Interesting guide to wearing a Tuxedo
scaramanga1
The English RivieraPosts: 845Chief of Staff
Just came accross this site -and for Bond enthusiasts, and those into sartorial elegance -its quite informative and interesting.
http://www.blacktieguide.com/
http://www.blacktieguide.com/
Comments
Very informative, good find and some Bond references too !
It goes to show that to be sartorially elegant you have to do it properly and this site tells you just how. Funny to see the changes in styles over the decades as well and then how it kind of reverts back to a standard.
Did anyone notice that he wore a (GASP!) white tie with a two button, notched lapel (not peaked), single vented (should have no vent) dinner jacket. How gauche!
I can't tell you how many friends phoned me about this sartorial abomination. What a shame as he is usually a very well dressed man.
Well, I am sure the fashion police would arrest me as well. Mine is a notched lapel and is single vented. The proper jacket should have only one button so at least I am clear on that charge.
:007)
By the way, if you look at the Bond movies throughout the years 007 has worn a rather wide variety of "tuxedos". Connery's first was a shawl collar. However he also wore peaked and notched (at dinner with M in Goldfinger); Roger Moore wore a double breasted or two, usually double vented. I remember Dalton wearing a notched lapel. The Brioni that Craig wore in Casino Royale is probably the gold standard according to purists.
A note on watxhes...Technically, a Rolex Submariner or an Omega Seamaster/Planet Ocean are not appropriate for dinner attire/formal wear. According to the rules of formal wear it is not appropriate to wear any watch. However, if you must it should be a white faced dress watch.
I say if it shows up in a Bond movie, go with it. That's good enough for me.
My own tuxedo is one that has a notched lapel and is actually double vented at the back. so therefore it would seem that according to that site It is not quite correct. However I do feel very elegant in it and the rebellious streak within me doesn't stop me from breaking the odd rule! :v
Sounds ominous. However that likelyhood coming to pass is highly remote.:D (The killing part I mean.)
As for the project you refer to -I look forward to it.
As the front of the site makes clear itself, evening attire is not exactly the same thing in America, Europe and other parts of the world. There are slightly different rules and terminology. The use of vents is more a preference aspect than it is a style comment these days. As is lapel styles and in certain cases, which accessories to use.
However, there are always rights and wrongs, often based on your build, and (in the case of accesories) colour choices, as well as the nature of the occasion you are dressing for.
The differing styles from the different films simply reflect the different tastes in the fashion circles at the time. - As with the rest of Bond's wardrobe.
Sometimes even 007 gets it wrong - The suit in Casino Royale is textbook perfect, except the shoes. - They ain't patent leather!
Watches - simple and straightforward is best. A simple bracelet or black leather strap watch, often with a vertical rectangular face is best. - Simply because it does not bang against the shirt cuff, and does not draw attention to itself. Of couurse for Bond the Omega is a all situations kind of job!
My own Dinner suit is the same style as Mr Craigs in CR. :007)
Did you notice he had a lay down collar with white tie and tails at the Alfred E Smith dinner a couple of months ago, as did Bush during, I think it was, the Queen's visit?
I didn't see that but I YouTubed it. I assume that when wearing white tie that it is wing collar only? I assume that is the inference.
Thanks.
I'm glad you guys like the site. One day I may have to add a separate retrospective of James Bond black tie!