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Advice for white dinner jacket

stanwelks

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1. I like the pure white dinner jackets, though apparently, they are not as common as the ones that are more cream color. What is the correct color to wear for a dinner jacket -- pure white or cream?

2. Can anyone recommend a place to find a good quality white dinner jacket? The ones I have seen on ebay and other places online have been cheap quality ones.

Thank you.
 

cptjeff

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You want cream. It's not quite as glaringly harsh, but you still get the sharp contrast.

As for where to find, the question there is what do you consider good quality and how much do you want to spend? Becuase the SF definition of good quality might send your wallet into shock.
 

Loathing

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I have a vintage shawl collar cream dinner jacket made by Kilgour, French, & Stanbury of Savile Row. It was made for my grandfather about 50 years ago. It's a beautiful thing: incredibly light, slightly open weave it seems, and very little lining. I highly recommend getting cream, because your shirt is going to be white.
 

mjphillips

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1. I also recommend ivory/cream, for the same reasons above.

2. Brooks Brothers, Polo, & Paul Stuart have them. On the higher end, Bergdorf's has a nice selection from labels like Isaia, Belvest & Tom Ford. In general though they are somewhat rare and tend to be pricey so you might consider having it made for you.
 

greger

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How does one keep it white? Even in the closet I believe it will loose its whitenss.

Mom would put out diapers where the frost or freeze would hit them. She said that make the whitest whites. Those who live in Florida won't have any luck with that very often. That worked for handkerchiefs to shirts of natural fiber cloths.
 

stanwelks

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1. what is the issue with having a pure white dinner jacket with a white shirt underneath?

2. is the choice between a peak lapel and shawl collar for a white dinner jacket strictly a matter of personal preference? OR do the different styles represent something?

Thanks.
 

GoldenTribe

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I don't think Ssense.com knew how to style a white dinner jacket either....

(This was a few seasons back)

Tnq94.jpg
 

Loathing

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Originally Posted by stanwelks
1. what is the issue with having a pure white dinner jacket with a white shirt underneath? 2. is the choice between a peak lapel and shawl collar for a white dinner jacket strictly a matter of personal preference? OR do the different styles represent something? Thanks.
1. You need to have some contrast between the different elements of your outfit or they'll get lost, and you're left with a cluttered and confused look, rather than a sharp and smart outfit. Also, stains and scuffs that inevitably happen to your outermost clothing will clean up much more easily on cream. 2. It's 100% personal preference. I think the shawl collar was the 'original' jacket, but now they're both equally acceptable.
 

mjphillips

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Yeah, since it's made of cotton/spandex it's not formal. You want lightweight wool, or wool with a proportion of silk and/or linen. Both lapel styles are fine. Regarding cream/white, check out the subtle but nice contrast between jacket & shirt on Dr. Jones here.

indianejoneslaoches.png
 

Huntsman

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Yeah, it's hard to find a nice white DJ. I have a pure, scalding white wool/cotton RLPL SBPL that I snagged on eBay for $200 -- but as it was a 44R, I had to have it recut, which nearly cost me as much again. Still, it's a great jacket.

You might want to seach for Pal Zileri on eBay, too -- I have a Pal in cream with satin lapels, but it's not a peak lapel, it's a notch, and since I'm a peak lapel freak, I never really wear it and so should probably ebay the thing. I wish I could recommend another place -- I looked for mine pretty solidly for eight months. Did you check Ede and Ravenscroft? I think they sell formal separates OTR, and if they have a white that would certainly set you up.

~ H
 

Melcombe

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Cream would be better than white for all the ^^ reasons mentioned.

Careful where you wear it. In some parts, it's poor manners to wear a cream/white DJ unless you are the host of the event (or you are playing a walk on part in a low budget action movie involving a casino scene).
 

stanwelks

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1.) What types of accessories can I wear or look into wearing with a white dinner jacket and black pants?

2.) What are your thoughts on bow tie VS. a thin black tie with the white jacket?

Thanks everyone!!!!
 

cptjeff

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Bowtie with a tux. Period. Long ties are not acceptable. They look like crap on the dopes who wear them to the oscars, they will look worse on you.

As for accessories, minimal is best. Pocket square (you're allowed to add color there), cufflinks if you're wearing a shirt that'll take them, and that's about it. A watch too, black leather strap.
 

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