Creative Black Tie Party-Need Help Please

[usmc34]

I will be attending a creative black tie optional party on New Years Eve. I dont have enough time to get a tux and I am by no means a fashion expert... Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated....Thanks

 

[in fits of print]

Originally Posted by usmc34

I will be attending a creative black tie optional party on New Years Eve. I dont have enough time to get a tux and I am by no means a fashion expert... Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated....Thanks

Are you starting from scratch here? Because that's a pretty tall order. Luckily "creative black tie optional" has to be the hedgiest dress code out there, so an ordinary dark suit with a white shirt and simple tie should fit the bill fine. Or, if you are in fact a Marine, you should have a dress uniform, no?

 

[usmc34]

Yes, I am a Marine, but I didnt bring any of my uniforms home with me and yes I am starting from scratch...lol Im kicking myself in the butt for not bring home my uniform....so, you think a black suit with a white shirt and tie would be good? what about a black shirt and no tie?

 

[Montrachet]

 

[Harold falcon]

Originally Posted by usmc34

so, you think a black suit with a white shirt and tie would be good?

If you have nothing else, that will probably do. Perhaps consider a bow tie.

what about a black shirt and no tie?

Not under any circumstances.

 

[usmc34]

I dont think I can pull off a bowtie...is a white shirt my only option? also, how conservative should the tie be?

 

[luftvier]

Originally Posted by usmc34

1) I dont think I can pull off a bowtie...
2) is a white shirt my only option?
3) also, how conservative should the tie be?

1) Yes you can.

2) Yes it is.

3) It should be like Alan Keyes.

 

[usmc34]

so I guess Im going to go with a black suit, white shirt, black tie...

 

[luftvier]

Originally Posted by usmc34

so I guess Im going to go with a black suit, white shirt, black tie...

Don't forget white pocket square in a TV or point fold!

 

[blackbowtie]

Originally Posted by usmc34

so I guess Im going to go with a black suit, white shirt, black tie...

I'm surprised that there hasn't been any anti-black suit diatribe yet.

If you are going to buy a suit specifically for this party, then I would suggest that you consider getting a navy blue suit instead (after all it's black tie optional) if you don't already own one. I've been to black tie optional events in DC and plenty of people wear dark suits (not necessarily black) and get away with it. As many on the Forum will tell you - wait for that anti-black suit diatribe - a navy blue suit is more versatile for many other occasions where a suit is required.

 

[usmc34]

well I appreciate the advice...however I have a navy blue suit back home already, I just dont have it here with me so I figured I would get a black suit because I dont have one yet...do you see any other options on what I might be able to wear or any other suggestions on accessories?

 

[luftvier]

Originally Posted by blackbowtie

I'm surprised that there hasn't been any anti-black suit diatribe yet.

If you are going to buy a suit specifically for this party, then I would suggest that you consider getting a navy blue suit instead (after all it's black tie optional) if you don't already own one. I've been to black tie optional events in DC and plenty of people wear dark suits (not necessarily black) and get away with it. As many on the Forum will tell you - wait for that anti-black suit diatribe - a navy blue suit is more versatile for many other occasions where a suit is required.

...or CHARCOAL
. . . Now With Greater Versatility!​

 

[usmc34]

so Charcoal would be a good choice too?

 

[luftvier]

Originally Posted by usmc34

so Charcoal would be a good choice too?

More versatile than black, if you don't own any other suits.

But if you can buy a suit, why not hit up a Jos A Bank and get one of their one button peak lapel tuxes on sale for ~$150 instead?

 

[blackbowtie]

Originally Posted by luftvier

...or CHARCOAL
. . . Now With Greater Versatility!​

There you go.