When do you wear a suit?

[M80]

Gentleman, I work in an industry where the dress code is about what PPE (personal protective equipment) to wear, rather than what clothes you wear. Definitely not a suit or dress clothes. Outside of work I enjoy wearing nice clothes and I do own two suits, but I do not often find occasion to wear a full suit. Weddings and funerals mostly.

I am curious. Outside of work and work related activities/events, how often do you find occasion to wear a full suit, and to what type of events do you wear it to?

Thank you.

[professorchaos]

As rarely as possible, almost exclusively for weddings, funerals and job interviews.

[Masterkova]

I go full suit for the opera or the symphony or similar cultural events. Dinner at nicer restaurants, certain parties, certain religious celebrations...
I wore a suit every day for work for years so I have a closetful - now that things are more casual, I don't mind an excuse to break one out and give one of my ties a field trip.

[Legion]

As rarely as possible, almost exclusively for weddings, funerals and job interviews.

This.

[ChiefWahoo]

This.

Plus 2, though if the mrs and I went to nicer places, I'd be happy to throw one on.

[Oglethorpe]

I find that I'm often looking for excuses to wear one. For me, the trick is figuring out in which places it would be considered TOO formal. I think Masterkova's stance most accurately matches mine.

[dpm802]

I only do suits at Weddings, Funerals and Bar Mitzvahs ... not much else that I do calls for one.

I do like to dress it up, though ... while everyone around me is wearing T-shirts and blue jeans, I can usually be found with a button-down collar and long-sleeve shirt, with khaki chinos or other dress-up (but not formal) pants. When I go out on the town for drinking and dancing, I'm usually the only man in the whole place who is wearing a tie, in fact, people that don't know me by name often call me "That Tie Guy."

[KM-instructor]

Rare but when have in the past it is meeting prospective employers, and court appearances. :001_smile Oh and maybe at my own funeral.

[The Knize]

Gentleman, I work in an industry where the dress code is about what PPE (personal protective equipment) to wear, rather than what clothes you wear. Definitely not a suit or dress clothes. Outside of work I enjoy wearing nice clothes and I do own two suits, but I do not often find occasion to wear a full suit. Weddings and funerals mostly.

I am curious. Outside of work and work related activities/events, how often do you find occasion to wear a full suit, and to what type of events do you wear it to?

Thank you.

I wear a suit to work virtually every day, but I rarely wear one outside of work. Like you and others have said, weddings and funerals, mostly. Not even Bar Mitzvahs. Maybe once and awhile some politcal event, but those are almost always coming from work. Sometimes black tie to some event or other, but that is different than wearing a suit.

Too bad in a way. A suit and tie are a flattering look to most guys.

[Craig_In_Cincy]

I enjoy wearing a suit, and look forward to wearing one at least once a week.

-Business meetings
-Dinner at nice restaurants, mainly on weekends
-When attending the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Opera & Ballet
-Of course weddings, funerals etc
-Just because

[Kwaka_Chris]

I wear one almost every day for work, but it is good fun to wear one in your own time. A good suit to me is like a sensible similie to pop singers wearing outlandish oversized exercise clothes.

Oh, I forgot there is always the perfect excuse to wear a suit;

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTGNsnzVEcI/TcP2xKY32PI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/vEXLOllJFm8/s1600/suit-up21.jpg

[johnmrson]

I wear a suit four days a week. We have a casual dress policy on Friday and I usually wear chinos and an open neck shirt then.
I think that a suit with an open neck shirt looks quite smart for non formal dinner atire.

[gaseousclay]

the only times I wear suits or would wear a suit are:

weddings
funerals
fundraisers
church
work (if it called for it)
graduation (high school/college)
maybe dinner at a fancy restaurant
other social event (like an opera)
interviews
court appearance

[eliev]

I wear one almost every day for work, but it is good fun to wear one in your own time. A good suit to me is like a sensible similie to pop singers wearing outlandish oversized exercise clothes.

Oh, I forgot there is always the perfect excuse to wear a suit;

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CTGNsnzVEcI/TcP2xKY32PI/AAAAAAAAA9Q/vEXLOllJFm8/s1600/suit-up21.jpg

I was waiting for someone to say that...

[Manthrax]

I've worn a full suit once in my 23yrs. It was the celebration to end the 9th grade. Everybody wore the same suit, but different ties. And when I say the same suit, I mean it...

Since then i've been keeping to a light blue shirt, a vest and a tie for formal occasions. With this outfit I always wear a hat with a feather in it when outside as well.

[Godan]

In retirement, a suit is not part of my everyday attire. I wear one, as some other posters have indicated, to religious, business and social events where it is appropriate. As an aside, I attend a fair number of art/cultural/social type openings and receptions. For these, as well as some country club events, my "uniform" for years has been a gray suit with a black turtleneck.

[ssultan]

+1...Henry pretty much nailed it...will add work events and conferences...


As rarely as possible, almost exclusively for weddings, funerals and job interviews.

[Samurai-5]

I wear one about once a week. (More outside the months of July/August)

-Dinner
-Cocktails
-Events
-Work (I have a choice)
-Dates
-Just because


I find though More often than not I am wearing a sport coat with a tie. :) For Weddings and Opera, Etc. I go with a Tuxedo.

[Doc4]

Where you live will affect how often you can find an appropriate suit-wearing excuse.

In a big city, there's always some sort of high falutin' social event or fancy-dancy restaurant with tablecloths and $15 appies, where a suit would fit right in.

A smaller city ... well, occasionally I guess, but you run into a lot of guys who would wear jeans to the symphony, so a suit starts to look a little "trying too hard".

Small town ... um ... you quickly become known as "that suit guy" or else everyone assumes you are either running for Mayor or are going to hand them a pamphlet about eternal salvation. You may be committed to wearing a suit anyhow, but it'll probably end up getting you committed. :sad:

[TankCommander1554]

I wear my full suit to church every Sunday, but beyond that it's really only for special occasions and dinner with my wife at a nice place. I too work in a profession where the dress code has nothing to do with suits and ties - armor and boots are the order of the day.

[binowatch]

3 days/wk for work, other days sport coat and slacks. Depending on the suit you can wear one for everything but physical work, sports and their overlaps (eg hiking, camping, fishing, etc etc.)-a more casual suit such as a tweed for the colder times, corduroy anytime, cotton or linen of various types for warmer climes, with or without a tie, appropriate casual shoes (loafer, boots, etc), with or without a sweater, vest etc. can adjust its look. This of course will depend on where you live-easier in a city, college town etc and your job,profession-law, medicine, teaching, sales, business rather than farmer, mechanic, etc. I think it is a great look and certainly marks the wearer in contradiction to the usually more casual (or even slovenly ) look mostly seen today. Give it a try-I'd go with a nice tan corduroy suit because it is so easy to dress up or down and the jacket easily passes as a sport coat if needed.

[mdole]

I wear a suit on Sundays, to funerals and weddings, really nice meals, and job interviews.

-Matt-

[D.Gray]

When I was still single (about four years ago) I would make my grocery/errand day a day to dress up in a suit (about once a month) sometimes a tux shirt with shirt studs and french cuffs, black wool suit with black vest, and western boots; other times a dress shirt with a tie, vest ,suit pants, and western boots. I always got many compliments on my manor of dress. Now that I am married with kids I tend to wear the suit to special occasions, some meetings, and church. I also wear a suit if I am working as a portrait or wedding photographer (my side business from my normal daily grind).

Dave

[Beerman]

Gentleman, I work in an industry where the dress code is about what PPE (personal protective equipment) to wear, rather than what clothes you wear. Definitely not a suit or dress clothes. Outside of work I enjoy wearing nice clothes and I do own two suits, but I do not often find occasion to wear a full suit. Weddings and funerals mostly.

I am curious. Outside of work and work related activities/events, how often do you find occasion to wear a full suit, and to what type of events do you wear it to?

Thank you.



Only wear a suit (or jacket and tie for that matter) when someone has a gun to my head. My idea of Hell is to wear a necktie or long-sleeves-feels like I have a straight-jacket on at the same time I have an anchor around my neck.



Beerman

[Rushman2112]

Sadly the climate here precludes regular wearing of a suit, always sweaty, stinking hot and humid. Last time I wore a suit to the office here was for a formal photoshoot for an article in the industry association's magazine about this time last year. The last time I wore a suit at all was May 24 when we were on holiday in London and we went to the Savoy Grill for dinner.

[txinsk]

It all depends on the context. As a pastor I noted a few wear suits to church. As the pastor of a small country church I dress better than my congregation most Sundays and I show up in a dress shirt, tie, slacks and dress shoes.

Rick

[Doc4]

Sadly the climate here precludes regular wearing of a suit, always sweaty, stinking hot and humid. Last time I wore a suit to the office here was for a formal photoshoot for an article in the industry association's magazine about this time last year. The last time I wore a suit at all was May 24 when we were on holiday in London and we went to the Savoy Grill for dinner.

Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun ... and the mad dogs are the ones not wearing suits. :crying:

If you want/need a suit in Singapore, look to bespoke, and get it made as light-wearing as possible. That means unlined, with a breathable fabric: linen, or a light fresco (lightweight & loose-woven wool) IMHO. Fortunately, Singapore should have some decent tailors who can do this for you.

[VaHomebrewer]

Well, I wear a suit 5 days a week to work. Outside of work, I generally try to wear them as infrequently as possible. I'll wear them out to a nice date with my wife, be it to a restaurant, the ballet, or whatever. Also, weddings and funerals as other have mentioned. Other than those occasions outside of work, I don't wear a suit. Church is strictly khakis or similar and a buttondown.

[Rushman2112]

I do get all my shirts and trousers made here, and my only suit was also made here. It is quite lightweight, but I still sweat like a Scouser in Dixon's with it on here. Thing is, I don't really need to wear one, office dress codes here tend to be somewhat casual to say the least.

[MBurris]

I wear one occasionally for work, but mostly for weddings, funerals,etc.

[marvin100]

Six days a week to work. On Sundays I go to work casual.

[instpasr]

I could wear a suit everyday I guess but I absolutely Hate ties so I wear a button collar.

[Shaving_CHENG]

You've hit on one of the sartorial challenges for the modern man - in our iconoclast society where formality is anathema, when can one wear a suit without being pretentious or seen as a poseur?

My rule of thumb is when I want to celebrate the event - even if it's outside of the traditional funeral, job interview, etc., and there is not a prescribed dress.

A suit is a powerful statement, rock it.

[TenorClef]

Full suit probably only Sundays for Church. Suit jackets virtually everyday either formal or informal......I love them, dress them down with jeans and a t-shirt or for a more smarter look trousers & shirt(I believe you American's call them Sport Jackets).

Is it just me or is there something incredibly manly about a lounge coat/jacket?

[Presbyteros]

My company is 100% business casual and I wear a choir robe at church. My "suit" is actually a tuxedo. I have two; a fat one, and a not-quite-so-fat one.
I really should buy a suit in case I really need one.

[mikey]

I concur.

Thanks,
Mike


As rarely as possible, almost exclusively for weddings, funerals and job interviews.

[Blade Boy]

I out grew the last suit I had and I am 38 years old now so should tell you it's been a while since I have worn a suit. I am a construction worker so my appearance is not top priority, I assure you the next I have to wear one it will be to soon.

[doug1066]

Weddings, Funerals, every Sunday for religious services, dinner at a nice restaurant, social events when the dress is not black or white tie, the theatre.

[buddydog]

Full suit probably only Sundays for Church. Suit jackets virtually everyday either formal or informal......I love them, dress them down with jeans and a t-shirt or for a more smarter look trousers & shirt(I believe you American's call them Sport Jackets).

Is it just me or is there something incredibly manly about a lounge coat/jacket?
This is how to dress.

[padams2359]

Wedding, Funerals, Baptisms. I would wear one to a Bat Mitzvah, if I were ever invited to one. We do not have many Jewish people is south Louisiana. The tux comes out for the occasional Mardi Gras Ball. I have worked in IT for the last 17 years. Nobody cares what I look like as long as I get their phone and PC working. The turning 40 crisis occurred 5 years ago. For the first time in my life my hair was below my ears. Chopped it and donated it. I was a much snappier dresser in my younger years.

[mandoman]

for business meeting and church on Sundays

[Blue Raccoon]

can't remember the last time I wore a suit.. my guess would be close to 20 years or so. in fact my last suit was donated to goodwill many years ago. I do have about 6 nice sportcoats and a couple of blazers. but it's been awhile since they saw the light of day.

[Dennard]

I enjoy wearing a suit, and look forward to wearing one at least once a week.

-Business meetings
-Dinner at nice restaurants, mainly on weekends
-When attending the Symphony Orchestra, Opera & Ballet
-Of course weddings, funerals etc
-Just because

This goes for me, too.