The short,
tailless smoking jacket, introduced in 1860 by Henry Poole & Co. changed the
world’s approach to men’s formal wear. This evening coat was designed for the
Prince of Wales as an alternative to traditional tailcoats for informal dinners
at Sandringham. Stories go that the style was brought to the American society
by James Brown Potter when he met the Prince of Wales in 1886. This evening
jacket was the blueprint for what is now known as tuxedos, one of the most
important aspects of the black tie ensemble.
Though
black tie dress code, in essence, is semi-formal attire, it is the most formal
dress code you have to maintain when it comes to events like weddings and galas.
But men’s formal wear has come a long way; it is now an amalgamation where
style meets comfort.
So
the question is: What are the stylish guys wearing for a Black Tie invitation?
If
you take a closer look into the world of men’s fashion you’ll see the most
common trend doing the rounds this year is relaxed formal. Designers and fashion
behemoths are trying to bridge the gap between the worlds of formal and casual
wear.
It
will be wrong to say that formal wear takes a back seat when it comes to men’s
fashion this year, but the trend is to inject a little freedom into strict
dress codes. Relaxed formal, as it is called, is as simple and comfortable as
pairing your suit with a slouchy t-shirt, adding a nonchalant approach to your
look.
In
this post, we take a look at the latest trends in men’s formal wear.
Blue is the New Black for Tux
Navy
has been a trendy color in 2014 and according to a New York Times article
“blue is the new black” for tuxedos. It is an accent color and a neutral
alternative to a more formal black or charcoal. And a navy blue tux is not
necessarily reserved for black tie events. Go bold in blue or navy tuxedos and dress
it down to more casual attire by wearing a chambray shirt instead of a
traditional white, turndown collar shirt for a date night. For a look this
casual, skip the tie. The color rule also applies for people who want to opt for
a suit instead of a tuxedo.
(Image source: http://www.uniformofman.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/22TUXSPAN-articleLarge.jpg)
Satin
is usually reserved for the peaked lapel or the shawl collar in your tux, but the
recent trends made the likes of satin piping on the tux with a framed lapel more
popular. To make a statement you can even opt for extra wide peak lapel. In
fact, a tux with contrasting lapel details is a great option to show off your unique
style choices.
Leave the Waist Uncovered
The traditional
black tie waist requires you to wear a low-cut evening waistcoat or a black
cummerbund. But the popular trend is to leave it uncovered as it gives a
sleeker and more streamlined look. Many men are now opting for this style by
wearing trousers that have a satin finished waistband. An
exposed waistband is hardly regarded as formal faux pas anymore, provided you
have a stomach as flat as Daniel Craig’s in James Bond.
To
pull off the uncovered waist your jacket closure should be around the same area as
your trouser waistband. Avoid low rise trousers or cover it with a waistcoat instead
of a cummerbund. This will make you look slimmer and taller. In fact, a
waistcoat is a good alternative to a cummerbund. They are also available in different
shapes.
If you’re
opting to swank a stylish cummerbund or waistcoat, use same quality silk as
your lapels and bow tie.
A Perfect Fit for Your Body
One
of the most important factors that remain true for all kinds of fashion trends
is that you need to buy clothes that fit your body properly. It is important to
know your body size and shape and wear an outfit that is neither too tight nor
loose.
This
rule is especially applicable if you’re on the larger side. Wear clothes that
skim over your body and smooth out your frame. For a flattering fit, opt for
shirts, tuxedos and suits that have slightly structured shoulders. The arm
length should not be bunched up and the cut is also important. Pay attention to
the hemlines of your trousers. Avoid borderline skinny legwear; instead, buy
relaxed fits or pants that fall close to your heel as they give the illusion of
leaner, longer legs.
(Image source: http://www.ownonly.com/data/2014/09/15/5416a86facaf0.jpg)
Unfortunately,
most of the fashion behemoths and retail shops offer cookie-cutter styles and
not all men are lucky enough to fit exactly into a particular clothing size.
Here comes tailor-made clothing. A number of online measure-to-fit retailers
are now offering custom-fit clothing for men. You can buy bespoke tuxedos, suits,
and shirts that flatter your body shape and size without breaking your bank.
Ownonly is one
such online measure-to-fit retailer that offers tailor-made suits based on your
specifications. Reasonably priced, the men’s formal clothing offered by this
company is made of fine fabrics imported from Italy. Apart from their lines of
business and casual suits, Ownonly also offers tailor-made shirts, blazers and
accessories for men. Just send in your measurements to the company for outfits tailored
to you for a flattering fit.
Accessories are Key
One
of the strict rules of black tie is ‘no watch’. Here again the trend is
changing. A lot of men are donning subtle time-pieces with tuxedos, but keep
the watch formal and sleek. A bare face watch is an even better option.
Cufflinks are a must, but again keep it simple. Harmonizing black, onyx, gold
or mother-of-pearl cufflinks can add a traditional, yet stylish touch.
When
it comes to footwear, highly polished leather pumps with silk or satin bow on
top are traditional favorites. More popular options include highly polished, patent
leather oxfords. Wear silk or cashmere socks and match the color with the
trousers.
Use
a fine quality silk cloth for a pocket square, which should coordinate with the
rest of your outfit. Those who are more adventurous can even wear a silk scarf,
but the rule is to keep it simple.
The Final Word
Going
back to the question we asked in the beginning of this post: “What are the
stylish guys wearing for a Black Tie invitation?”
Well,
it is more important to understand how they’re wearing it. No matter how fashionable
or expensive your clothing, an unkempt look will take you nowhere. You also need
to focus on fashion accessories such as shoes, belts, bags, scarves and so on. Ensure
they’re well-maintained too and that your hair, face, nails and body are
well-groomed. Remember, the most important style tip is to remain neat, clean
and fragrant.
Article provided for Apparel Search by Nicola Reynor.
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