A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO EVENING DRESS

INTRODUCTION  A Timeless Appeal Story of the Guide Using the Guide ●  BASICS  A Proper Education Attire: Defining Black Tie Etiquette: Black-Tie Tradition Etiquette: Dress Codes Etiquette: Black-Tie Codes ●  HISTORY  History's Relevance 19th Century Origins Edwardian Era (1900s, '10s) Jazz Age (1920s) Classic Age (1930s) Post War ('40s, '50s) Jet Age ('50s, '60s) Peacock Revolution ('60s, '70s) Classic Revival I (Late '70s) Classic Revival II (1980s) Dress-Down Days (1990s) ●  CLASSIC BLACK TIE  The Gold Standard Defining Classic Black Tie Classic Jackets Classic Trousers Classic Waist Coverings Classic Shirts Classic Neckwear Classic Footwear Classic Accessories Classic Outerwear Warm-Weather Black Tie Classic Alternatives ●  CONTEMPORARY BLACK TIE  Proceed with Caution Contemporary Jackets Contemporary Trousers Contemporary Waist Coverings Contemporary Shirts Contemporary Neckwear Contemporary Footwear Contemporary Accessories Contemporary Personalization ●  WHITE_TIE  Introduction Defining White Tie Full-Dress Waistcoat Full-Dress Shirt ●  BUYING  Introduction Major Retailers Supplemental Retailers Custom Tailoring White Tie Investments ●  STYLE   Men's Wear 101  Suit Style  Proper Fit  Wear & Care  Tying a Bow Tie  Folding a Pocket Square ●  VINTAGE  Research in Progress Vintage Etiquette & Tradition Vintage Wedding Etiquette Vintage Attire Retro Tuxedos ●  SUPPLEMENTAL  Glossary  Orders, Decorations & Medals  Ladies' Black Tie  Black Tie Versus Tuxedo  Morning Dress (Formal Day Wear)  Formalwear Myths & Merits  Red Carpet Black Tie  Military Formal Attire  Scottish Formal Attire  Clerical Formal Attire  Formalwear Hall of Shame  Bibliography  Search

 

Proceed with Caution Contemporary Jackets Contemporary Trousers Contemporary Waist Coverings Contemporary Shirts Contemporary Neckwear Contemporary Footwear Contemporary Accessories Contemporary Personalization	Contemporary Footwear     The Basic Rules: black, patent-leather or well-shined calfskin, pumps or oxfords     Simplicity and shapeliness remain the benchmarks of formal footwear.  Many of the contemporary oxfords (lace-ups) mirror the current trend for thick soles and square toes seen in informal footwear which makes them inappropriate for black tie.    Contemporary versions of pumps are often found in the form of more masculine looking slip-ons. Although they have a sole that is slightly thicker than a pump’s and a longer vamp (the piece that covers the top of the foot), the presence of elegant grosgrain accents maintains a high level of formality.	UPDATED CLASSICS Elegant evening slip-ons by Salvatore Ferragamo featuring grosgrain vamps.    ALTERNATIVES The thick heel and square toe of this rental shoe make it inappropriate for sophisticated occasions.
UPDATES   |   GLOSSARY   |   SEARCH   |   ADVERTISE  |  CONTACT COMPARATIVE ENGLISH TERMINOLOGY Hover over most images for picture credits (Firefox users will have to view Image Info for non-thumbnails). Copyright © 2010. Peter Marshall. All rights reserved.