Table of Content
A black-tie outfit requires strict adherence to the rules of the code. Guests in a black-tie event are required to put on a tuxedo, a white dress shirt, a black bow tie, and a pair of elegant shoes. The only flexibility is that the guest can put on a dinner jacket instead of a tuxedo. You should avoid wearing a white bow tie with a tuxedo where possible.
Cufflinks and studs are a must have accessory for black tie attire. The cufflinks have to match the decorative shirt button studs. Cufflinks and studs are usually made from gold, silver, platinum, onyx, or mother of pearl.
White Tie Tail Coat
A white silk or linen pocket square provides the perfect pop against the depth of the jacket’s black. In fact, there is so much more than you can do with this highly formal dress code. The next most formal element of your black-tie ensemble is the white tuxedo shirt. Pipped pockets are what complement the formality and luxury of a dinner jacket.
That’s the smile of a man who knows he's executed the white tie dress code with panache. Just a simple shawl lapel, horseshoe-cut waistcoat which satisfies the waist covering excellently, still allowing any shirt detailing to show. Smith has opted for a dashing wingtip collar on the shirt and, boy, does he look the part. While it is fine to wear white tie to black tie events, just remember the reverse is never OK.
Formal vs. Black Tie | What to Choose Depending on the Event?
To do otherwise is boorish as it tells the organizers in no uncertain terms that their preferences are irrelevant. A creative black tie is best described as attire with a black-tie foundation with room for some creativity and flair. It maintains black tie formality but allows for the use of textures, colors, and accessories to personalize your look. The Golden Age of Hollywood, when everyone knew how to dress up well, looked pretty as a petal, spoke with perfect annunciation and could all perform a glorious foxtrot. Fred Astaire in You’ll Never Get Rich shows white tie is an excellent ballroom outfit. He trots around the floor with such poise and such charisma, effortlessly complimenting Rita Hayworth’s undulating black dress.
The cost is one of the factors to consider when choosing buying vs. renting. Other things to consider are design choices, custom tailoring, and quality. Even lower cost tuxedos will be of better quality than a rental. In addition, buying your own tux will allow you to tailor your garment for the perfect fit.
Grooms and Male Guests Should Wear:
Your client will have their back to his guests throughout the ceremony, so make sure those tails are perfect. The general rule is that the tail should hang to just below the fold of the knee, but you are free to play with this. “The length really has a lot to do with the desired style and what’s good for your body shape.” If you want a more modern coat, you could veer shorter. The trousers should sit high, and the fabric should not pool around your ankles. Instead the legs should be just lomg enough to break once above the shoe. The latest fashion news, beauty coverage, celebrity style, fashion week updates, culture reviews, and videos on Vogue.com.
If your customer’s suit fits well and looks in proportion, he will look more elegant and therefore more formal. If you keep the suit nicely fitted and follow our guide, then piecing together your client’s white-tie outfit will be a veritable breeze. The classic neckwear for a black tie function is a solid black bow tie that is self-tied. The fabric of the bow tie has to match the facing of the lapels. Sateen lapels are matched with sateen silk bow ties and grosgrain faced lapels are paired with finely ribbed or pique fabric bow ties. According to etiquette guide Debrett's , a true black tie outfit for a man will feature a black wool or ultra-fine herringbone dinner jacket.
Since both they and the shirt are made of relatively rough materials , one only has to lean backward slightly to ensure that the bands don’t fall off. Position the bands so that they are immediately below the front stud. Bands are a form of neckwear used by members of universities, those in holy orders and members of the legal profession. Drape the tie around the neck with one end — the left in this set of instructions — about an inch and a half longer than the other. One end has to be longer because it will contribute the material which forms the centre part of the bow between the two wings. This form of adjustable backless waistcoat has been around for many years.
It is a custom-tailored black formal coat with long tails stitched on the backside. Make sure to match your toe of black with your formal trouser for a complete tailcoat look. Now you can show up to a formal event dressing up in a laid-back attire with no questions asked. However, there are still a handful of traditional settings where a white-tie dress code is a compulsion, with adhering to the strict formal clothing etiquette. You can choose one in off-white and black lapels if you want a dinner jacket for a black-tie event during warm climates. However, you should ensure you pair it with black trousers.
