some plain navy funeral/interview/court case thing from moss gross.

[url= http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2014-05/22/best-mens-summer-suits-for-every-budget ]http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/articles/2014-05/22/best-mens-summer-suits-for-every-budget[/url]

i have the universal works suit (no5) for smart not not that smart everyday wear and client meetings, it’s too unstructured for a wedding though.

The question isn't what suit, but what tattoo ....

😆 I dn't have the guts (literally) to pull that off!

NEXT is a reasonable place to start. Personally I'd just go with a decent 2 piece suit and tie and save worrying about it

Yeah, a suit wold be 'safe', but would then sit unused in the wardrobe (I'm not planning on any regular court appearences for the forseeable future). I might just pop into the west end To see what's what. C+A, Littlewoods and BHS shold have somethng.

I just picked up some Loudmouth trousers for a wedding I'm going to in a couple of weeks.

Main aim: upstage the bride!

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C+A, Littlewoods and BHS shold have somethng.

C&A left the U.K. market in 2001. probably about the same time being smart ceased being a priority 😉
if you are never going to wear any of this again you might as well spend the money in H&M and Uniqlo, you will at least look like you might have made the effort and will have spent very little 😕

C&A left the U.K. market in 2001

😯 I think my last suit was actually from C+A. Shows how out of touch with this bracnh of 'fashion' I am. Thanks for your suggestions above, although looking at such things depresses me. 🙁

if you are never going to wear any of this again you might as well spend the money in H&M and Uniqlo, you will at least look like you might have made the effort and will have spent very little

That is exactly what I'm aiming at. And Uniqlo actually do some really nice jeans, if you hunt a bit.

Binners; you're a ****. 😆

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Spend enough time on STW and this might be a useful addition to your wardrobe?

I'm not fat enough for a tellytubby outfit!

Here you go - John Lewis

http://www.theguardian.com/fashion/video/2013/sep/18/man-guide-what-wear-wedding-guest-video

you are probably slim enough for the style crime of tucking in a badly fitted shirt that balloons over the top of your trousers then. 😯

uniqlo (and others) do slim fitted shirts, its not the 80’s on wall st anymore.

Well, I managed to endure a few hours in the west end, although why anyone would enjoy that experience is beyond me. A truly degrading experience for all involved. And the place is packed with the spoilt brats of rich people, it seems. However; I found a reasonable pair of plain grey chinos in Uniqlo, and a nice fitting shirt in Ted Baker. I couldn't bring myself to try any jackets on; they either looked too smart, or made me think of Alan Partridge. I really can't beleive anyone genuinely thinks 'smart casual' is a good look. it's not, you look like a ****. Partridge is a piss-take, not an homage. Shoes: pretty much all nastines everywhere I looked, from cheap to expensive hand made. The Natural Shoe Store had some comfy looking shoes, but I'll have to go back with some socks (was wearing sandals).

Here you go - John Lewis

Thats a sppof, right? No way can that be for real. That bloke is the last person I'd take style is from. Look at him for christ sake! 😯

TK-Maxx did have a wild dark green silk jacket that I actually liked, but fortunately it was too expensive for a 'fun' item. So, jacket and shoes now. Get yer thinking caps on folks!

Charity shop.

Cost me £4.
[url= https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6013/5923222071_1bff44b715_o.jp g" target="_blank">https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6013/5923222071_1bff44b715_o.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/a2q4yt ]dapper[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/people// ]Jon Wyatt[/url], on Flickr

I tell you what, I've never realised how handsome I look there.

Bottom button done-up sartorial fail. 🙄

😯

It doesn't matter. I still look great.

Erm, yeah, rifght, o-kay....

You were doing ok until I scrolled down to reveal the socks and shoes. 😯

That's right. Gold shoes.

Not everyone can carry them off.

😆

I'll have to go back with some socks

because absolutely nowhere sells socks?

You obviously don't like shopping and you're not very good at it, so having to go back will be good practice...

You obviously don't like shopping and you're not very good at it

I don't and I'm not. And I don't want to go back.

Should have bought some socks then - you'll need some of them for the wedding.

Nope. In today's awful, awful fashion craziness, even if you have no socks, you've been catered for.

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Get stuff from online sales/clearance from e.g. Austin Reed,Hawes and Curtis.

Go buy a cheap but smart looking suit e.g. Dark navy but not black.

White shirt and a nice tie, socks and shoes.

Then get yourself in shape for future events.

Always have a suit in the wardrobe at the ready.

Wear a suit to work saves all this hassle depending in their job.

A, not too expensive, suit. You can get something wearable for £200 from Debenhams.

Those 2 sentences do not belong together in my mind! £200 not too expensive 😯

'Smart' clothes you say?

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Ooh, it's got an optical sensor and a data bus! 😮

I think I will actually trawl some charity shops,as there are some very affluent people round here, and the shops are full of good stuff. Tried Austin Reed, but two oldfogies looked at melike I was dirt, and made a point of not coming to see if I needed anything, so sod em. Got another week and a bit so no big drama. I'll find something. Back up option is a v-neck sweater for if it's a bit chilly.

Wear a suit to work saves all this hassle depending in their job.

Fortunately I've never had to wear a suit to work. Andmy last interview, Iwas wearing a scruffy t-shirt with shorts and sandals,and drinking a beer. 😆 The job was in the bag. 8)

Here. Good quality suits, shirts and ties at reasonable prices.

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Why is this so hard?
You have wife. Send her out. She'll enjoy it and the virtue is you can say you hate what she buys, wear it with forced humour and never wear it again.

Reiss

I would probably go to Reiss as well. Or maybe Ted Baker or John Lewis.

Depends on your build really, as M&S and Next just don't fit a skinny person IME. Also depends what your local town has.

But I would get the sales assistant to help out and not have to use my brain too much. Try a few things on and hang over large amount of money is enough of a shock without having to think about it.

Get a suit, you say you'll never use it but there will be almost certainly other occasions in the future when will need to dress smart and it's always there. Trying to be clever with "smart casual" is a fashion mind field which you are likely to fail at and will date quickly.

Definitely over thinking this. A smart pair of trousers and a fitted, double cuff shirt (go simple - white/blue/pink) with cufflinks, nice belt and a pair of shoes, brown brogues for example will still go well with jeans after the event. Add a jacket, or don't. It doesn't matter.

Geordie Jeans?

I'm really quite glad I decided to ignore this thread in the end, as in hindsight, it was very foolish to ask for sartorial advice on this particular forum. 😆

A smart pair of trousers and a fitted, double cuff shirt (go simple - white/blue/pink) with cufflinks, nice belt and a pair of shoes, brown brogues for example will still go well with jeans after the event.

😆 Worth it for the comedy value alone. I must confess that I didn't actually expect any truly useful advice on a forum populated by mainly middle aged British men, and I've not been disappointed as a result. But thanks for trying anyway folks.

Oh, and I ended up looking fantastic anyway, without really trying. But hey; some of us have got it; the rest of you just want it. 8)

Ok, there was some crap advice on this thread - but also some good advice too. Whilst I'm sure you looked great there were other options presented that would also have looked good. Personally I don't think you can go far wrong at a contemporary wedding with lounge suit, blue/lilac shirt and matching tie. Doesn't look like you've tried too hard or that you've conversely not taken the wedding seriously.

But then what do I know about formal occasions - I thought that someone turning up at a fairly traditional elderly mans funeral in 3/4 length combats and a band t-shirt was out of order the other week... Many people may have thought it was fine.

samuri - Member
That's right. Gold shoes.
Not everyone can carry them off.

When you find that person - let us all know 😉

Personally I don't think you can go far wrong at a contemporary wedding with lounge suit, blue/lilac shirt and matching tie.

Everyone with no sense of style or imagination will go for such a 'look'. There were a few at this wedding like that. It's really boring, which I was hoping to avoid. But then, the whoe shirt/trousers/jacket thig is bloody boring anyway, no matter what 'daring' colours oyu use. Convention leads to staid conservatism.

This thread is a bit tragic, I don't really see how you can be entitled to an opinion on what looks good when all you wear are shorts and sandals - I assume with white socks?

Reiss.
Reiss.
Reiss.
Reiss.
Reiss.
Reiss.
Reiss.
Reiss.

(Can't think why this shop name is stuck in my brain.)

I don't ever wear socks with sandals. Surprised that you'd assume that; is that what you'd do?

I don't really see how you can be entitled to an opinion on what looks good when all you wear are shorts and sandals

I don't really think you can be entitled to an opinion on my sartorial skills, when all you think I wear are shorts and sandals.

Pillock. 😉

You say tht, but then oyure the one who thinks "brown brogues for example will still go well with jeans after the event"

😆

Worth it for the comedy value alone. I must confess that I didn't actually expect any truly useful advice on a forum populated by mainly middle aged British men, and I've not been disappointed as a result. But thanks for trying anyway folks.

Oh, and I ended up looking fantastic anyway, without really trying. But hey; some of us have got it; the rest of you just want it

Blimey. Are you sure you're old enough to have a wife? 😉

Whenever I have to buy smart clothes, I go around smart clothes shops til I find a camp man, and get him to tell me what to buy. All the better if he's foreign. You'll never go far wrong with this approach

Northwind, you cruel beast. [i]*flaps cravat, mops British brow & flounces out in a pair of ill-fitting chinos*[/i]

So my wife has told me I will need 'somthing smart' for a wedding on the 26th. The last time I worse anything vaguely 'smart' was about 7-8 years ago, and none of it fits me anymore/has been thrown out. I don't do 'smart', as I fortunately don't need to in worketc. But apparently, shorts and sandals won't cut it, so I've been ordered to go shopping. Trouble is, I haven't a clue where to start! I won't be required to wear a morning suit or look like a penguin, and as we're travelling, a ful on suit, shirt tie etc won't be expected of me, plus I'm doing some photos so can get away with being a bit more comfortable. But I do need to look presentable, so need to work out what to get and where to get it. London based so good for shops. I'm thinking grey trousers with a bright coloued shirt, more 'causual' jacket (stuff that might get worn again not put in the wardrobe for another 8 years). Simple but useable black shoes.

So, any ideas? Budget is 'modest', before you start telling me to go to Savill Row etc!

Followed by this:

I'm really quite glad I decided to ignore this thread in the end, as in hindsight, it was very foolish to ask for sartorial advice on this particular forum.

A smart pair of trousers and a fitted, double cuff shirt (go simple - white/blue/pink) with cufflinks, nice belt and a pair of shoes, brown brogues for example will still go well with jeans after the event.
Worth it for the comedy value alone. I must confess that I didn't actually expect any truly useful advice on a forum populated by mainly middle aged British men, and I've not been disappointed as a result. But thanks for trying anyway folks.

Oh, and I ended up looking fantastic anyway, without really trying. But hey; some of us have got it; the rest of you just want it.

Followed by this:

Personally I don't think you can go far wrong at a contemporary wedding with lounge suit, blue/lilac shirt and matching tie.
Everyone with no sense of style or imagination will go for such a 'look'. There were a few at this wedding like that. It's really boring, which I was hoping to avoid. But then, the whoe shirt/trousers/jacket thig is bloody boring anyway, no matter what 'daring' colours oyu use. Convention leads to staid conservatism.

So which is it? A typical Brit male who dresses like a sack of shi*e through boredom, indifference or a lack of social occasion to warrant smartening up or a sartorial style guru with the knack of getting it right, making it look effortless and not trying to hard?

No; someone who was bored and felt like having a laugh. Thnks for helping facilitate such an outcome. 😉

Oh, and I ended up looking fantastic anyway, without really trying. But hey; some of us have got it; the rest of you just want it.

Oh, and pics or it didn't happen.

My money's on "it didn't happen".

EDIT: crossed posts. So there was no wedding? You really didn't need advice or suggestions for an outfit?

There was a wedding. i know how todress myself. I was bored, and thought it would be a giggle to ask for 'fashion advice' on here. I wasn't disapointed.

You really didn't need advice or suggestions for an outfit?

What, on here? You really need to ask that? 😆

DD, what are you saying?

Are you suggesting a man that clearly oozes sex appeal, may actually be someone that has got a bit porky in recent years, needs his wife to tell him a wedding is a smart occasion and then turns to a forum he's been a member of for a couple of months, for advice on how to dress himself?

What illogical nonsense!

EDIT: He's back....and it appears it was all a joke. The smooth bastard. I've already knackered my gusset.

You really need to ask that?

Oh, I had assumed you were the kind of guy who'd have to ask and that's why you did. My apologies. It's just a "take things at face value" habit that I have. 😐

So, what did you wear?

You are Nick Wooster and I claim my £5

*googles Nick Wooster*

😀

Not going to Pitti this year then DD?

Oh I see, sticking to flicking through the next catalogue. 🙄

Next?? Bit stylish innit?

George at Asda all the way for me. Got me a nice pair of pointy brown shoes to wear with my new boot cut jeans this weekend. I'm going to look better than the OP.

I'll look out for you here on this style blog: [url= http://jeansandsheux.tumblr.com ]http://jeansandsheux.tumblr.com[/url]
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😆

I was only telling somebody about that blog during the week. Some fabulous combos in there. 🙂

I would look out for you too - but I am now feeling too self-conscious to leave the house...

Everyone with no sense of style or imagination will go for such a 'look'. There were a few at this wedding like that. It's really boring, which I was hoping to avoid.

Depends on how you wear it dahllling...

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