Looking for opinions on this ensemble for an informal dinner.

[The Wingnut]

I've been invited to a dinner at a friend's house (which is very upscale) and will be for the majority of the evening the only man present with exception to my host. He'll be in a sweater and slacks. This is the ensemble I've put together. I'm hoping it's not excessively casual or formal.

The rest of the guests are professional Bay Area women in their 30s and are, according to my friend, 'not into vintage'. I'm trying to keep to my tastes and still look classy and modern.

 

[CharlesB]

i dont like the sweater tucked in look.

 

[Tomasso]

A Stellar Look!

ooooooooooo

 

[CharlestonBows]

Maybe untuck the sweater, and add a subtle cotton square in a tv fold to the breast pocket.

The look is very momochrome, which is fine. I would, personally, go with either a lighter ecru or white shirt for contrast. Or maybe a dark, chocolate brown to get a little crazy. [huh]

But it works well. If it's the level of formality you're concerned with, I think you're spot on.

 

[Dr Doran]

I think it looks very good, AJ.

 

[Feraud]

Looks good.

 

[Jay]

Everything looks fine the way it is, in my opinion. Maybe flip the shirt collar over the jacket for something extra.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

It all depends

Do you want to make a strong statement, or blend-in and not get noticed? Do you want to look trendy or classic?

If you're seeking to blend-in, un-tuck the sweater and doff the sports jacket shortly after arrival; go with sweater and slacks like your host.

If you want a strong statement, classic and elegant, add an ascot (day cravat) and a prominently displayed pocket square.

If you want a strong statement, young and trendy, un-tuck the sweater and the shirt and display 6 inches or more of shirttail hanging below the sweater.

If you want to strike a good balance among these factors, with just a touch of vintage (tucked-in sweater), go with exactly what you have. :eusa_clap

 

[Wolfmanjack]

Maybe flip the shirt collar over the jacket for something extra.

Great idea, Jay! The shirt collar spread over the jacket would tie-in perfectly with the tucked-in sweater and make it clear that he is reaching for a vintage '40's look.

 

[Dr Doran]

Great idea, Jay! The shirt collar spread over the jacket would tie-in perfectly with the tucked-in sweater and make it clear that he is reaching for a vintage '40's look.

That would look good, yes.

 

[The Wingnut]

I'm trying to avoid a period look in this case, actually. Out of character for me, I know, but considering the audience, I'm going for timeless and classy. Flipping the collar over the jacket will not say '40s to them, but it WILL say '70s.

I tucked the sweater in because it's unusually LONG in the torso. Flipping the bottom knit under negates this a bit, but it's still fairly long.

I considered a red shirt while browsing through BCF last night. It would pick up the color in the shoes(brogued captoe oxblood Dexters) and give me a bit of a departure from what Charleston Bows described as monotone.

I have a friend showing up later in full vintage regalia and I can't help but think he's going to come off overdressed and a bit affected. I'd normally go right along with his look, but it's too formal for this dinner and it's not a crowd that would appreciate the look.

...I'll be packing a tie in the pocket of the coat and a hat in the car for later should we hit the town for drinks.

 

[CharlestonBows]

I tucked the sweater in because it's unusually LONG in the torso. Flipping the bottom knit under negates this a bit, but it's still fairly long.

Fair enough!

 

[Hemingway Jones]

Tucking the sweater is slimming and very prep. You may be a little warm, but as far as looks go, that outfit is stellar. It would fit in at any well-dressed dinner party here in Boston.

 

[Wolfmanjack]

...considering the audience, I'm going for timeless and classy. Flipping the collar over the jacket will not say '40s to them, but it WILL say '70s.

Sad, but true.

Another thought: consider trading the corduroy trousers, which will be wrinkled and baggy after a short ride in the car, for a nice a pair of wool flannels to combine with the camel hair jacket.

In my experience (albeit more limited than I would like), 30-something women warm-up to expensive, tactile fabrics, viz.: cashmere, camel hair, wool flannel, and silk. Have you considered a good-quality, solid-color silk shirt under the camel hair sports coat? You would be comfortable and relaxed ...and so would your audience.

 

[Tomasso]

I tuck my sweaters on occasion and was once asked by a woman why I did so. Before I could respond another woman blurted out, "Because he can!" It's a look which requires a very flat belly.

 

[LolitaHaze]

I like that look!! I'd like to see it without the jacket for funzies!

 

[Zemke Fan]

Anyway you go...

... you'll look great. The sweater untucked -- even with a long length -- might work better with the *non-vintage* ladies, but that's just MHO. The cords will work fine!

 

[dhermann1]

I think it looks great. When I first saw a ski sweater tucked in on John Payne in "It Happened in Sun Valley", I was totally shocked. But now I really like the look. The ascot would be great, if slightly over the top. I don't know what kind of crowd you'll be mixing with, but I say at least look at yourself in the mirror with an ascot.
And to really top it off, how about a beret? And maybe you could grow a skinny mustache overnight??? (Aw, shut up, Hermann!)
BTW, I see you solved the problem with the back of that wing chair. Perfect.

 

[Dr Doran]

Flipping the collar over the jacket will not say '40s to them, but it WILL say '70s..

Smart point -- I had not thought of that. One must always consider one's audience.

 

[reetpleat]

Do you want to make a strong statement, or blend-in and not get noticed? Do you want to look trendy or classic?

If you're seeking to blend-in, un-tuck the sweater and doff the sports jacket shortly after arrival; go with sweater and slacks like your host.

If you want a strong statement, classic and elegant, add an ascot (day cravat) and a prominently displayed pocket square.

If you want a strong statement, young and trendy, un-tuck the sweater and the shirt and display 6 inches or more of shirttail hanging below the sweater.

If you want to strike a good balance among these factors, with just a touch of vintage (tucked-in sweater), go with exactly what you have. :eusa_clap

I was thinking the same thing. For a vintage look, the tucked sweater is perfect and an ascotwould really do the trick.

I think from a visual perspective, the collar would look better over the jacket. But might look odd to non vintage people. For modern look untuck the sweater and skip the ascot.

Anyway it will lookfine though as it is not too odd, but elegant and tasteful