BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE

Alternative ways to do formalwear.

CROWNING GLORY Three-piece jacquard suit and shirt, from Dolce & Gabbana. Silk bow tie, from Kiton. Metal cufflinks, from Ermenegildo Zegna.

You can always count on Italian fashion powerhouse Dolce & Gabbana for unabashed opulence. This peak-lapel threepiece from its Fall/ Winter 2018 collection titled “King’s Angels” features repeating crown motifs all over the suit but balances out the busy design by keeping the palette black (albeit with a slight dressy sheen). With a suit this regal, not much else needs to be done. Just keep it simple with a black bow tie and matching dress shoes.

VELVET REVOLUTION Velvet blazer, wool trousers and cotton shirt, from Kiton. Metal cufflinks, from Ermenegildo Zegna.

Another way to switch it up with the black-tie dress code is with a velvet smoking jacket. The naturally lush texture of velvet lends a richness to the deep jewel hues of emerald, navy or even maroon. You can keep it relatively understated by grounding the jacket with a pair of black trousers, or go the whole hog and do head-to-toe velvet.

BLOOM TIME Acrylic, polyester and cotton blend suit, from Off-White. Cotton shirt, from Brunello Cucinelli. Silk bow tie, from Kiton.

Virgil Abloh’s choice to present the Off-White collection at Pitti Uomo, the biannual trade event where aggressively dapper gentlemen gather, is almost as unexpected as this floral jacquard double-breasted suit. Abloh – polymath, streetwear savant and now Louis Vuitton menswear creative head – is known more for his highly coveted graphic T-shirts and sneakers. But that’s exactly the appeal of this decidedly offbeat option, which will stand out with its weighty, retro feel.