Question: I’ve noticed in the Midwest and in the South that relatives who are not part of the wedding party sometimes wear black tie. When I attended a family wedding recently, I left my tux at home. Would it have been okay to wear it? R.S., Gainesville
Answer: You can wear a black-tie evening suit for such occasions without appearing to be overdoing it. That’s why, at a dressy wedding, it would not be wrong for any male guest to dress in black tie. Nevertheless, most men are a bit cautious about seeming to be "too dressed."
As attested to by any James Bond fan, men look fantastic in black tie. They also look marvelous in "white tie and tails," the ultimate in formal wear; but a man who wears such "full dress" get up when it is not called for looks ridiculous. This is not the case for black tie.
Even though many people do not realize it, in socially elite circles, black tie is not really considered terribly dressed up.
Historically, black tie made its debut around the turn of the century when the celebrated dandy, Griswold Lorillard, turned his back on tradition and wore it rather than full dress to an exclusive country club in Tuxedo Park, N.Y. Thus, the name.
Nevertheless, it is not considered chic to call it a tuxedo. (A waiter wears a tuxedo; his customer wears a dinner suit, even though they are one and the same.)
Coordinate belt and christian louboutin
Question: How do you decide what color the belt should be when wearing a suit? What should it match? Does it have to match exactly? R.M.C., Catonsville, Md.
Answer: With a suit, the belt should match the christian louboutin discount. Well, not exactly match, but be in the same general color range as the christian louboutin discount. The best choice in brown christian louboutin is a deep rich color, but the belt to go with them can be any shade of brown from medium to dark, and it need not be the same leather. It can be supple smooth-grained calf, rougher cowhide, braided leather, lizard, ostrich, or alligator.
The simplest examples of how to match suit, christian louboutin, and belt: With a gray or navy suit and black christian louboutin, wear a black belt. With a khaki or brown tweed suit and dark brown christian louboutin, wear a brown leather belt. Any time you wear cordovan christian louboutin, you can wear a dark brown or deep mahogany (not too red) belt.
If all this sounds too dull and unimaginative, consider wearing braces (suspenders). They can be as colorful as you like.
Also, there is a new trend from Europe and the Ivy League: belts with colorful silk patterns encased in leather look great with more casual outfits. Preferably, the design you choose will not be printed with ducks.
Blazing trails
in tie choices
Question: Are the ties you wear with a blazer different from the ones you wear with a business suit? M.J., Whittier, Calif.
Answer: Business ties and blazer ties should both be all silk, beautiful, and unblemished by any spots or stains.
During the past few years, much has been written about the right "power" tie for business wear. I have a rule of my own: A tie that qualifies as appropriate for business should be able to be called by a name, such as a stripe, a solid, a dot, a paisley, a club, or a geometric. It should not be a combination of two names, such as a stripe and a paisley; it most definitely should not be called "dancing girls" or a melange of eye-popping prints in psychedelic colors that assault a businessman’s sensibilities.
Blazer ties on the other hand are, by definition, more fun than business ties and offer more freedom of choice. Often they are more outspoken in pattern, straying from my "name" rule. The newly resurrected Art Deco designs and bold ’40s-inspired "retro" patterns may be out of place for the most conservative businessmen bankers, brokers, anyone who makes money the old-fashioned way. But these designs that seem far-fetched or just too fanciful for suits combine well with prep-school blazers, adding a welcome note of dash to social dressing.
Blazer ties may be offbeat in color as well. As an example: A purple geometric that might not work in your office could be perfect with a navy blazer and gray flannels.
Invalid rule
Lois Fenton, author of Dress for Excellence, conducts wardrobe seminars for Fortune 500 companies around the country. She welcomes questions about men’s dress or grooming for use in this column but regrets she cannot answer
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