The State of Black Tie: Your Observations

[jonathanS]

My current wardrobe is the following and I have no plans to add or change anything:

1. 4-piece midnight tuxedo in Harrison’s wool/mohair blend.
-Jacket is sb with peak lapels and grosgrain facings. No vents.
-Vest is db with self-faced shawl lapels.
-I had the tailor (Steed MTM) make two identical trousers, one in black to wear with odd dinner jackets. Both cut wider in the waist to be worn with braces.
2. Cream dinner/cocktail jacket in a Loro Piana wool/silk/linen blend in SBPL self-faced, one button, no vents configuration.
3. Black watch tartan dinner jacket. SB, shawl grosgrain lapels with single button/link front closure and grosgrain turn back cuffs.

When you said 4 piece, I was thinking you’d do 1 peak lapel jacket; 1 shawl lapel jacket of the same fabric.

 

[Sreezy36]

What are people’s ideal black tie wardrobe?

For example, perhaps everyone should have a tuxedo peak lapel 3 piece, one button.

Then, a sb shawl?

Or a white silk dinner jacket? Or a cream db shawl lapel? (Ala Casablanca?)

1. Single Breasted Peak DJ in 16oz Barathea In black or Midnight. Cummerbund or Waistcoat depending upon the preference of the individual and silhouette.

2. Velvet Peak Lapel (self facing) "combination" Jacket in either shades of Blue, Brown, Green, Burgundy, or Purple. This jacket can work as a "relaxed" black tie option or as an evening jacket where black tie might be too formal for the occasion.

3. Double Breasted Cream or Burma Peak lapel 4x1 "combination" jacket. This jacket will double as "tropical climate" dinner jacket and a sports jacket. For the fabric options: linen, wool linen, , high twist, wool silk linen, silk, silk linen, and Panama weave.



* +1 jacket would be a single breasted shawl or double breasted shawl dinner jacket. Any such variation will do. Fabric and facing options are endless.

 

[Texasmade]

But how else will you highlight your perfect physique!?!

Gy going topless and bottomless.

 

[Mark from Plano]

When you said 4 piece, I was thinking you’d do 1 peak lapel jacket; 1 shawl lapel jacket of the same fabric.

I guess technically it is a 3-piece tuxedo and a pair of odd formal trousers. Not really a 4-piece since I wouldn’t wear the black trousers with the rest of it.

 

[ericgereghty]

View attachment 2324069
Yes almost a black suit, although mine seems to have shrunk a bit too.

I hate this, but it's not mine, so you do you, but I would be curious to know your rationale/preference with this look, if you wouldn't mind sharing?

 

[hpreston]

So since the loss of my entire wardrobe I've lost my tuxedos and my odd DJ's.
I probably can't put too many resources this year towards black tie, but I do have at least two events in October that require it. (I "could" get away without it....but I...don't want to).

If I have to subsist on one BT rig for a couple of years, interested in hearing what people would do. My favorite recently was my 4x1 Harrison's Oyster w/ grossgrain facings. I'm tempted to just remake this. But I'm also tempted to make it in midnight instead.

Thoughts on midnight 4x1 vs black?

Go midnight. My one rig is midnight and I’ve never felt the need for black and no one has batted an eye at any BT event.

 

[classless]

I hate this, but it's not mine, so you do you, but I would be curious to know your rationale/preference with this look, if you wouldn't mind sharing?

Sure, I thought I might catch some flak. 2-button because I like SB and there's no waistcoat, cummerbund optional. Admittedly the jacket sits somewhere between a more formal business suit and evening wear, but for that reason I'm more comfortable wearing it. Actually if I were to remake it I'd probably omit the satin trim on the pockets too just so that it would get even more use, but that's just me.

As long as I stick to black bow-tie, imo there's enough distinction for those few (semi)formal events. For one thing, it's midnight blue that looks black (that photo was taken in direct sun w/ flash).

 

[The Chai]

Sure, I thought I might catch some flak. 2-button because I like SB and there's no waistcoat, cummerbund optional. Admittedly the jacket sits somewhere between a more formal business suit and evening wear, but for that reason I'm more comfortable wearing it. Actually if I were to remake it I'd probably omit the satin trim on the pockets too just so that it would get even more use, but that's just me.

As long as I stick to black bow-tie, imo there's enough distinction for those few (semi)formal events. For one thing, it's midnight blue that looks black (that photo was taken in direct sun w/ flash).

Why not 1b as it acheives the same outcome...2 button as faux dinner wear is flakworthy!