The State of Black Tie: Your Observations

[Big Phil]

Hey all - first time posting here.

I’m looking to buy my first tuxedo and was wondering if anyone had suggestions of places to go in NYC. I’m considering RLPL and The Armoury but would be great to get other suggestions (in the $3500 and below range).

And I was thinking of going with a midnight blue instead of black.

Thanks!

 

[Faux Brummell]

Hey all - first time posting here.

I’m looking to buy my first tuxedo and was wondering if anyone had suggestions of places to go in NYC. I’m considering RLPL and The Armoury but would be great to get other suggestions (in the $3500 and below range).

And I was thinking of going with a midnight blue instead of black.

Thanks!

100% yes on the midnight blue.

 

[jonathanS]

Hey all - first time posting here.

I’m looking to buy my first tuxedo and was wondering if anyone had suggestions of places to go in NYC. I’m considering RLPL and The Armoury but would be great to get other suggestions (in the $3500 and below range).

And I was thinking of going with a midnight blue instead of black.

Thanks!

You won’t get proper purple label in that price range. the Armoury would be your best bet for your price range or you could try b&tailor‘s Or no man walks alone’s mtm. Maybe Vestucci / bemer mtm

 

[classicalthunde]

You won’t get proper purple label in that price range. the Armoury would be your best bet for your price range or you could try b&tailor‘s Or no man walks alone’s mtm. Maybe Vestucci / bemer mtm

FWIW, The Armoury hundred series MTM suits are made by the same factory as RLPL and are about $3500

 

[Big Phil]

FWIW, The Armoury hundred series MTM suits are made by the same factory as RLPL and are about $3500

That’s good to know, thanks.

Yeah I’m leaning towards The Armoury hundred series MTM. It’s $4200, so I’m just trying to decide if I want to spend that.

 

[classicalthunde]

That’s good to know, thanks.

Yeah I’m leaning towards The Armoury hundred series MTM. It’s $4200, so I’m just trying to decide if I want to spend that.

When is your wedding/how much lead time do you have? I have had great experiences with Divij Bespoke, he visits NYC quarterly and you would need at least a couple months lead time but its under your $3500 price point and a quality product

Almost all of @Andy57's black tie rigs are Divij...plenty of pics of his stuff in this thread

 

[Big Phil]

When is your wedding/how much lead time do you have? I have had great experiences with Divij Bespoke, he visits NYC quarterly and you would need at least a couple months lead time but its under your $3500 price point and a quality product

Almost all of @Andy57's black tie rigs are Divij...plenty of pics of his stuff in this thread

It’s end of September so I have a decent amount of time.

Thanks for the tip - I’ll check out Divij Bespoke and @Andy57 ’s thread!

 

[Andy57]

Almost all of @Andy57's black tie rigs are Divij...plenty of pics of his stuff in this thread

All but my red jacket.

Other options, perhaps: Sartoria Gallo NY, Angel Ramos. I have no information on prices, but both places do good work (disclosure: I have a couple of pieces underway with Angel Ramos).

 

[gimpwiz]

Anyone have anything good to say about Wazin since you're in NYC? IIRC, prices would be closer to half that, and you'd get all the fixin's. I can't speak to handwork where it matters, though. I'm not sure I'd pay what RLPL is charging.

 

[jrdadbod]

Question about cufflinks…. Do they need to match my shirt studs? Wearing midnight blue tuxedo, which pique front shirt. Traditional and not flashy. I’m curious about cufflinks/other ways to personalize my outfit in a subtle way. Also looking for a matching gift for my best man. Thanks!

 

[papado]

Anyone have anything good to say about Wazin since you're in NYC? IIRC, prices would be closer to half that, and you'd get all the fixin's. I can't speak to handwork where it matters, though. I'm not sure I'd pay what RLPL is charging.

My tux is from Wazin and I have nothing but positive things to say. I'm a long time client from an alterations perspective and had some pieces made before, but dropped 40lbs+ since when they were made a couple years ago so we started anew for my tux last year for a friend's wedding.

The higher level custom ran around ~1800 for a basic tux fabric (I went with Midnight Navy; shawl lapel; cocktail/gauntlet cuffs). Solid value for the price and quality and I think turnaround time was 8-12 weeks but I know this is busy season for wedding orders so it may be longer (but still good if I read correctly someone is looking for September).

 

[Andy57]

Question about cufflinks…. Do they need to match my shirt studs? Wearing midnight blue tuxedo, which pique front shirt. Traditional and not flashy. I’m curious about cufflinks/other ways to personalize my outfit in a subtle way. Also looking for a matching gift for my best man. Thanks!

Cufflinks and studs don't need to match, especially if there is something special or meaningful about one or the other set. I suppose they typically do, but I don't think it's required.

 

[Andy57]

A lavalier microphone is the latest must-have black tie accessory.

 

[ValidusLA]

Question about cufflinks…. Do they need to match my shirt studs? Wearing midnight blue tuxedo, which pique front shirt. Traditional and not flashy. I’m curious about cufflinks/other ways to personalize my outfit in a subtle way. Also looking for a matching gift for my best man. Thanks!

Cufflinks and studs don't need to match, especially if there is something special or meaningful about one or the other set. I suppose they typically do, but I don't think it's required.

Agree. I don't think they have to match. They certainly can. I do think they should be consistent. For example I have a set of lapis studs - I generally wear these with a pair of navy crystal cufflinks. I wear sterling cufflinks with sterling studs, but they aren't a matched set (studs gift from parents, cufflinks from my grandfather).

I wouldn't, for example, wear lapis studs with red cufflinks or something.

 

[Andy57]

Agree. I don't think they have to match. They certainly can. I do think they should be consistent. For example I have a set of lapis studs - I generally wear these with a pair of navy crystal cufflinks. I wear sterling cufflinks with sterling studs, but they aren't a matched set (studs gift from parents, cufflinks from my grandfather).

I wouldn't, for example, wear lapis studs with red cufflinks or something.

Yes, exactly. Or, if, let's say, I had a pair of cufflinks that were of sentimental value and that were colorful or eye-catching in some way, I would seek to use a set of studs that were as simple as possible. And vice-versa.