Evening wear advice

[JeffR]

This post begins with an impulse buy confession.

Midnight blue, double-breasted, self-faced, peak lapel, with 2 x 1 fabric covered buttons, and (I swear I didn't see this when I bought it) double vents. Matching trousers with no stripe down the leg. 100% wool (no mohair).

I bought it thinking: (i) I like midnight blue, (ii) it is more subtle than a normal tuxedo (less ostentatious, which is good for the evening events where I plan to wear it) and (iii) it was a drop 8L Zegna (ok, Z Zegna, but surely somebody who knows what they are doing signed off on this).

Questions:
1. What would you call this? A stroller? With matching pants?
2. Bowtie? (Black? Grosgrain?) or neck tie (Textured silk? Low contrast navy paisley textured silk?)?
3. Have my tailor close the vents?
4. Non-pleated, white jacquard shirt? (I think turndown collar is a given)
5. No cuffs (curious if anyone would argue the point)

Thanks in advance!

 

[Andy57]

This post begins with an impulse buy confession.

Midnight blue, double-breasted, self-faced, peak lapel, with 2 x 1 fabric covered buttons, and (I swear I didn't see this when I bought it) double vents. Matching trousers with no stripe down the leg. 100% wool (no mohair).

I bought it thinking: (i) I like midnight blue, (ii) it is more subtle than a normal tuxedo (less ostentatious, which is good for the evening events where I plan to wear it) and (iii) it was a drop 8L Zegna (ok, Z Zegna, but surely somebody who knows what they are doing signed off on this).

Questions:
1. What would you call this? A stroller? With matching pants?
2. Bowtie? (Black? Grosgrain?) or neck tie (Textured silk? Low contrast navy paisley textured silk?)?
3. Have my tailor close the vents?
4. Non-pleated, white jacquard shirt? (I think turndown collar is a given)
5. No cuffs (curious if anyone would argue the point)

Thanks in advance!

To your question #5, do the trousers presently have cuffs? If they do, it reinforces the point I'm about to make, which is that the suit is not a tuxedo. At least, not in any traditional sense. That does not mean that you can't wear it as an evening suit, indeed it will probably look great. You could have a tailor close the vents, but it still won't become a dinner jacket.

If you want to wear it as a quasi-tuxedo, then go with a black or midnight blue bow tie and a formal shirt. But, as it is not actually a dinner jacket and trousers, you could be as creative as you wish. I think the suit would look great with a red or burgundy silk bow tie, for example.

 

[JeffR]

Pants are new/unhemmed.

Evening suit it is. Thanks for the advice!

 

[Royal_Airforce]

I echo what @Andy57 says - it's not a dinner suit, nor a stroller. It is simply a smart lourge suit with a firm yet subtle nod to evening wear (2 on 1, fabric covered buttons etc.) -- I'd happily wear it to a cocktail event or indeed any of those less formal 'Black tie optional' occasions at all your disposal.

To venture in trying to answer some more of your questions:
2) I'd go for a bow (same midnight, texture at your liberty) for smarter occasions and a necktie (dark in tone, smooth in texture, lustrous in sheen - you pick at least 2 out of 3) for less formal ones
3) I don't see a dreadful need - some (decent) dinner jackets feature side vents as well
4) Not a bad choice! No pleated front / Marcella bib / starching. A simple turn-down collar white shirt with no plackets and hidden buttons works well.
5) Presumable you refer to trouser cuffs? Cuffed if you want'em formal! Though I would prefer to have turn-ups on all my trousers save for black tie, but then yours ain't black tie either.

Anyway looking forward to hear that you are enjoying the combo!

Cheers,
Royal_Airforce