Dress code question

sand_hun

Hi folks, I've been invited to a wedding that has a 'black tie' dress code. I don't own a tuxedo and nor do I even have a regular black suit! I enquired about hiring from Moss Bros - they said it's £160 for everything. I think that's quite expensive. Anyone else had a black tie do? If so, any tips on how to save money but also ensure you don't look out of place!?

Emmia

If you wear something other than black tie you'll look out of place, even in a normal black suit.

Keep_pedalling

Personally I would make an excuse not to go as forcing you guests to spent money on an outmoded dress code is a bloody liberty. 

Alternative look round you local charity shops which is what I did when I had to attend black tie work events. 

Mark_d

I wouldn't hire a tuxedo because as you say, it's rather expensive.  If you go to black tie events every couple of years, then it's well worth investing in the suit.  I think mine cost about £500 all-in.

I would certainly consider getting a regular black suit if I were you.  You can wear black suits in most situations from job interview and important meetings to funerals.

Wearing a regular black suit to this wedding will make your appearance noticeably different to those wearing a tux...but I'm sure there'd at least be a handful of people wearing regular suits as tuxedos are expensive.

gwynlas

Check out on line selling sites if you are a regular size, most are only used once or twice for weddings or other black tie functions. Those who wear them more regularly are likely to keep them for years as they are not a fashion item styles do not matter. I would imagine that you are being invited to a receftion later in the day as otherwise the invitation would more likely say morning suit ie tails and top hat unless og course they are trying and failing to use a vocabulary they are unused to.

vacheron

I think if you are just a regular guest and they expect you to dress like a penguin at your own expense and discomfort just to please them then I'd probably be politely declining!

I wore a morning suit to my wedding, as did my best man. But I paid for his outfit as he was the one who made an effort for me. The guests could have all worn a chicken costume if they wanted as long as they had a good time, were comfortable and felt able to be themselves.

Zinger549

I went to a black tie wedding. Some people were just in normal suits. I got a Tux from Matalan. It was just over £100 all in (jacket, trousers, shirt).

DullGreyGuy

Dont get this adoption of the US trend of wearing a dinner jacket to a wedding... the clue is in the name as to when it should be worn... especially as English weddings have to be during the daytime, makes a touch more sense in other countries where you can get married in the evening. 

Do you know others that are going? Have you spoken to them about what they are wearing? 

I'd say the majority by a long way dont own a dinner jacket these days. Some will see it as a fun reason to dress up but others will see it as an unnecessary expense which is better avoided. 

You could by one on the cheap... Asda have a tuxedo for £50, you can wear a standard white shirt and a bowtie (Asda again is £5). Alternatively look at secondhand. A general black suit is another option.


Personally would love to have a tuxedo made (midnight blue with some mohair and barathea weave, 2 button, shawl lapel) but then a silk velvet jacket would need to follow but I only get invited to black tie events once a year at most and could probably only make up one or two others a year if I tried so cannot justify the cost.

kempiejon

Black tie is a long evening gown, I think in black but other colours are available. At university there was a group always looking for an excuse to wear black tie. I only went to one of their events. Didn't bother with special clothes. Didn't go again.

DullGreyGuy

kempiejon said:

Black tie is a long evening gown,

The OP have said they've looked to hire a suit... guessing they aren't a long evening gown kind of guy

kempiejon

DullGreyGuy said:

kempiejon said:

Black tie is a long evening gown,

The OP have said they've looked to hire a suit... guessing they aren't a long evening gown kind of guy

They said they didn't own a tuxedo nor a suit and hiring one was too expensive and I was offering another solution.