Know How to Dress For Your Black Tie Affair

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Not many people know the general rules of wearing a tuxedo to a black tie affair. With the Holiday season officially here and black tie events beginning, it's good to know some guidelines to dressing appropriately to your occasion. 

Contemporary tuxedos allows more color and pizazz while keeping the overall approach conservative. Traditional tuxedos are more straight-forward and by the book, there is little to no room for bending the rules. 

Interested in ordering a tuxedo? Have an event coming up and you have nothing to wear? Contact us at info@9tailors.com 

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Meet Stuart and Kate!

 

What are your names? 
Stuart Terrett and Kate Gasaway 

When and where was the big day? 
14 April 2013, Savannah, GA 

How was the weather?
Overcast; 60s; held indoors 

Why did you decide to go with 9tailors on your own custom design? 
I wanted something that would actually fit, and I wanted something that is harder to find off the shelf. Knowing that picking something and having it altered would be as much work as simply having it made, and being able to get a matching jacket and have a suit afterwards tipped the equation. 

Describe your 9tailors experience and items. 
It was great - I spent 45 minutes picking out fabrics and getting measured. Then I was done! Kate spent 8 hours trudging from bridal shop to bridal shop trying on dresses with clips holding them together. I definitely had the better deal. 

What was the best part of your wedding day? 
The best part of the wedding weekend was before the wedding day when I got to hang out with the members of the wedding party. They're what made the whole experience fun. 

What is your advice to other wedding couples thinking about designing custom suits or shirts? 
Do it. It's easy, they'll fit perfectly, and the math is pretty simple - getting something off the rack and having it altered is just as expensive and won't be as good. 

Choose your favorite photo and tell us why.
Probably the one of me picking her up. It was fun.

*All photos courtesy of Callie Beale Photography

What do you think of the tailcoat and the vest with a peaked lapel? Have an idea of what you want but can't find it anywhere? Come talk to us and we will try to replicate the style you are going for. Email a Style Consultant at info@9tailors.com

The MET Ball: What's your flavor?

In celebration of the Metropolitan Museum's opening of the fashion exhibit at the Costume Institute, this annual party's guest list features who's who in the fashion and entertainment worlds. Just another reason for the infinitely glamorous and most beautiful to strut their stuff on the red carpet on one of fashion's "Night of Nights." The 2012 gala was held just a few days ago and has been considered fashions's biggest event, since it began in 1948! Classic tuxedos abound, gorgeous gowns astir, and some of the silliest, creative, or most sophisticated (depending on your viewpoint) frolic fancy-free to New York's social event of the year. Anna Wintour, Editor-in-Chief of Vogue, has made this her East Coast answer to Vanity Fair's Oscar star-studded parties held on the left Coast.

While many men stick to the classic tux, there are simple dashes of fun with unique twists of originality, sometimes in a subtle way, sometimes more bombastic in nature. Personality has everything to do with how your outfit looks on you. What do you think of the men styles below?

Hooray for Hollywood...

The epitome of panache and elegance? Sure, most of the time. These gents play it safe and keep it simple, classic cool is the rule. Mick Jagger's pinstripe suit is a welcome rebuttal to classic standards but only someone with a personality to match can rock this type of loud ensemble.

Getty Images

And I do my little turn on the catwalk...

Fashion heavyweights, Marc Jacobs and Karl Lagerfield, head two of the most popular and fashion-influential brand names in the world, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, respectively. Both have made names for themselves among some of the best designers EVER... but how do they stack up to your view of a classic look with their personal style? Marc Jacobs "didn't want to wear a tuxedo and be boring." Boring is hardly the adjective to use here!

 

It's bigger than hip hop, hip hop, hip hop...

They sample classic doo-wop and Motown, why not copy classic Sinatra steez as well? Kanye and Swizz Beats look effortlessly chic and elegant in the classic tux. Swizz jazzed up his version with velvet luxe.

Getty Images

Getty Images

Are you ready for some football...

I know, some of us may still harbor a little bitterness for Gisele because of  her, um, less-than-savory remarks about the Patriots after that Super Bowl that shan't be mentioned (really?!?!) But this golden couple takes center stage every year at the Met Ball and doesn't good ol' Tom look fetching in his midnight navy velvet jacket and over-sized bow tie?

Getty Images

Need a tux? Get your creativity in gear and make an appointment with a 9tailors style consultant to dream up your twist on the classic tuxedo for your next black tie event! Email info@9tailors.com and let's get started!

Oscars 2012: An Ode to the Classics

Not only did we bring back silent films this year, but we saw the majority of the male attendants bringing back classic tuxedo lines and accents.  Shawl, and peaked lapels were the order of the day with a few notched thrown in.  Despite seeing a serious trend towards the classic everyone seemed to have a specific twist to their look that set their traditional attire apart from the rest.

The following two gentlemen have accessories that pop.  Robert Downey Jr. has been featured on the blog several times because of his consistent tasteful approach to quirky.  Sadly, this time I have to say he missed the mark with this over-sized and overly-bedazzled bowtie.  Leave the glitter at home. Despite the added bling we can commend him for his well fitted tux. And, hey, Gwyneth seems to like it.

Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow Courtesy of Getty Images

However, Gary Oldman nailed it with his playful pocket square with a polka dot print. The one button tux is the perfect choice for a guy of average height as it creates flattering proportions and accentuates height.

Gary Oldman Courtsey of Getty Images

A monochromatic look can be a fresh take to the classic penguin scheme but it needs to be done properly. Similar to weddings, the photos are just as important as how you look in person.  When sticking to an outfit composed of the same color it is important to make sure the different pieces are actually the same color.  Blacks are not created equally and the differences are magnified with a flash or when seen on camera.  

Christian Bale does it well with a long satin tie that matches the black satin used for his lapel. And nearly identical blacks used for his suit and shirt. 

Christian Bale Courtsey of Getty Images

While Jonah Hill looks great in his new size, his color coordination could use some improvement.  The three black pieces are in made in clashing tones.  The shirt comes across as a purple while the bowtie looks darker than the tuxedo.

Jonah Hill Courtesy of Getty Images

Jason Segel is sporting the epitome of classic with one minor twist, he has no waist covering.  I have covered the standard components of black tie apparel before and while tradition dictates men wear a waist covering to prevent the exact thing that is happening here, it looks fresh.  You are able to see a small, white triangle of fabric beneath the buttoned jacket.  Some may find this sloppy and careless but, I find it carefree and young.  

Jason Segel Courtesy of Getty Images

Diamond studs were another popular choice this year.  Leading men from Brad Pitt, to Bradley Cooper, to Colin Firth were sporting the jeweled studs as a sophisticated, yet understated, addition to their looks.

Brad Pitt Courtesy of Getty Images

Tina Fey and Bradley Cooper Courtesy of Getty Images

Colin Firth and Meryl Streep Courtesy of Getty Images

Despite the hordes of young men, Christopher Plummer was hands down the best dressed of the night. Sporting a midnight navy velvet jacket paired with black pants he managed to retain a timeless look that was full of youth.  

Christopher Plummer Courtesy of Getty Images

Getting ready for a black tie event?  Let us help you design a look that will set you apart from the other suits out there.  Send a style consultant an email at info@9tailors.com to set up an appointment today.

Toe the Line: Fancy Feet

Get formal, don't get stuffy.  First, visit a black tie guide and get the nuts and bolts of this tricky area down.  Then, and only then, when you are completely comfortable with the terrain, add some fun.

Some men use their cuffs to add some flavor, but that's the size of a dime.  If that is your only playground you will be infinitely limited.  Vests, these are for the experts: please don't go prom on us.  If you don't have a teen at the end of your age then these are not appropriate.

So, why don't we venture south of the pant hem.  Not only are these an accessory you can enjoy yourself they are a subtle, yet still strong, way to inject your personality into an ensemble saturated in tradition.

The trick to sport these without looking like you are borrowing your favorite house slipper is the break of your pant. You should aim for a clean break of little to none to make sure there is no puddle of fabric collecting at your ankle- this is only going to accentuate the pajama look.

Stubbs & Wootton 

Stubbs & Wootton

Stubbs & Wootton

Stubbs and Wooton have an extensive collection of velvet slippers that includes the classic to the quirky.  They can do custom monograms as well for added flair.  Another company, Del Toro, has the same idea with a signature red stripe at the heel, like the Louboutin for men.

Del Toro

Get fancy. Everyone needs a little velvet in their life.  Of course, if you have feet this fancy you're going to need a tuxedo to match.  We haven't done a leopard print, yet.  Email a style consultant at info@9tailors.com for more information- leopard optional.