A sad day occurred for me in the latter half of the summer term last year. There I was, minding my own business on the piazza, when I happened to glance up and see people gathering for the graduate ball. Oh, what a sight it was. The ladies looked majestic in gowns of green and blue, silver and purple, black and red. The creativity and effort that they had put into their outfits was outstanding and astonishing. Then my wandering eye fell upon the men gathered around the piazza, going to the same event.
…..
I cannot fully put into words the shame I felt in observing the so-called attempts at fashion made by the men in that crowd. Rows and rows of Black Tuxedos, White Shirts, and Black pre-tied bow ties lay before me, uninspired, uncreative, and doing nothing but adhering to the barest minimal of formal ware. Once in a while I’d see someone in a navy tuxedo, or a patterned suit, but for the most part the looks were nothing standout and nothing to write home about. This year, the Warwick Ball season will not have the same fate, not if I have anything to say about it. Below are some handy tips for making your formal outfit standout, with personality and a unique edge.
An easy way to immediately make your outfit stand out is to swap that oh so standard black single-breasted blazer you have in the back of your wardrobe, with something with a much bolder look. Choosing a blazer of a different colour will immediately have that effect. Here you have multiple options, a sharp red blazer for a more sensual and stronger look, a rich purple for a more royally regal look, or even a nice blue or teal for a look that’s more mysterious and smoother. The best thing about this is that you don’t really have to change that much on top of that. You can keep the black bow tie and the white pocket square, as well as the black trousers and shoes, and you’ll still have a stepped up and more distinctive look. It’s so easy, I really don’t understand why more men don’t do it automatically.
If you want to go further, look around for a blazer with a slightly different make. A double-breasted blazer is a great way adding a bit of a vintage flair to your outfit, and creates a nice streamlined effect. A blazer with a built-in pattern such as paisley or windowpane makes the eye focus more your look compared to others as there is more to take in. Easy tricks such as these will make your outfits a lot more unique, and make your night that much more memorable due to the huge number of compliments you’ll be sure to get.
However, if you’re dead set on wearing the standard black single-breasted blazer (sigh) there are still ways for you to play around with your outfit. Firstly, use your tie and pocket square combo to your advantage. Forgo a standard black bow tie, and try and pick one up that’s slightly larger and a different pattern and material from the standard black polyester or silk. A velvet bow tie is the perfect combination for that, if you can find one (I’d recommend checking Etsy for that one). Choose one with a bolder, more striking colour that will offset the black you’ve got going on everywhere else, and get a pocket square that’s the same colour, but with a slightly different pattern. Maybe one with spots, or a diamond pattern, anything really. This has the advantage of keeping your outfit co-ordinated, whilst still making it seem that your outfit is doing more for you than it is. Another way to step up the black tuxedo look is to add a dress scarf to the look. Whether worn under the blazer or over it, this adds another dimension to your outfit as it can hold an extra pattern and/or colour going down your suit that makes the contrast patterns stands out. Simple, easy trick. Plus, it’ll keep you warm as the night progresses.
Okay, let’s talk shirt accessories. At some point in the night, whether it’s when you sit down to eat or when you get up again to dance, the blazer is coming off. And it’s important to give thought as to what you’re wearing underneath. A shirt and tie look are something that works fine, but we can do slightly better. Consider adding on top of that shirt a pair of braces. It takes away the need for a belt, and let you play around a little bit more with different colours. Getting a shirt that lets you wear dress studs can be a good choice, especially if the studs aren’t just black dots. Going for a mother of pearl or diamante pattern makes them stand out just a bit more. Wearing a waistcoat is also a great idea, nothing says masculine style like a good three-piece suit, and once the blazer comes off it’s a great way of keeping the style intact, as well as covering up any wrinkles in the shirt that may have occurred. For bonus points, add a pocket watch for an extra cool looking accessory. And try and find a waistcoat that has a contrast lining, as that adds a really cool contrast back to the outfit.
Guys, formal wear isn’t something you should be so afraid of that you become unwilling to deviate from the regular norms with them. Taking pleasure in doing your own things, shy away from an easy look that everyone else will be wearing. Wearing something you’ve put time and effort into will help build anticipation and excitement for the event in question. With some of these tips, I can guarantee a stepped-up look that’ll put everyone else to shame, and make you stand out in the photos, the dining table, and on the dance floor. Have a great time at whatever ball event you go to.
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