Help me choose which black tie combination to go with!

[nurium]

Have an office black tie dinner to go to tomorrow night and am trying to decide whether to go with the traditional bow tie or very contemporary long tie + d&g tie bar look. My jacket is notched so already quite contemporary.

Am pretty positive I know which you'll all go for but I ask you to approach this with an open mind and consider the fact that I'm young (23) and believe I can pull off the long tie look as well.

If you do choose the bow tie option, could you give any pointers as to when/what kind of event I could possibly pull off the other look?

 

[Golf_Nerd]

The bow tie.

The long tie looks some kind of gayish because of the bar.

 

[NMW1982]

Originally Posted by Golf_Nerd

The bow tie.

The long tie looks some kind of gayish because of the bar.

Your face looks kind of gayish.

 

[Toorman]

I have been sporting the long time as I find it more contemporary and I think I look better that way. I have also noticed that the vast majority of attendees at these events are also sporting the long tie these days.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Long tie with a tux is an amateur mistake. It does not look contemporary. It looks like you have no idea what you're doing.

If you want to wear a long tie, wear a suit and forget the tux. If you want to wear a tux, then wear one. That includes a bow tie. Always. No exceptions.

 

[JLibourel]

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

Long tie with a tux is an amateur mistake. It does not look contemporary. It looks like you have no idea what you're doing.

If you want to wear a long tie, wear a suit and forget the tux. If you want to wear a tux, then wear one. That includes a bow tie. Always. No exceptions.

Well said!

 

[David V]

I can't beleive that men are still asking this question.

 

[jagmqt]

I thought the "rule" was tuxedo/bow tie, black suit/long tie?

jag

 

[mishon]

Go with a bow tie but also get a shirt with a tighter collar.

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by jagmqt

I thought the "rule" was tuxedo/bow tie, black suit/long tie? jag
Well, he hasn't specified whether he's wearing a black suit or a tuxedo, so naturally we assume he's wearing a tuxedo (albeit a notch lapel one). If he's wearing a black suit then since he's supposed to be wearing black tie that's also completely wrong.

 

[Mark from Plano]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Well, he hasn't specified whether he's wearing a black suit or a tuxedo, so naturally we assume he's wearing a tuxedo (albeit a notch lapel one). If he's wearing a black suit then since he's supposed to be wearing black tie that's also completely wrong.

Pictures show a tuxedo (satin lapels).

 

[jagmqt]

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Well, he hasn't specified whether he's wearing a black suit or a tuxedo, so naturally we assume he's wearing a tuxedo (albeit a notch lapel one). If he's wearing a black suit then since he's supposed to be wearing black tie that's also completely wrong.

Thanks...I guess my post was a little unclear, but you confirmed what I wasn't saying (but was trying to say)...

Let me try again..
Black tie, is tuxedo, is bow tie
Formal, is black suit (as an option) and is long tie
Is that right?
"Creative Black Tie"...does that still exist?

jag

 

[Mark from Plano]

Originally Posted by jagmqt

Thanks...I guess my post was a little unclear, but you confirmed what I wasn't saying (but was trying to say)...

Let me try again..
Black tie, is tuxedo, is bow tie
Formal, is black suit (as an option) and is long tie
Is that right?"Creative Black Tie"...does that still exist?

jag

Eh...not really.

See here for answers to all questions: www.blacktieguide.com

 

[Sanguis Mortuum]

Originally Posted by jagmqt

Thanks...I guess my post was a little unclear, but you confirmed what I wasn't saying (but was trying to say)...

Let me try again..
Black tie, is tuxedo, is bow tie
Formal, is black suit (as an option) and is long tie
Is that right?
"Creative Black Tie"...does that still exist?

jag

Ah, I didn't notice the pictures for some reason. You're half right in that you can infer that a bow tie should be worn from the fact that he is wearing a tuxedo. You're half wrong in the fact that, as 'Mark from Plano' points out, a black suit is still not 'black tie', and as such the black suit and long tie combination would still be (technically) inappropriate for this particular event (though that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be anyone there wearing it).

 

[jagmqt]

Originally Posted by Mark from Plano

Eh...not really.

See here for answers to all questions: www.blacktieguide.com

Great link...thanks!

Originally Posted by Sanguis Mortuum

Ah, I didn't notice the pictures for some reason. You're half right in that you can infer that a bow tie should be worn from the fact that he is wearing a tuxedo. You're half wrong in the fact that, as 'Mark from Plano' points out, a black suit is still not 'black tie', and as such the black suit and long tie combination would still be (technically) inappropriate for this particular event (though that doesn't necessarily mean there won't be anyone there wearing it).

I didn't pay attention to the lapels...but can see the satin indicating a tux.

The "contemporary black tie" I guess was where I was assuming a long tie would be appropriate...but the link was very helpful in answering my questions...

jag