(Click the photo and then click the arrows in the upper right corner of the new window to zoom in.)
It was warm last Saturday evening. But that wasn’t going to stop us from enjoying our evening out. This was a makeup date for the weekend before, when an excess of …. errrr …. high spirits Friday night prevented further celebration the next day.
I had made reservations at Can Can Brasserie in Carytowne, a favourite haunt for its ambience, staff, wine list and consistently solid food. There only remained to choose a suit and tie and meet Mrs. E. who was returning from yet another graduation based function. Logic dictates that you should wear a lighter suit in warmer weather, but really, with the weights of cloth these days, most are approaching year-round. As it was threatening to rain, I didn’t think we’d choose to sit outside, which meant air-conditioning. Enter the navy blue Hackett above, fresh from the alterations tailor, as deeper blues look very good under artificial light. It is an open weave, matte fabric which I suspect has a bit of mohair to it. I like the way that it swallows the light. My usual choice is for a white, spread-collar, French (double) cuffed shirt and links. That evening I decided to wear what I normally think of as a “day shirt”, a lovely stripe in a Zegna fabric made for me by Leviner Wood. I paired it with a black spotted tie — far too daytime serious — and settled on the grey satin solid seen in the photo. It works in the opposite way from the suit, reflecting light. Opposites attract.
“You’re doing it right,” said Bob, the sommelier. “Out on the town, dressed up… .”
Aside from the kids on a prom night date, I may have been the only one in the restaurant in a tie that evening. The same held true for Secco — the wine bar — where we had a Champagne nightcap. No, I wasn’t obeying dress codes, but I felt great in my date night blues.
When choosing your date night suit, consider your dressiest dark blue and pair it with a satin tie.
My bridesmaids wore navy, it was a toss up between navy or pale gray –
Both work so well together. I love navy and silver.
You look mahvelous and I so appreciate those who go above and beyond the maddening crowd with ties.
pve
Excellent look, my good man. You must respect a man who still dresses for a date with his wife. Kudos to you.
Now, let’s here more about that bar you’re leaning against…
I was also wondering about the bar you’re leaning on… it’s beautiful.
Secondly, I also love Can Can, but I haven’t made it out to Secco yet. What were your impressions?
Typically, does your wife’s outfits mirror the style / (in)formality of your outfits, particularly when the two of you are seen about town?
Mr. E,
Although you are not wearing one, I still say, hats off to you. A classic photo with your faithful dog.
Love the toy piano,
BarbarG
My favourite dressed up outfit. A man can wear this for years and years without investing again, and it will always be in perfect taste and elegance. I wish more guys would select this outfit to get married in, basically this is what John Kennedy Jr. wore. I am appalled at the number of men wearing tuxedos for weddings and during the day…ugh!
This outfit is so important, I think it deserves more close-up, detailed photos.
SwF, I’ll try and do a layout or borrow a mannequin.
barG, thank you. The piano was my mother’s first, then our kids’.
Ari, generally yes. Although she can be a bit more casual than I when the situation demands (wearing capris, for example).
PVE, that was a toss up. You couldn’t put a foot wrong with either.
Turling and George, it’s a German deco bar, veneered, with glass shelves. The top swings open and a small shelf swings down to reveal a rose mirrored inside. It lights up with the proper bulb.
George, you’ll like Secco. Reasonably priced wines, too! Good looking tapas style menu.
Elegantotalist….I DEMAND that you shoot a pic of you playing that little piano in the photo!
Adg, nobody shoots the piano player in this house….
Ok, I can see a Waits-ian sort of moment…