Dinner suit for dinner?

[Elton]

Dear Gents

Having only ever worn a dinner a suit (hired) when required to do so for an occasion, I am considering wearing a dinner suite this weekend for dinner with my lady wife at a nice country hotel (not top class but well thought of) for valentines. It is likely that I will be the only gent in a dinner suit and wonder if I might be making a mistake? Should I wear what I like, and surely a dinner suit for dinner in a nice hotel is perfectly acceptable, or should I play it safe? If going for the safer option, I don’t want to wear a lounge suit as I can wear one of those 5 days a week. What would be a suitable alternative?

Regards

E

[Concordia]

There's what seems to be known as "cocktail attire"-- a white shirt and very fine dark suit that you wouldn't want to wear to the office. Or an adult-looking blazer equivalent. My first choice if you're at all unsure about being too formal.

On the other hand, if both of the members of your party dress formally, there's no real reason you shouldn't go black tie.

[hectorm]

Dear Elton,
Much of the thread linked below deals with what to wear for dinner in such environment and I believe that you´ll find it useful.

http://www.thelondonlounge.net/forum/vi ... =4&t=10555

Something tells me that you will not be that comfortable wearing black tie in that nice country inn. I agree with Concordia. My first choice -and far from those office/lounge weekdays suits- would be something like a velvet jacket with flannel trousers. And a favorite dark red necktie to honor my wife for valentines.

[Elton]

Dear Both

Thank you very much for the steer. Black velvet and flannels were in the back of my mind. Now I have three days to source

Thanks again

Elton

[Simon A]

Dinner suit is always appropriate after 6 for a nice dinner, regardless of what other people are wearing. If anyone chips you about wearing DJ, you channel Jack Donaghy and say, "What am I, a farmer?".

[rodes]

Next you could say,"This woman deserves my best", and raise the dinner suit, yourself, and most of all the woman, all to more rightful position.

[hectorm]

Black velvet and flannels were in the back of my mind. Now I have three days to source.

Since you´re hitting the stores, you don´t have to limit yourself to black. Very dark brown, blue or green velvet would look almost black (but more interesting) indoors or at night, and may be more versatile to wear during the day. I own an espresso velvet jacket that can be dressed up for nice dinners or dressed down (even with white jeans) for park strolling.

[Luca]

My personal instinct would be to go all out with the DJ, but that's just me.
Recently, we were going to a potentially elegant gathering but having dinner in a restaurant nearby before the event and I wore black tie; a woman I didn't know made it a point to offer compliments. The wife's not jealous, thank goodness. If, on the other hand, you don't like to tand out (and most people, in their heart of hearts, don't), I think that more conservative advice offered here makes a lot of sense.

[Luca]

...I own an espresso velvet jacket...

Darn you, Hectorm...
I immediately pictured that and now I'm going to have to get one...

[NJS]

Why not have the meal in your room and then wear just your birthday suits?

NJS

[Elton]

Why not have the meal in your room and then wear just your birthday suits?

NJS

Ha ha, that's a great idea ! Well I would but I want the wife to finish her supper. Anyway that particular suit is somewhat ill fitting.

[NJS]

Why not have the meal in your room and then wear just your birthday suits?

NJS

Ha ha, that's a great idea ! Well I would but I want the wife to finish her supper. Anyway that particular suit is somewhat ill fitting.

Seriously, though, it sounds as though you are going to an inn where most men will probably be wearing jumpers in the dining room and bar, so the velvet jacket idea is probably as formal as the setting will reasonably bear.
NJS

[salsatron]

I have two suggestions.

The first is to go with the dinner suit... but not full black tie. I frequently what is basically full black tie minus the dress shirt and bow tie and instead just wear a deep burgundy shirt (which I spruced up a bit by replacing the boring old buttons with some new shiny buttons). It looks wonderfully dapper and sexy without looking too formal at all.

The second is to go with a variation upon black lounge (or the stroller, or morning undress or whatever you want to call it). I replace the cashmere striped trousers with plain charcoal trousers, and the waistcoat with a burgundy velvet waistcoat. It looks smarter in some ways than the above whilst seeming more suitable for many environments as well.

Enjoy.