From a gift for a big birthday to autumn-appropriate fabrics and what to wear to a fancy restaurant, MR PORTER answers your pressing style questions .

Special occasions are made all the more special when we mark them appropriately. That’s why we push the boat out when buying a gift for a big birthday, and why we think carefully about what to wear when going to a smart restaurant. If you’re ever stuck for ideas for either, read our latest style advice column, below, where we also address whether or not it is acceptable to wear distinctly summery fabrics during the colder months.

As ever, keep your questions coming via MR PORTER’s social channels or, if you prefer, email them directly to dan.rookwood@mrporter.com. Until next Friday…

**What is an appropriate outfit to wear for a meal in a fancy restaurant?

From Mr Murphy Rigby, via email**

Although there is no such thing as a dress code in most restaurants, make an effort when getting ready to go out because you’ll enjoy yourself more. Wearing something you like, and in which you feel smart and confident, helps get you in the right mindset for having a good time. It’s also a sign of respect to the person or people with whom you’re dining, as well as to the restaurant. Just as you would be disappointed by slovenly presentation on the plate or rude service, so there is a reasonable expectation that you will present yourself well in terms of dress and behaviour.

What you wear should suit the restaurant’s vibe. So if it’s a formal, double-tablecloth fine-dining experience, then dress up (for this type of establishment, you may well be required to wear a jacket, so do check). But if it’s a more casual, family-style-sharing-plates place, then you don’t want to look too stiff in a suit and tie. Also, there shouldn’t be a sartorial mismatch between you and your dining guest, or one or both of you will feel uncomfortable.

A safe outfit that should work for most places would be a button-down chambray shirt tucked in to belted, slim, but not skinny navy blue chinos, worn with, say, chocolate-brown suede Chelsea boots.

If in doubt, play it smart (maybe add an unstructured charcoal grey or navy blazer). It’s always better to be slightly overdressed than slightly underdressed. Whatever you do, don’t wear a hat – leave that to the chef.

**My husband’s 40th is coming up and I want to get him something special. Help!

From Ms Laura Misslebrook, via email**

A landmark birthday should be celebrated with a landmark gift, ideally something that will last a long time, and that he will always associate with the occasion. Get this right and it’ll be the gift that keeps on giving. If you’re spending big, you need a good return on that investment.

For this reason, I’d steer clear of clothes that will date or that might not fit in years to come. An exception could be a classic coat such as a camel overcoat, a beige trench or a navy peacoat, all of which are timeless styles a man will keep for years and years. Or perhaps some classic shoes – a special pair from John Lobb or George Cleverley – that will last a lifetime (or two).

Good leather often improves with age because it develops a patina, so you could also consider a beautiful work bag such as a Berluti briefcase, or a weekend bag such as a Mulberry holdall. A Montblanc fountain pen is also a handsome and decadent option.

My strong advice would be to go for a watch. If budget allows, you really can’t go wrong with an IWC Schaffhausen, a Portugieser to be more specific. IWC is such an iconic brand that produces elegant, timeless watches that will never date and should hold their value pretty well if looked after. I’m also a fan of the Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 1969, which has a window in the dial through the movement. You don’t have to spend thousands, however, especially if your husband is not really a watch guy. A Mondaine Evo Big Date watch is a simple and eminently affordable design classic.

**Can I wear jackets made from summer fabrics (such as linen and hopsack) in the cooler seasons?

From @justin_choe, via Instagram**

In a word, yes. In a few more, some people stick very hard and fast to old school diktats about what is appropriate to wear when. There is a rule in the US, for example, that says one must not wear seersucker or linen before Memorial Day (end of May) or after Labor Day (beginning of September). However, such rigidity has been relaxed in recent years. Wearing lighter layers such as hopsack, seersucker, linen or light cotton when it’s colder can allow you to layer up with ventilation and without overheating. But once it gets really cold, summer jackets just aren’t practical. Also bear in mind that light summer tones tend to look better on skin that has some colour.

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