Whether it’s for job interviews or wedding invitations, most men have at least one suit knocking about their wardrobe at home. Suits are multi-purpose and when bought in neutral colours, suitable for most events.
But as versatile as a good suit can be, your regular day-to-day two-piece suit won’t cut it when it comes to more formal events.
Here is where the trusty dinner jacket comes into play.
To show you the benefits of a good dinner suit, we’ve created a handy guide detailing what a dinner suit is and how you should wear it.
What is a dinner jacket?
A dinner jacket, or tuxedo, is a style of suit for more sophisticated occasions. The go-to choice for men attending black-tie events, dinner jackets are a staple of luxury fashion and are often saved for the grandest events.
The dinner jacket was developed for Prince Edward VII in 1865 as an alternative to the more formal tailcoat. Since then, the tuxedo has been a favourite of the English and American aristocracy. It owes its modern-day success to pop culture icons like fictional secret agent James Bond and historical dramas such as Mad Men.
What’s the difference between a tuxedo and a suit?
Whereas a traditional suit can be dressed up or down to suit the occasion, a dinner jacket’s sole purpose is to be the sharpest outfit in your wardrobe.
The telltale difference between a tuxedo and a suit is that a tuxedo will usually feature velvet accents, traditionally on the lapels and covering the outer seams of the trousers.
Another defining quality of a tuxedo is what you wear with it. Bow ties, pleated shirts and cummerbunds are common accompaniments to a tuxedo; additions that would look too much with a standard suit.
What to wear with a dinner jacket
Trousers
Classic Regular Fit Dinner Trousers — From £45.00
In most situations, you’ll likely wear matching trousers with a dinner jacket, presuming you bought the pair as a tuxedo. No need to worry if not, as there are a few simple rules that’ll keep you looking sharp:
- Stick to dark colours
- Make sure they’re fitted
- Keep them comfortable, especially if you’re eating
- Stay away from pairs that cling, to anywhere
Shirt
ONESIX5IVE Double Cuff Evening Shirt — £20.00
Always stick to dress shirts when wearing a dinner jacket: this is not the place for casual fabrics. A white pleated shirt with a winged collar is the traditional option, though a standard dress shirt is still appropriate for black tie events.
When choosing your shirt, it’s important to think of the buttons too. If you’re wearing a cummerbund, a black-buttoned shirt helps to break up the white space created by your shirt. If you opt for a waistcoat, on the other hand, white or covered buttons are best, ensuring there’s not too much going on at once.
Shoes
Black ‘Astaire’ Patent Lace Up Shoe — £29.00
You might be able to get away with a pair of crisp white trainers with a standard suit, but that won’t work with a dinner jacket. A tuxedo demands that you step up your footwear game — meaning that you’ll have to do better than your everyday office shoes.
If you’re looking for shoes that are a guaranteed winner, you can’t go wrong with a pair of black patent Oxfords or Derbys. The high-shine finish works wonders with the formality of your suit. If you’re feeling bolder, velvet slippers can work well, provided you keep your colours conservative.
Socks
3 Pack Socks Black — £10.00
Black. Socks.
Always choose black socks with a tuxedo.
Flashing your ankles in a pair of loafers may be okay when you’re wearing a standard suit, but in a dinner jacket, a good pair of ‘evening socks’ is the expected approach. Ensure you keep them pulled up, as you don’t want to flash a bit of your leg when you sit down.
Bow tie
Black Bow Tie — £5.00
Although you may see people wearing ties with dinner jackets, you should always wear a bow tie. Tuxedos are pretty strict with what you can and can’t wear to make the overall outfit work. You are given (a touch) more freedom with your bow tie — you can deviate colour-wise as long as it doesn’t clash with the rest of your tuxedo.
Remember though: never choose a white bow tie. White is reserved exclusively for white-tie events — more formal occasions than black tie, like royal, state or livery ceremonies.
Cummerbund
White Cummerbund — £10.00
Cummerbunds are by no means a requirement when wearing a dinner jacket. However, they show that you are making an effort to respect the formality of the dress code, which means you’re onto a winner if you choose to wear one.
If you’re going to an effort to add a cummerbund to your ensemble, it’s vital that you’re wearing it correctly. Your trousers should be at your waist, with the cummerbund evenly covering your trousers and your shirt. You also must ensure that the pleats are facing upwards, not downwards — it’s an easy mistake!
Waistcoat
Evening Waistcoat and Bow Tie Set - £25.00
If a cummerbund feels a bit out of touch for the event you’re attending, you can achieve an equally formal finish to your outfit with the more familiar waistcoat.
If you are leaning in this direction, just make sure your waistcoat matches your dinner jacket. If you want to take things a step further, a horseshoe waistcoat will lend your outfit an air of aristocracy and finesse.
Dress for the occasion
Whether you’re attending a dinner party or a wedding, a dinner jacket is a must-have for any man who wants to dress to the nines.
With everything from bow ties to smart shoes, our menswear collection has everything you need to look appropriately suave for any black-tie event.
Or if you want to read more expert fashion advice, head over to our Style Inspiration hub to learn more.