Dinner suit shirts and bow-ties
Discussion
It's time for a dinner suit to join my wardrobe - I'll be needing one for New Years Eve and for a wedding reception in January so have decided to buy instead of hire twice. I'm settled on a single breasted, one or two button jacket with the obligatory satin stripe trousers. There are just a couple of things I'm really unsure on though; what's the score these days with shirts? I want a fold down collar, but am unsure if deciding on whether to have a plain front or 'fluted' front is down to personal taste, fashion or whether there is an element of more formal ettiquette involved in which I choose?
Also, how easy is it to tie a bow-tie? I'd love a self-tie one but don't know the first thing about how simple, or hard it is to do.
Any advice would be spot-on, the question was asked quite recently but the above points weren't covered hence me starting this thread.
Also, how easy is it to tie a bow-tie? I'd love a self-tie one but don't know the first thing about how simple, or hard it is to do.
Any advice would be spot-on, the question was asked quite recently but the above points weren't covered hence me starting this thread.
Don't worry, the usual PH bunch of Goks will be along shortly to tell you EXACTLY what you should and shouldn't be wearing.
Though unless you're going to get it tailored by the personal tailor of Col.Sir Arthur Wittlington-Smythe out of finest cotton woven by virgins on the banks of Lake Como and with a whale foreskin lining, they won't be happy.
Though unless you're going to get it tailored by the personal tailor of Col.Sir Arthur Wittlington-Smythe out of finest cotton woven by virgins on the banks of Lake Como and with a whale foreskin lining, they won't be happy.
I've always used M&S on the basis that you don't have to spend a fortune, they last long enough, no-one can see what you're wearing as invariably they are worn in the dark, and they dry clean ok - which you'll need after you spill everything down them. Agree on the boe tie comments. It also allows you to untie it and "jauntily" hang it round your neck later in the evening.
Rocksteadyeddie said:
I've always used M&S on the basis that you don't have to spend a fortune, they last long enough, no-one can see what you're wearing as invariably they are worn in the dark, and they dry clean ok - which you'll need after you spill everything down them. Agree on the boe tie comments. It also allows you to untie it and "jauntily" hang it round your neck later in the evening.
+1 on M&S. Decent quality, decent price. Their 'Sartorial' range of shirts are very good quality too.Proper tied bow tie is an absolute must.
iphonedyou said:
It's not just the tying. It's the making it not look like a bag of s
te.
Like anything, you get better with practice.te.OP - I know many people frown at coloured (non-black) bow ties but you might want to consider getting one that matches one of the colours in your partner's dress. Lots of brownie points available if you suggest it to her
Plain white or lightly "striped" shirt - set it off with some decent cufflinks. Frills are too much for me, but really it's you being comfortable, confident and happy in what you're wearing that is important.
Edited by ewenm on Thursday 10th November 14:05
Cotty said:
ewenm said:
OP - I know many people frown at coloured (non-black) bow ties but you might want to consider getting one that matches one of the colours in your partner's dress. Lots of brownie points available if you suggest it to her
Is that an American thing?The only time I've worn black tie in the USA I had my light-blue bow tie on but as it was a sporting dinner there was no frowning. At a black tie party in the UK, a bloke who had a tie matching his partner's dress received a lot of compliments from others.
Tying a bow tie: can you tie a bow with your shoelaces? Same thing. Just close your eyes and think about how you tie a shoelace. The trick is once you have the basics, you have you even up the loops and the tails without undoing the knot. Hold the knot squished tight as you lengthen the tails and pull the loops to tighten the know. Repeat until done.
Shirt: Something with a starched waffle pattern front panel that takes shirt studs is the ticket.
Don't wear a belt with the trousers. If need be wear black button-on braces. Black cummerbund or low-cut black silk brocade waistcoat will help to disguise your shirt coming out of your trousers.
Shirt: Something with a starched waffle pattern front panel that takes shirt studs is the ticket.
Don't wear a belt with the trousers. If need be wear black button-on braces. Black cummerbund or low-cut black silk brocade waistcoat will help to disguise your shirt coming out of your trousers.
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