The season of Christmas and New Year’s parties is steadily approaching, and you know what that means! Time to get your black tie wardrobe into tip top shape for soiree season. The average gentleman will only have been invited to a handful of black tie events, so you’ll be excused for being a slight unknowing of black tie procedure.
The most intimidating aspect of black tie is actually its greatest strength – the strict rule set. A lot of men find this quite off-putting, but allow us put your mind at ease; it’s really quite simple. You only need to follow a handful of directions to pull off a sharply decked-out tuxedo. And here they are…
The Perfect Back Tie Look – Keep It Minimal
The beauty of black tie lies is that it emphasises a timeless and classic male silhouette. The key components of any tuxedo are:
- Black Dinner Jacket & Trousers
- Black Waistcoat or Cummerbund
- Black Bow Tie
- Black Dress Shoes
- White Dress Shirt
Note how all of the above are monochromatic. There is a time and a place for experimentation, but your upcoming black tie event is not it. Contemporary style is dominated by the single breasted jacket. However you could opt for a double-breasted jacket or even a jacket with a shawl collar. Make sure the trousers match the material of the lapel. And last but certainly not least, a white dress shirt is distinctly different from your white work shirts. They are made of pique cotton and most noticeably will host a pleated front.
