Suit and Tie people.

[Smittie61984]

Okay. My girlfriend has me going to her sorority formal. This is at Emory University which is a private college at $42k a pop and is full of a bunch of people who apparently know how to wear ties and suits and stuff (Most are future doctors). I'm a damn silverback trying to blend in.

Today I bought a blue button down shirt and a tie since I owned neither. I do have a jacket and black pants from my Grandparents funeral but that was a while back and I have no clue how to dress up. Other than the funerals I've never worn a suit. My aunt tied the tie for me at my grandparents funerals.

Well anyways I've been watching a vid and some instructionals on how to tie a tie and got it okay. But the main thing I notice is a huge gigantic gap at the collar level. My neck is too thick to button the very top button leaving a wide gap. And my triangle thingy looks small as hell.

Do you leave the top button unbottoned? Or is it meant to be buttoned cause buttoning is not even close to an option. Also my collar looks high.

[racedoll]

Do you have some pictures?

Your neck size on your shirt sounds too small. I'd take it back for the correct size, if you can. The top button should be buttoned, IMO,

Are you tightening the knot too much, making it small?

How long ago was the funeral? Meaning are your jacket and pants still in style or are they dated?

The collar could look high since you are obviously not used to wearing this type of shirt.

[Particle Man]

Originally Posted by Smittie61984

My neck is too thick to button the very top button leaving a wide gap. And my triangle thingy looks small as hell.

Do you leave the top button unbottoned? Or is it meant to be buttoned cause buttoning is not even close to an option. Also my collar looks high.

You need to get a shirt with a neck that fits you - you can't get the "L" or "XL" size... you need to get a shirt with an actual size on the shirt (if you're wearing a L or XL and it's too tight to button, odds are you'll need at least an 18 1/2)... if it's a formal, you will probably want the top button buttoned for at least the beginning - you can open it up later in the evening.

As for the tie knot looking small, you may need to use a Half Windsor knot to make the triangle bigger... (google it and several how-to sites will come up)

[JARVIS518]

u can get a shirt with a bigger collar, but if ur never going to see these ppl again fuck it go comfortable

[Trip]

If you like your girl, return your shirt and get a shirt that fits. Go half windsor knot and button the top button.

If you don't like her, fuck it, wear t-shirt and jeans.

[Homeslice]

Take that shit back and get another one. Take a tape measure around your neck to get the neck size. You want a shirt with real neck and sleeve sizes, not some generic S M L XL bullshit. Also make sure the sleeves are long enough that a little bit of it is sticking past your jacket when your arms are at your sides. BTW don't buy shit at Sears, you'll look like a grandfather.

[goof2]

Get a shirt that fits. It sounds like you need a shirt with actual measurements, not just L, XL, etc. Anyplace that sells decent shirts will be able to take your measurements for you. It is quick and easy and there are only 2 numbers, neck and sleeve length. You can wear the nicest suit and tie ever made, if your shirt doesn't fit it will show.

Concerning the tie, look up a full Windsor knot. That will give you a larger "triangle" (I'm guessing you mean the knot itself). Also, once tied the end of the tie should be right around your belt buckle. I don't really think there is a perfect length but too far on either end looks goofy.

[Smittie61984]

I talked to my dad and I got way too small. I got a 16 1/2 and apparently it's a "Fitted" shirt. Major Fail on my part. It said large and I thought Large was Large. I then tried an old 17 1/2 and it was too small too. I guess I need an 18 or 18 1/2

I'll get a new one tommorow and hopefully find a dry cleaner that can have it pressed or something by Friday afternoon since I won't be near my home for a few days (Nickleback Concert Thursday!!! My kind of formal)

I dig this girl and even though I know I'll embarass her I don't want it to be because of my suit. Problem is she is slumming big time and has to polish the hell out of this turd. She says she doesn't care but I'd like to try out wearing a suit to an event where someone didn't start off dead.

[Homeslice]

If you are wearing a sport coat and slacks (where they aren't made of the same fabric), then go with a shirt that's got a button-down collar (the points of the collar are buttoned down). It's considered a more casual look that goes well with a sport coat. But if you are wearing a real suit (the pants and coat are the same fabric), use a more formal shirt with a collar that doesn't button down.

Best bet for newbs is to stick with solid-colored shirts instead of patterned, so they don't clash with their tie.

[racedoll]

Make sure your girlfriends sees all this so you have time to change if you need, if she doesn't approve of your look.