Black Tie Wedding

[moosy]

I have a black tie wedding in Dublin this summer. As this is my first black tie wedding I am a little confused, but want to seize the opportunity to educate myself and buy formal-wear for the future.
I got a tux and a shirt from Brooks-Brothers but I have a few questions:
1) Is a Cummerbund necessary?
2) If so what color - does it have to match the tie?
3) Does black-tie mean a black tie or is there latitude on the color of the tie.

Thanks

 

[bowtielover]

Black tie absolutly means a black bowtie, preferably freestly(no clips ons) The cumerbund should matc the tie but a vest may also be worn in the same color to be more festive considering it is a wedding. Some men have been getting away with a long tie instead of the bow but I would go with the bow sticking to the tradition of the black tie event.

 

[gumercindo]

Originally Posted by bowtielover

Black tie absolutly means a black bowtie, preferably freestly(no clips ons) The cumerbund should matc the tie but a vest may also be worn in the same color to be more festive considering it is a wedding. Some men have been getting away with a long tie instead of the bow but I would go with the bow sticking to the tradition of the black tie event.

+1.

Stick with black....please.

 

[Percy Trimmer]

You are certain it is a black tie wedding - I mean it says so on the invitation? I only ask because they are unusual this side of the Atlantic.

 

[JLibourel]

I would disagree with the counsel set forth above to the effect that the cummerbund should match the bowtie, unless both are black, which they probably should be. Matching sets of bowties and cummerbunds in floral, paisley or tartan prints or weaves or, God forbid, something like gold lame are sartorial atrocities. The general rule concerning black tie is that no more than a single item should be colored. Among men of taste, the pocket square seems to be the favored item for this, with red, marroon or purple being the colors most commonly suggested. However, a black bowtie, black vest or cummerbund and white linen square are always correct.

 

[Cordovan]

Agreed. Unless you are going to the prom (in which case you still shouldn't) or want to be accused of going to one, avoid color. The simple and clean look is precisely what makes it formal. And yes, you must have either a vest or cumberbund. I saw a GQ article a few months ago mentioning not to wear a cumberbund, but that is strictly for fashion forward people. Traditional, classic dress dictates something over your belly.

Cordovan

 

[moosy]

Originally Posted by Percy Trimmer

You are certain it is a black tie wedding - I mean it says so on the invitation? I only ask because they are unusual this side of the Atlantic.

Yes, the invitation states clearly "black tie" hence all this frenzy.

 

[JibranK]

Yes, something like a low-cut waistcoat would work as well though (much better IMO). Cummerbunds suit only the tropics.

 

[Joel_Cairo]

Originally Posted by JLibourel

However, a black bowtie, black vest or cummerbund and white linen square are always correct.

Question: Having just recently purchased my first tux, I'm having trouble with the vest part of the equation. It's a 2 piece, 1-btn (peak, of course), and I prefer a vest to a cummerbund. But If I get a bowtie, and match it to the vest, don't a run the risk of having the black of the vest clash against the black of the tux itself?

 

[TCN]

Originally Posted by Joel_Cairo

Question: Having just recently purchased my first tux, I'm having trouble with the vest part of the equation. It's a 2 piece, 1-btn (peak, of course), and I prefer a vest to a cummerbund. But If I get a bowtie, and match it to the vest, don't a run the risk of having the black of the vest clash against the black of the tux itself?

Your vest should match your dinner jacket; so if your tux did not come with a vest, don't wear one. Your bow-tie, ideally, should match (in SHADE OF BLACK as well as texture) the facings of your jacket lapels.

 

[Manton]

Originally Posted by TCN

Your vest should match your dinner jacket; so if your tux did not come with a vest, don't wear one.

Not necessarily. You can wear a white pique vest; this looks best with a wing collar shirt, however. Or you can wear an odd formal vest out of silk or something (low cut only!). Most of these look awful to me, but they are not incorrect.

 

[TCN]

Originally Posted by Manton

Not necessarily. You can wear a white pique vest; this looks best with a wing collar shirt, however. Or you can wear an odd formal vest out of silk or something (low cut only!). Most of these look awful to me, but they are not incorrect.

Perhaps, but as you said, they look awful.

 

[grimslade]

Brooks Brothers sells a low-cut, backless three-button waistcoat with grosgrain lapels. While it is true that there are degrees of grosgrain, I find it a reasonable match with my tux, which is not a BB product. They also sell a similar waistcoat in white pique.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Originally Posted by grimslade

Brooks Brothers sells a low-cut, backless three-button waistcoat with grosgrain lapels. While it is true that there are degrees of grosgrain, I find it a reasonable match with my tux, which is not a BB product. They also sell a similar waistcoat in white pique.

I have both of these. For the sake of science, here's a picture of the white:

 

[Manton]

^^^ Nice.

Wing collor look good too, nice & high. Also BB?