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Which of the 3 ensembles works the best for cocktail attire?

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RogerC

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aratnam said:
Don't want to wear my tux this time- I only have one (Zegna DB) and I wore it to last year's celebration since it actually called for full black tie.
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Most people only have one. Wear it, that's what it's for. It's a uniform, not something that will make people go "there he is with the lime green smoking jacket again". Otherwise, you may consider your political correctness on this forum. :happy:
 
aratnam

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In response to the comment about political correctness, even with my limited level of sartorial knowledge, I have an inkling that I will come off as stuffy (or worse a buffoon or an over the top dandy) if I show up in a full blown tux for an event that specifically calls for BT OPTIONAL. Even counting that this an east coast event.
 
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Veremund

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BT optional means wear your tux, but don't decline the invite if you haven't got one. If you haven't got one, wear a dark suit. But you got one. Ok, I'll shut up now. :D
 
aratnam

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So here's what happened- I took the best of all the advice offered and combined it with a bit of my own imagination. I figured that a pinned tab color would complement the olive tie perfectly on a black suit adorned with a discreet white PS: I did get a couple of compliments too!

Cheers!

 
msulinski

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aratnam said:
Don't want to wear my tux this time- I only have one (Zegna DB) and I wore it to last year's celebration since it actually called for full black tie.
Click to expand...
Are you worried about people remembering that you wore it last year? No one will remember or realize that it is the same tuxedo. It has been an entire year.
 
Veremund

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The outfit you wore looks great, but your fears about looking "stuffy" wearing black tie to a party that stipulates black tie are completely unfounded. Black tie looks amazing at night because it's all about high contrast, just like your black suit there with a white shirt and dark tie. And there's no such thing as a FULL BLOWN tux. There's a dinner jacket worn correctly, and there's a dinner jacket not worn correctly. Ok, maybe wearing a monocle would make one appear slightly stuffy. :D

aratnam said:
I have an inkling that I will come off as stuffy (or worse a buffoon or an over the top dandy) if I show up in a full blown tux for an event that specifically calls for BT OPTIONAL. Even counting that this an east coast event.
Click to expand...
 

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