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musings on men's formal wear from the creator of The Black Tie Guide
Browsing All posts tagged under »waistcoat«
Flashback: Vintage Waistcoats
I’ve just added an extensive review of the history of evening waistcoats to the Vintage section of The Black Tie Guide. As I poured over visuals spanning two centuries I was most struck by the tremendous diversity of waistcoats offered in the 1930s, the golden age of formal wear. In today’s world where distressed jeans […]
Up Close: The White Weskit
March 20, 2012
I recently purchased a vintage Brooks Brothers full-dress waistcoat – or “weskit” as the British might say – to see how it would compare to my inexpensive modern version. As I suspected, there is an exquisite attention to detail in the Brooks Brothers model that is notably absent from the budget version: the Brooks Brothers […]
Immaculate Whites
February 17, 2012
Back in the 19th century white shirts, waistcoats and neckcloths were a subtle mark of a man’s wealth because the only way to keep them pristine in the dirt and grime of everyday life was to change them often which entailed a significant laundry bill. Flash forward to the 21st century and it would seem […]
2012 Golden Globes Red Carpet
January 24, 2012
Awards season is upon us again and the premiere ceremony, the Golden Globes, suggests that conservative interpretations of black tie will dominate the red carpet once more this year. (Hallelujah.) Among tuxedos, there was an overwhelming preference for the slightly modern two-button jacket. Lapels seemed to be split between the similarly modern notch or the […]
DIY Formal Accessories
November 24, 2011
I sometimes suspect that traditional dressers who discover The Black Tie Guide must feel like guests showing up at the end of a legendary party. Upon arrival they are regaled with vivid descriptions of the evening’s festivities but when they attempt to partake for themselves they can find only leftover scraps. So it is that after becoming hooked […]
March 23, 2012
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