Black tie events

Mort · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:24

So at work, a project I have been working on has been nominated for an award for innovation. The event sounds pretty s****y (LOL it *'d S W A N K Y) and is black tie.

My usual work attire is jeans, and random 80's band tshirt

Never really rented a tux or anything, so anyone offer any advice? Also are suits out of the question at events like these? As even with 600 other similarly dressed people I would feel a bit of a tit in a bow tie and tux hehe

PapaLazaru · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:29

Go to Moss Bross and have a chat -

Moss Bross
22 Midsummer Arcade
Milton Keynes MK9 3BB
Tel: 01908 694 945

If it is black tie, it is black tie you cannot go in a suit, unless you want to look like the odd one out.

You will enjoy the experience.

nydryl · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:30

You can bend the rules with black tie a little bit, but bend them too much and you'll look like a tit. Just make sure your outfit fits perfectly.

Vonhelmet · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:30

Mort said:
As even with 600 other similarly dressed people I would feel a bit of a tit in a bow tie and tux hehe

You'll feel a bigger tit if you're the only one not in black tie.

Tom0 · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:32

I like feeling a tit...

Wait? What?

Mort · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:37

good points

so next question is, roughly how much should I be paying?

and thx PapaLazaru will pop in sometime

(also lol PapaLazaru from Reading? Me too, whats your MK connection?)

Ahleckz · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:43

Get a kilt.

semi-pro waster · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:43

It'll depend on the shop but in the region of £30 is not unreasonable, it might go up to around £40 but if it costs more than that I'd be reconsidering hiring from there as for something that you're likely to feel uncomfortable wearing anyway paying extra doesn't aid you much here.

PapaLazaru · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:50

Mort said:
(also lol PapaLazaru from Reading? Me too, whats your MK connection?)

No connection, apart from going to a load of raves at The Sanctuary back in the nineties.

And Xscape a few times a year.

I just googled Moss Bross as they are your best bet for hire. Your avatar says MK.

There is one in Reading as well btw.

Mort · 14 Sep 2010 at 10:58

PapaLazaru said:
No connection, apart from going to a load of raves at The Sanctuary back in the nineties. And Xscape a few times a year.

I just googled Moss Bross as they are your best bet for hire. Your avatar says MK.

There is one in Reading as well btw.

Hehe awesome, I also attend Xscape (I hope you board and not ski

) whenever I can, and used to be a bit of a raver (Global gathering etc) in my pre fatherhood days

And cool, thx for the help chap!

Also those costs I can easily live with tbh, just had literally no idea was expecting 3 figure jobby!

Vonhelmet · 14 Sep 2010 at 11:34

Ahleckz said:
Get a kilt.

Guaranteed babe magnet.

One of the best things I ever bought, is my kilt.

Narziss · 14 Sep 2010 at 14:51

vonhelmet said:
Guaranteed babe magnet.

One of the best things I ever bought, is my kilt.

I'm attending a black tie do in November in Perthshire and my wife wants me to go in a kilt. My father-in-law could probably lend me his family tartan, however am I likely to get a skean dhu in the ribs, or a kick in the sporran for being an Englishman in Scots attire?

Basher · 14 Sep 2010 at 14:57

Whatever you do, do not wear a black tie (as some do). Wear a bow tie.

nydryl · 14 Sep 2010 at 14:58

Narziss said:
I'm attending a black tie do in November in Perthshire and my wife wants me to go in a kilt. My father-in-law could probably lend me his family tartan, however am I likely to get a skean dhu in the ribs, or a kick in the sporran for being an Englishman in Scots attire?

Going to the effort of wearing a kilt will go down well whether you're English or Scottish. I got mine when I was 17 and echoing what vonhelmet said it's an excellent purchase.

lucky13 · 14 Sep 2010 at 14:59

In marks and spencer they were doing a deal where you could buy a tux (jacket and trousers for 50pounds) and a shirt was 15pounds. I remember mates getting some from moss bros for around that money any way.

Ahleckz · 14 Sep 2010 at 15:00

Narziss said:
I'm attending a black tie do in November in Perthshire and my wife wants me to go in a kilt. My father-in-law could probably lend me his family tartan, however am I likely to get a skean dhu in the ribs, or a kick in the sporran for being an Englishman in Scots attire?

Nah, you'll be fine. Take a biodag, sgian dubhs are for girls, just to be on the safe side though!

emmjaybee · 14 Sep 2010 at 15:01

Hire the Tux get your award and go home job done. That way you look like everyone else and you don't get any crap from the others for being different. As it is a rare thing to happen you won't have to worry about doing it again.

nydryl · 14 Sep 2010 at 15:15

Ahleckz said:
Nah, you'll be fine. Take a biodag, sgian dubhs are for girls, just to be on the safe side though!

Have you actually got a biodag? Hardly ever hear of them let alone see them. What's the difference?

Disco Boy · 14 Sep 2010 at 15:18

It's a dinner suit not a tuxedo because you are in the UK and not the USA.

platypus · 14 Sep 2010 at 15:28

There are quite a few different levels of Black-Tie. Are there any indications on the invite as to what level it is?

Regardless - I doubt it will be formal Black-Tie, so you won't need pumps (Court Shoes), just Oxfords (or round toed equivalents).

Single breasted jacket, Black or Midnight Blue only with a white handkerchief in the breast pocket (traditionally the breast pocket must be filled), a low-cut Waistcoat or Cummerbund, and a full turn-down collar completes the Black-Tie outfit.

Oh and if you want to wear a hat it needs to be a Homberg.