There is something rather wonderful about receiving an invitation that gives you an excuse to really dress up.
As we move towards the busiest part of the social calendar, diaries begin to fill with dinners, parties, winter weddings and those occasions that call for something a little more special. And while the rules around formal dressing may have relaxed over the years, our appetite for making an occasion of it certainly has not.
In fact, we think eveningwear is becoming more interesting because of it.
Beyond the black dinner suit
The traditional black dinner suit will always have its place. Beautifully cut, worn with a crisp white shirt, bow tie and polished shoes, there are few looks more timeless. But dressing for an event today also gives us an opportunity to introduce a little more personality.
And this is where cloth becomes particularly exciting.
Velvet in burgundy and bottle green
Velvet is a perennial favourite for the colder months. Rich, tactile and wonderfully luxurious under evening light, it brings a sense of occasion without needing to work too hard. Deep burgundy feels warm and sophisticated, while bottle green offers something a little more unexpected. Paired with black evening trousers and a simple bow tie, both allow the jacket to do the talking.
Midnight blue, the alternative to black
Midnight blue is another favourite of ours. Whether in a beautifully understated cloth or something with a subtle pattern woven through it, it offers an elegant alternative to black. Under evening light, a deep navy can have an extraordinary richness and is particularly striking when contrasted with black satin or grosgrain lapels.
Fit is what makes it comfortable
Of course, the difference between simply wearing eveningwear and feeling truly comfortable in it comes down to fit.
A dinner jacket should frame the shoulders beautifully, sit cleanly through the body and create a silhouette that feels elegant without appearing restrictive. The trousers should fall exactly as they should, and the shirt, bow tie and shoes all need to work together rather than compete for attention.
Lapels, collars and the finer details
Then there are the details.
A sweeping shawl collar or a sharper peak lapel. Satin or grosgrain. A classic single-breasted jacket or something double-breasted with a little more presence. Even the choice of buttons, pocket square or shirt studs can subtly change the character of the finished look.
That is one of the pleasures of having eveningwear made for you. There are traditions worth respecting, but within them there is plenty of room to make the look your own.
What good party dressing is really about
And perhaps that is what good party dressing should ultimately be about.
It is not about being the loudest person in the room. It is about arriving feeling comfortable, confident and appropriately dressed for the occasion, with just enough individuality to make the clothes unmistakably yours.
After all, there are enough evenings when a jacket and open-collar shirt will do perfectly well.
Something special in your diary?
When the invitation calls for something more, we rather like the idea of embracing it.
And with the event season approaching, if there is something special appearing in your diary, we would be delighted to help you create an evening look worthy of the occasion.
