Black Tie Events?

[A3M0N]

I know that I should be ramping up my style slowly (mostly a joke), but if I wanted to take SWMBO out and really pull out all the stops where would an everyday joe take a date that wearing a tuxedo and gown be acceptable? I'm currently in Niceville, FL (near Destin/Ft Walton Beach), the only thing I can think of would be opening night of the symphony.

This won't be happening soon, but I'm planning it one day. Any ideas?

 

[dannymayo]

Symphony/Opera is a good idea. Check to see is any of the museums in the area are holding any events.

 

[strop]

New Year's Eve events are usually appropriate for black tie. If you have a tux, you'll look for excuses to wear it. The first tux I had many years ago was used, from a rental store. Basic black with peaked lapels, adjustable waist, etc. I wore it for 15 years. Keep your eyes open for advertisements, and you can probably buy one for almost the cost of renting one for a night.

 

[Niles]

symphony/opera/theatre are all places I wear black tie.

 

[rushchairman]

dude, tuxedos are tricky. i'm all for them; given the occasion is appropriate. however... i don't like to be the only person wearing one - even if the occasion is "appropriate". i don't think the intended result of the tux is to make the wearer stand out like a sore thumb.

 

[Doc4]

Sadly, there are not many opportunities these days.

Some better cruise ships may still have a 'dress for the evening' culture rather than everyone in shorts and crocs ...

 

[strop]

Sadly, there are not many opportunities these days.

Some better cruise ships may still have a 'dress for the evening' culture rather than everyone in shorts and crocs ...

More so for the white dinner jacket. Now that I've lost some weight, it fits again. I'll probably find some excuse to wear it this summer.

 

[Prince]

Sadly, there are not many opportunities these days.

Some better cruise ships may still have a 'dress for the evening' culture rather than everyone in shorts and crocs ...

We went on a cruise last year and on the two formal nights, I think I saw two tux's.

Sadly, many just had pants and a dress shirt on.

To the OP, y'all pick a nice restaurant, dress up and enjoy the evening.

Make the other people wonder who you are and what the occasion is.

 

[Doc4]

Find a few like-minded couples, reserve a private room at a nice restaurant ...

(no, this isn't going to be nearly as interesting as the Eyes Wide Shut folks would like you to think)

... and have a "Tuxedo Tuesday" dinner out with friends. It gives you all a chance to dress up, and there's safety in numbers ...

 

[The Count of Merkur Cristo]

Symphony/Opera (love Porgy and Bess), is a good idea. Check to see is any of the museums in the area are holding any events.

New Year's Eve events are usually appropriate for black tie. If you have a tux, you'll look for excuses to wear it.

We went on a cruise last year and on the two formal nights, I think I saw two tux's (so sad).

Find a few like-minded couples, reserve a private room at a nice restaurant

...on all the above! You can add ballet, balls or after five weddings as well. The Mrs. (and my

), and I always enjoy getting 'dressed-up after five'.

“Better [nouvelle] than never”. Lord Weidenfeld

 

[lowcountry_sc]

1.) Find a fairly deserted road that runs close to an airport. Park your car and sit on the hood.
2.) Play a game where you pretend to be a diner at a fine restaurant and she's your cook and waiter. When she brings you things, you can sneer and aggressively send them back to the kitchen.
3.) If you live near a big city, check and see if any WWE/WWF rasslin shows are coming your way. You can make some big obnoxious posterboard signs for her to wave at the cameras.
4.) Get in the backseat of your car and make her drive you around doing errands like you're famous and she's your limo driver. Make sure she opens the door for you.
5.) Buy a phantom of the opera mask and hide before she comes home. Then jump out and scare her singing "Music of the Night."

Those were just off the top of my head; let me know if you'd like some more.

 

[strop]

We went on a cruise last year and on the two formal nights, I think I saw two tux's.

Sadly, many just had pants and a dress shirt on.

To the OP, y'all pick a nice restaurant, dress up and enjoy the evening.

Make the other people wonder who you are and what the occasion is.

Tis a sign of the times. Last cruise I was on was about 10 years ago. Both the formal nights had about 75% tuxedoes.

 

[A3M0N]

5.) Buy a phantom of the opera mask and hide before she comes home. Then jump out and scare her singing "Music of the Night."

This one has some merit... youtube to follow!

Thanks for the ideas guys. The wife told me she was interested in attending an Air Force ball, but I would much rather spend money on a normal tuxedo than on Mess Dress. I'm gonna "required" to own a Mess Dress uniform in the future, but thats not now

 

[MichaeltheRomanHistorian]

You could try looking for any charity event type things. I recently purchased my own dinner suit and saw a notification from a Meet-Up group I'm on that there was a charity event (Doctors Without Borders, I think, and a rather tiny donation would secure entry). It was described as 'Black tie only' which I was keen on. Something else came up that night so I wasn't able to go but I think it could have been a fun date night or just fun full stop.

 

[eliev]

Even here in Paris, where people tend to dress... properly, I would definitely feel overdressed if I wore a tuxedo to the opera. Even the tie I wore last time felt like too much.

 

[rushchairman]

Even here in Paris, where people tend to dress... properly.

NO!! Not Paris TOO!!!!! What IS this world coming to?!?!

 

[A3M0N]

Thread revival time! This may be a little off topic, but its my thread and I'll digress if I want to

I'm nearing the end of my first enlistment in the USAF. I will be making a career of the Air Force and was advised to purchase a mess dress uniform if planning to retire from the service. I mentioned wanting to attend a black tie affair at some time in the future and will be wearing mess dress for my career in the future. Mess dress is the military equal to civilian black tie attire. Do you guys feel mess dress is suitable attire at a civilan function? I checked the regs, it is allowed, but is it acceptable in todays social culture?

Thanks!

 

[Doc4]

I will be making a career of the Air Force and was advised to purchase a mess dress uniform if planning to retire from the service.

Mess dress is the military equal to civilian black tie attire. Do you guys feel mess dress is suitable attire at a civilan function? I checked the regs, it is allowed, but is it acceptable in todays social culture?

This?

Well, obviously, the first thing to do ... which I see you did ... is check the regs to see if the Air Force allows you to.

That hurdle cleared, I can offer my two cents ... er, my "rounded down nothing" since Canada doesn't have pennies anymore ... but that's another story ...


In general, I think that black tie has become so watered down and infrequent, that 99.9% of the people there would be both (a) not as well dressed as you and (b) clueless as to what their reaction should be apart from the standard American "thank you for your service" prayer.

If my time in the military* has taught me anything, it's that while something may be allowed, it may or may not be encouraged ... or discouraged. If you go to a civilian black tie event that is attended by your fellow officers (including the big brass) and you "zig" when they all "zag" in terms of wearing Mess Dress or not ... that is a life-altering OOPS moment, of gazpacho soup proportions.

So, see what the "done thing" is among your brothers in arms, and ... do it.

(cover version of the Red Dwarf skit, sorry ... no time to endlessly search the internet for the o-riginal)


​*several years in the Boy Scouts, and watching lots of old war movies.

 

[john parker]

Thread revival time! This may be a little off topic, but its my thread and I'll digress if I want to

I'm nearing the end of my first enlistment in the USAF. I will be making a career of the Air Force and was advised to purchase a mess dress uniform if planning to retire from the service. I mentioned wanting to attend a black tie affair at some time in the future and will be wearing mess dress for my career in the future. Mess dress is the military equal to civilian black tie attire. Do you guys feel mess dress is suitable attire at a civilan function? I checked the regs, it is allowed, but is it acceptable in todays social culture?

Thanks!

I would say yes. Suspect most of the occasions you will be wearing formal wear will be either to military functions (mess dress required) or to civilian affairs close by a military community (mess dress expected). For the cruise or event that is neither military nor close by, you will stand out in a good way.

 

[john parker]

I am further reminded, for historical precedence, that when the lord of Downton Abbey dressed (black-tie) for family dinner, he wore his regimental mess dress.