Black Tie: Essentials Every Man Should Know

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In our video, Chris Modoo and Austin Pollak discuss everything you need to know about Modern Black Tie.

[@HumbertoClaudino]

Peaked lapel is always a good choice accompanied by a Wholecut Oxford.

[@pedrogarciarobleto]

I wear Plain toe calfskin oxfords, I just try to mirror shine them so I can also use them with Suits.

[@johnparnell8571]

If you cannot afford black patent leather shoes, or find them a bit OTT, wear mirror shined black cap toe Oxfords instead. That extra shine on the toe caps elevates the look without being too showy. If you are a bit rusty tying a self-tie bow tie, sit down comfortably and practice tying it round your knee. Wash and dry your hands first to save soiling the bow tie fabric. Lastly, a set of antique shirt studs with matching cufflinks add individual interest to a dinner suit and can be purchased at reasonable cost via online sites such as eBay.

[@chrismodoo6563]

I prefer highly polished calf leather to patent leather.

[@ClaireLeslie-eu4tl]

There’s Morse code on watches? No way!⌚️

[@pedrogarciarobleto]

I've been recently thinking about the trends for a proper Black Tie Shirt.
I feel like wearing a Fly Front plain shirt is not enough, so that brings us to Pleats vs Marcella Bib.
Since I was a child, I remember Black Tie being associated with Pleated Shirts, but nowadays, I'm kind of seeing Marcella Bibs more frequently.
Are pleated shirts already outdated or too old fashioned?
Are Marcella Bibbed shirts really becoming the new standard (and hopefully not the plain front Fly Front shirts)?

[@chrismodoo6563]

I like both. The most conservative expression is Marcella bib with button fronts. I like pleats too…particularly in interesting cloths.

[@Molach101]

Any thoughts re: whether cummerbunds should be worn? I've been told by people that your waist always has to be covered but I've never seen cummerbunds in the UK

[@pedrogarciarobleto]

Either a Black Cummerbund or matching color Low Cut Waistcoat, ideally, never go with the waist uncovered.
I prefer waistcoat, it can be V or U shaped, with or without lapels, full body or backless.
I use cummerbund on hot weather months (I live in the tropics) and a U shaped Low Cut Waistcoat with shawl lapels the rest of the Year.

[@chrismodoo6563]

Cummerbunds are worn in England and widely available.

[@pedrogarciarobleto]

@@chrismodoo6563 what do you think about the debate of which is more correct? I'm a firm believer that both the cummerbund and waistcoat are interchangeable and that changing the type of waist covering can help giving the Black Tie outfit a different "flavor".

[@chrismodoo6563]

@@pedrogarciarobleto I like both. I also believe that an uncovered waist is at best a venial sin if the trousers are high-waisted. The cummerbunds is not always flattering.

[@danielalec]

If you have a velvet dinner jacket, should you wear it with a velvet bow tie or one that matches your lapel? Your thoughts would be appreciated.

[@chrismodoo6563]

Take your pick…I prefer to match lapels.

[@genef1109]

Shouldn't the bowtie and the lapels be of the same type of material?

[@richarddr1234]

I'd say this is a rule you can take liberties with.

[@bond-suits]

The way I understand it is that the level of sheen should match. With textured ribbed facings like grosgrain or ottoman silk, the bow tie can also be ribbed or it can be something else textured or matte like basketweave, shantung or barathea. Satin facings can look nice with a velvet bow tie. There's flexibility here, and balance is the key.

[@Hondo0101]

you are allowed to break one rule. same or different your choice. The bowtie could be that one rule you break.

[@pedrogarciarobleto]

You can mismatch your bow tie and lapels materials and that is acceptable, and actually, it can be seen as a statement move.

[@asdfyxcv1100]

I mean, honestly, who are the people who "got a couple dinner jackets already"? Even if you are up there and you go to black tie events more frequently than I do, the body usually changes over the years and I cannot imagine people having a wardrobe full of dinner jackets to choose from unless money is really nothing you worry about ever.

[@chrismodoo6563]

🙋‍♂️I have a few…I can still wear clothes from 30 years ago. I guess I am a bit lucky.

[@asdfyxcv1100]

@@chrismodoo6563 you don’t count 🥹

[@alessandracarlotti4136]

Good video....however..as for shirts, you fail to mention the shirt with detachable wing.collar. Those are most traditional and elegant. Please keep that in mind when producing your "black tie" videos.

[@chrismodoo6563]

I have been known to wear a starched wing collar with black tie but only as a “fashion” archaic look. The correct shirt, in England at least, is a soft one with collar attached.

[@pedrogarciarobleto]

As far as I know, nowadays, Detachable Wing Collar shirts are not incorrect for Black Tie, but it is preferred reserving them for White Tie events only.

[@chrismodoo6563]

@@pedrogarciarobleto it’s archaic. I would never advise it.

[@alessandracarlotti4136]

@@chrismodoo6563 Perhaps a better word than archaic would be "elegant". We all know that "elegance" in both men's and women's fashion has declined, but I've seen some very correct gentlemen wearing the detachable wing collars with Black tie. There are many men's stores in London, New York et. al. which agree.

[@chrismodoo6563]

@@alessandracarlotti4136 No. I’ll stick with archaic whilst agreeing they can be rather elegant.