What is a (British)"lounge suit"?
 

We received our tickets to attend the Sept 11th Remembrance Ceremony at St. Pauls. The accompanying literature recommends day wear for ladies (got that), and "lounge suit with tie" for gentlemen.

Hoping this isn't more than a blazer and tie, as that is all we were going to take. (and I may have to do some sweet-talking to get him into a tie).

A lounge suit means a matching jacket and trousers, i.e. a business suit. For a Remembrance Ceremony, dark color would be appropriate. Lounge suits are sometimes worn without tie for an informal occasion, but clearly a tie is expected here. (After all, you are going to a church service in London's largest cathedral.)

Sorry - I know that wasn't the answer you were hoping to hear! If he takes a navy suit + khakis, then he has the blazer look for the rest of the trip. And it just means taking the one extra pair of (suit) pants.

Yes, it's just a normal business suit. I'm sure you'll be fine as long as you have a jacket and tie, with say a white business-type shirt and dark trousers that are a suitable match for the jacket. It's about respect in wearing a tie, and not a fashion thing with actual matching jacket and pants ie the suit part, in these circumstances. Unfortunately there's no getting away from wearing a tie.

Thanking you for the info, and respecting the difference between the largest cathedral in London and our local parish where jeans and tees are de rigeur.

"<i>and respecting the difference between the largest cathedral in London and our local parish where jeans and tees are de rigeur.</i>"

You could wear your jeans to St Paul's other times -- this is a special event.

A lounge suit is a standard business suit (at the time it was named that it was considered more casual wear since gents in the city wore dark coats and striped pants to work). For the kind of ceremony you are head to a dark suit wold be appropriate. You should also wear a full business (what some people might consider formal) suit or dress. Don;t know about a hat - that seems l like a big thin in the UK although never seen in the US.

Showy hats are for weddings. For remembrance services and funerals, sombre and unobtrusively formal is the theme. It would depend on the church as to whether women are expected to have some sort of head-covering. If they've said nothing specific, then it probably isn't an issue.

A blazer and trousers, for most people, absolutely ISN'T appropriate for a memorial service that specifies lounge suit. Failure to wear a tie is downright offensive,

I say "for most people" because former members of Britain's Armed Forces have a distinct formal dress including a blazer with regimental or corps badge. At SOME military-linked memorial services (and this might well be one), the invitation will include a line about "regimental dress" for which regimental blazers (as long as worn with the appropriate beret) will be acceptable.

Dress codes are VERY rare in Britain - especially for church congregations (since by definition they exclude people, they're close to heretical in the Anglican and Catholic churches). Strict conformance to them on their very rare occurrence is essential.

For civilians, you will NOT "be fine as long as you have a jacket and tie, with say a white business-type shirt and dark trousers"

To clarify what dress codes mean in English churches.

We're not talking jumped up tearooms insisting on your wearing the horrid green polyester tie they keep to humiliate you, or the Vatican's Taliban-style measuring of skirt lengths here.

Vergers will almost certainly let deviant dress in (it's a church, not an etiquette test), and no-one's going to stare (this is England). But your husband will be almost alone in looking as if he thinks he's at a sailing regatta. You'll notice it - and, unless he's exceptionally insensitive, so will he.

"lounge suit" = "interview suit" = "funeral suit" (but with better tie)

The advice to wear a lounge suit is to differentiate it from "tails" which would have been the norm until recently. It may help your man understand that this is "dress down" not "dress up". He will feel more comfortable if he conforms and while he may get away with a blazer he will make other people uncomfortable.

No tie, well if he is the embasador for Iran it's possible but no one else.

Thanks to all, we have packed a dark grey suit with tie for hubby, and grey dress with heels for moi. Very different than my original plans, but thanking all of you for your help. 10th anniversary of 9-11 should be remembered, even if overseas.

Having attended Thanksgiving Day services in St. Paul's some years ago, I'm sure it will be a memorable event. The British are fabulous at doing things up properly -- how fortunate that you can attend.

"Thanks to all, we have packed a dark grey suit with tie for hubby, and grey dress with heels for moi. Very different than my original plans, but thanking all of you for your help. 10th anniversary of 9-11 should be remembered, even if overseas."

Very appropriate, it's worth remembering that Us Brits tend to adopt more formal dress than Americans for certain 'official' occasions.