Casual Shirts for Suits

[Richard3]

Costi may have referred to something in that direction:

It's a Sicilian message. It means Luca Brasi sleeps with the fishes.

[Costi]

... says Clemenza

[RWS]

. . . . Are black ties considered funereal in Italy? How about elsewhere? . . . .

In certain circles and at certain times, at the least, in parts of the United States and South America, as well as of Europe.

[TVD]

Definitely in polite society in Germany and Central Europe. It is considered mourning attire. Obviously, the fashion forward may just think the black tie "Armani style".

[BirdofSydney]

How about a black polka-dot silk twill? Much less formal than woven silk, and very flexible.

My "go to" ties for informal occasions are all silk twill, often patterned whimsically (I have two duck prints, and I'm still looking). I eschew Hermes for the (much better constructed) likes of Leonard as well as a couple of 1980s vintage prints I've acquired at random. They're quite suited to a simple knot and a softer collar.

[uppercase]

Jeez, this news makes me think that I have to stop wearing the black grenadine altogether.

[alden]

I have to say that the current fashion of wearing a suit without a tie is very ugly. The trend that has been firmly rooted in Paris for decades, is catching on like wildfire in London as well.

The Parisians loathe the necktie believing that it is a symbol of conformity born of rampant Anglo Saxon capitalism. Not wearing a tie is to be militant and Socialist ..or maybe just a dupe because the tie is placed around our necks to provide color, to stimulate the imagination..it is the most artistic and creative article of dress.

An Ascot can replace the tie under certain conditions, but it is always more happy combined with an odd jacket.

uppercase, I am glad to see you have discovered the Ascot. I agree with Jona that you would wear it very well. BTW, the black grenadine was Aristotle O's favorite. I don't see any problems wearing such a tie in Southern Europe or anywhere else. It can be very chic. You might prefer a silk knit tie in black combined with a white shirt and POW suit like the one sen in the Parisian style post.

[bry2000]

Wearing a suit without a tie is indeed very commonly seen in London. I think the root of that is the dreaded business casual dress code that many firms allow. Most guys are unsure what constitutes business casual so I guess it is easiest to wear a suit and leave the tie at home. In the US, guys have no qualms about wearing khakis or black flat front trousers, a (too large) Polo button down shirt with the white undershirt exposed at the neck, and black square toed shoes.

[alden]

Business casual is clearly the culprit, but it does not excuse wearing a suit without a tie when an odd jacket would be all the more appropriate.

[edhayes]

I wear summer suits in seersucker, cotton or linen sometimes with polo shirts-usually buttoned at the collar.
Its hard for me to see myself wearing a casual shirt without a tie in the winter-I could imagine doing it with a flannel or tweed suit , a sweater vest and a polo shirt. Or a long sleeved polo shirt in wool. But, if I haven't done it in the last forty years-its not likely now.
There are men who can wear ascots-not me.

[Cantabrigian]

Revently, I've seen the suit-sans-tie look done pretty well in a couple of instances. It seems as though a necessary accesory is some sort of European accent and the situation has to be such that other people will be wearing khakis.

I know that I couldn't pull it off and I think it's as wrong as everyone has noted when someone otherwise should be wearing a proper suit. But I think there are certainly worse casual options.