What to wear for a reception?

July 26, 2009 5:51 AM

What is "summer glamour" for men at a wedding reception?

Me + Mrs Rus have been invited to the reception/evening disco of a friends wedding. The theme is summer glamour. Can anyone thing of something funky that I could wear beyond a suit+shirt+tie combo or is that perhaps the best thing to wear? UK based if it has any bearing

posted by rus to clothing, beauty, & fashion (15 comments total)

A white suit, properly fitted, with interesting, coordinated shoes, will do like a charm. Add a boutonniere, a GOOD tie (or better, a good bowtie), and, perhaps, a hat to match (white or ivory with a band of color) and you will look both season appropriate and glamorous.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:15 AM on July 26

Now that I think of it, Tom Wolfe is known for variations of this look. Look for pictures of him and you'll see what I mean. He often wears dark shirts with his white suits, though. I'd keep it light.
posted by ocherdraco at 6:23 AM on July 26

The above with an ivory linen suit.
posted by jgirl at 6:28 AM on July 26

A seersucker suit is the timeless summer classic. eHow to Wear a Seersucker suit.
posted by paulsc at 7:30 AM on July 26

I would take a slightly different angle. I would think that the key would be to wear something shiny/sparkly with some colour in it, whether with pale or dark trousers or suit. This could be a dark suit with a bright shirt (and possible tie) or something lighter.

You know the couple in question better than we do, obviously, but my immediate reading of "summer glamour" is "something shiny."
posted by sueinnyc at 8:54 AM on July 26

Don't go the Tom Wolfe route. You will look like you are trying to hard.
posted by Zambrano at 9:13 AM on July 26 [1 favorite has favorites]

Time-honored question: What is everyone else wearing?
posted by TWinbrook8 at 9:16 AM on July 26

Agreeing with sueinnyc, "summer glamour" plus evening disco immediately conjures up something shiny or bright, preferably both.

All white goes here as well.
posted by Grlnxtdr at 11:04 AM on July 26

I immediately thought Mark Twain. In my mind, he's a men's-fashion icon, and I would check out a guy dressed that way and say, "Oooh...snappy!"

I am not, however, known for my keen fashion sense.
posted by nosila at 11:18 AM on July 26

seersucker, seersucker, seersucker. if you wear a nicely-fitted seersucker suit with a snappy pair of shoes and a stylish hat, i guarantee you will be the most summer glamorous man at the party. not to mention the only one who is not sweltering under his suit!
posted by lia at 12:24 PM on July 26

Rent La Dolce Vita. Watch it. Dress like Marcello Mastroiani (preferably his outfit from the final scene - the white suit with black shirt, but really, anything Marcello Mastroianni wears will do).
posted by The World Famous at 12:36 PM on July 26

I recommend a look at the sartorialist. Lots of ideas for men for summer. I'd look under "Men Paris" and "Men Milan" on the right hand side.

IMHO, seersucker doesn't say glamor, nor does Twain.
posted by B-squared at 1:33 PM on July 26

Pimp hat.
posted by rokusan at 1:40 PM on July 26

For glamour, you want either white/cream/ivory (whichever suits your skin tone), or one cheerful colour (not necessarily a bright/loud one). A bit of shine is good, as are unusual accessories. Sparkly cufflinks, silk tie, silk pocket squares, shiny shoes.

I'd think a suit is still a good idea, as long as you stay away from brown or black. If you're not likely to wear a suit in a non-dark colour ever again, maybe you could hire one?

I'm betting a lot of guys see "glamour/disco" and think "John Travolta". It might be a good idea to stay away from the Saturday Night Fever look so you don't blend in!
posted by harriet vane at 1:47 AM on July 27 [1 favorite has favorites]

Do you have access to a safari suit? Preferably a light colour, like pale blue. That would be ideal.
posted by A Thousand Baited Hooks at 4:06 AM on July 27