How To Style Classic Black Tie Tuxedo Alternatives | Kirby Allison

Interesting alternatives, thx for these--I used to have a vintage wine-colored velvet smoking jacket with a wine-colored satin lapel and tasseled sash rather than buttons (well, there was a concealed button to keep the jacket attached if the sash came undone). I even like some other flashy black tie variations when they're well done, even if I personally wouldn't wear it. I adore classic black tie and I enjoy wearing it, but it's fun to see folks do different things as well. I recently went to a black tie event where a man looked great in a black-damask tux and black tux shirt — he seemed to have the personality to pull it off.

I might do the opera bow tie shoes if they werent pre tied

Loved the editing trick on the smoking jacket changing colors!

У New & Lingwood есть потрясающие смокинги винного цвета

My wife also wears pumps like that

Kirby, what would do suggest for Black Tie Optional?

To each his own. Personally, I’m not a fan of slippers nor bow tie pumps. To me they look dainty and feminine. I don’t like comer buns either. I prefer a waistcoat (vest) or a double breasted jacket.

I WOULD LOVE TO USE TUXEDO 227+550 TIMES. DINNERJACKET 994+299 TIMES

Superb taste and style Kirby. I really love the jacket, and the slippers are spectacular. Definitely a must with Sovereign Grade Silk Socks. Bravo🙏

Hey, I'd like to ask you a question. I am invited to a summer wedding in Spain. I have a off-white linen dinner jacket. Can I wear black linen trousers to it? I am worried that both linen pieces would create an overall dishevelled look (due to creasing). If wool trousers are better, is it still a good option during high summer? Cheers!

Where are the studs from?

You should play a Villain roll in James Bond “ No Time to Look Better “ 😁😁🤣🤣

Love the tuxedo videos. Please make more. Maybe dinner jackets next?

With a midnight blue dinner jacket with tartan trousers, should the shoes be smart like brogues or loafers acceptable? First black tie event coming up !

The velvet smoking jacket is sublime.

Neat color transition on the smoking jacket!

The video starts off by saying there is nothing more formal than a Black Tie Tuxedo. Technically, isn't Black Tie a step down in formality compared to White Tie? At State Dinners, the president and all the men are wearing White Tie. At the famous Austrian opera house in Vienna, wearing Black Tie rather than White Tie I would have to think you would stand out, but not in a way you would want to. All other men would be wearing white tie. If you were to go to a formal event in Great Britain sponsored by the Royal Family, wearing Black Tie, it would probably be seen as an insult to the Queen.

I believe I read that the Black Tie Tuxedo came about in England when the nobility wanted something a little less formal than White Tie and especially wanted something without the hassle of tails which is mandatory in White Tie but not common in Black Tie. Later, men wanted something a little less formal than Black Tie for events that were just for men and in a lounge setting. It was called a lounge suit and quickly became common in the business environment in the early 1900's as it is still today and is now known as the modern business suit. The lounge suit/business suit brought about the popularity of the neck tie replacing ascots, poof ties (I think that is what they are called) and bow ties. Before the Lounge Suit took over as the dominant business attire, business mean wore suits with much longer jackets (I think called Frock Jackets) that would go down to the thighs or even the knees, with a vest that generally did not match the jacket in color, most likely a pocket watch and chain on the suit and the shirt would have a stiff collar that was not meant to be folded like modern dress shirts. Neckwear would most likely be ascots, bow ties or poof ties. Google a picture of John D. Rockerfeller to see someone wearing such business attire. Or watch episodes of Deadwood and the main character, Seth Bullock, often wears such business attire after being elected sheriff.

What style wedding band do you wear? I really like the look but am unsure the name of the style or type of ring.

I don't know, you can break ONE rule, if you want to have a variation jacket great, if you want to wear slippers ok, but when you start combing and adding that's when eyebrows begin to raise.
The smoking jacket is beautiful by the way.

Is a video on white tie alternatives next? Here’s hoping!