5 ways to wear black tie

The art of wearing black tie is one that is hard to master. One of the most formal dress codes of all, it can be a little daunting, especially if you’re not used to wearing suits on a regular basis.

Feeling comfortable in your clothing is the most important aspect of dressing, because if you’re lacking confidence then you’ll never pull it off. This is perhaps most relevant with black tie, but don’t worry as any reservations you have can be remedied. For his role as James Bond in Dr. No, Sean Connery was made to sleep in his suit so that he was comfortable wearing it.

Whilst we’re not suggesting you need to go this far, wearing it around the house a couple of times before the big event may well help. After all, as the great Sir Hardy Amies once said, ‘A man should look as if he had bought his clothes with intelligence, put them on with care and then forgotten all about them.’ This is the state we are trying to achieve, gentlemen.

You may be struggling to decide exactly what you want to wear to your black tie event though, as after all there are numerous options. Here are 5 ways to wear black tie.

CLASSIC

If in doubt, go classic. A single-breasted, single-buttoned, peak-lapel dinner suit will never fall out of favour, especially when paired with black patent leather oxfords.

Gieves & Hawkes Classic Black Dinner Suit, £1,895 from Gieves & Hawkes // Crockett & Jones Overton in Black Patent Leather, £POA from Crockett & Jones

SHAWL COLLAR,

The choice of Bond himself, a shawl collar jacket is an equally timeless yet arguably better choice than its peak-lapelled sibling. The shawl collar gives the appearance of a broader chest, which, combined with a lightly padded shoulder will give you strong, masculine-looking top half, even if you don’t work out.

Oliver Brown Shawl Collar Dinner Suit, £495 from Oliver Brown // Loake 200 Oxfords in Black Polished Leather, £120 from Herring

DOUBLE-BREASTED,

Although perhaps too staid for some, double-breasted dinner jackets are vastly underused nowadays, making them somewhat of a surprising statement when utilised correctly. Ensure yours is slim through the body and arms, giving a traditionally boxy jacket the shape it needs.

Ede & Ravenscroft Double-Breasted Dinner Jacket, £450 from Ede & Ravenscroft // Herring Marquis Velvet Slipper, £165 from Herring

VELVET,

For a dandy option, a tailored velvet jacket will fulfil your needs. Although available in a wide range of colours, a black example featuring satin silk lapels is a subtle take, and can actually be more easily dressed down, offering maximum versatility.

Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Dinner Jacket, £1,195 from Mr Porter // Herring Jive Oxfords in Black Patent and Suede, £225 from Herring

STATEMENT

Whilst we wouldn’t advise breaking the ‘black tie’ rule for strict formal affairs, it does show a playful side and if executed well, can make you stand out for all the right reasons. Pair a subtle patterned dinner jacket with muted accessories and a pair of opulent velvet slippers for a rakish evening look that will be appreciated by those in the know.

Hardy Amies Navy Monogrammed Silk Dinner Jacket, £750 from Hardy Amies // Crockett & Jones Skull and Crossbones Velvet Slipper, £POA from Crockett & Jones

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