No cummerbund nor waistcoat --- yay or nay?

[intent]

I'm heading to a law school ball event. It won't be too formal of an event; I suspect others might show up with suit jackets too. I'm only 22, and most people there will be under 30.

Is it acceptable for me to skip the waistcoat or cummerbund? I'm a fairly fit guy and they would add more girth. I was going to wear silk knots with grosgrain bow tie and black braces too. Basically, I'll be in black tie otherwise.

Thanks!

Bonus question: Can I wear my normal black topcoat over the dinner jacket?

 

[intent]

Forgot to mention: pleated shirt.

 

[Bromoney]

I think it's fine to skip it

 

[voxsartoria]

If by "acceptable," you mean customary and preferred: the answer is nay unless you are wearing a DB dinner jacket that you are keeping buttoned.

If, OTH, you mean will it register with your contempories: yay. But that yay would not be assent, it would be ignorance and lassitude.

- B

 

[KObalto]

Black top coat is fine. If you're going to do black tie, do black tie.

 

[gdl203]

Totally fine - I would actually say preferable given the event and age group

 

[bowtielover]

This is a big no, no. You must have at east one of the two, either a cummerbund or waistcoat. Either is fine but it is unexecptable to go without.

 

[Fuuma]

Skip it

 

[Frogger42]

I think if your shirt is plain with a fly front (similar to Daniel Craig in Casino Royale) then you are fine, but if you have pleats, it may look better with a cummerbund/vest

 

[0b5cur1ty]

Originally Posted by Frogger42

I think if your shirt is plain with a fly front (similar to Daniel Craig in Casino Royale) then you are fine, but if you have pleats, it may look better with a cummerbund/vest
If it's good enough for James Bond...