The State of Black Tie: Your Observations - Page 17

Hang on. It's worth the wait.

I did one first, and am now adding the other

I agree with this. I went to a cocktail bar and was the only one in a suit at all, except for my friend the manager (who also reads SF) who was in a lounge suit with tie. But I felt great. I might not wear it every evening, but if there's one occasion a year to wear black tie, New Years Eve is it.

I'm going at the other way round...

Speaking for myself, and now that I am inevitably facing the prospect of becoming, or already being, both - I find it to be quite a lot of fun.

if ever you get invited to one, try at least once in your lifetime. if you're going for the first time, chances are you'll get all caught up in trying to get that perfect tux.

I was at a large charity event over the weekend that presented some very interesting takes on formal wear. I would say about twenty percent got it right or mostly right. Certainly fewer rental tuxes then I have seen in years past and more shawl collars and double breasted than one might expect. Mind you the Governor was setting the tone with his single breasted notch tuxedo paired with a burgundy paisley bow tie, belt, and Ferragamo bit loafers (no waist covering). It was a very large gathering so I was able to count at least half a dozen pair of formal pumps, though most men seemed to think that any black shoe would do.

I did however find something truly spectacular. I am sure Mr. Poker will have this “feature” added to his to his next dinner suit… or maybe an existing one –this example buttoned off so that the tux could be cleaned.
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Jack would be far more convincing in this regard were it not for his intolerable tendency to button the bottom button on his suit jackets.

Considering that that fixation only began as a way for the British aristocracy to avoid pissing off a fat king who couldn't button his without showing off his gut, and was often ignored well into the 50's and even 60's on this continent, I wouldn't hold that against him too much.

Oh God,somebody let the occupiers in...

But there are a lot of things considered "incorrect" today that you could find precedent for long ago (just look at Buscemi's formal ensemble in Boardwalk Empire; three-button jacket, white tie w/o tails) but when done today are generally symbols of ignorance instead of hearkening back to times past.

Buscemi is not a good example. I don't think there is any historical basis for his formalwear.

Are you sure? I ask only because the basis for the character, Atlantic City crime boss Nucky Johnson, was known as an impeccable dresser which I had figured the series writers and producers carried over to the show with the help of experts in the field of post-WWI formal dress.

http://www.gentlemansgazette.com/nucky-thompson-boardwalk-empire-clothes-suits/

"However, the real Nucky Johnson actually wore a proper double breasted dinner jacket with a black bow tie, pocket square and a boutonniere in his buttonhole. Obviously, he dressed according to the dress code of the time. The evening outfits from Nucky Thompson in Boardwalk Empire are anything but historically correct, especially when Nucky Johnson’s pictures reveal him wearing traditional attire."

With respect to Boardwalk Empire, I think it's important to remember that TV generally presents things overblown so that they "feel" right to the viewer--rather than accurately, since reality tends to underwhelm (and visually, all the men in traditional black tie would look boring to the viewer).

 

There was some discussion above of Brooks Brothers evening wear.  Tonight, the BB twitter mentioned that they had decked out two celebs for the Golden Globes: Ty Burrell of Modern Family and Paul Giamatti.  Neither of them were wearing traditional black tie--Giamatti wasn't even wearing a bowtie, while Burrell was wearing a white dinner jacket (not technically incorrect but not exactly appropriate either).  Notch lapels in both cases.  Burrell also sported a wing collar.

 

Certainly paled in comparison to some of the bigger stars in traditional black tie (Clooney, Pitt, etc.).  So I think that goes to show how seriously BB takes black tie.