mfad•3y ago

What are some good options to match this dress?

I will be attending a wedding with my girlfriend, who will be wearing this dress: https://www.nordstrom.com/s/dahna-corset-long-sleeve-velvet-dress/7287629

I'm looking for general advice on what I can wear that will pair well with that dress. I have a black suit with subtle pinstripes I would like to wear, but a new tie and/or shirt is on the table. I did find one tie in my closet that I thought looked reasonably nice alongside the dress, though none of the colours actually match. Images attached of the suit and tie.

I am white (very much so) with blond hair, on the shorter side with slim/athletic build. Any ideas on what sort of colours/styles would work well for me here?

raisinpie•10/31/23, 4:25 AM

subtle matching is good, that tie is nice or one with purple (not the main color)

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 4:46 AM

if I do go with that tie, what colour shirt would you recommend?

gimp•10/31/23, 4:49 AM

That suit looks charcoal. Is it black?

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 4:56 AM

I have always considered it black, but I can't say I would know how to distinguish between the two!

gimp•10/31/23, 4:57 AM

Dark gray or black black? :P

gimp•10/31/23, 4:58 AM

I mean there's no real line between the two, not being scientific here or anything

gimp•10/31/23, 4:59 AM

https://d2w9m16hs9jc37.cloudfront.net/dimg/blog/2023/07/hockerty_charcoal_suit_vs_black_suit_2feeb446_48a1_49ea_ad83_c3b9a7e397f2.jpg

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:00 AM

I'd say it's black. Probably just the lighting making it appear a bit gray

gimp•10/31/23, 5:01 AM

Do you own more suits to choose from or is this the one you're going with?

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:02 AM

It's my only real option

gimp•10/31/23, 5:02 AM

Got it

gimp•10/31/23, 5:03 AM

What are you doing for shoes? Do you have photos of the ties you own? I assume plain white poplin shirt? Got pocket squares?

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:07 AM

Existing shirt and tie options. Not a great selection, I very rarely have occasion to dress up. I'm expecting I'll probably want a new tie or shirt or both for this

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:07 AM

Just regular black dress shoes

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:08 AM

Only pocket square is one to match the red tie in the picture

gimp•10/31/23, 5:09 AM

Dress shoes = oxfords? Derbies? Something else?

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:12 AM

I am not sure. Can't access them at the moment without disturbing sleeping girlfriend

gimp•10/31/23, 5:12 AM

Aight

gimp•10/31/23, 5:12 AM

Okay, so all the info we can get is gotten, here's my advice

gimp•10/31/23, 5:13 AM

First, don't worry much about "matching" your gf. Something with a subtle nod to her dress is fine, but nothing more than that

gimp•10/31/23, 5:13 AM

Second, you're gonna start with the shoes, the suit, and the white shirt in your closet, assuming it's a proper white dress shirt and fits well

gimp•10/31/23, 5:14 AM

That leaves tie, optional pocket square (and optionally a watch, rings, something of that nature, if you have them and like them, that's all up to you)

gimp•10/31/23, 5:15 AM

If you do own a white square, I'd go with it. If you own a square of any sort, I would consider it. If you don't, and you want one, I would consider it.

gimp•10/31/23, 5:16 AM

My personal favorite square for a suit like that, if not a white linen square, is something like this: https://imgur.com/QZHAol7 -- mostly white, with a print.

Imgur

gimp•10/31/23, 5:16 AM

For ties, okay, options:

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:16 AM

Neat!

gimp•10/31/23, 5:17 AM

You can go full monochrome. It might be a bit trendy, or more classic, depending on which way you do monochrome. If you did the solid black tie for example that would be pretty trendy -- lack of contrast to suit, sheeny, etc. The black one on the right with red stripes, I think fairly so as well. The black and gray one in the top left I think more classic.

gimp•10/31/23, 5:18 AM

You have a couple colorful printed ties which are neat. With a rather severe suit, shirt, and shoes, a printed tie might liven things up a bit and seem more like you're going to a party than a business meeting

gimp•10/31/23, 5:19 AM

I do like burgundy/maroon ties but I like them to have texture. I am not sure how much I'd recommend the maroon tie you own. Looks a little too "power tie" to me.

gimp•10/31/23, 5:19 AM

So in light of the above, if you wanted an opportunity to buy a tie, I could recommend any of a large number of conservative, classic ties. Burgundy, navy, dark green, dark brown, dark purple, dark gray, etc. All of these would either have visual texture, physical-visual texture, or small repeating pattern, usually on a diagonal grid.

gimp•10/31/23, 5:20 AM

The tie you showed at the very top seems fine by me. Fairly quiet.

gimp•10/31/23, 5:22 AM

Overall I would say your biggest challenge is probably to dress like you're going to a wedding and not to address the board, if you know what I mean? To that end, I'd suggest accessories that are a little bit loud.

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:23 AM

Sounds good, I'll give the white shirt a try with a few of those tie options. If nothing sticks I'll see if I can find a good dark purple tie. The match will make my gf happy

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:24 AM

I have some colorful cufflinks that might help do the job for accessories

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:24 AM

Thanks for your help

gimp•10/31/23, 5:24 AM

Cufflinks good!

gimp•10/31/23, 5:24 AM

Big fan of purple. Depending on how much time you have, ebay has great deals on ties. Lots of $100+ ties selling for like $15.

DolmurOP•10/31/23, 5:25 AM

I'll check it out. Got an example picture of a good purple tie?

gimp•10/31/23, 5:26 AM

As possible inspo, purple ties I own:
https://imgur.com/4HUwLvA
https://imgur.com/0aei6Cc
https://imgur.com/cgGT4cb is quite loud (and looks way better in real life), which is not necessarily a serious suggestion but deserves honorable mention :P

Imgur