The State of Black Tie: Your Observations

[ericgereghty]

Whether they really are effeminate or not, and whether making that distinction is reasonable, is beside the point. It's a matter of the contrast between the fact that women are perfectly happy to wear pant suits, loafers, blazers, and all kinds of other things that have their origins in menswear whereas they are not happy to see men wear something even slightly feminine looking. Even if that thing has a long history in masculine attire, as the opera pump does. Indeed, look at the welcome, even the fawning, that women who dress in menswear get on this forum. I think it's fairly safe to say that a man attempting to dress in womenswear on a comparable women's forum would not be so welcomed. Just some things to think about.

I'll happily remain in the minority here. Not a fan at all.

 

[Caustic Man]

But again, liking them or not isn't the point.

ETA: Nevermind. I thought you meant you didn't like opera pumps. I didn't see the bolded text at first.

 

[palk]

But again, liking them or not isn't the point.

Beside your point about social injustice / clothing double standards? Yes, but I would say that your point is off-topic; I was addressing pumps' relation to formal wear.

 

[ericgereghty]

But again, liking them or not isn't the point.

ETA: Nevermind. I thought you meant you didn't like opera pumps. I didn't see the bolded text at first.

No, not at all. I actually do like opera pumps. Not enough to completely write off lace-ups for formal wear, but they certainly have a place, in my estimation.

 

[Newcomer]

I seem to be overly picky today, but I also don't understand the use of "allow" in this context. The wife retains some sort of authority over your clothing choices?

Well, my wife and I were recently married, and, when discussing footwear, she did not care for the opera pumps. Now, clearly, I can wear what I please, but to the extent that my wife would greatly prefer that I did not wear opera pumps, I am not going to go ahead and do so. Perhaps allow is not the correct word. However, it functionally is.

 

[Caustic Man]

Beside your point about social injustice / clothing double standards? Yes, but I would say that your point is off-topic; I was addressing pumps' relation to formal wear.

I wasn’t responding to you.

 

[brax]

Two legends in black tie, Gretzky and the late Gordie Howe.

 

[Caustic Man]

No, not at all. I actually do like opera pumps. Not enough to completely write off lace-ups for formal wear, but they certainly have a place, in my estimation.

This is my view as well.

 

[aj805]

Well, my wife and I were recently married, and, when discussing footwear, she did not care for the opera pumps. Now, clearly, I can wear what I please, but to the extent that my wife would greatly prefer that I did not wear opera pumps, I am not going to go ahead and do so. Perhaps allow is not the correct word. However, it functionally is.

It's congratulations, then!

 

[archibaldleach]

Interested in the opinion of the crowd: Thoughts on a midnight blue dinner jacket w/ black tuxedo pants?

Background: Getting a standard tuxedo rig for my wedding (black, grosgrain peak, 1 button, jetted pockets). I'm interested in a classic look and feel that this is most versatile (i.e. can be used for other black tie events regardless of season and/or wedding parties). Buuuuuut, if I wanted to add some life to it do you think it would be possible to do a midnight blue dinner jacket with silk shawls on top of the black tux pants? I know a white shawl DJ and black is pretty standard, but that would only really work during the summer. Also, I know people here would notice, but do you think silk shawl DJ lapel and and grosgrain pants trim is a venial black tie offense?

Don't do it. Your black tie rig should feature matching jacket and trousers or jacket and trousers that are clearly not meant to match (e.g. cream dinner jacket or something in velvet). Mixing black trousers with a midnight blue jacket will clash more than liven anything up.

 

[Joffrey]

So I have been invited to a black-tie gala during my European vacation in a few weeks. I'm not in the market for a tuxedo at the moment (need some shoring up of my business wardrobe) and I am wondering if it is possible to simply wear a dark suit (navy or medium gray), white shirt, and a black tie? Apart from Spier & McKay, I don't see any thing else that's particularly affordable (under $500 total). An attendee has suggested I get a black suit from Zara (!) at this rate (and their prices) I'm actually considering it since I have many all the other required items (which I wouldn't if I purchased a tux). I also don't want to purchase a tuxedo in a rush. I have a feeling I'll get many "Splurge!" replies but hoping to get anything else.

 

[Andy57]

Interested in the opinion of the crowd: Thoughts on a midnight blue dinner jacket w/ black tuxedo pants?

Don't do it. Your black tie rig should feature matching jacket and trousers or jacket and trousers that are clearly not meant to match (e.g. cream dinner jacket or something in velvet). Mixing black trousers with a midnight blue jacket will clash more than liven anything up.

This is the right advice. Don't mix 'em.

 

[Andy57]

So I have been invited to a black-tie gala during my European vacation in a few weeks. I'm not in the market for a tuxedo at the moment (need some shoring up of my business wardrobe) and I am wondering if it is possible to simply wear a dark suit (navy or medium gray), white shirt, and a black tie? Apart from Spier & McKay, I don't see any thing else that's particularly affordable (under $500 total). An attendee has suggested I get a black suit from Zara (!) at this rate (and their prices) I'm actually considering it since I have many all the other required items. I also don't want to purchase a tuxedo in a rush. I have a feeling I'll get many "Splurge!" replies but hoping to get anything else.

I think the answer to your question is somewhat dependent on the nature of the event. If it is a gala where people are expected to wear black tie, then I think it would be ill-considered of you to not wear the correct attire. Your alternative is to decline the invitation. If it is a black-tie optional type of event, then a dark suit, white shirt, and dark tie will probably suffice. Do not buy a black suit unless you are, in fact, and undertaker (in which case it's likely that you already possess one).

 

[classicalthunde]

Don't do it. Your black tie rig should feature matching jacket and trousers or jacket and trousers that are clearly not meant to match (e.g. cream dinner jacket or something in velvet). Mixing black trousers with a midnight blue jacket will clash more than liven anything up.

Gotcha, thanks for the input! I've always liked idea of having a unqiue black tie compatible outfit to stand out amongst the crowd...oddly enough I've been torn between the Skyfall midnight blue tux and velvet dinner jacket, so I might as well look into the later one if the need for another dinner jacket arises.

 

[Faux Brummell]

Woo hoo, velvet!