It is always rewarding to hear from readers who say that The Black Tie Guide has been instrumental in assembling their proper formal outfit. Even more satisfying is seeing pictures of the final results. I want to start sharing some of these real-life stories as an inspiration to others. They are irrefutable proof that a man does not require professional stylists or unlimited income to successfully execute black tie. All he needs is the commitment to learn – and follow – the basic rules.
For the premiere installment I am delighted to present an anonymous reader from Vancouver who used the Guide as a shopping list for his impeccable ensemble. The tuxedo is tailored from John Cooper worsted with grosgrain lapels, the shirt is marcella and the faille bow tie is from Thomas Pink. The classically styled waistcoat is also custom tailored based on a description and illustration from the Guide.
John Van Wyk
January 7, 2013
Thanks to the poster for this picture. Outstanding looking ensemble! My one criticism is of the shoes–they could use an upgrade. Overall, though, superb effort!
Serpens Albus
January 8, 2013
So can anyone send you pictures and the story (in which case -where to)?
My brother is an amateur photographer so I had him snap a couple of shots of me when I got mu dinner suit. Some of them turned out pretty good too.
Peter Marshall
January 8, 2013
I can be reached at peter_at_blacktieguide_dot_com. I look forward to hearing from you!
Anon
January 8, 2013
As the submitter – thanks, John! I’m limited in the shoe department by being vegetarian, and I hadn’t shined them for a while when I took those pictures. The shoes are http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/mens___unisex_shoes/cambridge_shoe_black/12666_p.html , which are actually pretty decent dress shoes, but they don’t show their best from straight front on like that, and Vege Shoes’ ‘patent’ selection isn’t great.
If anyone’s interested, the suit and shirt ran approx. $1300 U.S., including the vest. Would have been about $1200 with the tailor’s ‘regular’ fabric (I went up to the John Cooper). From a Hong Kong tailor I’ve been using for a while, he has my pattern from personal fittings in HK. If you have a bit of time to wait for a bow tie I highly recommend ‘Sam’ Hober – he does custom-made bow ties in a range of fabrics for $65, which is actually $5 less than I had to pay in a store for the Thomas Pink one.
http://www.samhober.com/bow-ties/
I had to buy the Pink one as I couldn’t wait for my Hober to arrive before the first time I needed to wear the outfit, but if I could’ve skipped it I would. If you absolutely need a ‘proper’ bow tie in Vancouver on short notice, the Pink ones from Holt Renfrew are the best option I could find. Other stores tend to have either nothing or a single self-tie model, invariably in black satin and fairly ‘blah’ (including even Harry Rosen…when I asked them for a formal bow tie they asked me ‘what color?’. Sigh.) Holts at least has a few to pick from, in a few different materials and widths.
Anonymous
January 22, 2013
I’m a little late to the party, but I’m also vegetarian and I’ve been considering a pair of those shoes for a little while. Are they a worthwhile purchase?
All in all, a very nicely executed ensemble.
Anon
April 18, 2013
Even later to the reply, but in case you’re following along – they’re decent enough shoes for the price you pay, and you honestly don’t have any better options unless you give up the fight and go leather. (I’ve yet to give up the fight for shoes, but sometimes I do for hats; I try and buy vintage/second hand so I can tell myself at least that one was dead already anyway). They’re solid, made-in-England Oxfords, not much verve, but they hold together and they take a shine. I think they look a bit bad in these pictures because you can see the colour of the sole at the toes; it looks like the side of the soles is just painted black, and that’s worn away somewhat over time. Would probably be easy to fix with a bit of black paint, or a marker in a pinch.
Anyway, yeah, they’re fine, and a decent deal for the price. But they’re not in the same league as the high-end designer/bespoke shoes you’ll find people at SF etc going nuts about, and I’ve never found a vegetarian shoe that is, so if you want something real nice, you’re stuck with dead animals.
A. R
January 11, 2013
Nothing but strong approval of this dinner jacket here!