The State of Black Tie: Your Observations

[Andy57]

And on the seventh evening, he stayed in and rested.

I've been staying in and resting for the past eight months. There is lost time to make up for.

 

[upr_crust]

With today being the third day of rain here in NYC, being cooped up indoors has let the tiny gremlins of the mind loose. During the lockdown, I have acquired certain items of attire, which, in my fevered imagination, I envisioned being worn together, assuming that I was the sort of gentleman who would host a fancy, but intimate "at home" formal party. Here below is the result of this rainy-day experiment.

Velvet jacket - Saks Fifth Avenue house brand
Tuxedo trousers - Ede & Ravenscroft
Shirt - Brooks Brothers
Ascot - no name brand, a gift from a good friend who envisioned me wearing one
Cufflinks - The Persian Shop, NYC
Braces - New & Lingwood
Pocket square - Harvie & Hudson, London
Shoes - Paul Stuart house brand

 

[The Chai]

View attachment 1496172

Man that is one ugly ass shawl! but again shawls are notoriously hard to get right...

 

[lordsuperb]

Man that is one ugly ass shawl! but again shawls are notoriously hard to get right...

It was an A&S tux being sold on eBay, and I used it as a model for my tuxedo.

 

[Faux Brummell]

I rather like it. Reminds me of this one.

Man that is one ugly ass shawl! but again shawls are notoriously hard to get right...

 

[Concordia]

Cheese platter.

 

[NakedYoga]

@upr_crust In this photo you look like exactly the sort of gentleman who would host a fancy, but intimate "at home" formal party.

 

[The Chai]

I rather like it. Reminds me of this one.
View attachment 1496615

This one has a lower buttoning point whereas the A and S one has a higher one which looks vertically challenged...but again I have never been a fan of the cheese platter...especially when it looks wider than 4"

 

[Andy57]

Just messin' around before the rain started.

 

[Concordia]

While we're thinking of shawl lapels (of the 50s/60s variety, not Victorian/Edwardian), does anyone wear a waistcoat with SB? Or is that always given to a cummerbund?

 

[Nobilis Animus]

I'd sooner wear a tweed jacket to a black tie party than a cummerbund.

 

[Lensmaster]

I think a cummerbund is most common with a shawl collar, but a waist coat with a shawl style collar would look good.

I think the cummerbund is an important part of the Dinner jacket look. It covers the waistband and makes the legs look longer. For those who say they just never unbutton their jacket, it also avoids the possibility of the triangle of white shirt showing between jacket and pants.

 

[Nobilis Animus]

I think a cummerbund is most common with a shawl collar, but a waist coat with a shawl style collar would look good.

I think the cummerbund is an important part of the Dinner jacket look. It covers the waistband and makes the legs look longer. For those who say they just never unbutton their jacket, it also avoids the possibility of the triangle of white shirt showing between jacket and pants.

Covering the waist, yes. I vastly prefer either a waistcoat or double-breasted jacket though, not least because both will fully cover any braces.

 

[classicalthunde]

Covering the waist, yes. I vastly prefer either a waistcoat or double-breasted jacket though, not least because both will fully cover any braces.

doesn’t any style jacket fully cover any braces?

 

[Nobilis Animus]

doesn’t any style jacket fully cover any braces?

Yes, but when seated some will unbutton the jacket, and even if not it is still possible for those sitting next to you to see exposed braces underneath.

Normally it wouldn't bother me with a suit, but if going for full black tie I prefer to hide away any fastenings.