Something’s really been ticking me off lately. As a student I have to go to some formal, black tie events. However - suits are just so boring! For University events, it’s usually by regulation dress code - dark 2-piece suit, white shirt, white or black bow tie, and dark shoes (and often “subfusc” - the previous stuff plus a ridiculous gown with two bits of cloth hanging alongside your jacket sleeves, and a mortar board that you have to carry because you’re not allowed to wear it until you graduate. Can you believe I have to wear this s**t to exams? :mad: ). For formal parties, I could add a little flavour with a nice tie or an interesting waistcoat (which I don’t have anyway as my only suit is 2-piece), but that still wouldn’t really change the fact that formal men’s suits are boring soulless uniforms that have barely changed in two centuries.
So my question is - are there ANY reasonable alternatives to the classic suit at formal events, now or in the foreseeable future?
(As an aside - I love how in some large clothes stores you see signs like this:
Ground floor: Women’s clothing
First floor: Women’s lingerie, cosmetics
Second floor: Men’s clothing, children’s clothing, shoes, accessories
It’s not fair. Even though I have no fashion sense whatsoever and just stick to jeans, T-shirts, and leather jackets.)
Sure, join the armed services. Then you get to wear all sorts of fancy duds with shiney buttons and buckles for formal situations. Of course you might have to DIE for the privilege.
[Grinny here.]
Seriously though, are you talking FORMAL formal? Like black/white tie (aka tuxedo) dress? Or dress-up formal (aka a suit and tie)?
If you mean black/white tie, there are a wealth of options – mostly tacky if you ask me – that include “Rhett Butler” outfits, zoot suits, blinding waistcoats, tailcoats, etc. Just visit your local formalwear shop. (RANDOM NOTE: Get a REAL bow tie and learn to tie it yourself… way cooler than a strap-on. I meant a strap-on TIE, you pig.)
If you mean suit and tie, well there ain’t much to choose from except 2-button vs. 3-button, and single-breasted vs. double. Go wild with your noose … I mean, tie.
Go with a standard tie instead of a bow tie but in that shiny silver silk fabric. That looks really cool without seeming to try to hard. Also be sure to wear a white pocket square.
Nah, it’s the suit-and-(bow)tie. Just so it’s harder to tell people apart.
Besides, the options you mention for black/white tie stuff - anything outside the normal suit just look strange. Very strange. Especially on a 19-year-old.
Maybe I should just go to the formal events wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and a tie…
I think men’s suits have always been rather boring, so that the ladys’ gowns get more attention.
I had a friend who wore a kilt to his highschool prom, while all the other guys wore black tuxes. Not only was he original, and caught attention… but he looked AMAZING. (had great calves)
Do you all assume that a suit and tie have to be boring, non-attention-grabbing colors?
You don’t have to be a pimp to pull off a little color in formal wear. Of course, if this is England we’re talking about, I may be wrong. The fashions may be different.
Formal events are actually the only times I’m VERY into wearing colors. To my prom, for example, I wore a fairly plain dark, charcoal grey/black three button suit with hardly noticable pinstripes. However, under it, I wore a silky-looking royal blue shirt, and a silk tie that was royal blue, black, and had accents of silver and gold. It sure beat the plain old black and white tux!
My other favorite is when guys wear dark suits with red shirts and ties. I mean like blood red. I plan on it the next time I go to a good formal event.
I don’t know, maybe it’s my love for the way mafia guys dress, but get some color in your formal wardrobe!
Kilt is out - I’m Scandinavian, so I’d hear too many jokes from the Scots.
As for adding colour - my suit is dark blue and I usually wear a light blue shirt with it, but it’s still doesn’t change the actual suit cut being boring. Tried to find a dark red shirt once for a bigger change, but I couldn’t find one anywhere (this in about 5 places in town…).
Heard about Nehru suits - collar turned up and buttons all the way up. That might be interesting… if I can find one.
Hey, Ace309 , a morning suit to prom sounds really cool! If only I liked grey or stripes…
Right, off to read about International Relations theory. 'Later!
Is that a bong you’re hiding. What? Oh, you have asthma. Move along.
Not a complete hijack as I have interest in the OP as I’m getting married in barely more than two months. TheLadyLion did sometehing original and sensible and gave the bridesmaids room to wear anything they chose s long as the color matched. I don’t think I can give my groomsmen that much latitude so I’ll keep it simple and just request black dress pants, a black vest and white shirt. We’ll provide arm garters and bow ties to match the women. So far I’m leaning toward an old west frock coat but will likely have to get something custom made.
If you want to spice up your wardrobe, get clothing that fits you. You can usually get a suit in a good color/pattern off the rack. At a good price. However, they usually fit like they are off the rack. It will cost you a few beans to get the suit recut, but it will look great. Just don’t gain too much weight or the suit will magically look like it just came off the rack again.
True, lots of pockets. Of course, if you actually regularly use jacket pockets for anything heavy (eg hands), the whole jacket warps. (I’m told.)
Yeah, I noticed, so I had my suit recut last term so it fits much better (lost weight since I bought it anyway, so it needed to be done). Still looks boring though.
Anyway, this term’s first display of needless formality is on Friday. Thanks for all your suggestions, I’ll take them all into account when I go shopping this week, see if I can find anything interesting…
Strictly speaking, “black tie” (a tuxedo) is considered “informal” dressing. “White tie” (evening clothes) are considered “formal” clothes and, unless you’re a conductor or an ambassador, are probably not called for (except for a wedding after 6:00 p.m. and any event where you are escorting a woman who is being introduced to society).
Although most of my suits are double-breasted and usually of a more conservative grey, charcoal, dark blue, or black, it is always in the shirts that the suits really come alive.
I have received many compliments in my silver/grey suit with a fairly hot pink shirt. I have two ties for that combo which are both either silver / grey or a colour combo.
Plus, I have used yellow, green, blue, and yes, even violet / purple shirts.
Even just rather lively coloured ties can do wonders.
However, in my recent wedding, I wore the classic black tux, with black bow-tie and cummerbun.
and this is oxford, the place where the Yah and the socially in competant genius rub shoulders…wearing a wacky tux puts you firmly in the latter class…
