What is a 'nice enough' suit for a wedding? - YouLookFab Forum

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What is a 'nice enough' suit for a wedding?

Anna

My cousin is getting married in the fall and I'd really like to wear some combination of menswear-inspired suiting pieces rather than a dress (button-down shirt, pants, vest or blazer). The problem is that I've never owned anything like this though I've wanted them for years, and I have no idea what is considered 'nice enough'. What determines 'niceness'? Is it the price tag? Are certain cuts or shapes considered more formal?

Thank you!

Dressing

25 replies

Latest reply was from Angie

kkards

Veteran

Nice enough is something that you feel good in that is within what ever your budget is.
that being said, i think in suits dark colors generally look “richer” and a silk, or a poly that feels like a silk, tend to look “richer” even if you don’t spend a lot.

Jenni NZ

Veteran

I bought what I have always called my “tuxedo jacket” in 1995, and still have it and wear for some dressy occasions. It is polyester with a turned-back collar of a more shiny/crinkly appearance that is the other side of the same fabric. I don’t remember the price but don’t think it was that expensive for the time.
If you have wanted something like this for ages I would search widely online for ideas and also B&M/thrift/consignment including for accessories for the wedding guest outfit.

rachylou

Veteran

I have a velvet suit that I think serves. And also a red brocade.

Sloper

Veteran

One thing that will matter is what type of wedding it is - daytime, evening, outdoors, etc.

But we mostly always get "dressy" for weddings!

I think two things would matter - the style of the clothes and the fabric.
Style - for example, a business suit vs a tuxedo. You could wear a regular office-type business suit with a skirt or pants (I mean one cut for a typically "female" figure) and make it dressy with a silk or satin top, or jewelry. If you google "women in tuxedos" you can see pix of women in dressier suits, just for inspiration (don't look at some of the prices!!)

Fabric - "nicer" fabrics would be satin or velvet or silk, or even lame or sequins.

Fortunately you have plenty of time to look around in stores and online to get some ideas.

Janelle Monae has a very unique masculine/feminine style.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

My neighbor, who I usually see in boxy cut jeans and T-shirt, wore a tux to her daughter’s wedding one or two years ago. She looked amaaaaaaazing. I was seriously floored.

So I support your idea. Have no idea what the answer to your question is, but the topic of tuxes has come up several times before, so you could search the forum for old posts

Inge

(website)

Love the idea of a suit for a wedding! You can have so much fun with that. I agree that you feeling great in it is an important factor. If you plan on wearing it regularly after the occasion, then versatility is something to think about too.

A tuxedo style and fabrics like brocade, velvet and silky materials came to mind first but other materials can work too. A pattern or non-neutral colour (if that's your thing) could be amazing too.

Here's a post that might give you some ideas:

https://youlookfab.com/2018/11.....pant-suit/

And I also love that first suit in this post:

https://youlookfab.com/2021/09.....ants-suit/

Keep us posted!

cat2

Veteran

For Fall, you can likely find wool blend suiting in traditional fall colors that will look dressy. For a shirt, I would go with silk or another silky fabric so you get a dressy drape.

Anna

I'd rather NOT get a tux if I can avoid it, they cost an arm and a leg. I'd love something like this (https://pin.it/3m0TKzJ) if it's considered appropriate, but the problem is finding the pieces (and yes, I have reverse-searched Google). Everything out right now seems to be oversized and in bright colors, which don't suit me at all.

kkards

Veteran

I think this would be easy to source if you don’t want the current oversized fit, try the second hand/pre loved. And or try brooks brothers boys dept

Inge

(website)

Yes, fluid fits are quite on-trend right now, but the classic fit never goes out of style, it might just be a little harder to find at the moment. Retail is focussed on Spring/Summer right now, so they tend to have more bright colours for the season, but I'm sure darker colours/neutrals will be in stores for Fall (stock tends to come in in late Summer, and there might be options during the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale too - end of July-beginning of August).

Brands like Ann Taylor are worth keeping an eye on. I do see the more tailored, classic fit styles on their website right now:

https://www.anntaylor.com/suit.....2&N=0

Sloper

Veteran

That's a really nice look - sort of "dapper gamine/gent."

As Inge says, the fall clothes will be in stores in late summer.
And men/boys departments as Kkards says.

Jules

Veteran

That reminds me a bit of private school uniforms, might be an avenue to investigate? A friend’s kid also recently had good luck getting their version of a gender neutral prom outfit at a store specializing in items for Catholic confirmations. Lots of non binary young people are creating new suit-inspired looks for prom etc these days so you might find some inspiration on Tik Tok etc.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Oh, my goodness, I love that non-matchy suit! Jules’ ideas sound good to me—might do some searching myself for ideas to spiff up some Pendleton pants.

Joyce

(website)

Have you tried the men's department in a large department store? It is always my favourite for classic finds in nice fabrics; you just might hit on all of the pieces with a little digging.

Joy

Veteran

What one wears to a regular wedding should be a step up from what one would wear to church. Then their are formal weddings and barn or beach settings where slightly different dress is called for. If you are a guest or part of the wedding party makes a difference too. Just do not wear anything offensive or that sends a message of disrespect.
Is your husband officiating? If so you might ask him what he thinks. He probably knows the people involved pretty well.

ETA: I just looked at you inspirational photo and would tred carefully. I agree that some lux fabrics or fancy accessories would be a good idea.

Zaeobi

(website)

Veteran

How formal is the wedding (i.e. dress code)? Personally, I have had success both thrifting & on ASOS (of all places lol) for fitted suits:
https://www.asos.com/asos-desi.....d/13461534

This particular suit is sold out, but I wanted to share the link to explain what I look for:
1)
I prefer a shawl collar/ curved lapels on such a suit because it looks less business-like. Your linked suit style is nice but I wonder if the grey may read like conservative workwear if paired with traditional accessories (i.e. menswear)?
2)
Building on that, I look for 'softer' details on a suit to help counteract the 'just got out of a meeting' vibe - i.e. my thrifted suit is single-breasted in an unconventional colour (also bottle green), has velvet lapels, fabric covered buttons, cropped ankles, & a longer blazer length (tip: either cropped or past the bum = less like 'traditional' workwear).
3)
If you still want a 'stiffer' suit though, then I echo others' suggestions to pair it with 'softer' clothing to make it look less work-like - but 'soft' doesn't necessarily have to mean 'feminine' in a 'sexy' way! e.g. if you don't like the idea of a camisole & strappy sandals, you can instead lean into the 'Dandy' look with a silky pussybow blouse & patent Oxfords - think Nadia's 'Russian Doll' outfits if you need further inspo on this!

(PS - You don't need to buy a 'real' tuxedo! A dinner jacket/ Le Smoking could give a similar vibe (for cheaper) so long as it fits great - i.e. I have a H&M blazer with satin buttons & lapels that nips in at the waist for this purpose. Main thing to ensure is that your trousers' fabric matches the topper's!)

Anna

Alas, fall is here and everything is still oversized! I have less than a month left and just struck out at Nordstrom's.

@Joyce Unfortunately I am 5'3 and 95 pounds, so mens' clothes are too big, and boys' clothes are not made to fit someone with hips or breasts.

@Joy, I do not have a husband. This is my cousin's wedding.

@Zaeobi The wedding is formal, black tie optional. The photos were just an idea of the style I like, but I'm not wedded to those exact pieces. With respect, I am not especially femme, so things like bows and flounces don't suit me.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Thanks for posting again—I saved the pic you linked to as my own inspo, so was wondering how this was going.

I hear you on not having a boys shape, still wonder if you might do well with a vest for boys, with some tucks added at appropriate spots. I’ve had a dress “turned around” like that, because I wanted the back to be the front. But I’m relatively flat chested, so it really was just one tuck on each side to give it some shape.

If you don’t necessarily want a vest, I bet it wouldn’t be too hard to make yourself a cummerbund out of swishy fancy fabric.

Have you tried Poshmark? I’ve been too chicken to bite on any of them, but Gryffin has suggested some amazing jackets for me on there.

ASOS is another place to try. There’s a lot of slouchy & oversized stuff to weed through, but I see a few possibilities https://www.asos.com/women/sal.....t-21267118

MsMaven

Veteran

Lots of good ideas here. I am also looking for a dressy suit. I haven't seriously shopped yet, but looking at the photos, I realize I have a great lightweight blazer that with right pants and a satiny or silky blouse would be great.

The only thing about a suit I wonder about is the weather. Will it still be warm? Heatwave possible.

The suit itself could be fairly basic--good quality lightweight wool or even silky fabric, but make it so "nice" with jewelry, blouse or top, and shoes.

I hope you find what you want. I'll be watching to see what it turns out to be.

rachylou

Veteran

At the risk of your ethics… Amazon? Shein?

cat2

Veteran

What about one of the metallic jackets from Angie’s recent post. If you find one you like, folks here can suggest pants that would work. That would be easier than finding a suit.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I wouldn’t restrict myself to a matching suit, but I have an awful time finding pants that fit and flatter, so you may not have that problem. I’d go with a pair of solid color (most likely black) wide leg trousers and a beautiful luxe blazer in either a color or pattern that sings to you, if a full suit is hard to find. I know your inspiration photo features slim cut trousers but those don’t read wedding-level “dressy” to my eye.

Roberta

Veteran

I love this idea so much! You might look at Calvin Klein for matching or mixed separates, and I would also suggest a knitted vest, which would be more comfortable and easier to fit to a woman's body. I have a terrific Glen plaid suit that I got from Banana Republic, so you might look there, although they might be a little expensive these days. I also recommend Ann Taylor, and even Talbots if you want to look at their work wear.

Also, if you find something you like at a thrift store, you can spend some money on getting it tailored to fit you perfectly, which will make a big difference in how "dressy" it looks.

Nadya

Veteran

Have you looked at Wildfang? They have a similar vibe to your inspo picture.

https://www.wildfang.com/collections/suiting

If you’re not particularly femme, I think the key thing is to not worry about rules, find what feels like you and just go for it. You’ll look fabulous and that will make it “appropriate.”

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I echo Nadya, and another vote for Wild Fang!