As a man gets older, he begins to run into more and more events that require black tie. Formal dinners and banquets are some of the best nights youll have out, and being the best-dressed guy in the room makes these that much more fun. Unfortunately, most guys find their formal clothing in the rental isle at Mens Wearhouse, which never ends up being a good decision. If youre one of these guys thats in need of a black tie primer, then follow closely and repeat.
Now, the first step to looking your best at a formal event is choosing the right tuxedo. While most people will tell you that there are three lapel options for black tie, in my book there are just two: Peak Lapel and Shawl Lapel. The reason for this decision is that the notch lapel just looks a bit too ordinary and lacks the elegance that the other two haveit doesnt quite have that James Bond appeal, now does it? With this in mind, youre going to want to find something thats as timeless as possible so that you can be wearing in for the next 20 or 30 years. This means that youll probably want to look over any lapels that are too thick or too thin, as theres probably a pretty good chance that you wont feel as comfortable in that aggressive Tom Ford tux in ten years time as you might right now. The piece we have on display here is by Phineas Cole and is one of the best tuxedos on the market as it strikes all of the right notes without going overboard in any of its detailing.
For those that are looking to stand out a bit more than the rest, you should consider making your statement in the shirt, shoes, and accessories rather than the tuxedo itself. In this look, rather than going with a standard spread collar shirt, a cutaway collar has been used in order to give it a slightly more sharp and rakish feel. One could also look for a shirt with horizontal pleating if they want to up the ante without losing the classic appeal. While I like to keep the neckwear simple, going with a wool tartan bow tie in the winter is also a place where you can be a bit more exotic. Cufflinks are also a great place to have some fun. I always wear a pair of sterling monogrammed cufflinks with my tuxedo, but I know many guys that like something a bit more wildopting for a pair in the shape of a bulldog or racecar.
In closing, I want to leave you with the one piece of advice that has yet to be discussed, but is more critical than anything else I have said: Make sure you take your tuxedo to the tailor. This is perhaps the most expensive item in your wardrobe and should be treated as such. While you may only wear it a few times every year, you should be absolutely as scrutinizing as possible when you are getting the fit right at your tailors. Dont settle until the tuxedo is slim in the body, arms, and legs, but make sure that these are the proportions you want. While I hate seeing a guy thats wearing a tuxedo thats way oversized, its equally as painful to see someone who tried to hard to look slim, but instead looks like hes wearing spandex. Make this piece your own and itll pay the dividendsladies love seeing a guy who knows how to dress for the big occasions.
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