| White Tie or Full Dress |
This is the most formal outfit
and it is quite specific. White tie means you should be
wearing a black tailcoat, matching
black trouser, white pique formal shirt, white pique vest, and a white
pique bow-tie. No you can't substitute a regular tuxedo for the tails.
Recommendations:
Tailcoats by Hickey Freeman
White
Pique Formal Vest and Bowtie Set
White
Pique Formal Shirt |
| Black Tie |
Most formal affairs fall into this category.
Black tie means you need to wear a tuxedo. Single breasted
or double breasted, peak, notch, or shawl collar will do.
It's your choice. Your tuxedo will need a formal shirt
(no you can't just wear a white dress shirt - everyone
will know you're trying to cut corners), bow-tie and cummerbund
set or vest and tie set, cuff links and studs. A traditionalist
will wear a black bow-tie and cummerbund set, and black,
round cuff links and stud set. If you would like to be
less formal, wear a vest and tie set instead of the cummerbund.
Recomendations:
|
| Black Tie Preferred |
This is the host's way of telling you
that you'll be out of place unless you are wearing a tuxedo.
Any tuxedo is OK, no tailcoats. You are allowed to wear
a dark, dressy suit (we would suggest one of our Black
Formal Suits) without having security throw you out
in a humiliating scene, however, you will feel lonely without
your tuxedo.
While we would recommend any of our classic or designer
tuxedos, take a look at:
Chaps
Tuxedo
Wingtip
Collar Formal Shirt
Black
Silk Cummerbund Set
Onyx
Cufflinks |
| Black Tie Optional |
This means the host and those with the "in-crowd" will
be wearing a tuxedo. Of course, this also means those with
the "out-crowd" will be wearing a suit. Wouldn't you rather
be with the "in-crowd"? Tails are too fancy. Stick with
either a tuxedo or a black formal suit.
Consider:
Imperial
1 button Tuxedo
Abboud
Laydown Formal Shirt
Silver
Cool Jazz Cummerbund
Diamond
Dust Cufflinks
If you insist on wearing a suit, consider our striking Jones
New York suit.
|
| Black Tie Invited |
Black tie invited - This means the hostess
really, really wants you to wear > a tuxedo but isn't going
to press the issue. Rest assured, the host will be > dressed
to the nines in his tux. Expect about half of the men to
be wearing > a tuxedo, half wearing a suit.
Want to humiliate the other guests? Show up in an impeccably
tailored Corneliani
tuxedo! Not only will all the women be checking you
out, but they'll give their husbands/dates the cold shoulder
since they don't look as good as you! This tuxedo comes
with all the accessories you need, Free! |
| Semi Formal |
This means you are supposed to wear
either a tuxedo or a dinner jacket. The rules are a less
stringent, go ahead and wear that wild-and-crazy vest and
tie set. Try something a little less conservative. Just
remember, the fashion police are out there - watching .
. . Consider a classic tuxedo like our Chaps
Tuxedo with our black
vest and gold stripe tie - very sharp. |
| Creative Black Tie |
There is no definition for this, that
is, most anything goes as long as you are wearing a tuxedo
jacket. One shudders to think some may voluntarily choose
to wear a tuxedo jacket and bluejean cut-offs. We believe
creative black tie provides you with the opportunity to
wear an interesting vest which
makes your outfit stand out from the crowd. |
| T Shirts/ Pastel Colors |
Absolutely, positively not! Not only would
you be arrested, the fashion police would throw away the
key! Keep in mind, not only do you want to look your best
for this day, but you don't want to be embarrassed looking
at the pictures 5 years later! Consider calling in sick!
Go in masquerade! |
