"Black Tie Casual" - Page 3

I have a black hopsack blazer that I have retired since joining this forum. Maybe I should get it back out again.

I do like the idea of a DB or SB peak lapel jacket though. Anyone have any recommendations for about $500?

I will have to consider this. I am going on a cruise soon, so it might see some use. It would be nice to not be wearing office wear to dinner on casual and smart casual nights. I already have the formal nights covered.

Yeah I also have a black hopsack SC that is pretty much retired - actually always was - it was sold to me on B&S as "dark navy" and I didn't feel like going through the pissing match of returning it.

Perhaps I'll dust it off, pair with a white shirt and dark denim and black shoes, and see how it turns out. Needs chelseas I think.

I'm familiar with wanting to wear tailored clothing out to clubs etc - a tailored jacket with a shine to it does just feel right at night. Your dress shirts without a tie are definitely what's letting you down. You've admitted that the tie is the limit the crossing point before people ask why you're so dressed up. If you want to not wear a tie, you're better off just going with a tshirt here.

See Fuuma.

What about footwear? I guess the idea is to avoid typical business shoes. Also, is there some kind of rule about no wing-tips at night? Is black the preferred color here or does brown work as well.

 

I have been considering getting these shoes (http://www.kentwang.com/shoes/benchgrade-plaintoe-balmoral.html) for use with formal evening wear, and am wondering if they are suitable for non-formal evening wear as well.

 

Also, what about shoes like this: http://www.allenedmonds.com/aeonline/producti_SF4135_1_40000000001_-1

Since they are semi-brogues, are they not suitable for evening? Should I stick to only wearing those in very casual situations, like jeans and no jacket?

It's definitely something I can identify with.

The train of thought for me goes:
I want to dress more formally than I would just lounging about.
A simple shirt tucked into pants just looks naked, not to mention like business casual, and you don't want to look like you're working.
You don't want to look inappropriately formal or like you're playing dress up.


I have found that t-shirt under a black or textured blazer hits that sweet spot for me, but i'm sure there are other ways of finding it.
I don't like the striped trousers.

I would suggest that you try a pink shirt instead of white. Blue looks like you're working, but pink retains some of the formality of white without looking like it's missing a tie.

I wonder, maybe a different collar on the shirt too. Or a patterned shirt - but not business patterned (no stripes etc), something a little more conceptual like this Jil Sander marble pattern:


Whatever the answer, I think the shirt is the main area to experiment on here.

Thanks. I don't think I'm ready for the Belgian loafers. At least I'll be able to use the KW for something besides black tie. Apparently they aren't business-appropriate.

Are those pants striped?

It is indeed a shawl collar dinner jacket (made of a linen-wool mix), I have a few dinner jackets in various weird configurations + black jackets in shiny fabrics, peak lapels or similarly non-businessey configurations that I wear with a white tee, white silk ps, black jeans or pants (often waxed) and white sneakers or black boots. Not sure that is very helpful to MCers wanting to bring their look to a suitable nightlife compromise so this will be my last post on that.

Two examples, sorry went quickly through party pictures so I look a little trashed.

Cord DJ w, peak satin lapels and half turnback cuffs.


Shawl collar DJ with beaded lapel