Surprise NYE event invite....

Rock up dressed as you like, in reason. Only wannabes take dress code seriously.... Not surprised at the people replying to this thread like it matters a jot.

A dress code is there for a reason. You can't bowl up in a pair of jeans and a crew neck jumper. Nothing to do with "wannabes" It's about tradition, making an impression and looking/feeling good.
 
Rental Tux.

I'd go small company who have them on site for instant rental (Dancers, in the Midlands for example) Rock up and rent.

You might struggle with any mainstream hire places now unless you're lucky - they normally order from a central warehouse (That being said, I bet Debenhams etc. can get them next day)

Either way - have fun.

EDIT: spelling mistakes corrected. Had a few sherberts!
 
Good advice except one thing...

Wing tip collar shirt is generally for white tie, not black tie.

I would have said originally but wing tip has become fairly popular in black tie. I would attribute that to just fashion trends such as the change from high rise and mid rise to lower rise trousers and stuff. I personally prefer wing tip because i cant help but feel collar looks odd with a bow on anyone but the skinniest of people
 
Buy a cheap one from marks and Spencer. They’ll probably be on sale now. Go on today and if they don’t have your size they can order it in for tomorrow.

No point in spending a lot of money - nobody gives a crap how ‘nice’ your black tie outfit looks. It’s dark and everyone is drunk. Save your money for work suits. There isn’t much difference in price between renting and buying - you can always make your money back if you wear it twice.

Winged collar and bow tie / normal collar shirt with black skinny tie. I prefer the look of the latter but find myself peer pressured into the former - I think the former is more formal than the usual ettiquette at these events. Bow tie is also a git to do properly - took me ages to learn!
 
Rock up dressed as you like, in reason. Only wannabes take dress code seriously.... Not surprised at the people replying to this thread like it matters a jot.

That is very suspect advice, at some events not following the dress code can mean you turn up and aren't allowed in.
 
It would also be very embarrassing for the missus and yourself. You can apply this 'wannabe attitude' to anything etiquette related if you really wanted to but at the end of the day, your actions and looks will obviously effect how other people view you and the people associated with you.

If you really didn't care about social events or the views of those going (be it other guests or your partner) then you wouldn't be going. Since OP is asking for advice on what to wear, i think its safe to assume that he does not want to be embarrassing.

Black tie weddings can have a mix crowd turn up but black tie ball room events are literately themed around the dress code. Unless some other chap is in the same position as the OP and has taken a CBA attitude, then you would most certainly stand out even in a business suit.

My advice is if you don't want to upset the wife but don't care about yourself, ask her what she thinks and do it. If you do care about standing out, see my earlier post and the link. You can buy the suit and shirt for a little over a ton and then you got one for next time.
 
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You should be wearing a dress shirt with a cummerbund and bow tie. A dress shirt is white, double cuffed and pleated or bibbed. You can go for either collar style but if the shirt is not pleated or double cuffed, it will look closer to a school shirt than a dress shirt.

t


a lot of dress shirts are plain fronted these days, both of mine are, doubled cuffed with shirt studs
 
remember you need a proper bow tie so that towards the end of the night you can untie it for the instant cool dean martin look

Or carry a proper bow tie in your pocket and at the appropriate level of drunkenness / lateness put the clip on in your pocket and drape the proper one round your neck.
 
Tying a bow tie is easy, no different to tying shoelaces.
Disagree - it’s the final boss of life.

Although the secret hidden boss is ‘enjoying grapefruit’.

I only recently realised why I was having so much difficulty - I’d unknowingly put the final loop the wrong way through the hole 9 times out of 10. Derp!
 
Learn to tie a bow tie effortlessly. It's an essential life skill for a man.

A girl pulled my bow tie off at a work ball last year and the main course hadn't even been served yet. I re-tied it without a mirror in about 30 seconds and everyone at the table was like WHOA PARTICIPANT YOU DA MAN LET ME SUCK YOUR FORK in my mind anyway.

Or maybe they thought I was sad for practicing so much :(.
 
If you have a black suit, white button down collar and a bow tie just wear that and you'll be fine.

I've never liked the suits with the stripe down, the cummerbund got ditched a couple of years ago as did the winged shirt collar with pleats.

Just make sure you wear a real bow tie rather than a fake one with a tiny peanut knot.
 
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