What is good/a no no in dinner jackets for black tie do?

[moopymoo]

Am looking for one for dh and am thinking of ebay as we have 2 things to go to and not much cash...what should he avoid (apart from novelty waistcoats and clip on ties of course and what kind of shirt? thankyou people.

I like a plain wing collar shirt - but it is a bit boring

Are you going for cuf links & studs?

There are some lovely striped jackets atm - but do be careful, they can look a bit eighties

Not dark blue
Not shiny
Definitely NOT velvet or velvet collar

Plain white shirt is fine, that pointy collar thing looks good with bow ties but DH says is uncomfortable. NOT ruffles (ick) and make sure it has buttons if he doesn't have dress studs.

DH often wears a black shirt, no tie..but he is a rebel

or a white shirt/ black shirt and white tie with a big bling tie pin

just a plain traditional tux with winged collar shirt, with studs and cufflinks and a black bow tie looks fab though, go for the best suit you can afford as a cheap suit will look worse than a cheap shirt

Classic (although DH prefers single breasted - depends on your DH's shape. If he has a bit of a tummy, definitely single)

Gosh yes no frills/ruffles or velvet - yuk

ohh you are all good at this. yes he has a tummy. i saw that one as he is a 44chest. do you think he can get away with an ebay one? frees up more cash for frock for me of course...

It might sound silly - but it looks much better if the trousers and jacket match (IMO)

Rather than being two different colours of black

What about a cumberband? I like them but they aren't tremendously popular

Def a cumberbund I think they look really smart, polish it off even if you stick to black. I think DH may have a small collection!!!!

DH always wear a cumberbund, but then he wears them with mess kit anyway, so is used to them and can carry them off, IYSWIM. I quite like them!

McD, tis a military thing

oooh, i don;t like cummerbunds , bit old mannish, and if you have anything other than flat tummy, you draw attention to it

just my thoughts ....

Scandalous comment coming up... only buy a real tie if one of you knows how to tie it. Otherwise get a pre-tied. A badly tied black tie is worse.

I'm sure I read that the Asda trousers are free at the moment if you buy the jacket so double bargain

I must look at their shirt

DH's last shirt was £70 but it does need to move well for him (he is a dancer)

matalan did tuxedos last year for around £70 IIRC

also look for pre xmas bargains, lots of sales happen before xmas

DH picked up a formal shirt reduced from £80 to £15.. it is beautiful and launders very well...

Think you are right! It is compulsory is it not?

I'll second MissL's comments about a real or not real bow tie.

all real ties come with a diagram
get one and practise
no excuse for a ready-tied tie

(and teach your daughters as well as your sons - I was hugely in demand at school and college balls because I could tie a bow tie)

Me too MrsB but I have seen some monstrosities and it isn't that easy.

will check out the asda ones as they look ok. and i am worried about buying one that he hasnt tried on. dont think i like cummerbunds for him. thanks. and for tie tip. we seemed to have reached a certain age where lots of these dos are coming all at once so maybe he needs to spend a bit more cash on an investment suit. he just baulks at spending money on clothes. i dont have that problem. will post again when i need help with a dress for me!

DJ with proper lapels, not those smooth ones.

Shirt with full collar, and mother-of-pearl buttons.

Black bow-tie (either real or clip on), and black or colour cummberbund.

Novelty shirts are good, with the coloured back when you take your jacket off.

Wow - if Asda have cheap dinner suits, it is worth getting one. DH bought a M&S job about 15 years ago, and it has been one of his best buys ever. I think it was about £70 at the time, and he has worn it loads.