Dark Charcoal Suit To Black Tie Event? (Am I An Idiot?)

Imhoff · Feb 27, 2011

Simple question, got an invite to a "Black Tie" event for this evening for the Oscars (Oscar viewing party in AZ) and I do not own a black suit (find em bland and uninspiring).

Anyways, will I be able to get away with a dark charcoal suit with a solid white shirt and slim black tie? Or am I going to be a walking embarrassment at this party?

cbbuff · Feb 27, 2011

If it is black tie, it is black tie. You will not feel right in a Charcoal suit.

Requiem · Feb 27, 2011

A very dark blue (midnight blue) suit would be better. You'll be fine with the charcoal one... just put it on and don't think about it.

deadly7 · Feb 27, 2011

If they said it was black tie, aren't they asking for a tux/dinner jacket and bow tie? Or did they explicitly say they meant "black suit, white shirt, black tie"? See: http://www.blacktieguide.com/Basics/1_Attire.htm

Imhoff · Feb 27, 2011

Ugh, these answers just validate my fears. I told my date this but she was like, "Just wear it, you will be fine..." she doesn't get my concern. Looks like I will be bowing out of this event gracefully.

Rugger · Feb 27, 2011

Who goes to an Oscars party?

deadly7 · Feb 27, 2011

Originally Posted by Imhoff

Ugh, these answers just validate my fears. I told my date this but she was like, "Just wear it, you will be fine..." she doesn't get my concern. Looks like I will be bowing out of this event gracefully.

You could sit in your car and watch people go in and see if they're wearing tuxes or just regular suits :ninja:. If people are just wearing suits, a dark charcoal won't be too rebellious. Or you could not care and be "that guy" for the night.

Grenadier · Feb 27, 2011

Do you not own a tuxedo? While perhaps an obvious question, you only mentioned not owning a black suit.

Geezer · Feb 27, 2011

If it's what you have, wear it. At least half the "celebrities" actually at the Oscars will be wearing things that SF will hate - and probably post pics of here. I'd be amazed if you were the only person not wearing SF-approved black tie. You are going to a party with - I hope - friends to watch TV, not to a state banquet at Windsor Castle.

doctordapper · Feb 27, 2011

My thought process for your situation is:
1) If you own a tux wear it.
2) If not, don't fall victim to rentals. I would much rather be seen wearing a good suit than a rental. What ever you wear, wear it confidently and don't forget the details: pocket square to match and tie clip etc. A well put together ensemble may distract from the fact that its not a 'black tie' outfit.

HalfCanvas · Feb 27, 2011

You're going to bow out of the event because of this? Are you joking? You are going to a party whose sole purpose is to watch a god damn television show. Wear your charcoal suit, white shirt, and slim tie. Have fun.

Imhoff · Feb 27, 2011

Originally Posted by Rugger

Who goes to an Oscars party?

Not I... this was a last minute offer from SO.

Originally Posted by HalfCanvas

You're going to bow out of the event because of this? Are you joking? You are going to a party whose sole purpose is to watch a god @#!*% television show. Wear your charcoal suit, white shirt, and slim tie. Have fun.

I agree with this, the fact that it is ridiculous to attend a party to watch a T.V. show... Oscars no less. This is merely a place where people stroke their own egos, a situation I find to be insufferable. But my gf is all about being scene and having attention on her. And she wonders why I wonder off during said events to the bar.

Imhoff · Feb 27, 2011

Originally Posted by azlawstudent

Do you not own a tuxedo? While perhaps an obvious question, you only mentioned not owning a black suit.

At this time, do not own a tux. Maybe one day now that my body frame/weight is no longer fluctuating.

Originally Posted by deadly7

You could sit in your car and watch people go in and see if they're wearing tuxes or just regular suits :ninja:. If people are just wearing suits, a dark charcoal won't be too rebellious. Or you could not care and be "that guy" for the night.

Kudos on the ninja skill-set idea. If this truly is a black tie affair and notice guests showing up in Tux and full ensembles, might be best to duck out. Don't have the cojones to be "that guy" tonight.

SpooPoker · Feb 27, 2011

If it's all you got, make sure your accessories (including your date) are off the ******* chain.

landshark · Feb 27, 2011

Not that I approve, but it's not uncommon for men to wear suits to black tie events. They likely don't have a tuxedo. Honestly, your friends probably wont expect you to drop $500+ for a single evening. Wear your suit and tie. As long as it fits well you will look great.

Dark Charcoal Suit To Black Tie Event? (Am I An Idiot?)

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