I don’t own a black tie rig, but I really want one. Whereas most of us choose clothes according to our lifestyle, black tie gives us an opportunity to choose our lifestyle around our clothes. Especially on New Year’s Eve, when the right outfit can make the night feel extra special. Perhaps that means a night out to a ball or the opera house, or a chance to make the right party be a little more memorable. All hard to do when the fanciest clothes you own are the same ones you wear to work.
Jesse and Kiyoshi have written black tie guides at Put This On, for anyone looking to set himself up with something next year. For readers on a budget, I’ve heard good things about Suit Supply’s option, which comes with free shipping and returns. Brooks Brothers also has some things on sale right now at reasonably good prices. For a little more money, there’s Polo Ralph Lauren and Sartoria Formosa, and beyond that is bespoke.
Sometimes you want some real party clothes, even if you’ll only wear them for a night.
(all photos via Voxsartoria, who has three rigs)
