What is Black Tie Invited?
Originally Published 4/7/10
You’ve been invited to a pretty high-class party, and the invitation dictates that the event is “Black Tie Invited.” But what does that actually mean?
Turns out that black tie invited is just a fancy way of saying: “Black Tie Optional.” Which is nothing more than another fancy way of saying: “You can wear a tux, most guys will wear a tux, but you don’t have to wear a tux if you don’t want to.” Make no mistake, the women will be all dolled up, and probably 80% of the guys in attendance will be in tuxedos. But here’s precisely why you should skip the monkey suit and stand out from the other guys in the crowd:
Because unless you own a tailored tux, you’ll end up looking like garbage.
Rental tuxes fit and feel like ponchos. And unless you live in a pretty metropolitian area, the vast majority of the tuxedo wearing guys at this shindig will be wearing a rental. They’ll look like overblown ring-bearers. Wearing a well tailored black suit is more than acceptable for a black tie invited event. Pick the right accessories, and you’ll look just as formal if not more formal than any guy in a tux at the party. Here’s what you’ll need to pull it off:
Black Two Button Tailored Suit – Alfani RED – $250 – $400 | Hilfiger Trim – $250 – $400
Black suits aren’t nearly as versitle as a Navy or Gray, but they’re an absolute must if you’re ditching the tux option. Get a slim / athletic fit two button from either Alfani Red or Tommy Hilfiger, have you tailor bring in the sides giving you that classic athletic shape, and you’re set.
Bright White Well Pressed FRENCH CUFF Shirt – Kenneth Cole New York – $46.99
Also not something that’s real versatile, a french cuff shirt screams formal. The tonal stripes on this one from Kenneth Cole give it just a slight tuxedo shirt look, without going overboard. Semi Spread collar = perfect.
Simple Cufflinks with some shine – Roundtree & Yorke Cufflinks – $30.00
You could choose the smallest of all your accessories to throw some color into the mix, but don’t forget that all the other guys in tuxedos will be wearing black and white. These silver tone links are cheap (just $30) and simple.
Black Laceup Shined Shoes – Aldo Hepworth – $99.99
Look for a pair of streamlined and modern black laceups without any extra stitching. And get them professionally shined. It’ll make a world of difference when you show up to the event.
Muted dark tie – Alfani Stripe – $24.99
| CK Matte – $29.99 | Kenneth Cole Stripe – $49.55
It’s tempting to add some more color here, but again, the guys in the rentals will be wearing all black and white. It’s black tie afterall, and the shape of what you’re wearing should stand out enough. Avoid a solid black tie because you might end up looking like the wait staff. Matte gray or a simple stripe or pindot should work.
Tank Style Dress Watch – Armani Rectangle Watch – $175.00
As much fun as a sizable chronograph can be, your choice of timepiece can really make or break the formal feel of your suit. Rectangle or “tank” style watches are quite buttoned up and sometimes old time looking, but this model from Armani manages to look both super-dressy, and incredibly modern all at once.
Finish off the look with a clean and starched white pocket square, and you’ll never for a second look underdressed.
(And if you really do want to invest in your own tux? Try the Hilfiger below…)
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I have so few opportunities to wear my charcoal suit as it is, I really don’t see myself getting a black suit. The Alfani one is really nice though. Their charcoal suit has peak lapels and I don’t like peaks.
I could probably see myself getting a tux before a black suit. A classic notch lapel tux that is. Could absolutely wear it any place a black suit is appropriate.
I’m encouraging all of my friends to buy tuxedos for weddings we’ll be in. I’ve been in three over the past two years, so i could have bought one instead of renting three times. Just buy matching ties when you’re in the wedding party.
I have the black Alfani RED suit and I love it. I’ve worn it many times and I’ve never failed to have the best looking suit there. Plus since it’s a suit you can also wear in to conferences and such, situations where a actual tux is inappropriate, so it’s really a great investment.
I dunno, why not just buy a decent looking tux and be a grownup from time to time? If you want to personalize it then a colorful tie-it-yourself bow tie will help you stand out among the strap-on black pretieds. Get a colorful vest instead of a cummerbund. Stuff a colorful hankie in the jacket pocket instead of a white square.
I’m a big fan of dappered.com but I disagree with this article. Black Tie Invited is really Black Tie, which means wear a tuxedo. The event organizer has basically taken the guess work out of what you should wear by putting Black Tie on the invite and you should honor their request. The writer says “Make no mistake, the women will be all dolled up, and probably 80% of the guys in attendance will be in tuxedos. But here’s precisely why you should skip the monkey suit and stand out from the other guys in the crowd. Because unless you own a tailored tux, you’ll end up looking like garbage.” If that’s the case then I feel bad for the 20% that think they’ll “stand out” by wearing something other than a tuxedo. When attending a Black Tie event it’s actually NOT about standing out from the rest of the guys. You’re wearing a uniform when you wear a tuxedo. With all the guys dressed alike, it’s all about how the women stand out. They put the effort to get “all dolled up.” Let them enjoy their moment rather than you try to steal the spotlight. Trust me, your date will be most appreciative.
Disclosure:I own both a tuxedo and a black suit. I’ve worn the tuxedo to a friend’s wedding and a gala. I bought the black suit to wear for my grandfather’s funeral. It’s my hope to wear the tuxedo for celebrations much more often than I will ever have to wear the black suit for funerals.
@Mak: If it says “Black Tie” on the invitation, then there’s no question. Wear a tux. If it says “Black Tie Invited,” they’ve left the door open. I’ll admit that I’m unfairly anti-tux. But if it’s about being uniform? There’s no way I’d put on a rental to look uniform with the rest of the rental wearing guys. Just can’t do it. They’re just awful.
@Joe, have you considered an Indochino tux? I’ve heard some people rave about them, and they are modern enough to wear to any formal occasion. A tux in a non-black tie formal can be lame, or it can be James Bond.
@Joe: I definitely agree with you on not being part of the tuxedo rental crowd. In the wedding I mentioned, I was the only groomsmen that wore my own tuxedo. You could tell the other groomsmen rented theirs because their jackets were boxy, the sleeves too long (didn’t show any cuff) and their baggy pants were bunching up at the break. As for me I was very confident in my tailored tuxedo because I didn’t have to worry about the fit and how it looked on me. If I had to guess the reason for your anti-tux sentiment it’s because you suffered the same rental experience as my friends (and also myself before I bought.) I encourage you and dappered readers to buy a tuxedo if you don’t own one already. They can be found for fairly cheap (mine was $140 for a 100% wool and another $100 for the tailoring) and with two more weddings I’m going to attend next year the tuxedo will have paid itself off. If you have any weddings, gala’s, bar mitzvahs and quinceaneras to go to in the future it will be worth the investment.