Do students still have black-tie balls? (specifically UCL?)

[gringl]

When I was at uni back in the early nineties, there was traditionally a faculty ball, so I took a gown, and the boys all bought or hired tuxedos. My DS is (hopefully) going to UCL this September. What is the likelihood of him needing a tux?

(I'm asking because he's considering whether to buy a tux for another event, and wondering if/when he'll get to wear it again).

They have freshers balls etc, but not everyone goes - will depend a bit on his social circle and subject (medics more likely to go).

What uni were you at? My siblings were Oxbridge and this was a thing, I was at a London university and it wasn’t - there was a Student Union Summer Ball but that was a social, and assume the boys hired a tux if they wanted one. It wasn’t formally required. As far as I know my friends who went to UCL didn’t have faculty balls, so I’d be surprised.

A friend's son was chair of some society at UCL and was responsible for organising a formal ball. She felt it was good experience for him. But sorry, I don't know which society, and like many student societies it might be struggling to regain momentum post lockdown.

@gringl
He won’t need one. Hire one for now. No student needs one. Black tie is avoidable and optional everywhere.

Ds has been to quite a few events through the sport he plays so ended up buying one. My advice would be wait and see.

That's not always the case.

Black tie events really are optional. Where are you required to attend an event with an evening suit or attire? Balls, sports balls/awards and faculty balls are optional. Do wait and see.

DD is fashionista, at UCL few years now: has never mentioned any balls.

Depends on the uni and your DS's inclination:

Lots of opportunities to wear one at Oxbridge, Durham, St Andrews, Bristol, Exeter etc

Not so much at Northern red brick unis

And it is nearly ALWAYS possible to wear a suit.

Buy off ebay - lots for sale and they will only end up with food and vomit over them! 😂

Daughter just finished. The Boat club have an annual ball. But that was a combo of boat club blazers and black tie.

That’s about UCL ^

We had a winter ball at Lancaster but it wasn't black tie, but was more evening/cocktail

@KnottyAndPistey
Evening jacket is optional though as is membership of boat club! I also think DC know if they might want to go to balls, or not. DD organised a faculty one at Bristol. 350 students bought tickets. No one says you have to go. Other dress codes are often available too! If you like black tie and want to, then do big wait and see if you are unsure.

My DD didn’t know any young men with food and vomit down their jackets. Not all students get drunk and sick!

Dc1 initially hired one for 6th form ball and after me talking to some recent graduates at my work, returned it and bought one instead (same shop!).
Has used it several times (year 1, 3) despite lockdown for some of his uni time (another London uni).

Obviously he doesn't need to...I did not go to any balls during my uni time.

Ps as per rumours he did vomit on his shirt...

When I went to UCL I didn't have opportunities for going to formal events requiring a tux/ball gown. I went to the summer ball, but it was more what I would wear to a wedding i.e. smart summer dresses and normal suits. I wasn't in any societies though. I would have loved to have worn a ball gown!

I was surprised at Bristol how often my twins wore a dinner jacket. The first time each needed one I paid and hopefully they will fit them for many years to come. However it very much depends on the kinds of events to which a particular student might go. They went to a shop locally in Bristol to get fitted etc so I was not involved other than in paying.

When I was at UCL (admittedly 3 decades ago) we had black tie balls which were obviously optional but most people went (tended to be at the end of finals).
My DC's friend is at UCL and has had a couple of opportunities to go to black tie events (going into 2nd year) but I think that "black tie" is relatively fluid and some people do go in suits....

DD went to a Northern red brick uni, and attended a few balls, but they weren't black tie. The males just wore suits, and the girls wore long dresses or cocktail dresses.

UCL class of 2000 (!)- lots of balls where black ties were worn. But I was a medic as someone mentioned above plus we went to University of London balls as well as UCL ......

Black tie is not just for balls. Often if you sing in a choir or play in an orchestra you will need something similar. I'd never buy new; go to the charity shops in places where lots of older people live. Guaranteed you can pick one up there.

Northern Uni medic. Black tie worn quite frequently for balls and other formals.

An I miss all my black tie uni balls. We had one every year. Everyone tried to be so glam.

DS went to his final ball/party this summer dressed as a jar of hot sauce. Apparently his house decided on a Mexican theme 🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️🤷🏼‍♀️