Anyone still go to black tie events

[colpol]

My other 1/2 got offered corporate tickets to an event in 3 weeks time with a plus one. Looked good/ said yes / then last week the itinerary comes in. Black tie dinner 3 hours before the event - FFS.

Went from really looking forward to it to dreading it in about 2 seconds. Still feel the same. I said could we just skip the dinner & just head straight there but oh No

Do you guys buy or rent these suits ? This will be a one off/ never to be repeated.

What’s the point ? I’m hoping it’ll be raining or freezing so I can wear a jacket later

[Calborn]

just rent something, black tie events are getting less and less common

[Chewbacca]

Calborn’s answer.

[Tools]

Most of the time black tie events turn out to be about 50/50 or less in actual black tie attire.

They seem to be more about womens fashion than what we men wear. You can get by with a regular black suit and bow tie, nobody will notice.

[enjoythemusic]

One off, rent. Often, then both standard jacket and longtail black. Are you sure it's strict black, a nice deep burgundy....

[james1787]

For a one-off, I'd rent. No sense in buying.

I happen to own one.. only because at the time of our wedding... since I had a 6 or 7 people renting tuxes they threw in a "standard tux" for me with the deal. I've worn it a handful of times in the past 18 years (on a few cruises and a few black tie weddings - which is a mix of people in tuxes & suits). I wish I had more I could wear it at... it's nice to get "dressed to the nines" now and then..

[wb55]

I normally go to George at Asda or the cheapest one in M&S and wear a normal white shirt. Same price as renting.

Wear a nice watch and no one will have a clue.

[JimBianchi]

Haven't been to a Black Tie since I retired in 2003.

If invited I would rent a really nice tux, something I would never buy.

I still have good shoes.

[MrGoat]

If I was you, I’d rent.

But I’d rent a nice one.


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[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

One off, rent. Often, then both standard jacket and longtail black. Are you sure it's strict black, a nice deep burgundy....

I agree Steven, however these days in my experience it never hurts to push the envelope a little and be different. My Navy blue tux is my go to for black tie events and I’ve never heard any negative feedback.

I don’t have the persona to pull off deep burgundy, but OP might.


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[daveathall]

Originally Posted by wb55

I normally go to George at Asda or the cheapest one in M&S and wear a normal white shirt. Same price as renting.

Wear a nice watch and no one will have a clue.

I agree, 99 quid at M&S. I did hear of someone who ordered online just before the event and sent it back after. Just sayin.

[East Bay Rider]

If I didn't need to wear a tuxedo I wouldn't bother owning one.
A nice black suit will usually suffice for most occasions.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by MrGoat

I don’t have the persona to pull off deep burgundy, but OP might.

I could see you pulling it off.

[MrGoat]

Originally Posted by enjoythemusic

I could see you pulling it off.

Thanks for the vote of confidence. I assure you, it’s not my speed though. I’m more a blue guy.


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[walds11]

I am attending a “black tie preferred” wedding on October. I don’t own a tux, nor will I be renting one. I’ll be wearing a nice navy check suit from Suitsupply.

[tudorbaja27]

Never rent. Rule #1

[MrGoat]

[QUOaTE=tudorbaja27;12305240]Never rent. Rule #1[/QUOTE]


I agree but justify a couple hundred bucks to a few thousand for something you’ll wear once?

If you don’t care enough to make the decision personally before asking a forum of strangers do you really care how well you look at the function? I presume his partner is requiring a tux.


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[ERH]

What about the watch? Tux can be rented, a watch to wear with tux can't be rented.

[binArt]

Originally Posted by ERH

What about the watch? Tux can be rented, a watch to wear with tux can't be rented.

Normally a watch is frowned upon at black tie events. Looking at your watch can be perceived as inattentive or rude.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by binArt

Normally a watch is frowned upon at black tie events. Looking at your watch can be perceived as inattentive or rude.

So I guess phones are out too? Kind of doubt that today.

[binArt]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

So I guess phones are out too? Kind of doubt that today.

You're supposed to be engaged in the event. If you are so disengaged that you must check your watch, it's better to do it in the car on the way home. It's an old school notion, but these things are old school by nature.

[Boothroyd]

I bought one for a sales award trip to the Casino de Monte-Carlo back in the 1990's. Great time, but never wore it again. Renting is the way to go, if you need to wear one at all.

[mountainjogger]

Originally Posted by binArt

You're supposed to be engaged in the event. If you are so disengaged that you must check your watch, it's better to do it in the car on the way home. It's an old school notion, but these things are old school by nature.

Old school myself, would not pull out or look at a phone. But no way am I going without a watch.

[binArt]

Originally Posted by mountainjogger

Old school myself, would not pull out or look at a phone. But no way am I going without a watch.

I know, right.

Many years ago I went to these several times per year. Knowing the event makes all the difference choosing appropriate accessories.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by binArt

Normally a watch is frowned upon at black tie events. Looking at your watch can be perceived as inattentive or rude.

If it's good enough for Bond....

[binArt]

Originally Posted by East Bay Rider

If it's good enough for Bond....

Not so much a watch as a...

“Bond surveyed his weapons. They were only his hands and feet, his Gillette razor and his wrist-watch, a heavy Rolex Oyster Perpetual on an expanding metal bracelet. Used properly, these could be turned into most effective knuckledusters.”

[Andad]

Originally Posted by binArt

Not so much a watch as a...

“Bond surveyed his weapons. They were only his hands and feet, his Gillette razor and his wrist-watch, a heavy Rolex Oyster Perpetual on an expanding metal bracelet. Used properly, these could be turned into most effective knuckledusters.”

I bet James didn’t ever try to check this out without private health cover?

As for the black tie event.

If you have to go ….don’t.

[sgarrity]

What’s wrong with you guys that don’t like to dress up on occasion? I wear my tux every chance I get!

[White Collar Boy]

Not worn very often, but I own a dinner jacket for black tie occasions (no cummerbund or vest).

The main thing is feeling at ease and this sounds a bit stressful for you Col. That being the case, I think you should avoid renting or buying, and just wear your best darker-coloured suit with a crisp white shirt and tie or bowtie. No one will care, but maybe your wife will, in which case I would rent a tuxedo and just reframe it as a new experience for better or worse.

If you enjoy drinking booze, perhaps enjoy some classic cocktails and lean all fuzzy into some harmless cosplay?

[Incroyable12]

Traditionally you would have worn an ultra-thin pocket watch (often in platinum) for this kind of event.

That's why brands like PP, AP, VC and even Rolex had a number of thin pocket watch models in their regular catalogs even up till the '90s.