THE JOURNAL

Illustration by Mr Paul Hempstead
Our style expert answers your most pressing sartorial questions.
Special occasions give us a good excuse to dress up, none more so than one’s own wedding day. This week, we advise one reader how to walk down the aisle and which shoes he should be wearing. Meanwhile, another reader wants suggestions for an outfit that is appropriate both for wetting a baby’s head (the christening) and then wetting his whistle (having a few drinks afterwards). But first, we attend to the opinion-splitting question of male jewellery.
If you need Asky, you know where to find him (on email and Instagram). Available for birthdays, weddings, bar mitzvahs, etc.

**More and more of my friends are incorporating accessories such as necklaces and rings into their outfits (I am 20). Is this something I should be doing and, if so, where do I start?
Mr Luke Heppenstall, via email**

In your twenties, you have carte blanche to experiment. That said, do what feels natural, and don’t just do it because all your friends are. (Why do I suddenly feel like a Summer Camp counsellor having The Talk?) Wedding ring aside, jewellery isn’t really for me personally, but I often think it looks cool on other people. Mr Zayn Malik, for example, who wears a lot of one-off vintage Foundwell pieces.
My advice when trying something new is to start off simple and build from there. In terms of a necklace, I like the simplicity of this chain from Maison Margiela, which looks a bit more masculine. For simple pieces that can blend easily into your everyday look, check out David Yurman and Bunney. If your tastes lean more towards rock ’n’ roll, the gothic vibes of Alexander McQueen might be more your aesthetic.
If I were to choose one piece, it would be this Maison Margiela ID bracelet, which harks back to the post-WWII identity bracelets sported by screen idols Messrs James Dean, Marlon Brando and Paul Newman. This stainless steel one from APC is a more affordable option.
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**I have been invited to a christening in mid-February. There will be drinks afterwards, so I would like to avoid the whole suit-shirt-tie combination. I am thinking smart-casual and am considering a double-breasted jacket. What are your thoughts on this and how do I bring the rest of the outfit together?
Mr David Francis, via email**

DB or not DB, that is the question. Double-breasted jackets are often considered more formal than single-breasted, but you can definitely dress them down so they feel relaxed. In which case, I would choose one that isn’t too structured. This Boglioli one, lined only at the sleeves is the sort of stye you’re after.
Using a jacket like this as the building block, you could wear it with knitwear, such as a rollneck or a fine-gauge round-neck sweater (check out NN07 and John Smedley). Alternatively, try a buttoned-up white shirt, a pale blue shirt sans tie or a grandad-collar shirt. On the bottom half, you could wear cords and suede Chelsea boots or dial it up with tailored separates (ie, suit trousers) worn with a solid pair of brogues such as this pair from Grenson. No jeans, please.
There – appropriate for spirits of the holy and alcoholically unholy variety.
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**I’m getting married in May, and I’m using it as an excuse to buy a new tuxedo. I’m leaning towards classic black with a thick shawl neck (I’m a broad-shouldered guy and I already have a peak lapel). The thing is, my go-to patent-leather shoes feel a bit been-there-done-that for our big day. Am I stuck with the same old, or is it OK to have some fun with my feet?
Mr Zack Johnson, via email.**

First, congrats. Second, I like your thinking. Third, I have just what you’re looking for: these boldly embellished shearling-lined Gucci loafers. (Kidding.)
The temptation is always to try something a bit different, but such wedding-day urges are best kept in check. This is a photograph that will be sitting on your mantelpiece for decades to come. You can always step out in something more on-trend/outré for the rehearsal dinner the night before or the going-away brunch the day after.
If you want an alternative to patent leather shoes (such as these from Kingsman + George Cleverley), then I would suggest a pair of slip-ons. Velvet dress slippers, such as these from Anderson & Sheppard, can work well with black tie, although strictly speaking these are for “at home” indoor events. For a May wedding, however, which will presumably also involve being outdoors, you will be on a surer footing with black loafers, either in leather or perhaps suede. You can still have some fun by going for tassels, kilties or a chain. These Dolce & Gabbana numbers might be a step too far, though.
If I had to pick just one pair, I’d go for these Gucci horsebit loafers, a timeless classic that you will be able to wear for decades to come and yet, being Gucci, they are also very of the moment. Damn it, I might have to get myself a pair since. (Writing this column often costs me money.)
Whatever shoes you do end up wearing on the day, make sure you scuff up the soles to give them some grip so you don’t slip walking down the aisle. And break the shoes in beforehand by wearing them around the house for a couple of days. I know you may want them to be box-fresh on the big day, but the last thing you want is to develop a blister that could hamper your first dance.
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