VF Fashion Tips To Nail The Black-Tie Look
Choosing your tuxedo may be overwhelming with so many different traditional customs and options available to you. Nevertheless, we guarantee you will feel vindicated after this short read by having the fundamental knowledge to make an informed choice on a black-tie outfit, especially for you.
If you are attending a black-tie event, look no further than a traditional black tuxedo or white dinner jacket. Make a 007-inspired style with a classic slim-fit tuxedo with the appropriate amount of flexibility, ensuring that you can go about a dance floor with ease.
Tuxedo: The Gentleman’s Outfit
The fundamental difference between a tuxedo and the standard suit you might find yourself wearing to work comes down to the lapels, buttons, and pockets. A tuxedo is a ceremonial ensemble chosen to be worn on formal occasions such as weddings, award ceremonies, and/or prestigious galas.
You will have three options when deciding on the style of your tuxedo:
Notch lapel
Shawl collar
Peak lapel
CAMBRIDGE STIRLING
FMG100 BLACK
TUXEDO JACKET
GIBSON QUANTUM
F34087 BLACK TUX JACKET
GIBSON SPECTRE
F34087 BLACK TUX JACKET
JOE BLACK RIVIERA
F6447 BLACK TUXEDO JACKET
A notch lapel is the least ceremonial cut of your three choices but the most versatile for any occasion (if there is no satin trimming along the lapel, buttons, or pockets). The notch lapel forms a V-shaped indentation along the upper breast section of the lapel where the lapel and collar meet. Depending on the formality of your black-tie function and since notch lapels are considered in some circles as less formal, we recommend gravitating towards your more formal options of the peak lapel or the shawl collar
A shawl collar is crafted to achieve a seamless circular aesthetic on your tuxedo, forming an unbroken curving line. It is referred to as a collar rather than a lapel because there is no separation point between the collar and lapel in this construction.
A peak lapel is crafted to create a structure for the lapel to point upwards to your shoulders from the collar It is more commonly found on double-breasted and dinner jackets. The peak lapel is synonymous with formal traditions.
A peak lapel is considered the most formal of evening attire, whereas the shawl is considered to be a more social style of jacket (do not discredit the formality of the shawl though). If you are attending a fundraiser, wedding, or gala, we recommend either a peak lapel or shawl with satin trimmings on the lapel. Satin buttons on the jacket should match the sleeve buttons to bring out the formality of the attire. Only having one button on your tuxedo is generally considered to be ceremonial, as opposed to having two (even though we only ever button the top button).
Satin should also be trimmed on the straight jetted pockets of the jacket and trousers to complement the fine details of the lapel and buttons.
