I've worked in charity shops in New Zealand. Outfitting gentleman young and old in formal dress is a satisfying part of the job. Telling us the story around the intended event or use will reward you with a discount. From school balls, weddings, stag nights, birthdays, work do's, nights in the town, charity motor bike rides.
My wide and I did a gala a couple months ago. Thankfully it was cocktail attire so a nice suit worked for me. My wife has a great cocktail dress and looks fabulous in it.
Great video Ash. Thank you for introducing us to the elements of the black tie ensemble. In think the majority of men do not own a tuxedo because they are not part of a social circle in which they have to wear one.
I shall watch this with great interest sir We attended a gala yesterday on this cruise ! Thank you for your "appraisal "of my "kit " Yes I did hand tie the bow !!! Clip ons and pre tied shouldn't be in a "chaps "wardrobe Keep the style advice coming👏👏👏
I will be going to a wedding 28/9-24, that is a black tie event, so i will follow your advice. But as my watch i will wear my square G-Shock DW5600E, i wore it with a tuxedo on my own wedding. Since then i have always been wearing when dressed up.
I picked up a 1960s shawl-lapel dinner jacket for 50p in the early 2000s. A few years ago I bought dress trousers, wing-collar shirt, patent leather loafers from "suits you" for £70, self-tie bow tie from Austin Reed for about £20 and a eveningwear waistcoat from M&S was £12. A complete black-tie outfit for £100 is a steal compared to how much to rent one (which I've never done) & you know it will all fit perfectly. Now all I need is another event to go to!
Spot on! I just acquired a DB tuxedo second hand and it looks and fits fantastic. I also used your methods to completely outfit my adult son for a fancy event in Atlanta, GA. Thanks for your advice and support!
Unfortunately, I've never once in my life had the opportunity to attend any event that required black tie. I have a vintage Armani black dinner jacket that I found at a thrift shop that fits me perfectly, but I've never bothered to acquire the other elements of a black tie ensemble. I really appreciate how you repeatedly tell prospective chaps that they don't need to be wealthy in order to dress well. -And you are right, of course. Here in Canada, however, the shipping charges set by sellers on eBay and other platforms, and the import duties, means that the sort of bargains you have found on clothing and shoes are almost unobtainable. I know several Canadian men who've simply given up buying vintage or second hand clothing and shoes on line, because the final costs wind up being prohibitive.
If it was being hosted just one day later I could have gone. Oh well, hopefully another day in the future I will be able to finally go to one of these events.
I would have loved to join you on the 1st of november but due to the nature of my job. My service comes first, and i will be away with the RN at sea! Hopefully, next year, there will be another chance to come along.
I have had a number of occasions to wear a dinner jacket. I own a single breasted dinner jacket I found on eBay and I also have a mess dress uniform from my USCG aux days that I have worn to award dinners. I have worn both of them to our Caladonian society for the St. Andrew's Ball. Great content Ash. Very best regards Ron
Great video. Some options: A shirt with a wing collar. Looks great and gives some variety. In the US, I have never seen a double-breasted tuxedo, but I do like the look! Vests for black tie are a special "formal" cut in the US. And there is something called White Tie which requires a white jacket, white vest or cummerbund and a white bow tie. At a wedding, the groom frequently will wear White Tie while the groomsmen will be in Black Tie. And I like the look of military decorations on formal wear. Some pride, please! Great fun! I enjoyed the video.
I do wear the formal kilt outfit, from time to time, but I rarely attend events where my medals are appropriate. Yes, a gentleman should know how to tie a tie, bow or otherwise. If you wear a bow tie you have tied yourself, it allows you to rakishly untie it when relaxing with your lady at the end of the evening.
It's not just that. The self-tie bow tie looks more three-dimensional and less card board and rigid like the pre-tied bow tie. It's painfully obvious when someone is wearing a pre-tied bow tie, and likewise when someone is NOT. I for one never untie now Bow-tie at the end of the night, since I prefer wing collars with black tie and the bow tie would fall off 😅
A cummerband, opera pumps and a precious metal two hander no complications dress watch on a black strap sets you apart from everyone else instead of looking like an X mas tree with all the other accessories.
Hi Ash, thanks for all your videos guiding us to chap’s Nirvana… when we be able to have a nice Lapel pin from Nirvana Club? We would be very proud to have one… regards.
Advice I heard many years ago - if you're unlikely to go to more than one black tie events in a year you're best option is hire a black tie ensemble. If you routinely go to at least two, your best option is to buy your ensemble. Buying pre-owned can be the absolute cheapest option but not if you need alterations you can't do yourself. Hire allows for more size options and the possibility of wearing a designer name (eg Tom Ford) you may not easily find pre-owned. Not arguing with anything that's been said in the video. Just think hirecshoukd not be overlooked as it can be a good option for some gentlemen.
Galas for me are generally white-tie affairs. There's usually no guest of honor like a wedding, so more creative liberty is permitted. Wearing white tie is what really makes the evening feel special for me, and it's also my way of saying, "Women aren't the only ones who can have fun with their wardrobe!" I attend an opera gala annually, along with at least one ball on average. Fun fact: The difference between a ball and gala is that a gala has a charitable component.
Note: That distinction is not always observed colloquially. It's much like the term "high tea": It explicitly refers to a historical type of tea at high tables with cold meats, but it sounds better to some advertisers than "afternoon tea," or there's a lack of clarity to the business owner.
@@TheChapsGuide Congratulations Ash. The honour is a testament to your character and the effectiveness of your hard work. They don't bestow the honour lightly. You join an august group of people. Well done you.
Yes Ash, please tell us about your military decorations.. Medals tell a story about the wearer. If the observer can know the medals they can more appreciate the history of the wearer.
Ash, I cannot understand why you don’t have 10 times the followers that you do! It’s criminal. Do you believe it’s because you never ask for a like and follow?
I personally want to strongly disagree 5:00 for me every remotely elegant suit let’s say everything above a light grey single breasted suit should have peak lapels at the size of the lapels should grow with the elegance level of the garment so I see a tuxedo as the only Garmin and the perfect opportunity to wear massive peak lapels
I must say that it’s rather confusing terminology to call an entire outfit “black tie”. When you say you got your black tie for £18, it doesn’t sound like much of a bargain. Lol. Being from North America, I have always called it a tuxedo. In any case, As much as I appreciate the black tie outfit, I can’t see myself ever owning one, even at bargain prices. If I were to splash out for formal wear, I might be tempted to go full Scottish, as I am of direct Scottish descent on my mother’s side, and a couple generations removed on my dad’s side.
I've worked in charity shops in New Zealand. Outfitting gentleman young and old in formal dress is a satisfying part of the job. Telling us the story around the intended event or use will reward you with a discount. From school balls, weddings, stag nights, birthdays, work do's, nights in the town, charity motor bike rides.
As always a great video and highly informative. I would appreciate one about your medals and especially about how to wear and pin them right.
My wide and I did a gala a couple months ago. Thankfully it was cocktail attire so a nice suit worked for me. My wife has a great cocktail dress and looks fabulous in it.
Great video Ash. Thank you for introducing us to the elements of the black tie ensemble.
In think the majority of men do not own a tuxedo because they are not part of a social circle in which they have to wear one.
The Cartier in the black leather strap looks very sharp and elegant. It goes well with the tuxedo.
I shall watch this with great interest sir
We attended a gala yesterday on this cruise !
Thank you for your "appraisal "of my "kit "
Yes I did hand tie the bow !!!
Clip ons and pre tied shouldn't be in a "chaps "wardrobe
Keep the style advice coming👏👏👏
I will be going to a wedding 28/9-24, that is a black tie event, so i will follow your advice. But as my watch i will wear my square G-Shock DW5600E, i wore it with a tuxedo on my own wedding. Since then i have always been wearing when dressed up.
Sorry I couldn’t make the gala evening on Friday. I hope it went well and you consider doing a spring one.
We will definitely be doing a follow up in 2025. Hope to see you there.
Cool, the photo at 7:05 is one I shot back in 2012. That's all good, it's one I put on wikipedia.
Wow, that's very impressive! How wonderful that you should see it in the wild, I'd love to hear more about this
I picked up a 1960s shawl-lapel dinner jacket for 50p in the early 2000s. A few years ago I bought dress trousers, wing-collar shirt, patent leather loafers from "suits you" for £70, self-tie bow tie from Austin Reed for about £20 and a eveningwear waistcoat from M&S was £12. A complete black-tie outfit for £100 is a steal compared to how much to rent one (which I've never done) & you know it will all fit perfectly. Now all I need is another event to go to!
Another brilliant vid and discussion - cheers !
Spot on! I just acquired a DB tuxedo second hand and it looks and fits fantastic. I also used your methods to completely outfit my adult son for a fancy event in Atlanta, GA. Thanks for your advice and support!
Unfortunately, I've never once in my life had the opportunity to attend any event that required black tie.
I have a vintage Armani black dinner jacket that I found at a thrift shop that fits me perfectly, but I've never bothered to acquire the other elements of a black tie ensemble.
I really appreciate how you repeatedly tell prospective chaps that they don't need to be wealthy in order to dress well. -And you are right, of course.
Here in Canada, however, the shipping charges set by sellers on eBay and other platforms, and the import duties, means that the sort of bargains you have found on clothing and shoes are almost unobtainable.
I know several Canadian men who've simply given up buying vintage or second hand clothing and shoes on line, because the final costs wind up being prohibitive.
Ede & Ravenscroft ⭐⭐⭐
Good run down, one thing you forgot is with the cumberbund, always wear the pleats facing up not down.
I'm not sure a cummerbund is worn with a double-breasted dinner jacket...?
Nicely thrifted sir! I have my father's old tux which he wore only once. Having it tailored to fit me and I'll have a nice bit of nostalgia.
Alas, the only Gala event I’ve ever been invited to is the opening of a Gala pie.
If it was being hosted just one day later I could have gone. Oh well, hopefully another day in the future I will be able to finally go to one of these events.
I would have loved to join you on the 1st of november but due to the nature of my job. My service comes first, and i will be away with the RN at sea! Hopefully, next year, there will be another chance to come along.
I have had a number of occasions to wear a dinner jacket. I own a single breasted dinner jacket I found on eBay and I also have a mess dress uniform from my USCG aux days that I have worn to award dinners. I have worn both of them to our Caladonian society for the St. Andrew's Ball. Great content Ash. Very best regards Ron
Great video. Some options: A shirt with a wing collar. Looks great and gives some variety. In the US, I have never seen a double-breasted tuxedo, but I do like the look! Vests for black tie are a special "formal" cut in the US.
And there is something called White Tie which requires a white jacket, white vest or cummerbund and a white bow tie. At a wedding, the groom frequently will wear White Tie while the groomsmen will be in Black Tie.
And I like the look of military decorations on formal wear. Some pride, please!
Great fun! I enjoyed the video.
Beautiful jacket!
Looking sharp Ash!
Nice to see Jon W making an appearance Ash 👍
The King of Cool lives on!!
😂😂😂
Looking sharp there!
Can you tell us about your medals please 🙏
I do wear the formal kilt outfit, from time to time, but I rarely attend events where my medals are appropriate.
Yes, a gentleman should know how to tie a tie, bow or otherwise. If you wear a bow tie you have tied yourself, it allows you to rakishly untie it when relaxing with your lady at the end of the evening.
It's not just that. The self-tie bow tie looks more three-dimensional and less card board and rigid like the pre-tied bow tie. It's painfully obvious when someone is wearing a pre-tied bow tie, and likewise when someone is NOT. I for one never untie now Bow-tie at the end of the night, since I prefer wing collars with black tie and the bow tie would fall off 😅
A cummerband, opera pumps and a precious metal two hander no complications dress watch on a black strap sets you apart from everyone else instead of looking like an X mas tree with all the other accessories.
Hi Ash, thanks for all your videos guiding us to chap’s Nirvana… when we be able to have a nice Lapel pin from Nirvana Club? We would be very proud to have one… regards.
Great suggestion!
Advice I heard many years ago - if you're unlikely to go to more than one black tie events in a year you're best option is hire a black tie ensemble. If you routinely go to at least two, your best option is to buy your ensemble.
Buying pre-owned can be the absolute cheapest option but not if you need alterations you can't do yourself.
Hire allows for more size options and the possibility of wearing a designer name (eg Tom Ford) you may not easily find pre-owned.
Not arguing with anything that's been said in the video. Just think hirecshoukd not be overlooked as it can be a good option for some gentlemen.
Galas for me are generally white-tie affairs. There's usually no guest of honor like a wedding, so more creative liberty is permitted. Wearing white tie is what really makes the evening feel special for me, and it's also my way of saying, "Women aren't the only ones who can have fun with their wardrobe!"
I attend an opera gala annually, along with at least one ball on average. Fun fact: The difference between a ball and gala is that a gala has a charitable component.
Note: That distinction is not always observed colloquially. It's much like the term "high tea": It explicitly refers to a historical type of tea at high tables with cold meats, but it sounds better to some advertisers than "afternoon tea," or there's a lack of clarity to the business owner.
Liar
@@mikewinston8709steady on! Let's at least retain the possibility of somebody being mistaken here. What is it you disagree with?
Medals are mandatory!
Dear Ash, if you have acquired a quite nice shawl collar dinner jacket but have no trousers of the same cloth, what is a chap to do to wear it?
I would go for trews. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to get a good colour match
Could you have a word with youtuber Primemutton? Thanks. Mark
Hello Ash, are you sporting an MBE? I assume it's for your charity work?
That’s correct sir. A throwback to another chapter of my life.
@@TheChapsGuide Congratulations Ash. The honour is a testament to your character and the effectiveness of your hard work. They don't bestow the honour lightly. You join an august group of people. Well done you.
Nice. But tell us about your decorations!
They are medals
@@tylerk9533"Decorations" is an acceptable term for that.
@@themoderndandy713 Certainly is. Military decorations is a proper term.
Yes Ash, please tell us about your military decorations.. Medals tell a story about the wearer. If the observer can know the medals they can more appreciate the history of the wearer.
Ash, I cannot understand why you don’t have 10 times the followers that you do! It’s criminal. Do you believe it’s because you never ask for a like and follow?
We can but hope sir. I suspect my following is limited to the genuine pilgrims on their way to Chap Nirvana, and that is fine by me.
I see you have your gongs on display 👍
I personally want to strongly disagree 5:00 for me every remotely elegant suit let’s say everything above a light grey single breasted suit should have peak lapels at the size of the lapels should grow with the elegance level of the garment so I see a tuxedo as the only Garmin and the perfect opportunity to wear massive peak lapels
Biggest problem is to FIND a bow tie to tie yourself in the first place. All you find are either fixed bow ties or they are simply crazy overpriced.
I must say that it’s rather confusing terminology to call an entire outfit “black tie”. When you say you got your black tie for £18, it doesn’t sound like much of a bargain. Lol. Being from North America, I have always called it a tuxedo.
In any case, As much as I appreciate the black tie outfit, I can’t see myself ever owning one, even at bargain prices. If I were to splash out for formal wear, I might be tempted to go full Scottish, as I am of direct Scottish descent on my mother’s side, and a couple generations removed on my dad’s side.