Mens: Black tie event - want something different

Easy Rider

Have a black tie event, I am not a great fan of the tuxedo. I do have a tux but have grown tired of it and don’t really want to spend money getting a new one, I would prefer to spend the money on something I can use all year round. I have been going to these Christmas events for years and wearing similar tux and everyone else looking the same has grown tiresome.

I have been thinking of doing something different, still go for the black tie/dickey bow but possibly check grey pants with a strong contrasting blazer.

Has anyone done similar? Any recommendations of where to pick some nice items up? Thanks.

Twee.

I was at a black tie event recently and there was a man wearing a navy velvet blazer with white shirt, black dickie bow and black trousers, he looked great! I also saw one of two double breasted jackets which were quite nice.

baby and crumble

I second the idea of swapping your tux jacket out for velvet. There's piles of velvet blazers around in the like of River Island, Topman, etc. Ot swapping your black jacket for a white tux jacket.

Here's a few ideas that are a bit more "out there" but could be very cool i you think you can pull them off!

http://articlesofstyle.com/22120/wtf-is-black-tie-creative/

Bored_lad

I would advise you stick to black tie and the normal formal rules as this is what you will be expected to wear and anything else isn't black tie in most peoples opinion. The only thing I'd advise is that you make sure you tux looks good and is well tailored.

Easy Rider

Thanks for the replies.

I will have a look around and see how the velvet looks on, I have thought of it before just need to see how it looks.

As for going down the traditional route Bored_Lad. I know what you are saying, and I agree if it is very formal, but this is not a overly formal event it is a Christmas party not an awards show or black tie wedding. I have seen people go to them with just suits on. I just find it very boring, I like my clothes, don't mind spending money on them, but 10+ years of going to these gets a tad boring. As I said, I already own a tux and it fits well, just want something new.

Bored_lad

If there are people wearing suits and its not too formal I'd say go for a navy blue velvet dinner jacket a plain black bow tie and a floral pocket square or a simple plain white one in a simple fold.

quadrifoglio verde

If it's black tie, I'd go for black tie.
A) you stick out like a sore thumb
a man looks best in black tie.

If you want to make yourself stand out, there are ways with conforming with black tie and still standing out.
A proper dress shirt, with shirt studs, looks a million times better than the normal crap. Wear braces/suspenders instead of a belt. Have a real dicky bow and not a clip on.
Have proper shoes and not any ordinary black dress shoes.

Bored_lad

quadrifoglio verde wrote: »

If it's black tie, I'd go for black tie.
A) you stick out like a sore thumb
a man looks best in black tie.

If you want to make yourself stand out, there are ways with conforming with black tie and still standing out.
A proper dress shirt, with shirt studs, looks a million times better than the normal crap. Wear braces/suspenders instead of a belt. Have a real dicky bow and not a clip on.
Have proper shoes and not any ordinary black dress shoes.

That would have been my first impression as well but as the op said the event isn't very formal and many people wear normal suits to it. This gives the op a chance to experiment and have fun which is something you don't really get a chance to do with formal wear sometimes.

Easy Rider

Yes. Exactly. I have gone in the traditional black tie before. Just want to try something different...

Thanks for the replies. Found a few things, velvet blazer etc....will get something sorted.

catallus

Stop messing up the plan, OP!

baby and crumble

"Black tie" does not mean you have to wear one style. Here we're used to men wearing black tuxedos, notch lapel, a wing tip shirt and a pre-tied bowtie. If you ask me, that looks a million times worse than a guy with a well cut set of "separates" for want of a better word. And the notch lapel is miles away from the actual traditional black tie wear. Which itself has only existed for 100 years.

Velvet tuxedo jackets are completely suitable for a formal black tie event. As are white dinner jackets, etc.

Definitely learn to tie a bowtie, it is the easiest thing once you learn how and it just looks miles better.

Easy Rider

Ha ha. That did make me laugh.

eviltimeban

Have a look at this site:

http://www.blacktieguide.com/

Under the "contemporary" section, you'll get some ideas regarding new things you can try.

The key though is the fit. What'll differentiate you from some other Joe in a tux is how well it fits. Anyone can have an ill-fitting tux on with square shoes and a clip on tie. He won't look the same as you if yours is tailored, with a high quality shirt, real bow tie and immaculate evening shoes.

You could add to it, like wear a white scarf or a white pocket square (which I should add, is a must). Think Daniel Craig in Skyfall - simple, elegant, and impressive.

Sugar Free

eviltimeban wrote: »

Have a look at this site:

http://www.blacktieguide.com/

Under the "contemporary" section, you'll get some ideas regarding new things you can try.

The key though is the fit. What'll differentiate you from some other Joe in a tux is how well it fits. Anyone can have an ill-fitting tux on with square shoes and a clip on tie. He won't look the same as you if yours is tailored, with a high quality shirt, real bow tie and immaculate evening shoes.

You could add to it, like wear a white scarf or a white pocket square (which I should add, is a must). Think Daniel Craig in Skyfall - simple, elegant, and impressive.

Agree fully with this. OP there's only so many ways you can reinvent the wheel when it comes to black tie. A well fitted evening suit with the right shoes (plain black cap-toe oxfords imo) with well thought out and executed details like those listed in the above post will always make you look a cut above the rest.

heldel00

quadrifoglio verde wrote: »

If it's black tie, I'd go for black tie.
A) you stick out like a sore thumb
a man looks best in black tie.

If you want to make yourself stand out, there are ways with conforming with black tie and still standing out.
A proper dress shirt, with shirt studs, looks a million times better than the normal crap. Wear braces/suspenders instead of a belt. Have a real dicky bow and not a clip on.
Have proper shoes and not any ordinary black dress shoes.

And funky socks. Jesus I love funky socks!