Dress code question

kinger101

Charity shop?  For black tie, styles have not changed.  I bought my dress suit over 25 years ago and it still fits (thought it was let out once round the waist).  I wouldn't dream of buying another because once the gravy stains are out, it still essentially looks new.

MrsStepford

A previous boss of husband's, dumped a conference with black tie dinner on him. Husband found cummerbund and dress shirt in sale at Debenhams. I called Oxfam customer services and they found a Marks & Spencer dinner suit in his size in Sheffield and couriered it down. I rushed into dry cleaners and did a next day pick up job. In the pocket was a black tie it yourself tie Oxfam had thrown in. He looked straight out of Bond. 

Rosa_Damascena

horsewithnoname said:

silverwhistle said:

mark_cycling00 said:

 whereas women have to spend £400 or more a year on summer dresses that are fashionable for weddings.

Nope. Sod that! I'll wear the one I bought for my nephew's wedding. I'm sure it must be back in fashion by now! Or at least sufficiently classic...

I've spent a bit going to weddings but am old enough to have missed all the hen nights in Prague sort of thing, or just not moved in those circles. I'm quite capable of saying "No, sorry, I can't" with no detail as to why..

I’ve worn the same dress to everything that requires a dress since I bought it 25 years ago. Who gives a toss what I’m wearing? And if they do, more fool them 😂
OP don’t be pressured into spending money you don’t want to spend. EBay or similar, or just wear something smart. 

I find this attitude disrespectful and addresses a different point. A dress code was stated precisely to set the tone and expectation. It did not say PS do not wear the tux you bought 25 years ago.

The wedding organiser has been kind enough to invite the OP, but the OP is under no obligation to accept. Politely declining for unstated reasons is enough, no need to embark on a criticism of a generous host.

DullGreyGuy

CompulsiveSaver said:
 even several of those in black tie wouldn't have a wing collar shirt and bow tie

Traditionally speaking a wing collar is for White Tie, a Black Tie should have a turn down collar @compulsivesaver. In the 1970s the modern wing collar was created (collar is attached to the shirt unlike the original) and the US couldn't get enough of it and the UK resisted until the mid 80s 

If you look at photos of the royals and similar they'll always have a turn down collar with black tie as per:

Juney

You can buy you can buy a dress suit in Asda quite cheaply.  My husband refused to buy a dress suit for formal night on a cruise, and the day before we went we saw one in Asda.  He paid £35 for jacket and £15 for trousers.  He didn’t bother with a waistcoat, but I got him a cummerbund with matching bow tie, and paid less than £60 for the whole outfit.  Asda do some great suits for men.  If the event is black tie, you would feel out of place if you didn’t get suited up.  Good luck!

Grumpy_chap

saajan_12 said:

As someone who's been to many of these, its a growing trend.. the attendees and those setting the dress code often don't know what black tie actually means.. its just meant to mean 'not Indian traditional wear'. People tend to just go in a western suit and shirt, even split between normal neckties and bowties. 

If the OP wishes to go to the wedding and it is, indeed, intended to be a black-tie event (in the proper meaning of the phrase), then enough ideas have been proposed as to how that can be achieved without breaking the budget.
In the case that the OP is unsure that the person writing the invite actually knows what black-tie means, then the best thing would seem to be to ask the hosts for clarification.  
Generally, one would not wish to be at a black-tie event without the full black-tie, nor wear black-tie if that is not the intent.

If, on the other hand, the OP does not really want to attend the wedding in any case, then there is no point clarifying the dress code.  In the OP's mind, lack of access to the correct outfit might be their excuse but, the politest decline is probably one with no reason given.

Rosa_Damascena

The guests at the Ambani's wedding were dressed to the nines. Boris turned up in a lounge suit and did not look out of place. Take his lead and enjoy the event.

DullGreyGuy

Rosa_Damascena said:

The guests at the Ambani's wedding were dressed to the nines. Boris turned up in a lounge suit and did not look out of place. Take his lead and enjoy the event.

You sure?     

Pollycat

Rosa_Damascena said:

The guests at the Ambani's wedding were dressed to the nines. Boris turned up in a lounge suit and did not look out of place. Take his lead and enjoy the event.

Boris Johnson looked like a dog's dinner.
Mind you, even the best tailor in the world couldn't make him look smart.

RedRose61

We recently did an internet search for an outfit for my husband for a black tie event. We ordered through online sellers and managed to get the whole outfit for less than £50 by buying it all separately. Amazon prime day have some deals and Debenhams had some good stuff too. Hope you manage to get it sorted.