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Wearing a Suit without a Tie -- look at this photo

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chris2008

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I happened to come across this photo:

Image


My question is, should it be a rule that when you wear a suit you should always wear a tie? And if you want to go without a tie wear a sports jacket and dress pants instead?

And, besides changing his jacket to a lighter gray, a darker gray or black, what other jacket colors would look excellent with the pants he is wearing? I guess gray pants could work with anything?

Thanks,

Chris
 
#4 ·
I think 'always' wearing a tie with a suit is outdated (although that describes me to a "t") (and I always wear socks). But trying to be open and understanding, while I do (again, age-related bias) agree that gray pants work with nearly anything (the go-to being a blue blazer), I kinda like wearing it as part of a suit (like the picture). Except I personally can't/won't commit to the high waters as seen in the photo. I go with minimal/no break, but that's just too fashion-forward for me. I'm even borderline comfortable with the too short jacket.
 
#5 ·
This topic comes up quite often. The question should be why?

Why would you want to wear a suit without a tie? What purpose does it serve? Are there better options? Of course there are; it's why we have blazers and sport coats.

With the exception of perhaps a tweed or more casual suit, most suits (the above being no exception) are made to be somewhat austere. Couple it with a white shirt, and it becomes so even more. A tie pulls everything in together. It finishes the outfit.

If you want a more casual look, then go with a sport coat. Should it be a rule? like smmrfld said, who would enforce it.

Does it look silly? Absolutely!
 
#8 ·
mreams99 said:
Pants too short: check
No socks: check
Suit jacket too short: check
No tie with a suit: check

Four "rules" are broken here. It's not like anyone is enforcing them, so why worry about just the tie?

If he had just changed out the suit jacket for a sports coat, this would have been a much better look.
Click to expand...
On a positive note, the shoulder fit is pretty good compared with all the other too-tight fits.
 
#11 ·
I have been known to cross a sartorial line or two. However, that outfit is just an abortion of taste. I have yet to understand the millennial fascination with the no-sock look. As for no tie, meh... that doesn't bother me. But, the overall fit of the suit is somewhat comical.
 
#12 ·
chris2008 said:
I happened to come across this photo:

Image


My question is, should it be a rule that when you wear a suit you should always wear a tie? And if you want to go without a tie wear a sports jacket and dress pants instead?

And, besides changing his jacket to a lighter gray, a darker gray or black, what other jacket colors would look excellent with the pants he is wearing? I guess gray pants could work with anything?

Thanks,

Chris
Click to expand...
I don't know about the rule, only my rule. And that rule is when I wear a suit, I wear something to close the neck. And this doesn't mean simply buttoning the collar. Closing the neck is visually completing the aesthetic of a suit. Most often it's by wearing a tie, but if I'm wearing a sporting or semi-sports suit it might be via a turtleneck, or less commonly, an Ascot.
 
#13 ·
chris2008 said:
My question is, should it be a rule that when you wear a suit you should always wear a tie?
Click to expand...
The libertarian in me says "Nope."

And if you want to go without a tie wear a sports jacket and dress pants instead?
Click to expand...
That's a good idea. I'm mildly OK with a linen or a tan or stone poplin suit worn without a necktie. But a sport coat and odd trousers would be the better combo.
 
#14 ·
Charles Dana said:
I'm mildly OK with a linen or a tan or stone poplin suit worn without a necktie. But a sport coat and odd trousers would be the better combo.
Click to expand...
When younger, during the dog days of summer, I've worn a fine quality polo shirt buttoned at the neck with a tan poplin suit upon occasion at dressier but casual venues.

I'd forgotten about that exception.
 
#15 ·
smmrfld said:
"Should it be a rule?" Who would enforce such a rule?
Click to expand...
Oh, that's an easy one. The rule would be enforced the same way that the Americans With Disabilities Act is enforced at the state and local level with respect to restaurants, stores, bars, and other businesses: through lawsuits-actual or threatened-filed by individuals (egged on by enterprising lawyers).

"You're wearing a suit but no necktie! Give me $500,000 or I'll sue you." The half a mil isn't forthcoming, of course, so there's a lawsuit. Then a settlement. Then one less man who's wearing a suit without a tie (primarily because he has no clothes left after paying the plaintiff and his own legal fees).

Then the attorney and aggrieved plaintiff go looking for the next future defendant.

Society, in effect, regulates itself in this manner.
 
#16 ·
I wear suits without a tie these days. In my profession and area of the country, along with society's current penchant for dressing like slobs, a full on suit and tie would be too intimidating for many... especially those that are always very casual.

I've never been a fan of sports coats and blazers mainly because I always end up looking like a throwback to the 1970's. In addition, I'd have to spend too much time coordinating outfits every day. A suit, at its most basic, is a uniform. I like the aspect of having a uniform to throw on every morning.
 
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