Black tie 1920's/1930's

[Spitfire]

I need some help here!
Got this invitation to a party (in London).
It says "Black Tie 1920's / 1930's".
In my book a Black Tie is a black tie - or was it any different in the roaring twenties and thirties?
Is it OK to wear a pocket square matching the butterfly - or is that totally out!!!
(I have planned a navy/white dots butterfly - the Winston Churchill type - in order to meet the 30's demand)
Are there other vintage details, that could be more 20's or 30's???
(My type B flying helmet would probably be out of placelol )

I really don't know what to do here...:eusa_doh:

 

[Shangas]

The Black Tie Guide: http://www.blacktieguide.com/White_Tie/White_Tie_Intro.htm

It covers the history of Black & White Tie from the Victorian era through the Edwardian, Interwar era and into the modern day. The 20s and 30s is covered, so that might help.

 

[Edward]

As I undestand it, the differences between proper black tie now and then lie mostly in the cut of the dj & trousers. To be fully correct, only a plain black bow in either a satin silk or ribbed grosgrain (theoretically, it should match the lapels) should be worn with black tie, though again it all depends on how strict you want to be about the 'rules'.

 

[Yeps]

If you wear a white waistcoat, that will definitely help give the 20s/30s look, or at least a certain look for the time, as it was popular to wear that.

 

[Spitfire]

Thank you for you help, gentlemen! :eusa_clap

 

[dhermann1]

I think with a regular dinner jacket you'd wear the black waistcoat, but make sure it's the low cut 4 button type, rather than the contemporary 6 button type. But really, if you're in a sharp looking tux, who's gonna make a fuss?
And Spitfire, you're truly a man among men. Whatever you do is correct.

 

[Spitfire]

I think with a regular dinner jacket you'd wear the black waistcoat, but make sure it's the low cut 4 button type, rather than the contemporary 6 button type. But really, if you're in a sharp looking tux, who's gonna make a fuss?
And Spitfire, you're truly a man among men. Whatever you do is correct.

:cheers1:

 

[Yeps]

I think with a regular dinner jacket you'd wear the black waistcoat, but make sure it's the low cut 4 button type, rather than the contemporary 6 button type. But really, if you're in a sharp looking tux, who's gonna make a fuss?
And Spitfire, you're truly a man among men. Whatever you do is correct.

I agree with you on the cut, but it was popular in the era in question to use the waistcoat from white-tie even when wearing a regular dinner jacket, so that is a valid option to give it that golden age of Hollywood feel.

 

[AntonAAK]

A stiff fronted shirt with a detacthable stiff wing collar will also make your black tie ensemble look more vintage. The attached collars on modern evening dress shirts do not look the same.

 

[Tomasso]

A stiff fronted shirt with a detachable stiff wing collar will also make your black tie ensemble look more vintage. The attached collars on modern evening dress shirts do not look the same.

Excellent point.

 

[Edward]

I agree with you on the cut, but it was popular in the era in question to use the waistcoat from white-tie even when wearing a regular dinner jacket, so that is a valid option to give it that golden age of Hollywood feel.

Yes, don't forget, this was the era where white tie as the norm for evening does transitioned into black tie have the predominance it enjoys today. Thus there were elements that you wouldn't tend to see now - wing collars worn with black tie (turndown being the more common option now), white waistcoats, etc. To some degree, the black tie of the era was much closer to what we would regard as white tie with a short jacket and a black bow. What I don't know is when exactly the UK/European convention of two-stripe trousers for white tie, one stripe for black tie came about. Was there ever a period when the trews were interchangeable, as per the US model?

 

[HarpPlayerGene]

Check this sticky from the top of Attire & Accoutrements section:

http://www.thefedoralounge.com/showthread.php?t=42786

 

[Guttersnipe]

Also checkout the FL Formal Wear Primer thread...it's super useful!

 

[Paisley]

Nilo Menendez, 1929. Probably New York City.