Amending Perfection
Lessons from the Past
Contemporary Tuxedos
Contemporary Waist
Contemporary Shirts
Contemporary Neckwear
Footwear, Accessories
Contemporary Alternatives

Contemporary Black Tie: Amending Perfection

Every generation laughs at the old fashions, but follows religiously the new.

Henry David Thoreau

While many purists argue that black tie reached its evolutionary peak by World War II thus rendering all subsequent adaptations unnecessary and even detrimental, the fact is that change is inevitable.  Not only does our perception of elegance continue to evolve but some of the classic garments of black tie’s golden age have become virtually extinct.  On a less practical level, it is simple human nature to be tempted by the prospect of improving perfection, particularly for each new generation looking to make its mark.

Most attempts to reinvent black tie since the 1930s failed to better the outfit and are now forgotten footnotes in the history of fashion.  However, a few innovations have stood the test of time.  This section will explain the basic principles required for successful adaptation then examine today’s black-tie variations to see how they hold up to these benchmarks.

UPDATES · GLOSSARY · SEARCH · ADVERTISE · DONATE · BLOG · CONTACT