Let me start by saying, that yes, I realise that this is not black tie. Even if I didn’t (which I do), I was duly reminded by Instagrams fashion police a number of times after posting this look. Lucky for me, I wasn’s arrested and managed to get off with just a warning.
This is why I decided to call this post “Black Tie with a twist”. Originally I was going to call it “F&%K the haters, I’ll wear whatever I feel like” but then realised it was a little long and probably terrible for SEO. Maybe even a little conceited.
This look was actually put together for a recent trip aboard the Rovos Rail (if you missed that post, you can check it out here – one of my favourites). As you would expect, one of the worlds most luxurious trains has, of course, got a dress code to match. In order to maintain a feeling of a by-gone era, a jacket and tie are required for dinner, and with a dinner so lavishly prepared, it really is the least you can do. After all, the Victorian era ushered in the start of men’s fashion as we know it, where 3 piece suits replaced the feathers, pantyhose and high heels of the Georgian period before it (and yoy thought you were fancy). This is where men started dressing like men and taking pride in what they wore, by the time the 1930’s had arrived every major menswear fashion rule ever written had been set in place.
Now that I’ve dropped that little fashion history knowledge bomb, let’s move on to how I decided to put a twist on the classic black tie!
A strictly black tie dress code would involve a dark suit, black bow tie and pants with a braid in the same fabric as the lapels of your dinner jacket. If you need a lengthier description on the intricacies of black tie, you can check out an earlier post here.
My first twist came in the shape of a white dinner jacket with a contrasting shawl lapel. White dinner jackets are probably one of the biggest red carpet trends of 2017 – nailed perfectly by Ryan Gosling at the Golden Globes in January. Now, if Ryan doesn’t impress you then maybe Bond will (James that is…James Bond). The white dinner jacket has made an appearance in no less than 5 times with the most recent on Daniel Craig (or Beefy Bond as I call him) in Spectre. Either way, if you’re looking for one stand out piece for the upcoming festive season, this should definitely be it. With our warm climate, a white dinner jacket is a perfectly acceptable replacement for its traditional darker counterpart.
If going full black tie than also be sure to wear a black patent leather shoe and black socks. My second twist was by wearing a semi patent oxford, where the toe cap and eyelet tabs contrasted against the vamp. I LOVE these shoes!! The last and most obvious twist was that of the necktie over the bow tie. I’m all about adhering to dress codes, and as this one particularly asked for a tie, I didn’t want to overdo it. No one likes a show-off right!?
At the end of it all, it comes back to the same thing. Wear whatever makes you comfortable. When you’re comfortable, you feel good and when you feel good you look good. This does not apply to track pants – I don’t mean that kind of comfortable – adhere to the dress code and feel comfortable within its confines.
Sounds easy enough right?
Great!
If you liked this look, the whole thing is from Fabiani. I highly recommend you jump on that white dinner jacket!
Okay. Stay Fancy
Hey
Love the outfit. well put together, simple yet sophisticated. I have just started a blog myself on on blazers (one of my passions) and would love to you use one of these shots for a future post. Do you mind at all? of course full credit will go your way.
Thanks Trevell 🙂
Hi Trevel, of course I don’t mind as long as you tag back to us. Good luck with your post!
Many thanks, much appreciated. I may message you beforehand for materials or brand etc. 🙂
Cool
Thank you
Such a great outfit ! It fits you so well!
Thank you Valentin, Fit is everything yo know! : )
I really enjoy your blogs
Looks good buddy, you know how to dress 👌👌
Thank you so much Johan! Appreciate it!
Everything is on point with your style. Love that white jacket! 😍
Thank you so much Dalona, it’s gonna be my red carpet piece going forward! : )
The outfit looks so amazing! Sportive and elegant at the same time 🙂 Thanks for sharing that!
Thank you so much for the kind words Sven
Classic train journeys and Art Deco era suits 😍 another fantastic blog post!
Thank yo so much Damian, so glad you enjoyed it!
Love this post. Great. Amazing. 😀
Thank you so much!
Love your blog page bro. Everything you post is so amazing. You inspire me to continue to do what I do. Keepuo the amazing work.
Thank you so much Miguel. Always happy to inspire!
Love the way you put this look together! Looking very dapper! The 007 shot is a lot of fun!
Thank you so much Myles. Gott have some fun in-between uh?
It’s a great look, like how the coat is black and white, that’s an incredible twist 👌🏿👌🏿
Thanks Cyril, yep, the biggest twist of all to this black tie look!
What a unique tie game you have bro! Wish I had your weather!
Thank you, John. Really appreciate the compliment! And yes, we’re incredibly lucky with our weather!
This shoot is giving me murder on the orient express vibes 👌🏽👌🏽
Hahahah! Totally know what you mean! : )
Wow, I really do love your taste and sense of style concept.
Thank you so much Skeemsaam