Monday, February 6, 2023

Black Tie Dress Code Guide For Men With Dos & Donts

dress code black tie

Patent shoes might be fine with these, however, for adding some flair to the overall ensemble. How about British Tan shoes with a Navy suit to a black tie optional event? This is known as the most formal dress code and before the Second World War was the most popular evening dress for gentlemen. Today, however, it’s pretty rare to see this dress code appear beside an RSVP - unless it’s an invitation to state banquets or balls. It is, however, always welcomed at places like Glyndebourne Opera Festival where traditional white or black-tie is expected.

dress code black tie

The front can be plain for a clean-cut look, pleated, or Marcella . If you’re going the pleated route, make sure they’re tight and neat or you run the risk of looking like you’re wearing ruffles. There are several types of cufflinks that may be worn with black tie. The most common, and least decorative, are the swivel bar type; whilst these are acceptable, they leave the inner side of the cuffs and mechanism exposed which is incongruous with formal dress. As the cummerbund is seen as an extension of the trousers, traditionally it is the same colour, i.e. black. However, the Black Tie Guide endorses deep and rich colours as a tasteful way to introduce some colour into an outfit that is otherwise monochromatic.

Black bow tie

If we were in the winter I’d say deep purple, but on summer can go lighter for sure. The more more the more muted you should be i.e. closer to black tie. Meanwhile, if you want to pick up a quality shirt for the occasion, head to our guide to the best shirt brands on the market. We recently updated this guide to feature a number of options for different budgets. However, we made sure only to select trusted Jermyn Street brands or similar. If you don’t have anything in your wardrobe that’s appropriate, we can recommend a number of excellent suit brands.

dress code black tie

There is a knack to wear them and learn the art of tying them properly. Combined with black trousers, the white tuxedo jacket is best worn for more formal occasions and during the warmer months. If you’re thinking of wearing this to a wedding you had better check with the bridge and groom before doing so. The most formal and traditional shoes are patent leather opera pumps, also called court shoes, decorated with grosgrain bows. The more popular alternative is the black lace-up Oxford shoe, in patent leather or calfskin, with a rounded plain toe.

Indochino Harford Velvet Tuxedo in Emerald

There was a time when for 007, like any discerning gentleman, a black tie event was as sartorially simple as donning one’s pyjamas. In this most formal of dress codes, there is – or was – little place or purpose for creativity. Just as equally as important as the shoes are the socks, you wear with them.

Black tie is traditionally worn only after six o'clock in the evening, or after sundown during winter months. Black tie's rough daytime equivalent is the stroller, which is less formal than morning dress because, as with black tie, it replaces the tailcoat with a lounge coat. Contrary to the trend seen in evening dress, the less formal stroller is now extraordinarily rare, whereas morning dress is still relatively common. A dinner suit is also acceptable for black-tie wedding attire. Dapper smoking jackets in velvet or textured materials can add flair to the attire while a traditional silk-lapel dinner jacket is the traditional choice.

Higher Etiquette

It features upward-facing folds, which were originally used to store theatre or opera tickets, and are now considered to be more decorative than functional. Just like the waistcoat, cummerbunds are not worn with a double-breasted jacket. By World War I, the grey option had fallen out of favor but the "midnight blue" alternative became increasingly popular and rivalled black by the mid-1930s.

dress code black tie

With that in mind, stick with dark, solid colors such as burgundy, navy, forest green, or dark plum. One color to avoid is white, which is reserved for white tie events. I have a “black tie optional” wedding to attend in Woodside, Ca this upcoming July. The venue and all accompanying wedding festivities are going to be quite ritzy so I plan on trying to look my best. I found your article very informative but was a bit deflated when in the last paragraph you mention “wisely refuses to rent one” regarding the attire/tux/suit. I’m a blue collar guy that very rarely has the need to dress up this formally.

Black Tie Attire

This is just as much a function of blurring of formality lines as it is companies being more interested in making money than in dressing men properly. The smoking jacket is derived from the 17th century robe de chambre, which was an ostentatious robe of the upper classes wore to keep warm while getting dressed. Ostentatious because it was typically made from lavish fabrics and embellished with ornate embroidery, all designed to display one’s wealth. In fact, it was often the choice to wear if one was having their portrait painted.

Black shoes – traditionally patent leather court shoes or pumps; now often highly polished or patent leather Oxford dress shoes instead, without brogueing. Take the opportunity to go full glam and save lighter fabrics such as cotton and linen for your casual, daytime looks. This event is a bit more glamorous than the rest, calling for a deep red or metallic sparkle dress. It is one of the only events you have the freedom to choose that ‘it’ dress. You can never go wrong with a long black dress that shows off your silhouette.

No comments:

Post a Comment