The State of Black Tie: Your Observations - Page 6

Originally Posted by mafoofan 

Originally Posted by mafoofan 

I think you're still missing my point. When a thing is viewed predominantly as old-fashioned, it tends to be disfavored by younger people. That doesn't mean all classic or old things are predominantly associated with being old-fashioned. When an old-fashioned thing suddenly becomes acceptable, popular, or fashionable, people tend to stop calling it old-fashioned.

Originally Posted by edmorel 

yay!!!! an office pants thread!

Originally Posted by mjphillips 

As as Southerner I might be biased, but amongst the well-to-do wedding are almost always black tie (exception: outdoor weddings in warmer months). If you're the type to grow up going to cotillions, country club events, fraternity formals, etc, you would almost certainly own a tuxedo by age 20.

Originally Posted by mafoofan 

From the vibe I picked up, it seems a lot of younger guys (my age, plus or minus five years) have a compulsive reaction against dressing in anything that could be construed as old-fashioned.

Originally Posted by bourbonbasted 


To be honest I think you'd be surprised. A very, very large number of my friends wear things like seersucker/sack suits and bowties regularly. They wear loafers year-round and adhere to a conservative dress code. They are likely to wear a blue blazer to a bar with pleated khakis and alligator driving shoes.
To me this is quite classic. WASPy? For sure. "Fratty"? Without doubt. Old-fashioned? I think that really depends on your definition. However, I don't think any of my friends could care less about being seen as "cool."

Originally Posted by bourbonbasted 

Hmm well with your PS example I can say that I wear them to coordinate my outfit. I own many that bring out nuances in my outfits that I really like. Plus I can't stand the idea of having a naked pocket unless the SC/suit is really that busy.
Personally, as a 23 year old I wear things like trousers with cuffs, tassel loafers, braces with my suits, etc. I have been accused of being "old school" or "old man" (or something equally inane) for wearing all of these things at one time or another. However, I wear them because I like them. They catch my eye or are functional or are suitable to a level of formality, etc. I don't think I demonstrate an aversion to "old fashioned" conventions.

Originally Posted by unbelragazzo 

Also seemingly everyone in the South now gets married outdoors and in spring/summer. That's my experience anyway.

Originally Posted by Master Squirrel 

I love to wear black tie. Sometimes I put it on (Yes I own more than one DJ) and my girlfriend puts on a nice dress with her mink stole and we go to the bar, load the jukebox with Depeche Mode and eat chicken wings. I think we even did it during SNOWMagedden last year. Then there was a draft party where I had three minutes to decide what to wear that was black and white... Ding! Black tie. My friends were a bit upset because they were faced with the same problem and would have thrown theirs on as well. In other words, I don't wait for an excuse... I make one. (and the only embarrassment I suffer is having women hand me phone numbers when my ladyfriend is away).

Originally Posted by patrickBOOTH 

Two years ago I wore my black suit and black wholecuts to the opera. I didn't try to make it look like a tux, but it seemed a more appropriate time for a black suit.. It had been a long time since I had remembered going to one when I was young when I wore a typical suit the the opera. I was slightly embarassed that I was going to be underdressed. Then I saw most the people around me looking like they just came from the beach... It was disgusting.

Originally Posted by mjphillips 

You would not feel out of place if you attended the Metropolitan Opera in black tie on a Friday or Saturday night. Would guess no more than 20% are in black tie, but people are very dressed up in general, and in party clothes too - velvet jackets, bowties, ascots, etc.
As as Southerner I might be biased, but amongst the well-to-do wedding are almost always black tie (exception: outdoor weddings in warmer months). If you're the type to grow up going to cotillions, country club events, fraternity formals, etc, you would almost certainly own a tuxedo by age 20. Now it wouldn't likely be a very nice tuxedo (my friend calls it a 'fratcedo') and would probably have notch lapels, but you'd get used to the idea of wearing one and would probably upgrade to a proper one around age 25. Goes without saying that the bowtie would be self-tie and would wear a proper shirt with studs, cufflinks, etc.
In my opinion, comfort with wearing a tuxedo is proportional to how often one wears it. If you've worn a tuxedo 3 times in your life you probably think it's stuffy or old-fashioned, but at a certain point you begin to enjoy and look forward to it.

Originally Posted by Metropolitan Opera FAQ 
What is the dress code?
There is no dress code at the Met. People dress more formally for Galas or openings of new productions, but this is optional. We recommend comfortable clothing appropriate for a professional setting.

Originally Posted by Sonny58 

We will be seeing La Boheme at the Metropolitan Opera on a Thursday night (not an opening night) and would like to dress appropriately but at the higher end of the scale. I am confused though given the varied thoughts above.

Originally Posted by Sonny58 

We will be seeing La Boheme at the Metropolitan Opera on a Thursday night (not an opening night) and would like to dress appropriately but at the higher end of the scale. I am confused though given the varied thoughts above.