Help with navy tux accessories

I don't know if it has been covered before, but a search could not pull it up.

I just purchased a dark navy/midnight blue Kiton tux. It is not perfect because it has notched lapels, but I like the fact that it is not black which I think is fine for all but the most formal of events--but then it has a less formal lapel and the color is a little irreverant for a true black tie even anyway. Besides, the price was better than alternatives such as a BBGF tux, and everyone has one of those.

Now the issue is shoes and bowtie.

I never wear black with navy, but maybe this should be an exception? I don't want patent shoes, rather velvet slippers. Should I try to find these in a dark navy or give in to black velvet?

The same goes for the bowtie. Dark navy or black. Will black look strange against the navy? Or, would the inability to match the navy perfectly look strange?

Either way, I feel that the shoes and tie should probably both be black or both be blue.

Thoughts? Comments? Pictures?

This should help:

http://www.blacktieguide.com/

Originally Posted by Patek

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I don't know if it has been covered before, but a search could not pull it up.

I just purchased a dark navy/midnight blue Kiton tux. It is not perfect because it has notched lapels, but I like the fact that it is not black which I think is fine for all but the most formal of events--but then it has a less formal lapel and the color is a little irreverant for a true black tie even anyway. Besides, the price was better than alternatives such as a BBGF tux, and everyone has one of those.

Now the issue is shoes and bowtie.

I never wear black with navy, but maybe this should be an exception? I don't want patent shoes, rather velvet slippers. Should I try to find these in a dark navy or give in to black velvet?

The same goes for the bowtie. Dark navy or black. Will black look strange against the navy? Or, would the inability to match the navy perfectly look strange?

Either way, I feel that the shoes and tie should probably both be black or both be blue.

Thoughts? Comments? Pictures?

Your tie should match the jacket's lapels. Black if they are black, dark blue if they are blue.

Originally Posted by Will

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Your tie should match the jacket's lapels. Black if they are black, dark blue if they are blue.

Where would one find a midnight blue bowtie / cummerbund? I don't believe I have ever seen those.

Originally Posted by Lonneker

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This should help:

http://www.blacktieguide.com/

Interesting. However they don't leave any room for velvet shoes which even by BB is an acceptable option.

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

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Where would one find a midnight blue bowtie / cummerbund? I don't believe I have ever seen those.

Well, with notch lapels I will not be wearing a cummerbund. I'm pretty sure I will have to have a blue bowtie custom made which shouldn't be a big deal.

I'm guessing I should go with a tennis collar shirt.

Edit: BBBF has a navy bowtie, but it is cotton:

Originally Posted by Lonneker

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This should help:

http://www.blacktieguide.com/

Will covered it.

Originally Posted by alliswell

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Will covered it.
So, you also agree that velvet shoes should never be worn? This goes against most accepted formal wear advice.

Originally Posted by Patek

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So, you also agree that velvet shoes should never be worn? This goes against most accepted formal wear advice.

Up to you I guess, but I would advise against it. I am guessing most people here are with me on that, but could be wrong.

Originally Posted by Eustace Tilley

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Where would one find a midnight blue bowtie / cummerbund? I don't believe I have ever seen those.

Originally Posted by Patek

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Edit: BBBF has a navy bowtie, but it is cotton:

http://www.bensilver.com/Cummerbund-...Sets,3233.html

Originally Posted by Lonneker

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Up to you I guess, but I would advise against it. I am guessing most people here are with me on that, but could be wrong.
This is really the first time I'm hearing this. Every sartorial book or article that I have read had them as acceptable footwear. I would like to hear others chime in.

Patent looks better. Check this out:

http://blog.leffot.com/2011/06/24/edward-green-holborn/

I was commenting more on the matching blue facings with a blue tie.

Originally Posted by Patek

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This is really the first time I'm hearing this. Every sartorial book or article that I have read had them as acceptable footwear.

I would like to hear others chime in.

I'm with Lonneker on this one. I think it's one of those things that's permissible according to the "rules", but I would cringe if I saw it.

Originally Posted by alliswell

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Patent looks better. Check this out: http://blog.leffot.com/2011/06/24/edward-green-holborn/ I was commenting more on the matching blue facings with a blue tie.
FU EG! Those do look good but in no way are they versatile. What about shirts. There is one BBGF that looks pretty damn good. Any other suggestions in that quality/price range (around $250)?

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

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http://www.bensilver.com/Cummerbund-...Sets,3233.html
That is navy, which is a far cry from midnight blue. So, my question stands: where, in RTW, can one find a midnight blue bowtie for formalwear?

Originally Posted by Patek

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... the price was better than alternatives such as a BBGF tux, and everyone has one of those.
Naturally, bien sûr.

Originally Posted by Patek

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Now the issue is shoes and bowtie. I never wear black with navy, but maybe this should be an exception?
I have a midnight blue tux with black shawl lapels, does that help? (Obviously I wear black shoes and tie.) I'm not certain I was even aware they made navy tuxes that were not black on the facings.