White Tie on a Budget

[EriQ009]

I will be attending a formal white-tie event before the end of year. Being that I do not anticipate attending many functions that call for white-tie, I do not wish to spend a great deal of money on said ensemble. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to source proper white-tie attire, keeping in mind the aforementioned economic considerations?

 

[unbelragazzo]

I'd try eBay/consignment shops

 

[Ivar]



I'd try eBay/consignment shops

No question. Black and white tie ensembles are among the most rewarding things to buy used.

 

[Harold falcon]



No question. Black and white tie ensembles are among the most rewarding things to buy used.

Agreed. I spent about two years waiting for the right size white tie ensemble before picking one up off ebay. I just had the opportunity to use it earlier this year and it was very satisfying to know I paid comparatively little for such a fine item. Now that I have it (as long as I can keep off the weight!) I'll be good to go for a long time.

 

[Etienne]



I will be attending a formal white-tie event before the end of year. Being that I do not anticipate attending many functions that call for white-tie, I do not wish to spend a great deal of money on said ensemble. Anyone have any suggestions as to where to source proper white-tie attire, keeping in mind the aforementioned economic considerations?

The places that rent white tie ensembles often sell them too. That's probably the last places where you can find an inexpensive RTW white-tie. Might be worth considering, that's how I got mine.

 

[msulinski]

The places that rent white tie ensembles often sell them too. That's probably the last places where you can find an inexpensive RTW white-tie. Might be worth considering, that's how I got mine.

Do places that rent a proper white tie outfit even exist anymore? Most rental places seem to rent prom-wear.

 

[Etienne]



Do places that rent a proper white tie outfit even exist anymore? Most rental places seem to rent prom-wear.

I know two of them in Paris, there might be others.

 

[michaelyork]

Just curious, what sort of event is this that you require white tie?

Other than pretentious weddings, white tie is dead, or so I thought.

 

[EriQ009]

The event is a formal fundraiser gala. White tie may not be dead, but it is certainly uncommon these days.

 

[GBR]

Hire

 

[EriQ009]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will look at eBay and some other places locally that may have what I am looking for.

As far as formalwear rental shops, I was under the impression that the quality and details of the formal dress to be found in these places was subpar, to say the least, and certainly not up to SF standards. Am I mistaken in that regard?

 

[blackbowtie]



Just curious, what sort of event is this that you require white tie?


Other than pretentious weddings, white tie is dead, or so I thought.

Depending on what you mean by "dead". In the DC area, there are at least 5-6 events that I know of - and I'm not even plugged into the DC social scene - where the dress code is white tie optional. I've been to two of these events where the majority of the men actually turned up in white tie. And these are not even superformal events, by which, I mean state dinners and such. Brooks Brothers continue to sell tails and white tie and formal white vest, which i take to mean that there is still demand for such items.