Does your next wedding invitation read Evening Attire? Or perhaps a black-tie event? We’re here to help you find the dinner jacket that’ll make you the talk of the evening.

First things first then, what is a dinner jacket? Is it any different from your suit? The answer is that it is!

• The primary difference between a tuxedo (dinner jacket) and a suit is the presence of satin on the lapel, pocket trim and buttons.
• The trousers too have a satin side stripe. On the other hand, suits don’t come with any satin and have either plastic buttons or buttons covered with the same fabric as the coat.
• Another major difference, though traditional, is that dinner jackets are to be worn with pleated shirts, bow ties, cummerbunds, or waistcoats. Suits, however, are more modern with standard shirts and neckties.

FUN FACT: Tuxedos aren’t a Bond original. In fact, they date back to King Edward VII, who swapped his traditional formal tailcoat for a silk jacket with matching trousers, made by Savile Rowe. The jacket made its way to the US and was adopted by the members of the Tuxedo Club, thus giving its name, Tuxedo!

Now that you’ve got our drift, let’s move on to the more important part of the dilemma.

When to wear a dinner jacket?

Black-Tie Events

Black-tie events, such as parties and award ceremonies, call for you to put on that dinner jacket! A black tux paired with a white formal shirt black bow tie, black patent Oxford shoes, silk socks and a cummerbund or waistcoat defines dressing up for a black-tie event. However cummerbunds are a bit uncommon in India and we’d suggest that a waistcoat would be a better choice.

Evening Wear

Your event could be a variety of formal or semi-formal evenings, and then your dinner jacket will be able to save the day for you. For this, you can even go for different coloured trousers. With your black dinner jacket, you can go with navy blue or charcoal grey pants or vice versa, an extravagant bow tie, or even a necktie, or no tie at all, to make a statement.

Now that the when is solved, let’s move on to the what of the matter! So what all go with dinner jackets? We have the options ready, keep scrolling…

Jacket

This is the most important part because you have to finalise the jacket before anything else. For your dinner jacket, a single-breasted style or bolder double-breasted design will bode well. While the traditional jacket has a silk lapel, in both peaked or shawl style.

• They also come in a variety of colours and styles like the velvet jacket that accentuates your charisma! What goes well is a cream dinner jacket too. The soft tone of the jacket helps your shoes and bow tie to pop.
• You can also go with the classic Bond white dinner jacket, which goes well with a black bow tie, black tuxedo trousers. If you want to make a unique appearance, go with white trousers instead.

The advent of patterned dinner jackets has changed the entire game. Diamond checks and paisley prints on classic colours are more subtle in nature for you to experiment with. Gingham and tartan patterns, with bright fabrics like pink or yellow, too make a bold statement at less formal affairs.

Dress Shirt

Some things should always be traditional and this is one piece of clothing that needs no further detailing. A simple oxford white shirt should be your go-to attire.

• For a traditional look, select a pleated shirt with double cuffs. You could also choose a plain front dress shirt.
• But if you really are in the mood for some mixing up, we suggest that you go with light pink or light blue shirt to complement the jacket.
• You can go with a black shirt too for a more casual look. As far as the fabric goes, cotton shirts win hands down. For options you can look at polyester and silk!

We also suggest that you check your invitation again; if it’s a black-tie then go with a white shirt. For others, you can play a bit with colours.

TUXEDOS DATE BACK TO KING EDWARD VII, WHO SWAPPED HIS TRADITIONAL FORMAL TAILCOAT FOR A SILK JACKET WITH MATCHING TROUSERS, MADE BY SAVILE ROWE

Trousers

Tuxedo trousers used to be high-waisted so that the waistcoat could match perfectly.

• If you are in for a classic look, the pants need to match the fabric of your jacket. Ideally belts are to be ditched with tuxedo pants, since they look better with suspenders or cummerbunds.
• There aren’t much colours to play with here, since black is the go-to option. However, you can go for charcoal grey or blue pants if the event calls for less amount of formal.
• If you are in the mood to ditch the pants, then here’s an option. Go for a well-fitted pair of blue or black jeans, we prefer slim fit. Ditch the bow tie, get the shirt on, with the jacket and you are ready to roll heads.

Shoes

When wearing a tux, black patent leather shoes are the best bet, which will never fail your look. Black silk socks, with the shoes for the sophisticated shine, will be a big step up.

You can also get away with a pair of black leather cap toe oxfords or calfskin leather too, while other options include opera pumps or Venetian loafers.

 Talking of options, you can even go for monk straps, though some traditionalists might not like it much! After all, they call it a formal event.

Accessories

Accessories are the best part of men’s formal dressing. And when it comes to dinner jackets, nothing is different.

• Go for simple cufflinks that are not fancy and take the charm away from the jacket.
• As far as the watch is concerned, remember the day you bought that simple and elegant timepiece? This is the day to show it off!
• Pocket squares too are a style statement that needs to be kept to minimal. When it comes to pocket squares, you will find them in silk, cotton and linen. White is the best choice for a formal black-tie event. A pop of colour in pocket squares is more than acceptable now.

Change The Game

The traditionalists might diss you for this, but the rules are meant to be broken.! You just have to do it right and do not worry about the scrutiny.

Forget The Bow Tie

The rules say that bowties are a must, but what if you put a silk scarf/cravat around your neck instead? Look for checks in your scarf/cravat and go with a textured jacket. It will help you play around with colours and break the monotony.

All Black

Go for an all-black look and you won’t have to spend an hour on YouTube for “How To Tie A Bow Tie”. For this, you will be needing roll-neck sweaters and fancy velvet slippers. Match the velvet jacket with the shoes and you will completely turn heads! Timothée Chalamet took the all-black look seriously and looks like he didn’t disappoint the fashion police at all!

Change The Print

Keep everything else as is, and the jacket itself can be your new style statement. In the pool of black or white, you might want to go bold with a silk jacquard jacket, which will not only be a break from the norm but can be a good conversation starter. Donald Glover went for a printed jacket and looked perfect, to say the least! 

Now that the list is complete, we hope all your questions regarding the next office award party you are going to attend are answered! Here’s one more pro tip–Don’t question your boss’ extravagant choice of pocket squares.