I'm thinking about getting a black suit, but I'm trying to think of
occassions where I could wear it. It wouldn't work for business,
methinks. That leaves weddings, funerals, and more formal evening
events. I've also just never thought of myself as a black suit kind
of guy. Any comments would be welcome.

Josh

"Josh Meyer" <jmeyer@msg.ucsf.edu> wrote in message
news:c4d24012.0310051206.13d1af44@posting.google.c om...
I'm trying to picture an all-black men's suit that isn't formal wear, and in
my head, the look screams "MOBSTER!"

I'd pass.

Dana

To me a black suit screams:

1- Blues Brothers, or

2- "This is the only suit I own!"

Pass it up.

-Joe in SoFla

I don't care, and you can't make me.

"Dana Carpender" <dcarpend@nospamkiva.net> wrote in message
news:W%_fb.684798$YN5.542809@sccrnsc01...
Naw. But, with a black shirt and a white tie?
(It'd be good for halloween.)

Ashley

"Jrgboj M. Gpkgbdfike Jr." <jmgarciajr@aol.comply> wrote in message
news:20031005173528.08032.00000259@mb-m11.aol.com...
alternatively:

3 - Black looks incredibly good with my colouring and I'm going to wear it
everywhere.

The DBF wears his black suit to work all the time, but he's got typical
Mediterranean colouring, so it looks fabulous on him (not that I'm biased or
anything!). He owns a charcoal grey suit too, if that counts for anything.

Julie.

"JulieB" <julie.blake.nospam@optushome.com.au> wrote in message
news:blqbtb$f8qc3$1@ID-193397.news.uni-berlin.de...
depends on the cut and the the quality of the fabric.
Audrey

I own one by Donna Karan and I don't think it screams mob.......nor is it
the only suit I own but it is my favorite and the one I get the most
compliments on......

--
Thank you for visiting our web site.
regards,
Robert Craig
robert@robertcraig.com
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Visit www.robertcraig.com for all your hair color and hair care needs.

"ahmward" <nospam.ahmward@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:SIqdnWqw5cB0Kx2iU-KYuA@comcast.com...

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"Robert Craig" <laliz50@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:_vCdnQrDEqtEWx2iU-KYgA@comcast.com...
Oh, I absolutely adore a man in a black suit. It screams "well-dressed man"
to me.

"KM" <kthynnyl@com.com> wrote in message
news:blqhco$fdnvv$1@ID-203179.news.uni-berlin.de...

Don't mind me. I've already confessed to being so completely
fashion-challenged that I pay large sums of money to have a nice lady with
better taste than I tell me how to dress. :-)

Dana

x-no-archive: yes

"Dana Carpender" <dcarpend@nospamkiva.net> wrote in message
news:qP3gb.685888$YN5.545813@sccrnsc01...
I didn't see your post. It could scream that too, but they usually have the
money to afford the best. (g)

....not that there's anything wrong with that, Elwood.

EMiriamD

"No fashion is ever a success unless it is used as a form of seduction."
-- Christian Dior

x-no-archive: yes

"EMiriamD" <emiriamd@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20031005223113.04909.00000256@mb-m17.aol.com...
That would be a fat man in a black suit. (g)

"Robert Craig" laliz50@comcast.net wrote...I own one by Donna Karan and I don't
think it screams mob.......nor is it
the only suit I own but it is my favorite and the one I get the most
compliments on......


===========
Robert,

I agree 100%/ I own 3, a 3 button single breasted by Jhane Barnes, a 4 button
single breasted Jhane Barnes(now in semi-retirement) and a double breasted by
Valentino. Its an urban look, to be sure. However, it can be dressed up with
a white french cuff shirt and elegant grey tie, or dressed down with a black
silk t...and everything in between.

I saw it written several years ago that if a man were to own only one suit, it
should be the quintessential model (the one you own), the classic black Donna
Karan. In my closet, the black suit has replaced the charcoal grey as the suit
for ALL occasions. And yes, I get more compliments on the black Jhane Barnes 3
button than any other I own.


John Leslie / Dallas, TX

BLue Brothers..."We're on a mission from God."

I loved that movie.

Carol

x-no-archive: yes

"Josh Meyer" <jmeyer@msg.ucsf.edu> wrote in message
news:c4d24012.0310051206.13d1af44@posting.google.c om...
Black works very well for business. Think of the lawyer in the courtroom.
He'd have all the women in the jury on his side.

ascotsilk@aol.comnojunk (John Leslie) wrote in message news:<20031005225354.05023.00000391@mb-m18.aol.com>...
I agree that not all blacks are created alike. If you're talking your
standard dept. store dull, lifeless black suit, then it does scream
"funeral" or "this is my only suit" - the latter, especially, if it
doesn't fit right and is accompanied by a thread-bare, slightly dingy
white shirt. Now, when we get to the JB or the DK, this is a whole
'nother story. I've seen the JB and own a DK. I also have a black
"sharkskin" from Hart-Shaffner-Marx. With these, the cut, style, and
the satin-y texture of the high-thread-count wool takes the black suit
into a different universe. It's still a rather formal look IMHO, and
I reserve these for important management presentations, conferences
where I'm presenting, or very formal social events, unless a tux is
required. For formal occasions, I always go with a 100's white
shirt, French cuffs, and black onyx cuff links. It also "deserves"
the most exquisite (and probably most expensive) tie you own. You can
take the look down a notch with a burgundy or gray shirt, or even a
mock or t-neck in white or "winter white", providing these are of high
quality. Personally, I like silk or a silk-wool (or cashmere) blend
for the knit, and something with a little sheen, such as a silk or a
high-thread-count cotton (or a silk-cotton blend) for the shirt in
this less-formal look. I've never been one for "all-black", but I
have seen this on other people and it does have its merits, providing
you get the shades of black right.

While there are times when black, for some reason, just feels right to
me (and this is very much how I make my clothing decisions), I'm not
about to throw out my dark charcoal or navy pinstripes anytime soon,
either!!

In sum, if you have a number of other suits in your wardrobe, then a
black suit - with style - might be a nice addition, if you have
occasion to attend more formal events with some frequency - say, at
least once a quarter. Otherwise, I'd tend more toward dark charcoal
or navy (especially the latter), either plain, herringbone, or
pinstripe. These would be best, particularly if you don't have many
suits and/or don't need to wear a suit very often. I'm seeing more
chalk stripes around lately, and these can be quite nice, though I
wouldn't recommend one in black.

JimmyInPa

I still stand by my opinion. In my view--and feel free to disagree with me, for
you will never be lonely that way--a black suit is only suitable (NPI) for
funerals.

I grant that black suits may be supremely flattering to men of certain
coloration. No argument there, but the appropriateness (or lack thereof) of a
given color should be given some weight.

Is it "in?" Probably. But what is in at any given moment couldn't possibly
concern me less, being the hidebound fashion reactionary I am.

I'll even go so far as to say my tuxedo is, technically, not black (it's
midnight, which looks even blacker than black).

As re. my default color for suits, it's navy, w. charcoal a close 2nd. I do not
expect to own a black suit in this lifetime. Now having said that, we live in a
pluralist society where we all make choices.

Enjoy yours.

-Joe in SoFla

I don't care, and you can't make me.

jmgarciajr@aol.comply (Jrgboj M. Gpkgbdfike Jr.) wrote in
news:20031006151123.09723.00000294@mb-m02.aol.com:

It pains me to disagree with you, Jghwernbqk, but I'm afraid my favorite
suit is black. I have the obligatory charcoal grey suit, and am fond of my
seersucker in the traditional blue and white for summer wear.

That said, I'll grant critics of black suits that they can look mafia-ish.
Given that I have the physique to be a regular on the Sopranos, and my suit
is is black sharkskin, I resemble that remark. But it suits my mood when I
wear it, and it looks sharp on me. So I'm willing to risk the occasional
frisking by the fashion police and do it my way.

</mixed metaphors>

"Userb3" <userb3removethis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Xns940CB20676F0Aradicalmoderate@207.14.113.17 ...
Things must be very different in America. Here in Australia, the black suit
seems to be about the most common for business wear now. All the men in my
firm seem to wear black suits mostly. It certainly doesn't have the
mob/funeral connotations. I don't see that many navy suits these days, and
they tend to be on older men, or very dark, almost black. Maybe it looks
mobster-ish if you wear it with a black shirt? I think if it's a double
breasted suit ala Prince Charles with a big hanky in the pocket, it's awful.
Vicki

....and definitely if you add a white satin tie.

EMiriamD

"No fashion is ever a success unless it is used as a form of seduction."
-- Christian Dior