What should my husband wear?

M0nica

DH, is admittedly a different shape bu he goes for black trousers and a black polo neck sweater or shirt. Trousers can be dress trousers, jeans, or corderoy, depending on the occasion and the same for the top. Occasionally a cravat makes an appearance, loosely tied.

He also has a magmificent brocade double breasted waist coat that DD made him which comes out for gala evenings on cruises, and going to Glynebourne

A cravat MOnica? Haven’t seen one in years.

Anything goes seems to be the norm for events these days. Have you been to a wedding lately?

I think it’s usual feel most at ease in clothing familiar to you. Not something out of your style which you won’t wear again.

Not trainers! Please not trainers.
I hate the tendency for them to have taken over from smart leather shoes which can be polished.
In my opinion, for a fairly dressy affair, chinos are too casual.
I think a smart pair of trousers, proper shoes, a good quality shirt, and if the weather’s cold, a lightweight jumper.

By the way does your husband know that there have been three pages on Gransnet of women, complete strangers, making suggestions about what the poor man should wear to a forthcoming party? 😆!

MerylStreep

GrammyGrammy
You obviously didn’t see Emma Thompsons trainers on the red carpet. Trainers are not just for walking or tennis.

uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/emma-thompson-does-cool-chic-121100643.html

If you are going to get your style template from actresses then you are lost. Actresses are mostly notoriously lacking in style and fashion taste in my experience.

Lizbethann55

Hetty58. Yes I would be happy. He has chosen me some delightful clothes in the past and I always ask his advice when I am choosing something special. Or does that make me a controlled doormat of a wife. And far from being a small dependant child, he is a senior member of the judiciary. He spends his working life in suits, shirts and ties . All of which he chooses himself.

When people on here ask for advice or suggestions that is what they want. Not a lecture on how we should or shouldn't behave.

Anyway, together we have chosen a waistcoat and shirt from Joe Browns. I just hope it arrives in time.

That sounds perfect.. have lots of fun..

I think shirt and waistcoat with smart trousers are a good idea. Same would be a thin v-neck sweater on top of a shirt and tie.

And yes, I help my DH decide outfits before an event. It doesn't make me controlling or him feeble; he appreciates that I pay a bit more attention to fashion trends than he does, and likes to have things sorted in advance.

Try getting into the restaurants at, for instance, The Ritz or The Savoy in trainers.

Germanshepherdsmum

Definitely not trainers. It’s not the case that you can wear them everywhere, as someone said. You certainly wouldn’t get into some London restaurants and clubs wearing trainers, no matter how smart and expensive.

Not these days unfortunately, trainers are accepted everywhere.

We often comment that 20 years ago it was unusual to see trainers in London venues, now it’s the norm.

GrammyGrammy
You obviously didn’t see Emma Thompsons trainers on the red carpet. Trainers are not just for walking or tennis.

uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/emma-thompson-does-cool-chic-121100643.html

Hetty58. Yes I would be happy. He has chosen me some delightful clothes in the past and I always ask his advice when I am choosing something special. Or does that make me a controlled doormat of a wife. And far from being a small dependant child, he is a senior member of the judiciary. He spends his working life in suits, shirts and ties . All of which he chooses himself.

When people on here ask for advice or suggestions that is what they want. Not a lecture on how we should or shouldn't behave.

Anyway, together we have chosen a waistcoat and shirt from Joe Browns. I just hope it arrives in time.

Hetty58

GrammyGrammy - I had exactly the same thought. We've just had someone deciding what her husband will eat - now another is choosing what he should wear.

Lizbethann55 - would you be happy if your husband chose your outfits? It's just so disrespectful to treat another adult as a small, dependant child!

I disagree. Everyone has a different marriage.

I've never worked outside our home. Home is what I do, and I do it very well, all aspects. I'm "Home Administrator", clothing included. It's not making anyone a child, it's doing tasks in a way that works in one's home/ marriage.

I do know what food is available and for what purpose. I'd find saying what is available for lunch a kind and polite thing to do - conversely him asking "has a menu been made for this food?" is kind and polite as well.

I ask my husband if he prefers this or that clothing, for me to wear to a family do - and he does the same. I look at him, see him, know what looks best on him. He tends to think he should wear tailored dress clothes or slim jeans, he sees little between - I note he can wear loafers and no tie.

This man is 70, knows he's comfortable in suits - remove the tie and replace Oxfords with Loafers - tone it down a little for this fancy do.

If your DH is comfortable in a suit why not compromise on that theme? Smart trousers which could be from a suit, a smart shirt, not too jazzy, and a blazer or jacket which he could take off. If the jacket is too formal what about a leather one or a blouson style? These are all items he could wear again together or separately. Next has a good selection.

My husband is of similar slim build with grey hair and for such an occasion would wear smart trousers and shirt in black with a colourful bow tie. Suitable but a little different.

Your DD is wearing a “fabulous glitzy dress” and you are wearing dressy trousers and sparkly top, so as far as I’m concerned, your husband is wrong in his fear of being “oversmart”.
It’s good to dress up for special occasions.

GrammyGrammy - I had exactly the same thought. We've just had someone deciding what her husband will eat - now another is choosing what he should wear.

Lizbethann55 - would you be happy if your husband chose your outfits? It's just so disrespectful to treat another adult as a small, dependant child!

I love it when people wear what they want....no matter what that is. Its what makes him...him!
He's not a sheep....let him do his own thing!

Elderly men look awful in trainers - any trainers (in my opinion).

Why not a suit with open necked shirt? Suits always look good and he will feel comfortable. I hope your DD has a wonderful time.

Definitely not trainers. It’s not the case that you can wear them everywhere, as someone said. You certainly wouldn’t get into some London restaurants and clubs wearing trainers, no matter how smart and expensive.

If I let my OH to choose his own clothes he would look as if he dressed in the dark as he’s very slightly colour blind and he’s not very interested in clothes.

I agree with Norah’s comment but NO trainers.

Me to DD " what are you thinking of wearing to the party"
DD " absolutely no idea, what do you think?"

BlueBelle and others I think sometimes we are all a bit stuck in a rut and need some ideas (wild or not) to motivate us to look at things through new eyes.

I certainly haven’t accused you of trying to dress him but I wonder how you d feel if the shoe was on the other foot and he was telling you what to wear for the party, on the other hand he might be so disinterested in what he wears he welcomes your input
My darling dad was colour blind and always asked my mum what looked alright with what etc but he was a smart man who knew what suitable things to wear just got a bit bogged down with colours fitting together, Mum loved sorting him out and he seemed happy to be sorted 😂 maybe that’s how you two are
The problem is if your husband isn’t the casual chino man he’s going to feel dead uncomfortable isn’t he?
When you ask for advice on here you are going to get a big variety of answers which aren’t always as helpful as you expect or want but I think they are usually given in good faith
Hope the party goes well anyway I m sure it will whatever you all wear

Lizbethann55

Thank you for everyone who tried to help. And those of you who accuse me of dressing him, when he is in a panic two days before, I will send him round to you. Or just say " wear what you want, it doesn't matter". No wonder people are reluctant to ask for advice or help on here!!!

He sound like he has a sense of what looks nice on him in business, just tone it down for this lovely dressy do. NO trainers.

GrammyGrammy

MawtheMerrier

I like the sound of chinos, smart casual open necked shirt and a linen jacket. Loafers would be nice - maybe slightly more formal than trainers but there are some lovely “smart” trainers for men too.

Trainers for an evening event? Seriously.

GrammyGrammy Trainers for an evening event? Seriously.

Precisely - as Daughter "has got a fabulous glitzy dress and even I have got dressy trousers and a sparkly top." The women aren't dressing as to go on a walk at a nature park, why should the 70 year old man?

He likes to wear a suit and tie so let him or open neck shirt with a nice suit. Not a sweater as parties soon get too warm
I agree not trainers please!
It's your DD's do so he needn't upstage her