FORMALWEAR as NORMALWEAR

Black tie before 6:00 PM and your favorite bands’ favorite band

DRESS CODE

THERE IS A RULE IN BLACK TIE DRESS that it is never, ever, ever, ever, ever to be worn before 6:00PM. To do so would be uncouth. The tuxedo is reserved for formal dinner parties, awards ceremonies, milestone birthdays, weddings, and galas. I’ll let you in on a little secret…I’m uncouth, often. Let me explain.

Eveningwear undoubtedly carries the highest cost per wear (cost of garment divided by number of times worn within a given period of time), especially if those pieces are being cut made-to-measure. It doesn't matter how many weddings or fundraiser galas you’ve got queued up this year, your formalwear simply doesn’t clock the mileage that your suit or blazer does. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.

Fashion kid that I am, I’ve found some pleasure in co-opting elements of the black tie uniform into the everyday. Admittedly, I’ve been doing this for the past decade with velvet slippers. But not with tailoring. I can’t quite recall when I first saw this stunt pulled, but it was by a woman. Then my girlfriend did it with a vintage Bill Blass black tuxedo jacket last year. I found it chic, so naturally I nicked the idea.