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

 

	RED CARPET BLACK TIE: THE OSCARS   2009 ACADEMY AWARDS "BEST DRESSED" NOMINEES  The "boy, does he clean up good" award goes to Seth Rogan in a swank velvet tuxedo.  Sartorial poetry: Daniel Craig in a Tom Ford midnight blue classic shawl collar with silk cuffs. Hugh Jackman in a perfectly detailed custom three-piece Burberry dinner suit. Slumdog Millionaire's Dev Patel in another custom-tailored Burberry. Robert Downey Jr. compensates for a pedestrian long tie by tastefully upping the flare of a classic jacket. AND THE WINNER IS . . .    While Mr. Patel had very stiff competition, he stands out for putting together this stylish and youthful take on the classics without the benefit of the inside track enjoyed by his Hollywood-savvy colleagues.     SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT Special mention goes to the ceremony's wardrobe stylists for being some of the last people in America who understand that the white-tie waistcoat should never extend below the tailcoat.     "WORST DRESSED" NOMINEES  From crass to clueless. Danny Boyle shows a fantastic ability to dress in formal clothes yet still look like a slob. Lou Gossett Jr. once again seems utterly clueless about fit and refinement. You're thirty one years old Joey.  Grow up. Philip Seymour Hoffman tops off an overload of satin with a black toque in case of sudden snowfall.  This porn/rock star look would be fine for an L.A.  lunch but clearly misses the mark after dark. AND THE LOSER IS . . .    Given his general taste in clothes, it would not be surprising to learn that Rourke actually views "Worst Dressed" as a badge of honor.      __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   2008 ACADEMY AWARDS "BEST DRESSED" NOMINEES  These classy men know how to let their ladies shine. Jason Bateman in a Dolce and Gabbana Steve Carell in a custom Domenico Vacca.  Voted best dressed by Esquire. Forest Whitaker in another custom Domenico Vacca Sean Combs in a mixture of his Sean Jean label and Dolce & Gabana Best & Worst: George Clooney in a shawl lapel with girlfriend in chintz curtains. AND THE WINNER IS . . .    Mr. Whitaker looks like he was born in a dinner jacket.  Perfect suit fit, proper sleeve length, elegant pocket square, self-tied bow tie and a dashing double-breasted coat.       "WORST DRESSED" NOMINEES  What on earth were these men thinking? Viggo Mortensen in a custom-made atrocity. Did Lou Gossett Jr. lose a bet? Brown suede shoes and red lapel piping? Josh Lucas gets a head start on the morning-after look. Phillip Seymour Hoffman: great actor, lousy dresser. AND THE LOSER IS . . .    Josh looks like a petulant teenager who was ordered to dress up by his parents but took his revenge by doing it as slovenly as humanly possible. The other nominees at least put in some effort.
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