Clueless pair of idiots here - please help!

[Greensleeves]

So DH and I are going to a garden party tomorrow which is sort of a wedding party, but the actual wedding happened during Covid. Dress code is "semi-informal, more sun hat than wedding hat". I think my outfit is OK, I'm wearing a floral dress and light cardigan with nice sandals...but what on earth should DH wear?! He's a programmer, so "work attire" is jeans and T shirts and holey jumpers , he does have a suit but it's for funerals and very dreary! He has one short-sleeved button-up shirt dating from the late 90s and a fairly unattractive selection of ties. He doesn't own any other clothes really apart from his running gear, and he's refused to even think about this until now (he hates clothes). We will have a few hours in a big town tomorrow before the party, so we could technically pick up something, but neither of us has a clue what he should be wearing! Anyone want to throw us a bone?

Short-sleeved collared shirts are a big 'no'. Regular shirt with sleeves rolled up definitely preferable.

For the avoidance of doubt - I will NOT be attending any event hosted by that slovenly sack of rancid rice pudding and his equally profligate wife. These are old school friends, and they are really nice people

Ok so I am clearly the most unfashionable person ever, what on earth earth is wrong with short sleeved shirts?! Surely it's much cooler (and more comfortable) than wearing a long sleeved shirt rolled up?

Will go and crawl back into my tasteless hole now!

Chino style trousers, light or dark (stone/navy/olive). Long sleeve, collared shirt (plain or floral one).
New dark trainers/ slip on shoes.
M&S will do all this cheaply & 'presentably' & all of it is highly wearable again. Jobs a good 'un.

I think your DH could wear nice shorts actually and a short sleeved top of some kind. It's boiling!

Vejas or NB trainers, M&s or fatface Chino shorts, fatface polo , cap or novelty bucket hat with parrots on it for the lols.

Or! Flip flops, shorts, loud ridiculous shirt and novelty bucket hat.

I mean really it sounds like you could have some fun with it. At least it will be something to break the ice with folks you haven't seen it a while.

Wondering exactly the same, @Oojamaflipp

DH looks lovely in a short sleeve shirt and chinos. Personally I think long sleeved shirts look a bit weird without a tie. But clearly I know nothing.

I went to a similar party last weekend, 90% of the men were in beige chinos and a blue patterned/ flowery long sleeve shirt with trainers or loafers.
Most of the women wore midi or maxi dresses with flats.

Why not definitely short sleeved?

I'm so curious why everyone is saying definitely not short sleeved. Is it due to etiquette or fashion?

My husband would probably wear a polo shirt to such event to be honest- especially as the OP said they're chilled.

Those saying no short sleeved shirts, I'm assuming you are meaning as a fashion thing, but it depends on the style. A shirt that is just like a standard shirt, with a collar designed to be worn with a tie is a no-no (bus driver style), but a revere collar looks cool - think Jude Law in The Talented Mr Ripley style.

Seconded. Absolutely not a short sleeved shirt. My husband has casual suits in cotton and linen which would be exactly right for this but I appreciate not everyone is a suit fan , so chinos and linen or cotton jacket. Tie not needed.

Personally I would ban anyone over the age of 10 wearing shorts but, this doesn't sound like an event where shorts would be suitable.

I would honestly take the 'no short sleeved' posters with a pinch of salt. I can't see where anyone has said exactly why and the OP has said the hosts are chilled out.

Genuinely, if someone judges you for the length of your sleeve on a hot day do you really care what they think?

Went to a 50th last night, so most people 40-60 years old. In the interest of mumsnet science, I looked to see what the dress code was.

The majority of men had (shock, horror) short sleeve shirts and chino-type trousers. The 20% or so who didn’t had polo shirts, T-shirts, long sleeve shirts, shorts or jeans.

The women generally wore party or summer dresses. A few had a ‘nice top and trousers’ combo. Surprisingly, not many white trainers around. Generally pretty sandals or (another shock horror), heels.

And a few jump suits around also.

Of course he can wear a short sleeved shirt! Just make sure it’s a nice one, cotton or some such, not a polo shirt. My husband has a fine selection of short sleeved shirts, some of which are actually quite dressy.

What's wrong with a short sleeved shirt?

Long sleeves rolled up- sexy and smart.

Short sleeves- DHL man.

OP, I hope you and DH had a fab time. Such great weather for garden parties and we went to 1 on Saturday evening. There was a mix of everything - ladies wore pretty dresses and sandals, guys wore long-sleeved AND short sleeved button up shirts, even a polo shirt or 5, chinos, smart jeans, trainers, shoes, flip flops! But really, it was such a nice party that I really don’t think anyone cared who was wearing what 🤷🏻‍♀️