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

X (Not So) Well Suited: X Faux Formal Shoes Thick heels and square toes make many styles of budget formal shoes inappropriate for sophisticated occasions. Being constructed of vinyl doesn't do much for their suitability either.

Contemporary Footwear, Accessories, Outerwear

Footwear

Simplicity, shine and shapeliness remain the benchmarks of formal footwear.  Any contemporary style of formal lace-up will be compatible with a dinner suit provided that it is free of decoration, highly polished and has a svelte silhouette.  Styles with thick soles, monk straps or wide, square toes are incongruous with formal wear’s refined minimalism. 

Contemporary versions of pumps are often styled as slip-ons due to their more masculine nature. Although they usually have a slightly thicker sole and a longer vamp (the piece that covers the top of the foot) than a pump, the use of patent leather and/or grosgrain accents maintains a high level of formality. 

Pocket Square (Optional)

Silk pocket squares have become increasingly popular since the 1990s although traditionalists find that their comparative lack of body and excess of shininess make them inferior alternatives.  Regardless of the choice of fabric, the decorative touch of a pocket square is more welcome than ever now that boutonnieres are rarely seen outside of a wedding.  For suggestions on using your handkerchief to add a touch of color, see Contemporary Alternatives. 

Outerwear

As long as you choose a dressy coat, the type doesn’t really matter.  What’s critical is that you do not ruin all the time and effort you put into your black tie ensemble by wrapping it in a crumpled trench coat or a puffed-up ski parka.

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