The State of Black Tie: Your Observations

My sister just had her debut (18th birthday party) and she specified black tie. The vast majority were, surprisingly, correctly dressed in black tie. Mostly peak/shawl lapels, some DB tuxes, 2 or 3 velvet smoking jackets. Shoe's were a slightly different story, but the ratio of patent/slippers to other was almost 50/50. I dunno if we just have fashionable friends/family or if it's a filipino thing, but I was pleasantly surprised.

My sister also let me choose her court's clothing, so they were all properly dressed. Interesting to see that this isn't the norm when it comes to black tie, considering that the attendees were mostly ethnic non-caucasians.

Went to 'black tie or business attire' wedding last night. Apart from the groom/ groomsmen I'd say there were only a handful in dinner jackets out of about 4-500 men there. Lucky I wore my DB instead of the one I originally intended which was more 'full-on'.

Good thread, nice to see V/FC comments without redaction.



Saltricks said:

My sister just had her debut (18th birthday party) and she specified black tie. The vast majority were, surprisingly, correctly dressed in black tie. Mostly peak/shawl lapels, some DB tuxes, 2 or 3 velvet smoking jackets. Shoe's were a slightly different story, but the ratio of patent/slippers to other was almost 50/50. I dunno if we just have fashionable friends/family or if it's a filipino thing, but I was pleasantly surprised.

Click to expand...

Could be a regional or cultural thing. I don't think I know anyone who has a tux, My father bought one for a cruise once, only a cheap one though as it was just needed for a couple of weeks. I've never been to any state dinners or formal gala balls or anything else that might require black-tie, so have not needed one myself.

One can't even buy a tux in this city. I did see them in Beijing though. extremely expensive Kiton ones.

Damn. I have an invite to a daytime wedding where the invitation says 'formal attire'. I'm thinking that this just means a suit, surely not morning dress?

My NYE party report:

- About 400 people at the party.

- I noticed only three guys in suits, everyone else was in black tie.

- Nearly all the tuxedos were SBs worn with cummerbunds. I did not see a single vest, and there were few DBs.

- There were quite a lot of "suit-y" jackets: notch lapels, flapped pockets, center vents.

- While there were no "fun" tuxedos, there were several matching bow/cummerbund sets. Overall, all but a handful implemented conservative accessorizing.

- Good shoes were almost non existent, with few even wearing patent lace ups.

- Tuxedos that fit well were rare, although nearly everyone was wearing something that they owned.

Fun party.



F. Corbera said:

My NYE party report:
- About 400 people at the party.
- I noticed only three guys in suits, everyone else was in black tie.
- Nearly all the tuxedos were SBs worn with cummerbunds. I did not see a single vest, and there were few DBs.
- There were quite a lot of "suit-y" jackets: notch lapels, flapped pockets, center vents.
- While there were no "fun" tuxedos, there were several matching bow/cummerbund sets. Overall, all but a handful implemented conservative accessorizing.
- Good shoes were almost non existent, with few even wearing patent lace ups.
- Tuxedos that fit well were rare, although nearly everyone was wearing something that they owned.
Fun party.

Click to expand...

This post makes me envious. More so than usual, in fact. Acridsheep's pair, notwithstanding.



F. Corbera said:

My NYE party report:
- About 400 people at the party.
- I noticed only three guys in suits, everyone else was in black tie.
- Nearly all the tuxedos were SBs worn with cummerbunds. I did not see a single vest, and there were few DBs.
- There were quite a lot of "suit-y" jackets: notch lapels, flapped pockets, center vents.
- While there were no "fun" tuxedos, there were several matching bow/cummerbund sets. Overall, all but a handful implemented conservative accessorizing.
- Good shoes were almost non existent, with few even wearing patent lace ups.
- Tuxedos that fit well were rare, although nearly everyone was wearing something that they owned.
Fun party.

Click to expand...

I wore a vest with the tux to my event - I'm not a fan of the cummerbund. Didn't notice any guests in a suit.

My observations for 2011, I wore black tie on 3 occasions and white tie (top hat, tails, cane) just twice. I passed on at least 4-5 other occasions to wear either (more likely black tie though). All in all, a pretty good year. Hopefully 2012 will bring more opportunities to wear them both.



F. Corbera said:

My NYE party report:
- About 400 people at the party.
- I noticed only three guys in suits, everyone else was in black tie.
- Nearly all the tuxedos were SBs worn with cummerbunds. I did not see a single vest, and there were few DBs.
- There were quite a lot of "suit-y" jackets: notch lapels, flapped pockets, center vents.
- While there were no "fun" tuxedos, there were several matching bow/cummerbund sets. Overall, all but a handful implemented conservative accessorizing.
- Good shoes were almost non existent, with few even wearing patent lace ups.
- Tuxedos that fit well were rare, although nearly everyone was wearing something that they owned.
Fun party.

Click to expand...

You know what this means, right?



NORE said:

You know what this means, right?

Click to expand...

We are about to hit a giant iceberg in the North Atlantic?

[VIDEO][/VIDEO]

NYE at the Kennedy Center was truly a mixed bag. Quite a few in black tie. Many more in various states of disrespect (for the occasion). Not a patent pump anywhere to be seen. (Me included.)

Hey, Mr. Ranger, Sir! What's the source on these??



Answering my own question... Trianon



Trianon Cufflinks

Really diggin' the Stingray / WG and the Hematite / MOP

I did my first black tie this year (having been an avid SF'er for about 2 years now) and had to get everything from scratch. The one norm I chose to depart from was dual vents instead of ventless.

I'm fortunately tall and athletically thin, ventless looks and feels like a big wool condom draped over me. I had to really hunt an actual tux that had vents, but hunt and find I did and I'm glad I did. Note that I went the full monty on everything else - patent leather shoes (though with a subtle rolled cap toe instead of plain), cummerbund, tied my own bow tie (and wrestled like hell with it the first dozen times!), bib shirt with winged collar, etc.

Nobody did, but I was fully prepared to present a reasonable rationale for my vents with anyone who pointed them out as a no-no, but - of course - half or more of the rest of the attendees weren't even wearing black, or even a tux, let alone concerned about vents.

X-Poast from WAYW. Sorry the pic doesn't give the greatest look at fit, but you get the idea. I also know that Foo is stewing somewhere due to the notch lapels. Oh well.

Sartorio (Attolini) tux
Zegna shirt
J Press tie/square
Dior vintage 24k links
C&J (not pictured)