Your feedback on my formalwear (pics)

[FidelCashflow]

Tomorrow I'm attending a "Black Tie Preferred" ball. I was debating either renting a tux, buying a black suit, or possibly buying a cheap tux, with budget being the biggest consideration. I only decided I was even interested in going at the last minute. After talking to SA's at the better local menswear stores, I found out most guys going to this ball are wearing black suits because it's for younger professionals who have little utility for tuxedo's (myself included.) I saw a black Canali suit that was gorgeous, but it was about 4x my budget as it's one of those items that don't ever go on sale.

But I also happened upon this very attractive Hugo Boss dinner jacket (is that even the right word?) which was on sale for 1/2 price. I particularly like the marcella texture of the jacket. The jacket is ventless which is unusual, but I think it just adds to the streamlined look. Also I figured, I already owned just about everything else I need to cobble together the look. I'm planning on wearing it with: -Plain black flat-front pants with a straight-hem, they're regular dress pants with a touch of shine to them from Z Zegna -C&J Alex wholecut shoes -A white cotton pocket square from Kent Wang -A white dress shirt french-cuff dress shirt (not a winged collar shirt with studs, just a MTM shirt I wear with suits) -A black 3.5" wide satin tie from Hugo Boss (long tie, not a bow tie) -A silver Dunhill tie clip What are your thoughts on this jacket and the overall look?

 

[Ich_Dien]

I like the look of the jacket, not sure about what you're planning on wearing it with though. Won't the lack of the stripe down your trousers be a bit obvious?

 

[unjung]

What store did you pick this up at? I'm shopping around town here for a tux as well. I originally wasn't a fan of the shawl collar but it's growing on me. My understanding is that ventless is very much traditional and correct for black tie. I'll look forward to seeing the photos of it being worn.

 

[HEWSINATOR]

Originally Posted by unjung

What store did you pick this up at?.

I would put my money on a store that starts with an H.

I think it looks OK, and if you care to share, I may consider checking them out of they have more.

 

[unjung]

Originally Posted by HEWSINATOR

I would put my money on a store that starts with an H.

Three out of one chance of that.

 

[Luddite]

Jacket doesn't look bad. I'm not sure if the lapel is a contrasting fabric, which is...untraditional. Trying to match blacks with the trousers will be hard; I'm surprised you didn't pick up matching trousers.

Only complete deal-breaker is the long tie. That's not black tie; that's waiter.

www.blacktieguide.com

 

[VKK3450]

Ventless is normal for formalwear.

Do the trousers match the acket??

I dont know that you can match same colour pieces that easily.

K

 

[The_Foxx]

What in the ****?? Rent a tux, wearing pants and a jacket that didn't go together is no good. Save the jacket to wear with jeans.

 

[FidelCashflow]

Originally Posted by jimmyoneill

I like the look of the jacket, not sure about what you're planning on wearing it with though. Won't the lack of the stripe down your trousers be a bit obvious?

Trousers with the stripe would be a nice touch, but given the sartorial climate in Edmonton, it won't be an issue.

Originally Posted by unjung

What store did you pick this up at?

Henry Singer, about 1/2 price right now. Probably cheaper at the end of the month when they do the blowout sale.

Originally Posted by Luddite

I'm not sure if the lapel is a contrasting fabric, which is...untraditional. Only complete deal-breaker is the long tie. That's not black tie; that's waiter.]

The lapels are the same fabric as the jacket, just with some satin piping. I debated doing a bow-tie, but after asking around, I have gathered very few will wear a bowtie to this ball.

Originally Posted by The_Foxx

What in the ****?? Rent a tux, wearing pants and a jacket that didn't go together is no good. Save the jacket to wear with jeans.

There aren't any matching pants for this jacket. Plus this jacket is a heavier, bumpier marcella like fabric tht wouldn't make suitable pants. The idea is you can pair it with any other black pants.

Anyways guys, right or wrong, I'm off tot he ball like this right now! If any pics end up on facebook, I'll post them here... but not necessarily in the iGent approved pose in front of the mirror

 

[FidelCashflow]

UPDATE

I just got home and have some thoughts after my first forray into formalwear

1) Next time I'll wear a bow-tie. I didn't like straddling the line between a suit and tux. (Ironically the only person who was teased about looking like a waiter was a guy wearing a traditional tuxedo with a bow-tie)

2) The pants were just fine and there was absolutely no issue with matching as the jacket is meant to be a little different.

3) I"m glad I didn't rent, the rental tux's all looked super baggy. You could tell just at a glance who rented and who brought their tux's. On the whole I'm quite satisfied with my tuxedo jacket purchase... I just need to find more occasions to wear it.

 

[Ich_Dien]

I had my doubts about wearing the satin tie. Buy a traditional bow tie, and learn how to tie it!

Any tailor would be happy to make you a formal shirt, you may also want to go the whole hog and get detachable collars for it, one winged, one turn down, making it more versatile.

 

[The_Foxx]

Damned shame you didn't jump on one of those polo RLBL tuxedos that a forum member was selling recently, they looked spectacular.

All in all, I say you're still off point by wearing black pants with that black jacket. It probably looked like you were almost trying to match it, despite its textured appearance. I'd recommend you simply start shopping for a discounted tux, and go the whole nine yards. You'll at least wear it every new year's, and will likely find more occasions for it once you own it (that's what I did!).
IF you decide to keep wearing the odd tuxedo jacket (odd as in unmatched), suggest you get trousers that are decidedly different than the jacket so it does not appear you are trying to match it in color. I'm still convinced that jacket did have matching trousers and they were not sold with the discounted jacket.