The Secret to Summer Suiting

This post was written by Lindy Dandy.

If you’re convinced that wearing a suit to a dance is a hot, stuffy affair, then you’ll have a hard time believing that you can wear a suit in the summer, but it can be done. How?

It’s a matter of fabric. If you wear a typical 3-season weight (Fall/Winter/Spring) wool suit, you will melt. Chances are it’s a dark suit, which makes it extra hot and not appropriate for the season anyway. What you want is a lighter weight, breathable fabric like cotton or linen.

White Linen Suit Size 50L — White linen: think more Tom Wolfe, less Don Johnson (unless that’s your thing, then go for it!).

Tom Wolfe: good. Don Johnson: not as good.

POLO RALPH LAUREN Polo II blue seersucker suit 44R — Cotton Seersucker: Can look a bit dandy (works for me!), so dress it down, stick to one seersucker item (jacket/vest/pants) per ensemble, or try an alternate seersucker color, like gray.

L.L. Bean Signature Kennebunk Linen Blazer — Khaki Linen: The most approachable option. The jacket or pants can each easily be used separately. Perfect together for a summer wedding.

Madras: Very preppy, very summer, and another option (as a jacket, NOT as a suit).

Besides the fabric of your jacket or suit, it’s lining will also make a difference to your perception of the temperature. Jackets can be fully lined, partially lined, or unlined. Unlined jackets are unstructured and often are made of cotton. (They’re also packable, which make them great for travel).

No matter how breathable and lightweight your clothes, you will sweat. Count on it. Take a break, cool off, dance by a fan, take off your jacket if it gets overwhelming, and for goodness sake, change if you’re drenched (you did bring extra shirts, right?). The follows will appreciate it. (If you don’t, they’ll tell their friends not to dance with you).

As Barney from How I Met Your Mother might say, “Summer suit up!”

Classic and Classy Shoes for Dudes

This post was written by Lindy Dandy.

Most of these have leather soles (and you could get a cobbler to resole the others), but I say they’d serve you better getting to and from the dance. These auctions are all currently less than $15 (except for the black captoes, with some starting as low as $1).

White Bucks, size 11 — Nothing says summer quite like white Bucks with red brick soles. Size 11.

Allen Edmonds Lauderdale Cap Toe Oxfords — These are an interesting take on captoes. The weaving makes them less formal. My friend, Bradley, has a similar vintage pair he dances in. Size 13.

SALVATORE FERRAGAMO Brown Buckle Loafers Shoes — Brown Double Monk Strap Shoes. Classic. Size 11B. (I wish these were in my size)

LLEN EDMONDS Polo Oxford Shoes — I'm not usually into saddle shoes, but these are a nice variation. Size 10B.

Brooks Brothers Black Captoe Brogues. Size 9B.

Happy hunting!

Small, but useful: Tie Clips

This post was written by Lindy Dandy.

Have you ever danced with a follow wearing an unsecured ponytail? Remember how you had to bob and weave to avoid getting smacked in the face? Annoying, yes?

You’ll be the male equivalent if you don’t have a way to secure your tie.

Now, there are a couple ways to do this:

Wear a vest.
Wear a tie clip (or a tie pin or tie chain).

Many swing dancers wear vests, but today, we’re talking tie clips.

Tie clips aren’t just functional. From simple and formal to ornate and silly, they’re an opportunity to express your personality and share your interests. They were the billboards of yesteryear, so you can even promote clubs and products with them. (I’ve seen tie clips shaped like weapons, animals, and vehicles). A plain silver rectangle works too. Besides protecting your follow, they also keep your tie out of your soup.

Here are a couple I found on ebay:

Vintage Art Deco Designs Sterling Silver Tie Clip

Vintage 1950s 60s ANSON Goldtone & Red Enamel TIE CLIP — Vintage 1950s 60s ANSON Goldtone & Red Enamel Tie Clip

Vtg. USS Forrestal Tie Clip — Yeah, I couldn't help myself. (I'm in the Navy).

I prefer mine on the short side (around 1″), but I have a few longer ones.

Wear them anywhere between a 1/3rd and a 1/2 way down your tie from your collar. Match the metal of your other accessories (belt/ring/watch/cufflinks). Wearing it horizontally is more conservative. Angled down (my preference) is a tad rakish. As Frank Sinatra said, “Cock your hat – angles are attitudes.”

Do yourself a favor. Wear a tie. Do the ladies a favor and secure your ties with a tie clip.