I wrote this for a bit of fun.  I love weddings, they are the best parties to go to. Everyone is always sooo happy, (well the odd sad person who is regreting not getting married that day, but it is a natural part of life).

The term “blazer” is generally used to refer to a jacket made out of a fairly smooth, relatively lightweight cloth; this kind of jacket is thought to have originated in the Navy, and consequently you can still find blazers with brightly polished buttons and a badge on the chest pocket, although blazers have moved far away from this nautical theme. Blazers are often thought of as summer wear, and navy blues and brighter summer colours abound.

Sports jackets, on the other hand, are made out of heavier, tweedy materials that are suitable for autumn and winter wear; browns and greys are frequently found, and checks and herringbones are often the order of the day. Not surprisingly given the name, they originated as a loose, comfortable jacket suitable for shooting parties on country house weekends.

Nowadays, both blazers and sports jackets are popular choices when you want to look smart but avoid the businesslike tone of a suit. The beauty of both blazers and sports jackets is that you can wear them with almost any kind of trousers, even jeans. What you wear underneath these jackets is up to you, so you can run the gamut from knitwear to shirt and tie. That makes both blazers and sports jackets extremely versatile, and the smart man will do well to keep more than one of each on hand. Some should be more tailored, others more relaxed. Then you’re ready for all occasions.

Winter suits were generally made of wool and in dark colours. They would be completely lined with a sturdy material and sometimes used with a matching waistcoat to keep in the warmth. Waistcoats have fallen out of fashion with the advent of central heating and the adoption of continental style. They are still a good solution to keeping in the heat during cold weather, as they surround what the medical profession refers to as the “core.”

While there is really no good substitute for wool in a winter suit, dark colors could no longer be considered mandatory. Extremely light colours such as khaki are not appropriate to the colder months. Lighter shades of the primary colours are fashionably correct. Patterns and stripes should be, as at any season, subdued. Tweeds and similar patterns are permissible in a country setting but are really not appropriate business or evening wear in the city.

Fashion and fit change with each year just as styles and fabrics change with the seasons. The help of a good and knowledgeable salesperson can be invaluable in the choice of a new suit. The internet is also a good source of information. At our blog www.suitblog.co.uk we are building a wealth of invaluable information and advice as well as a source for the items themselves at www.SuitsMen.co.uk

While there is no official dress code, it’s still important to look your best, and SuitsMen can certainly help you there! It would be unseemly to arrive for Mahler’s Symphony No. 9 in blue jeans and a ragged t-shirt! For the formal concerts, suitsmen offers many handsome options that will flatter gentleman. For jackets, there is a wide selection of black  dinner jackets, white Tuxedos, as well less formal attire, such as double breasted blazers and such striking options as the Salisbury Wool Jacket. For shirts, suitsmen offers everything from wing collars to pleated fronts and double cuffs, in white, ivory and black.

No formal outfit is complete without a waistcoat, and the options available in this category are numerous as well. In addition, there is no limit to the selection of accessories. The John White Oxford shoe is particularly sharp, and the addition of cufflinks to any ensemble is a subtle but powerful statement about a man’s style.

There is also a selection of belts on sale to fit a variety of sizes, and all the trimmings to make a fashionable outfit complete. Any of these options would fit the 2009 Proms fantastically, and the range of music available this Summer is as varied as the selections on hand at www.suitsmen.co.uk.