Samuelsohn Dinner Jackets

[pwhinson]

I'm looking for a formal jacket I can wear to a small New Year's eve party - there will be alot of variation in what men will wear to the party i.e. its not a total black tie event so there's no "uniform." I'd also like something a little different that I might wear to the symphony and opera which here in Atlanta means I can wear virtually anything I want. Both are - to me - very handsome jackets and each entirely different from the other. Opinions on the jackets, appropriateness of black bows, suggestions for shirts (formal - bibb style, or just a nice high end spread collar woven white dress shirt?). I'm not particularly bound to a traditional look but it seems to me both jackets would look better with black bows.

 

[GBR]

Those Look like evening sports coats rather than anything formal. They remind me of waiters and members of low end dance bands from the 1950s and 1960s. Not a look to be recommended.

The function either merits evening dress or it does not, certainly not some form of cheap cross over.

 

[pwhinson]

Any other opinions? I ended up wearing my regular tux to the party but these are now on sale and I like them both before so I like them even more now. I've always liked Samuelsohn - I have four of their cashmere jackets. Of the dinner jackets above, the black watch notch lapel jacket was feature on the cover of their website lookbook's "inauguration" page. I do like the piece - the black watch pattern is very very dark which I like but I think the overall effect - perhaps partially due to the lack of peak lapels - is more like a sportcoat. Strange. I want to like it but.... To add insult to injury the notch lapels are made more subdued by grosgrain - not satin, which I suppose is fine, but the rear part of the lapels are construction with the same fabric as the body of the jacket. Its not bad really, its just all a bit too subtle. Strange it would end up as a featured product on the cover of their lookbook. As for the other one, its also very very dark and I would prefer that it not have the tonal stripes but over all I do really like it and for a change of pace I may bite on that one. Its only $500 and change, its for the money, the quality and attention to detail in the jacket is really grand.

Again, - any other opinions? Still trying to make up my mind between the two.