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A vest or waistcoat also helps to accentuate the deep V of the dinner jacket, thereby creating a sophisticated and elegant look. You can create a traditional mood with a black waistcoat or choose a textured fabric to add to the aesthetic look. A cummerbund refers to a broad pleated sash that you wear around your waist.
While most black tie occasions call for a tuxedo, there are some interesting variations on the dress code that are worth mentioning. Guayabera shirts almost always count as appropriate wedding attire in the tropics. Known more commonly as "Mexican wedding shirts," these short-sleeved, button-down shirts usually have decorative square pockets, and often have embroidery.
What Is a Black Tie Dress Code?
But you can feel free to have fun with it, especially if you are adhering to a theme for the event. A black bow tie is the correct etiquette for a formal event. Ready tied bow ties are most typical as it takes a lot of skill to tie one from scratch.
Consider using Terminology Black Tie Preferred, which demonstrates to partygoers that at least some of them will wear Black Tie to the party. In most cases, you can wear a suit instead of a tuxedo, though a tuxedo remains the most acceptable menswear for black tie events. That said, you can wear a good-quality black suit paired with a white shirt and a bow tie to many formal occasions without causing a stir.
White Dress / Tuxedo Shirt
They can be silver, gold of any color, or any other solid-colored metal, and they can also feature designs and some conservative stones. However, stay away from anything with logos or miniatures, as these are a little too whimsical for the nature of a Black-Tie Optional affair. As with conventional Black Tie, the area where you have the most significant amount of latitude in a Black-Tie Optional dress code is with your accessories. However, it is essential that you balance imagination with taste to ensure that your overall ensemble remains appropriate. Wool, cotton, or any other natural fabric is acceptable, but for the most dignified look, consider a pair of black silk evening socks.
This category is defined by Emily Post’s Etiquette as a “tuxedo combined with trendy or whimsical items”. Before you go about wearing a soccer scarf around your shoulders, remember that these items are generally understood as referring to the shirt, tie, or accessories. Remember the basis of a Black Tie event while picking out your wacky accessories though. A Black Tie event still indicates a baseline of formality that needs to be maintained.
Should You Rent Or Buy A Tuxedo?
Finally, if you are unsure about what color to wear, choose one of the other colors mentioned above. Not knowing the wedding dress code for a wedding can be so frustrating and confusing. You open a wedding invitation and you get lost on what wedding attire to rock. It is even more embarrassing showing up at a wedding ignoring the dress etiquette for the wedding.
Instead of shirt studs, they have a covered placket and they’re made with a turndown collar. Another great option when it comes to contemporary black tie variations is the black tie, black shirt and black tuxedo option. In this scenario both the bow tie and traditional ties are both acceptable.
Scottish Highland Dress
The guests can also put on a tie instead of the traditional bow tie. Consider the wedding’s setting and the type of wedding you’re attending when deciding on what to wear. If you want to throw a casual wedding in the backyard, consider a sundress or a formal gown. Guests are encouraged to review the dress code for the wedding ahead of time.
Just because it looked good on the red carpet doesn’t mean it will look good on you or be appropriate for the occasion. Dress to suit your body type, your personality and, most importantly, the event you’re attending. Instead, the white waistcoat will be fastened and do the jacket’s job instead.