Black Tie help

FLOOPER

Hi all,
Not sure if this is correct forum; please move if not.

Anyway been invited to an awards type function and it’s black tie.

So first am I right in thinking that a black suit with dickie bow won’t cut the mustard. Or black double breasted suit only saving grace is that I won’t be with people I work with.


And secondly, can any one recommend a keenly priced tux hire shop in South Dublin. I’m loooking at some prices 80 + which seems a bit steep for a rental.

Thanks.

thegolfer

Black tie would be a tux all the way.

If you could buy a tux that would save you in the long-run. Picked up one in best men's wear last year for 150, and have work it twice already.

Alternatively tkmaxx, get a tux jacket and black pants for 100, quite stylish.

Keyzer

Be careful if you rent - it wont be tailored to your body shape so may end up looking like something a clown would wear.

noby

80+ might seem steep for a one-off rental, but if the place has enough of a selection to get you a well fitted suit, then it would be worth it.

Last time I was invited to a formal do I bought a vintage tux jacket online - thankfully the fit was good. I picked up black trousers and patent shoes locally. Probably cost a little more than a rental, but I got two wears out of it, so it's paid for itself, and I still have it hanging in the wardrobe on the off-chance it's needed again.

More general advice - don't go flash. Wear a black tux with a white dress shirt and black bow tie (get a real one, and teach yourself to tie it; looks much better than a clip on yoke). Avoid waist coats and cummerbunds and the like - it's not a debs.

murpho999

I got a tuxedo in Mark's & Spencer last year.

The tux, dickie bow and good quality shirt cost me about €160 which is cheaper than two rentals.

I searched online for discount codes and also signed up for their newletter which got me a discount and free delivery to their store and worked out cheaper than buying it in the shop.

FLOOPER

Thanks guys. Some solid and useful advice there

I actually picked up a couple of tux jackets for 12 euro for the two I’m a charity shop (the brother is going too. And same boat).

They’ll do. I’ll buy a very good quality white shirt somewhere and a pair of black trousers in penny’s or the like. Likewise I’ll prob get a decent bow tie too.

Thanks again for all the advice.

spockety

For future reference, I've been to loads of these black tie awards/dinners and there are all sorts of things passed off as 'black tie'. NOBODY is looking at everyone else to check if they are strictly wearing a tuxedo as fits the traditional definition. Black shoes (not patent), black slacks, black jacket, white shirt, bow tie, no problem at all.

At all of those things you will also see a fair sprinkling of people wearing ties instead of dickie bows, black shirts instead of white, tartan waistcoats, and god knows what else. (I've even seen runners, presumably as a fashion statement or a "I don't care what anyone thinks" statement. And you know what? Nobody cares.)

Nobody is going to take you aside and say "Please sir, can you come this way, you are embarrassing our other guests". Anyone who says otherwise, or doubles down with you in advance on what is acceptable or not is talking absolute rubbish.