clothing advice?

Question

My wife and I are going to Boston for the weekend. Upscale hotel. We are jeans and sneakers people. We have money,but don't use it. What type of clothes would be appropriate? I'm 48. wife is 46.

Answer 1

There is nothing wrong with being yourself. It doesn't matter how expensive the hotel is, you are only visiting, not moving in there.

I would go for one or two nice outfits for the evening while keeping the jeans and tees for the day. If you will be there 1 night, one outfit, 2 nights would need 2 outfits. Since you are both more mature, look for sophisticated classics that complement your bodies (and ages) instead of the youthful high fashion styles that look best on the teens and twenty year olds. No offense intended here, but adults often look immature and artless when they wear the ultra trendy clothing. You are asking for a lot of information, so this is going to be long. My appolgies in advance.

You should be in dress slacks and a button up, jacket and tie are preferred in case the restaurants have a dress code. A full suit may not be something you want to invest in, since you won't wear it that much after the weekend. I'm a big fan of flat front pants for men, I think that they look better on more men than pleated styles. They are also easier to pair with a jacket or blazer since they don't have the extra bulk in the front.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/2378156/0~2376777~2385246~2385247~2378156?origin=FirstImageSnippet&pbo=2374615
Then look for jackets in the look you want. I prefer a more matched set than the two-toned look, but it's really up to you.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/2374626/0~2376777~2374609~2374626?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=leftnav&pbo=2374609
After you have selected the pants and/or jackets, then look for the shirts. White is always a classic, but don't hold back from the colors. They can look great alone or with a jacket, where as the white shirts look best when worn under a jacket.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/2378122/0~2376777~2385246~2385248~2378122?origin=FirstImageSnippet&pbo=2374623
The tie should be next, find one that complemtns both the shirt and color of your jacket/pants. The tie can bring the entire outfit together if you opt for different colored pants and jacket.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6007418/0~2376777~2374609~2374630~6007418?origin=FirstImageSnippet&pbo=2374630
Then your shoes should match the pants. If you are in black or gray pants, buy black shoes. Brown pants = brown shoes, navy pants = navy shoes. If you choose a different colot pants than the classics, stick to the classic color that is closest. Tan would be brown, blue would be navy, etc... The style is really a matter of personal preference. I prefer oxfords myself, I think they look nicer than slip-ons.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/2372848/0~2376778~2372807~2372847~2372848?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=leftnav&pbo=2376179

Your wife should be in a dressy outfit along the same formality, either separates or a dress. She has more options than you do, but you should both have the same look when you are dressed. If she chooses a dress or skirt, it should come no higher than above the knee, meaning that the hem grazes the top of her knee caps. Shorter styles can look trashy in fancy venues. She should get something that is as versitile as your pants and jackets; she can dress it up or down depending on the destination. Depending on her body type will determine the exact style. A-lines and flirty swings look best on every body type, so if she is unsure of what to buy, stick with the basics.
Skirts:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2884285/0~2376776~2374327~2374336~2383959?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2383959&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2909976/0~2376776~2374327~2374336~2381574?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2381574&P=1
Pants should be either tailored or slightly flared:
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2892282/0~2376776~2374327~2374335~2374369?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2374369&P=1
http://shop.nordstrom.com/S/2871468/0~2376776~2374327~2374335~2374369?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=category&searchtype=&pbo=2374369&P=1
Then she can mix and match with pretty tops to her taste.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/2377660/0~2376776~2374327~2374333~2377660?mediumthumbnail=Y&viewAll=0&tuid=00000418-006c-085e-6361-745f6d656469&CatID=2377660&Category=2377660
Dresses should be flexible, she shouldn't end up in an evening gown that she can only wear once.
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6001766/0~2376776~2374327~2374331~6001765~6001766?origin=6001765_Shop+by+Event%2fOccasion6001765
She may also want to look at sets, where the top and bottom have alreay been paired up.
Then she can pick the shoes she likes best. I assume that since both don't dress up that often, she isn't used to high heels. But a low to mid heel can still be beautiful under 2".

Feel free to email me if you want/need more specific information.
Have fun and good luck!

Answer 2

Does it really matter? I mean your paying to stay there so you can wear what you want to wear and what you feel comfortable in. I think the only time you should maybe dress up a bit is if your going to dinner or other facilities in the hotel where sneakers are probably not appropriate.

Answer 3

I would recommend a suit for you and a dress for your wife. Think trendy, smart and fashionable. I wouldnt suggest jeans and sneakers as people at the hotel will get the wrong impressions of you both. Tailored suits for you both would work wonders.

Answer 4

hey ppl! well the key to being comfy is wearing whteva u like! and id suggest ur wife to wear flowy skirts with smart blousons or shirts,she can also wear jeans teamed with feminine tops that look smart.for you id say you can slip into your fav jeans but id suggest you ditch the senakers and wear smart loafers in suede or leather.i do not mean flip flops..theyr tacky and look awful!you can wear half sleeved shirts with or without collars.....! all the very best you can chek out the loafers taht ive specified dont go in fer the same ones if u cant afford em but the similar varieties available at shops.all the best!

Answer 5

wear what you are comfortable in. if you feel the need to dress it up a bit, she can pair jeans with heels or accessories. you can try a henley style shirt instead of a normal tshirt.

or

anything patriots or red sox.

avoid yankees stuff if you want to keep your reservation.

Answer 6

Smart casual would be most appropriate. Let your wife buy a new outfit, you skinflint :-)