Thursday night was my law school’s annual semi-formal, the Barrister’s Ball (which I refer to as ‘the Solicitor’s Soiree,’ much to the nerdalicious delight of many of my classmates). I went with a bunch of friends, since I’ve been running around with them since the beginning of the year and we were all dateless. They were all dressed for evening, and since two guys from my section were busting out their tuxedos, I decided I might as well, too.
It’s a little fashion-forward - a three-button peak-lapel jacket, which was actually the only three-button I could find in my size (I wear a 52 or 54, although I always have to have the stomach area taken in - my shoulders are entirely too broad for my own good). It looked damn good on me, though.
Let me tell you, there’s absolutely nothing nicer than being approached by random upperclass students and told how nice you look… except possibly being approached, handed a martini and told to pose (and of course left with the martini). I was repeatedly cooed at and told I looked like James Bond.
That’s the nice thing about formalware. It can make anyone look good. If you spend a bit more to get something that will fit well and higher-quality, you’ve got something that’ll look good and last for years. Heck, even I look good in a tux (or my suit or blazer combo) though most of the time I’m wearing blue jeans and either a polo or T-shirt. Of course, my tux wasn’t something that fit well and high-quality. I measured myself and slightly botched it, plus I bought it online for $200 (including studs, cufflinks, bow tie, and cummerbund) so I really should get it altered, and now I’ve had the single button come off (it’s currently being held on with a safety pin) and I just had the clasp of the cummerbund break as well (this is now also being held together with a safety pin.) Maybe I’ll use my $50 gift certificate to Men’s Wearhouse on a nice silk tie/cummerbund combo, though I don’t know how often I’ll be wearing a tux after this year. It’s almost a shame I can’t wear them more often. Now, I’m not sure I’d like it so much if I had to wear a suit every day for 40 years, but then again, if I looked good in them…