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For the ladies, a white tie means bringing out your most elegant full-length women’s dresses, ball gowns, and opulent jewelry. Think Cinderella and long white gloves, though white gloves are now optional in this modern era. Here’s a guide to how to look your best, and most appropriate, at a black tie event like a wedding.
A traditional Black-Tie ensemble is perfectly acceptable for a Black-Tie Optional event. Ladies, on the other hand, do not have to stick with dark-colored dresses. If you ?choose to opt for another color of shoes, be careful that they’re formal enough to complement your suit and the entire look. But there’s a catch; the invite states “Black tie optional” as the dress code. And try to keep the rest of your outfit understated and unfussy. But a boutonnière or floral decoration is a nice touch.
What Is Black Tie?
The story goes that a guest of the Prince, James Brown Potter, a millionaire coffee broker, took the look back to the US. There he used it to wow his fellow members of the Tuxedo Park Country Club, from which it takes its less formal (and to-be-shunned) name. On the other hand, if this seems like a trendier or more celebratory event, you’re clear to do a little more to stand out.
You could get away with an ordinary white shirt in a wardrobe crisis, but you’ll look distinctly less studly. In 1865, the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, desired a garment to suit the more relaxed environs of Sandringham House, which was “really a sort of getaway castle” in Norfolk, England. “He would often be dining by himself and wanted something a little bit more casual and easier to wear, so he didn’t have to spread his tails every time he sat down,” continues Cundey. “He and Poole came up with the idea of cutting the tails off and lowering the front, making it a ‘dining lounge jacket’.” And “casual” in the same way as a “getaway castle”. Stylish suits and tuxedos delivered straight to your door. However, as previously stated, the imprecise nature of this dress code can spawn considerable consternation and unnecessary worry.
The Best Athletic Fit T Shirt
“You were expected to wear such apparel to dine every evening,” explains Simon Cundey, managing director of Henry Poole, the storied Savile Row tailor that invented the dinner jacket. Cocktail is one of the most common wedding dress codes these days, and it basically means semi-formal . You want an outfit that will work outside, with a drink in one hand and a fiddly canape in the other. It’s a tricky dress code, because there aren’t any obvious rules, but on the plus side you have lots of room to play around. You could wear a dark monochromatic pocket square, but if you do this, you could run the risk of looking like your pocket square and tie came in a matching set, which is never a good look.
The average age for men and women to get married is in their late 20s, and people in their 20s and 30s attend more weddings of their peers than most. That means figuring out wedding guest attire early on is crucial. Whether you like the look or feel you need extra support, suspenders are optional for your black-tie attire. Of course, you can't go wrong with black, but other classic color options include white, red, burgundy, silver, and gold. It's essential that your shoes are clean and well-polished. This is the time to step up your look, so the black shoes you wear to the office should be kept for work.
What To Wear If The Invitation Says “Black Tie Optional.”
Plan to wear a dinner jacket, also known as a tuxedo jacket, over your shirt. This is likely the most important part of your black tie event suit, so give it some well-deserved attention. A black tie event usually calls for a black or midnight blue tuxedo suit. This tuxedo jacket should be designed from a wool material, single-breasted with a single front button, and with satin-faced lapels.
But if you’re feeling bold, a whimsical pair of socks can do the trick and won’t cause any distractions. No-one expects you to rock up to a beach wedding in a three piece woolen suit. Check the invite for specific dress code details, but most beach weddings will specify ‘casual’ or ‘smart casual’. It’s important to know that dress codes are there for a reason, and going rogue is generally frowned upon. The only thing worse than being the underdressed guy at a wedding is being the overdressed guy at a wedding. The goal is to find that balance, and stick to the theme/dress code chosen by the couple.
Women should wear a cocktail dress or party dress in a fun color paired with playful accessories and heels or dressy flats. Men should sport a suit, jazzed up with a bright tie or creative pocket square. “The design of the invite, as well as the event details, will give clues which you should consider when deciding on your look,” explains Padilla. Are they more conservative or more laid back and casual? Their overall style is a good general indicator of what type of dress they might expect. The black tie dress code is one of the few that has a strict set of rules.
Shawl lapels convey a timeless elegance – especially with a single-breasted close. To help you in your search for the perfect men's wedding band, here are 50 of our favorites from traditional to alternative and everything in between. From different metals, widths, and shapes to all the available textures and finishes, here's the ultimate guide to picking the perfect men's wedding band.
