Black tuxedo with tweed bow tie? Thoughts?

[stuartdowney]

What do you guys think of this combination for an event?


Here is a close up of the tweed

 

[comrade]

It is an odd combination.
Is it an odd event?

 

[Andy57]

If the event calls for black tie, then that tie. Is. Not. Black.

 

[Seamless]

You look very young. You can probably do it and get away with it. I'd opt for a velvet bow tie to set myself apart instead.

 

[stuartdowney]

The event is not back tie, I'm an 18. I'm hoping I get away with it !

 

[WhereNext]

Is that actually a tuxedo/dinner jacket? It looks like just a black jacket to me, but it may be my monitor not showing the silk/grosgrain on the lapels.

Setting aside the dinner jacket discussion (there are alternatives to a black, silk tie, though each comes with its own risks), that tie just doesn't look good with a black jacket. I suppose if you're "hoping [to] get away" with something, you're already committed to not doing what's expected. If I was going to stretch the rules, I would want my rule breaking to look better than that tie with that jacket.

Having said all of that, if you're going to be around other 18 year olds, people will hardly notice that you're getting away with something as few are likely to know the guidelines for dinner jacket wear. The shirt you're wearing is also not for black tie wear (no studs or hidden/covered placket) if you care about such things.

 

[stuartdowney]

Hi there, the jacket does have the silk lapels although the picture doesn't show that great, also the shirt I will be wearing is being cleaned at the moment so wore a plain white shirt as an example, this is the shirt I will be wearing.

I am hoping to stretch the rules, to this event I had originally intended to wear a kilt (black watch) or tweed suit however my date (girlfriend) has been adamant she does not want this and that I am only allowed to wear what bow tie I please. I spent a good amount of time practicing and making this bow tie myself so it has more personal value.

Although I don't care much about how people perceive this bow tie / tux combo I thought I would post a discussion here to see if it is a terrible idea or just a risky idea.

For everyone who replies from now on could they state whether they are of the opinion "do wear" or "don't wear"

Thanks guys

Ps. This is what I would normally wear a tweed bow tie with

 

[WhereNext]

Fair enough. You've already gone pretty far from the traditional "guidelines", i.e. super narrow notch lapels, no waist covering, etc. The tie you propose is incredibly incongruous with an attempt at "black tie" in fabric/color, formality, and the way it clashes with black. I don't think it looks good at all and I would say "don't wear".
Having said all of that, I wore a Mickey Mouse themed bow tie (with matching cummerbund!) to prom when I was 18 and thought I looked great. If you want to wear it, wear it. If you decide to hang around here for a while and start to care about some of the traditional guidelines, this can be a fun thing to look back on and laugh about in a few years (which can be said of many things in the 16-22 year old range of most people's lives).

 

[Celadon]

I spent a good amount of time practicing and making this bow tie myself so it has more personal value.

As others have said, the combination isn't great, but at this point in your life it doesn't matter all that much.

The solution for the future is obvious: make more bow ties! I'm sure it will get quicker and easier for every one you make. There are some people around on StyleForum who started by making their own stuff at home and turned it into a successful business (the young couple behind Vanda in Singapore, for instance).

 

[Andy57]

I spent a good amount of time practicing and making this bow tie myself so it has more personal value.

In that case, absolutely wear it. Then make more.

 

[Mute]

I can understand the pride you take in wearing something you made but matching it to a dinner jacket is just plain ugly. Sorry that's my opinion. Better to go with a suit than something as formal as a tux if you want to wear that specific bow tie.