The London Lounge

Are dark blue and dark grey pinstripe suits appropriate for evening wear, e.g., theatre, dinner, cocktails, receptions, etc

They're not egregiously wrong, and are more likely to be appropriate when some of the guests are expected to have come from work. Given an ample wardrobe and time to plan, however, I'd try for something else. Or at least go for a fabric that one wouldn't normally see in the office.

Personal taste only-- I don't think there's a hard and fast Rule prohibiting the practice.

Would a dark grey flannel suit be an improvement over a pinstripe for evening wear

Anonymous wrote:Would a dark grey flannel suit be an improvement over a pinstripe for evening wear

I'm probably going to go that way this evening.

I would suggest avoiding both pinstripes, chalks or any other overt pattern (and blazers) for evening wear.

M Alden

In many restaurants, theaters and other events, the room tends to be pretty warm so flannel may not be the most comfortable option.

If you can have a suit made in dark grey or navy grain de poudre, you'll have a stunning evening look. Black, as well.

Isn't black frowned upon by more conservative gents? I gather that dark grey or charcoal are preferred over plain black, is that correct?

I just acquired a nice vintage, slim cut blue pinstripe suit, two piece. What suggestions can people offer for shirt and tie? I plan on wearing it for casual occasions, I am in the Arts, not the corporate world... Solid color tie, on the thick side?

I welcome any thoughts.

Anonymous wrote:If you can have a suit made in dark grey or navy grain de poudre, you'll have a stunning evening look. .

Is there another name for this?

Louis Harmuth's dictionary of textiles defines it as a "Fulled French woolen cloth with a very light nap; obsolete."

- Couch

I really like pinstripes, especially the rather bold, widely spaced (1 to 1-1/2 inch) 'London'/'City' variety. For drinks after work it's fine, I should think, but if one can change, then a more subtle (i.e. invisible in penumbra) or solid color is certainly better. A dark blue suit (and they come in all weights) is tough to beat, for the evening.

Why not kill two birds with one stone? For business and festive occasions after work, wear a worsted pick and pick suit with a two-tone weave of black and dark grey. You can achieve much the same effect with a worsted pick and pick suit of navy blue with a subtle herringbone design. The repeat of the pattern, if kept to a reasonable size, adds visual interest to the fabric. Whether the suit is a double-breasted two-piece rig (preferable for standup affairs) or a single-breasted three-piece rig (preferable for theatre and supper afterwards), worsted pick and pick in a 14 Oz weight trumps pin and chalk stripes for pure elegance.

JMB