Tuxedo with cuffed pants

[traditional AE]

I realize this is not recommended, but I have a fabulous Zegna tux from when I knew better. I have a gala to attend and would prefer to not have the pants rehemmed. How bad would it be if everything else was perfect?

Thanks in advance. Btw........I will not be the center of attention.

 

[powerkicker]

I would not do it. Get the cuffs removed for $20.

 

[traditional AE]

ARGH.........I was hoping a few would chime in saying be a rebel. This tux is 15 years old but still gorgeous. I had it cuffed when I didn't know any better and frankly like the look. I also am pressed for time.

I guess good taste in formal is not negotiable

 

[Andy57]

How pressed for time are you? It only takes a couple of days to get pants hemmed, even when removing cuffs. If you really have no alternative, then wear them as they are. But the right answer, which you know, is to get the cuffs removed.

 

[jonathanS]

Yeah, if you have time, remove the cuffs; if you don't have time, well, you gotta do what you gotta do, but afterwards, get them removed.

 

[TOstyle]

Don't ever mess with the rules on formalwear. I've tried a couple of times, and looking back, I regret it.

So of course its not going to matter to anyone else if you show up with cuffs. But ironically, thanks to this forum thread, it will probably matter to you and you'll be unhappy. Make yourself not worry at all and get them fixed at some point - that should do enough to make you happy.

 

[traditional AE]

Thanks to everyone for the input. I do in fact know better- so ignorance would have been bliss! I don't want to fret about it so the pants go in tomorrow for hopefully a quick turnaround. Is anything available (pocket square, vest,etc) where some individuality can be added with appearing like a showboat or clown?

 

[Thin White Duke]

The aren't many rules in menswear that are inviolate but dinner suit trousers without turnups has to be up there.

Try a coloured silk pocket square in dark scarlet (see Dean Martin in 'Ocean's Eleven'), burgundy or royal blue for a subtle pop of colour to set you apart without making yourself 'that guy'. That's about as much pushing of the envelope that I do with black tie.

 

[breakaway01]

I assume you are wearing a self-tie bow tie? That alone sets you apart from most men at black tie events.

 

[Andy57]

I second the idea of a colored pocket square, especially dark red. Another possibility is to use distinctive cufflinks. I usually use onyx or MOP studs, but my cufflinks are red enamel, usually. Pretty wild and crazy!

 

[TOstyle]

I don't see anything wrong with adding some color in the pocket square, lapel ornaments or a snazzy vest. They are all stuff you can also take off if you don't think it's working.

Personality is great, but the rules in formalwear are there not because they are inviolable, but because they really do look best.

 

[997CTSurg]

The sad reality is that probably no one at the event would have noticed.
My last black tie event was pure comedy from what others were wearing.
Atrocious was the baseline.

 

[traditional AE]

I am wearing a self tie, although it may take me 20 tries to get it right!

 

[Andy57]

I am wearing a self tie, although it may take me 20 tries to get it right!

All it takes is practice. I recently saw Bob Anderson's Sinatra: The Man, The Music show in Las Vegas. At one point, Anderson unties his bow tie for a couple of numbers. Then, he reties it, on stage, with no mirror, in the dark. And it looked exactly as it had before he untied it. I met him later that evening and asked him his secret. His reply was that he had tied a bow tie a couple times a day for decades. Practice!

 

[jonathanS]

Quote:
Its really not that hard to tie a perfect bow tie. I occasionally wear bow ties, don't even have that much practice but I can tie it perfectly every time, no mirror required. Really just sit down and slowly do it, then repeat, it becomes muscle memory - especially if you don't have to worry about length, which you shouldn't after tie a bow tie for the first time.