Budget white dinner jacket, seeking help!
MrZareba
Krakow, PolandPosts: 1,775MI6 Agent
So... Long story short my New Year's eve party is a black tie event and everybody will be probably in tuxedos. I can't afford a good one and I don't want to waste my money for a cheap one because I feel that it's just not a worthy investment. But I came up with the idea to go in a white dinner jacket with a bow tie - problem is that I can't find a cheap one and I'm looking for something well under 100$ (H&M and Zara territory in other words) - I will wear it probably only once so buying an expensive one is not exactly the smartest thing to do.
The problem is that I know there is a very thin line between looking like Bond and a waiter in a restaurant while wearing a white dinner jacket and I definitely don't one anyone asking me for champagne that night!!! I am aware of the fact that we have guys over here like Matt S, who will proably cringe while reading the words "cheap" and "dinner jacket" in one sentence but please - what things should I definitely avoid and what can be helpful in order to achieve this look without looking idiotic? I know already that I should be looking for something like off-white instead of full white.
Or maybe I should drop that idea right away? Anyway - I feel that some guys might find this thread actually useful in the future. -{
The problem is that I know there is a very thin line between looking like Bond and a waiter in a restaurant while wearing a white dinner jacket and I definitely don't one anyone asking me for champagne that night!!! I am aware of the fact that we have guys over here like Matt S, who will proably cringe while reading the words "cheap" and "dinner jacket" in one sentence but please - what things should I definitely avoid and what can be helpful in order to achieve this look without looking idiotic? I know already that I should be looking for something like off-white instead of full white.
Or maybe I should drop that idea right away? Anyway - I feel that some guys might find this thread actually useful in the future. -{
Comments
To find a decent one at a lower price?
Go to shopstyle.com (I think you're in Europe, correct? There should be a shopstyle.com equivalent)
Search for "men's dinner jacket", "men's formal jacket" and "men's tuxedo jacket"
Adjust the filters for color and price.
Here are some I found on the U.S. shopstyle
Ben Sherman for $109: https://www.gilt.com/sale/women/sportcoats-3248/product/1147957305-ben-sherman-sb1-shawl-camden-fit-tuxedo-jacket
Full Tommy Hilfiger tuxedo for $230: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/tommy-hilfiger-shawl-collar-classic-fit-tuxedo-jacket?ID=580111
Nick Dunn full tuxedo for $140: http://www.kohls.com/product/prd-2782750/mens-nick-dunn-modern-fit-tuxedo.jsp
Some suggestions:
- Order from a company with fast shipping, even if you have to pay a little more. Gives you time to get it tailored.
- Shawl collar is a little harder to find, but there are some for a good price. There are tons of notch lapel "dinner jackets" (which you do not want). Finding a decent peak lapel at a good price is a little harder for some reason (at least for me).
- At that price, lower your expectations in terms of fit and the quality of construction/fabric. Most will be wool blends (with minimal wool) or straight up polyester.
- If all else fails, try Amazon. You can also find amazing deals on jackets on Ebay if you have time to search.
Hope that helps and have fun at the party!
I definitely don't want a black one for now - I just don't need one that badly, I know however that shops like C&A have some crazy things like white blazers from time to time so I was wondering if I should give it a shot or maybe I should drop that idea.
I'd love to get the real deal from Tom Ford but many years still have to pass until I can afford one. 8-)
Btw. thank you for your help canoe!
Yeah, I would skip the white blazer or trying to pass off any type of a blazer as a dinner jacket. If you don't want to go all in, then try something else. If you go in a well fitted suit, you'll probably look better than most men there.
Last dinner jacket option. This dark navy one from Mango Man for 45 GBP.
http://www.mangooutlet.com/GB/p0/man/clothing/blazers/formal/satin-applique-tuxedo-blazer?id=53019014_56&n=1&s=prendas_he.americanas_he
My size is not even available (I need a 52 or a 54 EDIT: now I see those are UK not EU sizes, my bad) so I will pass, I want something more eye catchng anyway. Maybe the sky blue blazer will do the trick - especially since it's a very good fit (true to that - most men have no bloody idea how to wear a suit, most of my colleagues have to long sleeves usually).
So all right, let's say that I go in a sky blue blazer with a black shirt, black trousers. Should I wear a bow tie or is the shirt enough? I'm thinking about getting a black flower lapel pin because that might look great but I'm not sure if there is a rule I'm not aware of that prohibits wearing a flower pin unless you have a tie/bow-tie? ?:)
If you mean how much does it cost to rent a jacket in Krakow - I have no idea, I'm not sure we have that kind of things over here unfortunately
Yeah, that's a good point - I was reading an article 10 minutes ago about white dinner jackets and now I know that this is also called a "tropical tuxedo". So I guess it's a big no-no.
As for a jacket rental - there is one in Krakow but renting a tuxedo costs over 120$!!! Add to that the price of the item itself wich serves as a security deposit (that's how it's called in English I think?)
Renting is out of you are serious about this. Try here:
http://www.dobell.co.uk/mens/formalwear-suits/tuxedos/ (Avoid all the "eccentric" party clothes.)
Nice quality, without costing the Earth. I have one of their ivory jackets and had a seamstress add matching satin on the shawl collar., so it was the ivory version of a black jacket for a summer ball. - Cheap but effective and I can use it again when the occasion warrants.
http://www.dobell.co.uk/white-notch-lapel-tuxedo-jacket/
This one is even pretty close to the one from SPECTRE, but I'm ruling out a white dinner jacket. Like Matt S stated, not actually the appropriate climate over here ^^ As for a tux - I don't know, I always wanted the first tux to be a special one for me, for a very important occasion - new year's eve party doesn't sound exactly like one so I guess I will pass on that too. But thank you for your fast and excellent help guys!
Bond: “I must be dreaming.”
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Express-Slim-Photographer-Geo-Dot-Print-Velvet-Tuxedo-Blazer-Black-Size-38S-38C-/232173363440?hash=item360e9c60f0:g:uOEAAOSwXeJYJnac
Or just check ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-White-Dinner-Jacket-/201641430562?hash=item2ef2c40e22:g:YfoAAOSw-itXqL47
Ha ha I bought one of them and it was not cheap, now just need somewhere to wear it.
You actually bought that thing? To wear? Yikes.
It's even still for sale!
As for a velvet jacket I might think about it.
Currently I'm either thinking about going with a sky blue jacket matched with a black shirt and black trousers or a normal suit - they will not throw me away for not having a bow tie for sure, I was just trying to stand out but maybe that's not worth the shot if I don't have enough money to pull it off this year. -{
You know, I really liked the jacket from Spectre. However I could never wear it, someone would accidentally get something on it and that would turn into the train scene and I would be out a jacket.
Plus I would much prefer your Skyfall tuxedo over the jacket
To the best of my knowledge, dinner jackets fall into the realm of white shoes, etc., in the US: Only acceptable between Labor and Memorial Days.
That said, holiday events often equate to fancy dress so you might possibly get away with it (unless you know with certainty that this NYE is a serious affair).
There's a gazillion dinner jackets (new, not used!) under $100 on eBay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ivory-Off-White-One-Button-Shawl-Tuxedo-Dinner-Jacket-Formal-Cruise-Theater-40XL-/141565790452?hash=item20f5fa88f4:g:ldgAAOSwmrlU0591
[Posted strictly as an example.]
I can't read Polish but there is an eBay.PL. Have a look?
Another option is to put a Le Chiffre spin on the look and go with a standard tux but a black shirt. You'd then have the option to go with a conventional look on other occasions.
I like it in concept. The Windsor cut is beautiful. But the details kill it for me. I could never spend that much money on a piece of tailored clothing that got so many of the details wrong.
The gold trim left me feeling it had been borrowed from the final number in A Chorus Line.
http://allegro.pl/hugo-boss-marynarka-smoking-nowa-102cm-194cm-italy-i6644740807.html
It seems that it's the same as this one:
https://www.repertoirefashion.co.uk/menswear-c1/suits-c65/suit-black-cary-grant-peak-lapel-tuxedo-p20221
Not SA but swapped the buttons for satin covered, added shirt with French cuffs and tie et voila - just got away with it I think but lots of comments - the pic is in the public domain so don't worry about sharing and no - that isn't Mrs Explore007!! and yes we did win an award. I should add I am on the left!!!!!!
Have to say my preferred black tie attire is the Midnight Blue Skyfall look I picked up from Charles Tyrwhitt a few years back.
Or as others have said eBay could be your friend.
I will see if I can dig out a photo - in a rush so see below bottom left for the look/ style
Cheers :007)
So not the guy with two buttons of his button two, notched lapel, flapped pocket jacket closed right?
er
No - Shawl collar, dark navy/midnight, single button, no pocket flaps and teamed with vintage gold cufflinks, 1966 Tudor/rolex Oyster perpetual, dress shirt and plain black Oxford shoe - accessories do make a difference and with the jacket at £37 and I got matching Trousers for £22 it was actually cheaper than hiring a bog standard, black tux from Moss and I now have a frugal Skyfall look to boot! The chap on the right was pretty hammered to be honest as well!!!
If you have a common size, like a 52 that can be made to fit you without too much altering, buying a second hand tuxedo should do the trick. Bring it to a tailor and after a nip and a tuck you will look more dashing than you ever will in a black pants, black shirt, blue blazer combo. With suits and especially black tie the fit is the most important part.
That's why I'm thinking about it, that Hugo Boss jacket is seriously tempting, question is if it's not a fake (the price is ridiculous) and if I can pull it off without tuxedo trousers. -{
Yes I bought it but have not worn it yet, I have a white Gucci Jacket that is almost identical from the Tom Ford Era which I did wear but still need to find somewhere or some reason to wear it.
I much prefer the Skyfall Tux too, much more classy, but unless I go for an op to remove a couple of inches from my legs it's not going to fit, if I could come up with some other solution round this I would not be selling it for sure. I would even buy another one if it popped up solely for the trousers.