STYLE: THE DRESS CODE.
YOU RECEIVE AN INVITATION TO AN EVENT… AND THERE’S A DRESS CODE! DON’T PANIC, HERE ARE THE THREE ESSENTIAL LOOKS YOU NEED TO KNOW, EXPLAINED…
1. BLACK TIE This is the invitation that requires you to stick to tradition and is an opportunity to step out in sartorial style.
The most conventional version is black trousers and jacket, crisp white tuxedo shirt and black bow tie. Black shoes, of course, patent leather or well-polish black shoes. Think James Bond. A tie rather than a bow tie is passable if you have all the other components working perfectly.
For an acceptable contemporary twist, try a midnight blue or white jacket with black pants. You can also opt for a coloured bow tie, polka dots are cheeky and can pass. Don’t be tempted to get funky with the shirt. It must be white – no colours, no spots or stripes.
Strictly, the tuxedo is worn with a cummerbund but these days a black belt (matching the shoes) is perfectly okay.
If you can, invest in this look so you always have it ready to go. Alternatively, hire. The advantage of hiring is that someone else puts it all together perfectly for you. The downside – it may
not be a great fit.