Work Black Tie Function - Who pays for the tux?

Sleepy

I've been asked to attend an industry awards function in a couple of weeks and informed that it's black tie. I don't own a tux, is it my responsibility to rent/buy one or should I be asking the company to foot the bill for it?

If the former, I have a black suit and some decent white shirts, would I get away with just buying a dickie bow?

Eoin

Sleepy wrote: »

I've been asked to attend an industry awards function in a couple of weeks and informed that it's black tie. I don't own a tux, is it my responsibility to rent/buy one or should I be asking the company to foot the bill for it?

If the former, I have a black suit and some decent white shirts, would I get away with just buying a dickie bow?

I was in the same boat a while ago, and asked work to cover it - which they did. No harm in asking.

But if they don't, I reckon the black suit and bowtie would be fine.

Mrs OBumble

Are you there officially representing them?

If so, then it's reasonable for them to pay your expenses.

That said, I don't imagine they'd cover the cost of an evening dress for a woman ....

HemlockOption

Eoin wrote: »

I was in the same boat a while ago, and asked work to cover it - which they did. No harm in asking.

But if they don't, I reckon the black suit and bowtie would be fine.

your picture is kinda....

ABajaninCork

You can get some nice dress ties as well, not necessarily a dickie. Would you be able to hire a dress shirt?

My ex-employer used to allow expenses claims for evening dress. Funnily enough, it wasn't paid to the men, just the women for some strange reason...:D

statss

I was asked to go to one before and they offered to pay for the tux which I gladly accepted.

Sugar Free

I can't comment on whether this cost would be covered for you.

Depending on how strict or formal the event is and how well most guests will adhere to etiquette, wearing a black suit and regular white shirt as opposed to an evening suit will make you stick out like a sore thumb.

That said, assuming this is in Ireland, most people won't notice! However considering you will be representing your employer, I wouldn't chance a regular suit and would purchase or hire an evening suit and associated accessories.

tatli_lokma

Hmmmm...this is a strange one to me.
On the one hand, part of me thinks it might be a bit cheeky to ask for them to pay for a suit for you....I mean, lots of people have to wear certain types of clothes to work which they wouldn't wear otherwise and don't expect their employer to pay for them. On the other hand I can see OP's point about having to particularly get something for a work event which might be a one off and never worn again.

So if it were me, I would have a look around for a nice quality suit which isn't too expensive but looks ok - you can get them in loads of places at this time of year. As Sugar Free says, a black suit and normal shirt won't look great, and you want to make a good impression if it is an industry event - first impressions and all that. But you don't have to go for the sort that have the satin stripe on them - that way it will be more versatile. Get a proper dress shirt and black tie. Before you pay for them, perhaps ask your employer if you can claim any of the expense back - and from their reaction judge whether it is worth pushing for the expenses. If they seem a bit taken aback by it, I would leave it.

When it comes down to it, you can get a decent enough tux for less than €150 or rent one from black tie or somewhere for about €50. I wouldn't go getting myself a reputation with my employer for the sake of that. Your employer has asked you attend an occasion which could be a great opportunity for you to network with others in the industry and also represent your employer. Do a good job and it could well be worth more than the price ot a tux to your career! I would be thinking of it from that point of view, rather than the financial cost.

Unless of course they are specifying that you must wear an Armani tux, and then hell yeah they should pay!

(oh, just had a thought - maybe post on the weddings and civil partnership forum and see if anyone has a tux they want to sell? or ask around the offie - if someone who attended before has a tux which would fit you??)

melekalikimaka

dont wear a black suit and shirt... its something that stands out like a sore thumb of laziness of lack of effort to me at a black tie funcion