The State of Black Tie: Your Observations

[gladhands]



If you pop round consignment shops, you can likely find a cummerbund for $20-$40.  May not be the best one in the world, but will do the trick until you have the inclination to upgrade.  Do you have plain toe, or cap toe, Oxfords?  They are perfectly acceptable.  Again, you can upgrade later, if you want something specific to BT.

I have a couple black cap-toe oxfords, but I'd rather wear something plain-toed.

 

[ImTheGroom]

I have a few couple black cap-toe oxfords, but I'd rather wear something plain-toed.

Yes, that will look better. If you're planning to lay out a few dollars for them, I would wear cap toes until you find exactly what you want.

 

[J011yroger]



This thread has been equal parts frustrating and informative. I just purchased my first tux, and have only just now considered that I need a waist covering. I also just assumed that I'd pair it with Albert slippers, only to learn that they are only appropriate for private (home or club) affairs. FUUUUUUUUUUUuuuuuuu. I thought I was done spending money on this rig.

Where are you planning on wearing the rig? I plan on getting slippers, and will be somewhat more liberal in wearing them to places other than home or club parties.

J

 

[gladhands]



Where are you planning on wearing the rig? I plan on getting slippers, and will be somewhat more liberal in wearing them to places other than home or club parties.

J

We go to the opera a couple of times a year and a couple of work-related functions where black tie is implicitly suggested. I'll probably also wear it to see Nas play at the Kennedy Center with the NSO.

 

[J011yroger]



We go to the opera a couple of times a year and a couple of work-related functions where black tie is implicitly suggested. I'll probably also wear it to see Nas play at the Kennedy Center with the NSO.

I'm sure the slippers won't go to waste.

J

 

[Van Veen]

Went to the opera this Monday. Everyone in the house right dress circle boxes was in BT or WT, to varying degrees of success. Everyone I saw in WT was in pumps, including one guy who had to be 80, with shoes probably about half that age.

 

[ImTheGroom]



Went to the opera this Monday. Everyone in the house right dress circle boxes was in BT or WT, to varying degrees of success. Everyone I saw in WT was in pumps, including one guy who had to be 80, with shoes probably about half that age.

Pics or it didn't happen. /

 

[Van Veen]



Pics or it didn't happen. /

No can do... you can't take pics in the Met theater, and they're pretty serious about it.

I was surprised to see so much BT/WT and women in gowns for a Monday performance.

 

[ImTheGroom]

No can do... you can't take pics in the Met theater, and they're pretty serious about it.

I was surprised to see so much BT/WT and women in gowns for a Monday performance.

Yeah I was just giving you a hard time. So, if I go to NYC, I should get a set of evening tails first. Duly noted.

 

[dopey]



Went to the opera this Monday. Everyone in the house right dress circle boxes was in BT or WT, to varying degrees of success. Everyone I saw in WT was in pumps, including one guy who had to be 80, with shoes probably about half that age.

Was it an opening night? I went two weeks ago to Die Fledermaus and was in a Dress Circle box (also house right) and saw very little black tie (and no white tie). I wore a suit. Black tie is sometimes seen in the Grand Tier and Parterre but, even there, not that common. Suits, on the other hand, are still frequently worn up to Dress Circle. Anything goes in the Balcony and Family circle. Opening nights and gala evenings are different-I have worn BT to those and so do many others, again, depending on location. You will see more BT in the lounges than milling about during intermission, but not exclusively so.

I am talking about the NY Met. I assume that is the Met you mean.

 

[J011yroger]

Damn gala tickets are far beyond my budget for a night out.

I need to find a woman who can support me in the manner which I deserve.

J

 

[J011yroger]

Also, the quadrille ball is Saturday if any of you have white tie rigs that are collecting dust.

J

 

[LeviMay]



I need to find a woman who can support me in the manner which I deserve.

J

This.

 

[Van Veen]



Was it an opening night? I went two weeks ago to Die Fledermaus and was in a Dress Circle box (also house right) and saw very little black tie (and no white tie). I wore a suit. Black tie is sometimes seen in the Grand Tier and Parterre but, even there, not that common. Suits, on the other hand, are still frequently worn up to Dress Circle. Anything goes in the Balcony and Family circle. Opening nights and gala evenings are different-I have worn BT to those and so do many others, again, depending on location. You will see more BT in the lounges than milling about during intermission, but not exclusively so.

I am talking about the NY Met. I assume that is the Met you mean.

Not opening night, but 2nd performance. And yes, NY Met. I wore a suit, also.

 

[dopey]



Not opening night, but 2nd performance. And yes, NY Met. I wore a suit, also.

I don't know, but I bet you saw a group outing. Sometimes groups buy a block of boxes and combine it with a dinner or private party at a club. That would explain why you saw a bunch of people in BT in one area. Ordinarily people in the Dress Circle are not that dressed up.