Four pairs of gray trousers

[Cufflink79]

I think a darker blue blazer with dark grey trousers can be a pleasing combination. It is a kind of an informal dark suit:

I use this look a lot and it works very well. Not just for daytime use, but put a nice bow tie with it and you can go into the evening if you don't have a tux.

BTW, which Bond movie is the above image from?

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[whyescalar]

Dr. No. Filmed in Jamaica.

[Costi]

put a nice bow tie with it and you can go into the evening if you don't have a tux.

Cufflink, I believe the only situation when you might go to a black tie event wearing blazer and slacks is when you are travelling without a dinner suit and receive an unexpected invitation. Any plain dark suit is still a better option in this case. If you DO decide to go, don't aggravate things by putting on a black tie - you risk being taken for a member of the staff. Just wear the blazer with a tie and people will understand that you don't have a dinner suit (with you) but you value their company more than the dress code. And that you know how to wear a blazer well, so you would probably know how to wear a dinner suit, too, if you had one at hand. The blazer is one of the most versatile pieces of dress, but it does have its limits, too.
A fresh salad is a better choice than false caviar at a dinner if you can't have the real thing on the table for whatever reason. Similarly, elegant dress is not just about good looks, it is a matter of honesty, too - ethics and aesthetics must support each other in sending out a message about you.

[storeynicholas]

Wearing dark gray flannels with a blue blazer is great if you are going to a retired Quarter-masters' beer fest.

[Cufflink79]

put a nice bow tie with it and you can go into the evening if you don't have a tux.

Cufflink, I believe the only situation when you might go to a black tie event wearing blazer and slacks is when you are travelling without a dinner suit and receive an unexpected invitation. Any plain dark suit is still a better option in this case. If you DO decide to go, don't aggravate things by putting on a black tie - you risk being taken for a member of the staff. Just wear the blazer with a tie and people will understand that you don't have a dinner suit (with you) but you value their company more than the dress code. And that you know how to wear a blazer well, so you would probably know how to wear a dinner suit, too, if you had one at hand. The blazer is one of the most versatile pieces of dress, but it does have its limits, too.
A fresh salad is a better choice than false caviar at a dinner if you can't have the real thing on the table for whatever reason. Similarly, elegant dress is not just about good looks, it is a matter of honesty, too - ethics and aesthetics must support each other in sending out a message about you.

Dear Costi:

I should have been more specific in stating which type of bow tie to wear with a blazer when unable to wear a tux. A good example was on New Year's Eve 2005 while visiting Wilmington Delaware. I was without a tux, (and still am) that day so I picked up a striped bow tie in the colors of bottle green, navy, and silver white. It worked very well with my navy blazer and gray trousers.

I got the idea from watching "The Great Gatsby", when Nick was invited to Gatsby's place for the first time for a party and was without a tux, so he wore a blazer and a nice striped necktie.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[Cufflink79]

Dr. No. Filmed in Jamaica.

Thanks Whyescalar, it's been so long since I've seen Dr. No I forgot that scene.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[Costi]

I picked up a striped bow tie in the colors of bottle green, navy, and silver white. It worked very well with my navy blazer and gray trousers.

...you know how to wear a blazer well, so you would probably know how to wear a dinner suit, too, if you had one at hand.

I'm glad we are of the same mind on this...

[Gruto]

But if he had a bit of contrast between trousers and coat to add interest to his dress...

Why shouldn't a dark blue blazer look good with dark grey trousers? I know that history tells us that a blue blazer took lighter coloured trousers but history cannot tell us today what delights the eye. I happen to like a combination of a well cut dark blue worsted SB blazer and a pair of dark grey worsted trousers, though the result depends a lot on the specific shades. Can a blue blazer with a pair of blue jeans be interesting? Of course. There is too much ruled bound thinking is this discussion

[Costi]

I have a question on this. I think a suit would be too formal to substitute for navy blazer/gray trousers in evening informal events, even if I use it without a tie - such as the Italians sometimes do. Could I substitute this ensemble for the stroller? Notwithstanding formality arguments/restrictions, it is an odd [double-breasted] jacket paired with patterned gray trousers, isn´t it? It would look less formal than a suit and tie and it would not look like I went directly from the office to the event stripped of the necktie.

For an informal evening, why not wear a B&W herringbone tweed jacket cut along town lines (flapped pockets, double vented) with patterned gray trousers or flannels instead of a stroller? Sober, townwear that doesn't "business". Not that anyone will know these days it is supposed to be semiformal attire, but a ventless black or dark gray coat with besom pockets, particularly if DB, too, doesn't look as good with an open shirt or even an ascot.
Why not a clearly non-office suit, such as a flannel one?

[Costi]

But if he had a bit of contrast between trousers and coat to add interest to his dress...

Why shouldn't a dark blue blazer look good with dark grey trousers? I know that history tells us that a blue blazer took lighter coloured trousers but history cannot tell us today what delights the eye.
...
There is too much ruled bound thinking is this discussion.

You surprise me, Gruto, you might as well know me better I said nothing about rules and I never thought about them when I replied - I said "interest", visual appeal. What delights the eye, in your own words.

I happen to like a combination of a well cut dark blue worsted SB blazer and a pair of dark grey worsted trousers, though the result depends a lot on the specific shades.

If you like it, wear it, but I personally don't see the fun of it: dark gray worsted with dark blue worsted conjures up images of a storm at night, or the bottom of the sea - it's not something I would choose to wear.

[radicaldog]

I think that dark grey trousers can work with a navy blazer only if the trousers are in very mottled woollen flannel: the light elements in the flannel and the contrast in texture make up for the lack in colour contrast.

[Lugano]

as it happens, I have just got some mid-grey Fox flannel [13-14oz] that has a slightly mottled appearance, to have a pair of trousers made to wear with a navy blazer...

I will post a picture if I am satisfied with the resulting look!

[Lugano]

well... here the Fox flannel trousers are with a linen jacket, a spring look...

I am far from displeased with them, the CMT price was good value.