Last minute black tie, but my DJ is at the tailor!

I was just invited--on a first date actually--to a gala this Friday. Since I was asked, I didn't press her for a lot of details about the event but found out via google that it is a wine auction/and $500 plate charity dinner where black tie is requested. My date said nothing about it being black tie...honestly, I don't think she realizes it is that type of event.

So here's the problem: my dinner jacket is at the tailor and I won't be able to get it back before the event. I begged, but my tailor said it just wasn't possible for him to get it done before Friday.

What do I wear?!

I don't own a black suit. I wear my dinner jacket when it's black tie but I obviously can't break into my tailor to pick up the disassembled jacket.

I have a dark solid charcoal suit and I could pull out a black solid tie and spread collar shirt, but I have a terrible feeling I will look out of place and feel ridiculous.

Any suggestions?

Originally Posted by p.o.t.u.s

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I was just invited--on a first date actually--to a gala this Friday. Since I was asked, I didn't press her for a lot of details about the event but found out via google that it is a wine auction/and $500 plate charity dinner where black tie is requested. My date said nothing about it being black tie...honestly, I don't think she realizes it is that type of event.

So here's the problem: my dinner jacket is at the tailor and I won't be able to get it back before the event. I begged, but my tailor said it just wasn't possible for him to get it done before Friday.

What do I wear?!

I don't own a black suit. I wear my dinner jacket when it's black tie but I obviously can't break into my tailor to pick up the disassembled jacket.

I have a dark solid charcoal suit and I could pull out a black solid tie and spread collar shirt, but I have a terrible feeling I will look out of place and feel ridiculous.

Any suggestions?

I would just explain the situation to her, and find out exactly how formal the event will be. I often find that when black tie is requested, people wear suits anyway; if it's one of those events, you should be fine.

Is your solid tie grenadine? I don't know if I'd wear a satin, it might look like you're trying too hard to give the impression that you're wearing a tuxedo. A black with white pin dot tie would be nice too.

At this point, your only options to wear actual black tie are to rent (avoid at all costs) or to borrow a DJ from a friend who wears the same size as you, if you have one.

Under the circumstances, I'd skip the event.

There inevitably will be someone else that looks more out of place than you in a well-dressed charcoal suit. I would still go personally, don't let it ruin a perfectly good evening. The point of a gathering is the people, not the clothes...

If the clothes were the main attraction people would dress up mannequins in the best dressed outfits possible and prop them in place and leave them be for the length of the event. Then, go and clean up shop when it's all over.