THE JOURNAL
For the style-minded man, a black-tie invitation can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, there’s nothing more thrilling than an opportunity to don one’s finest glad rags. On the other, the set guidelines around what to wear can leave one feeling a little… stifled. Come party season, heed our reminder: rules are made to be broken. Black tie is a dress code, not a uniform, after all, and there’s tons of fun to be had within the parameters of formalwear.
Ultimately, if you’re keen to stand out from the sea of samey tuxes, it’s all about subtle variations on the theme that communicate that you’re well aware of the rules – thank you very much – and you’ve deliberately chosen to flout them. Albeit in the most understated, MR PORTER way possible. Below, we’ve picked out six elegant after-dark pieces from TOM FORD, Brioni and the like that will help you do exactly that.
01. The velvet pinstripe TOM FORD tuxedo jacket
The most failproof route to standing out from crowd this party season is swapping your standard tux jacket for something a little less everyman. Here, TOM FORD has levelled up the classic silhouette in the form of a pinstripe and a plush black velvet. The result is a wearable-but-elevated spin on the blueprint that will sit nicely alongside the coordinating trousers or even something more traditional.
02. The patent Christian Louboutin loafer
While the old-school rules dictate that one should pair only polished Derbies with your tuxedo, there’s something about the louche, laid-back elegance of a slip-on shoe that feels incredibly contemporary. Our pick is this patent-leather loafer by Christian Louboutin, which we believe reads even more glamorous than most traditional option – so you can rest assured that no one will turn their nose up.
03. The studded Octavia Elizabeth cufflinks
Sure, they may be the most microscopic detail in your black-tie get-up, but that doesn’t mean that your cufflinks should be an afterthought. (In fact, in our view, it’s the little things that set the world’s best-dressed apart from the rest of the pack.) If you’re looking to rack up the compliments from the more discerning attendees, then this sapphire-studded lightly stippled pair by LA jeweller Octavia Elizabeth should do the job nicely.
04. The bib-front Brioni shirt
Not all white shirts are created equal. And if you’ve pulled out all the stops with a four-figure, tailored-to-fit-like-a-glove tux, it’s only right to ensure the accompanying pieces can hold their own against it. Turn to Italian quiet-luxury clothier Brioni, which has created this cotton-voile bib-front shirt with soft stripe detailing and concealed mother-of-pearl buttons for a polished profile.
05. The Jacquard Gucci bow tie
No need to go full novelty mode if you’re keen to make a point of difference in the tie department. Instead, try this ready-knotted accessory by Gucci. It eschews wacky patterns and garish colours and instead lends a touch of interest by way of a Jacquard weave of the label’s horsebit motif in a sumptuous silk and wool blend.
06. The dressed-up Cartier Santos-Dumont watch
Apologies to your wallet, but unless you’re strutting around with some serious hardware, it’s likely your everyday watch won’t quite cut it for more formal affairs. Our advice? Invest in a versatile dress watch – consider this Santos-Dumont by Cartier with a steel case and rose-gold bezel to be the final flourish in helping you feel your most trussed-up for the evening ahead.