Blackwatch tartan dinner jacket

WICaniac · Mar 15, 2013

Bounder said:
This picture is awful. Please do not do this.

First, let me thank you for your helpful input, which has swayed me from a determination to purchase this jacket to genuine ambivalence. That said, I'd be interested to know what you find quite so offensive about this look or, for that matter, this one:

Granted, this jacket (a Gant) is less format than the BB, and the guy wearing it looks like he's in a boy band--but something about this look appeals to me. I live in a fairly bohemian community and think I could pull it off without violating the Beau Brummel rule (i.e. if you turn heads you're not dressed appropriately).

I suppose I have moved past solicitation of advice regarding whether I should purchase the jacket in question; I'm more keen on collecting your thoughts about the appropriateness of such a jacket outside of the traditional confines of private BT parties and clubs. After starting this thread, I found one titled "Black Tie Casual," in which the OP seems to share my agenda of appropriating some of the style of traditional BT and adapting it to the 21st century. Is it possible to tastefully push against the boundaries and (hopefully) reestablish a place for styles that deserve preservation or resurrection?

unbelragazzo · Mar 15, 2013

I think you can wear this out without a black tie rig, even without a tie. Never wear a long tie with this though. So if you really like it AND can afford it (as well as these additional cocktail parties you say you'll now be hosting), I think it's ok to try and experiment with it. I'd be more worried about wearing it to a true black tie event. This can be very good, it can be very bad. If you don't understand the subtleties of messages that different black tie options send and when they are appropriate, then I would tread lightly.

unbelragazzo · Mar 15, 2013

I also can't say that the BB version in particular really inspires me, but that's a separate question...in general, I think it's good to avoid getting too excited about a "deal" and feeling like you've just got to buy such and such a thing now or your opportunity will forever slip away.

WICaniac · Mar 15, 2013

Bounder said:
There are lots of other excellent black tie accessories to spend your money on first. In fact, you can now legitimately go out and spend $250 on something and then tell your wife that she was right and that she convinced you not to buy that jacket so you bought this instead and it only cost $250! etc., etc.

Oh, I've thought about that already...

CrAz3D · Mar 15, 2013

Henry Carter said:
I think your wife is right. Save the money, tell her you don't need it and she was right, buy her some flowers and enjoy your night...

this. somuch of this.

Superfluous · Mar 15, 2013

Henry Carter said:
I think your wife is right. Save the money, tell her you don't need it and she was right, buy her some flowers and enjoy your night...

Flowers can be expensive.

Bounder · Mar 15, 2013

WICaniac said:
First, let me thank you for your helpful input, which has swayed me from a determination to purchase this jacket to genuine ambivalence. That said, I'd be interested to know what you find quite so offensive about this look or, for that matter, this one:

The first picture is just wrong. People who think "black tie" means you just have to wear a black tie are morons. Dressing like this is a textbook example of the Dunning-Kruger effect. The second picture is, if possible, even more wrong, ostentatiously wrong, in fact. That is supposed to be a DJ, except it isn't. There is no such thing as a blazer DJ. There just isn't. Nor is there such a thing as grey tie. Finally, jeans + DJ = massive fail. God help us, I bet he is also wearing tennis shoes. If you want to be louche, get a velvet smoking jacket. If you want to be really louche, get a frogged velvet smoking jacket. Oh, and one more thing.

WICaniac · Mar 15, 2013

Passed on the DJ.

Bounder said:
Oh, and one more thing.

Have been eying these Thurstons as well. They're classic and quite a bit cheaper than Favourbrook's bees.

GBR · Mar 15, 2013

Very limited use unless you live in Scotland and attend Burns Night Suppers and similar which have a slightly less formal flavour to them or attend similar Scottish functions, say or ex-Pat groups.

If you need to ask you do not need it and have no real recognition of when it would be appropriate to wear such a garment.

bertie · Mar 15, 2013

GBR said:
Very limited use unless you live in Scotland and attend Burns Night Suppers and similar which have a slightly less formal flavour to them or attend similar Scottish functions, say or ex-Pat groups.

If you need to ask you do not need it and have no real recognition of when it would be appropriate to wear such a garment.

One of the regular posters had a great rant in another thread about setting an example through his dress. If you really have a yen to wear a DJ I would say go for it. Worse case scenario is you stand out. Do you want to stand out?

WICaniac · Mar 15, 2013

Bounder said:
The first picture is just wrong. People who think "black tie" means you just have to wear a black tie are morons.

I don't disagree (although I'd probably more charitable in my use of terms, as the vast majority simply don't know better). For the record, I was seeking advice not on how to transgress black tie convention but rather how (and whether) to use the blackwatch DJ outside of the normal settings. I have come around to concurring that for most people (including me) it's a reach.

GBR said:
If you need to ask you do not need it and have no real recognition of when it would be appropriate to wear such a garment.

Fair enough, I suppose, given my flippant OP, but per post 16 I know exactly when such a garment is appropriate and was asking whether there existed any additional, acceptable venues for wear. This thread produced no consensus, but a majority (of about three people who weighed in on this issue) adhere to traditional guidelines. I still think a blackwatch DJ is too handsome of an item to be relegated to the most arcane of settings, but I'll leave it to others to trend set.

David Reeves · Mar 16, 2013

Code:

Henry Carter said:
I think your wife is right. Save the money, tell her you don't need it and she was right, buy her some flowers and enjoy your night...

Wow, you sound like James Bond!

Master Squirrel · Mar 16, 2013

WICaniac said:
If you're asking me, the one I'm contemplating purchasing is a 42R, but the tag still says $795. The reduced price is a product of overlapping discounts.

42R, Nice. I say go for it. It is a beautiful piece of work. But I am not your wife.

Master Squirrel · Mar 16, 2013

WICaniac said:
Fair enough, I suppose, given my flippant OP, but per post 16 I know exactly when such a garment is appropriate and was asking whether there existed any additional, acceptable venues for wear. This thread produced no consensus, but a majority (of about three people who weighed in on this issue) adhere to traditional guidelines. I still think a blackwatch DJ is too handsome of an item to be relegated to the most arcane of settings, but I'll leave it to others to trend set.

The thing about the Brooks Bros Blackwatch is that- - unlike those Jos A Banks abominations I posted-- when seen in person the tartan is subtle enough to be acceptable. This is the key.

In a similar vein, I sometimes were this vintage brocade dinner jacket for more "casual" black tie events. Note: the photos were taken in full winter sun so it appears as more grey than it would in the evening.

Blackwatch tartan dinner jacket

Senior Member

Jewfro

Jewfro

Senior Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Classic Menswear Featured products

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: