The recent Diamond Jubille of the San Francisco ballet was as formal as affairs usually get in the United States. The black-tie event and fundraiser included a $1,000 per seat (and up) dinner in City Hall, a performance by America’s oldest professional ballet company, and a party after the performance. There were more than a thousand people seated for dinner and three thousand at the ballet itself.
The attendees included hundreds of formally dressed women but only a few men turned out in white tie. They got my vote for best dressed.
A large contingent wore classic black tie. A few men, like the gentleman in the photo, dressed it up in appropriate fashion.
And of course, too many attendees wore ordinary suits, some without so much as a necktie. But they were better dressed than a few others, whose quest to be different didn't earn them any style points.
I will not grace this site with their photos but among the worst dressed was one man whose dinner jacket sleeves fell to his knuckles. Most people noticed only his orange four in hand necktie.
Worst of all was the dinner jacket accompanied by a gray and black four in hand and matching vest. They were worn above black vinyl trousers. The horror.
Friday, February 8, 2008
Formal Dressing in San Francisco
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13 comments:
The girl looks great despite the logo on her purse.
I particularly like the guy in the first photo - he looks relaxed wearing his collared shirt and working bowtie.
I think these guys look great except I have a major problem with many men in black tie (Including the last fellow). The ties are fake!! Why do people think its acceptable to wear pre-tied or clip on bow ties? If you wore a clip-on tie to work you would never be taken seriously again. Tying a bow tie is easy and yet it is surrounded buy so much mystery. If you are going to go through the trouble of getting dressed in black (or white) tie at a $1000 a plate dinner, learn how to properly tie a bow tie. For me it's almost worse than black vinyl pants. Major mortal sin.
I realize now that I prefer the grandeur and grace of formality.
There's a question in here somewhere and that is, some of these badly-dressed men can actually afford the services of the best tailors, etc. Why do you think they don't avail themselves of this?
Hopefully Will gave his business card to the fellow with the sleeve down to his knuckles and the fellow with the vinyl pants - for their sake and ours!
Vinyl trousers? Good Lord, I can't even imagine it. These are nice pictures, Will, but something deeply naughty within me wishes you, or someone else at least, had taken photos of the noted offenders. I realise, you're too much of a gentleman to have done such a thing. Still, I'm curious. A quick dip into the photo gallery reveals three men with orange neckties that night, but no knuckle-draggers, and no vinyl pants that I can see. Will, I'm sure there are plenty of men in SF who deperately need your help.
One very rarely sees white tie make an appearance these days. It's certainly appropriate for diplomatic/state occasions (and how many of us are meeting with dignitaries on a regular basis?) and if you're an orchestra conductor (is that who's in the second photo?).
My question is, if an event calls for "black tie," is it inappropriate to show up in white tie? While I'm a huge believer in erring on the side of caution - I'd rather be overdressed than underdressed), I've always thought it was a faux pas to apply white tie to a black tie event.
In Europe, they have royal events and formal balls that call for white tie, but in the States, how is one to discern?
In my opinion, a woman never wears a hat or any kind of headgear with a gown (except a wedding gown). That is for the cocktail hour or, possibly, with a short dinner dress. However, I might relent if she wants to wear a dramatic Spanish comb (why don't American women wear those?). But nothing feathery or frothy or that looks like a cocktail hat.
I'm sorry. I don't see any exposed cuff. As someone new to dressing more classically, perhaps I am a bit ignorant. Does exposed cuff also apply not only to lounge suits, but also to semi-formal and formal wear, as well. And shouldn't the exposed linen always be visible?
These are not studio photos, gentleman amateur. The first man has his hands in his pockets and the center picture is shot looking down. In neither case would one see cuff.
I agree re the thirds man, who is pictured because of his waistcoat. As snother reader noticed, he appears to be wearing a pre-tied bow...
Does the guy in the first picture actually have his trousers cuffed?
Will, isn't that a major no-no, or is it a new trend?
Another wonderful posting! And we are curious as well about the appropriate attire for a "black tie" event -- so when does one go for white tie and tails? And please -- how does one know when to "retire" a tuxedo? And part from my late father -- who was always known as a "snappy" dresser -- are there any sites online to teach men how to tie a bowtie????
Many many thanks,
Jan and Gord
Oh dear! I just spotted the video link that you so kindly posted on this site!! Gord and I watched it several times ..... many thanks!
Jan (now blushing) and Gord
Teacats, the invitation to an event specifies the dress. You retire a dinner jacket when it's visibly worn. And there's a link to a great video on bow tie tieing in the video link section on the right hand side of the page.
initialscg, I think you're right. He may have cuffs on his trousers. Do not emulate him. And you have outstanding eyesight!
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