Formal Wear Primer

[dhermann1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_u...ve_court_dress
That article is REEEALLLY fascinating, tho I admit I didn't get all the way throught it. I wish there was an illustration of every type of dress it mentions.

 

[MisterGrey]

I tried to get an answer for this over in General Attire, but, alas, no response. I figured here might be a better place as it probably gets more views from those with a vested interest in the topic.

I'm thinking about selling my tailcoat and pique vest in the classifieds, but I'd like to get a ballpark figure on what the Loungers think is an acceptable price. I don't want to set it too high and either not sell it or bilk someone unsuspecting, but by the same token I'd also like to get my money's worth out of it.

It's a shawl lapel, 100% wool former rental. There are some tags and markings on the inside, but none of these are visible unless you're opening the jacket up or have it turned inside out. The jacket itself is flawless but for:

1) On the right lapel there is a small run in the satin. It's thinner than your average needle, but is visible to the wearer looking down on it.

2) On the backs of the actual tails there are some small white "knots" of fabric. It appears someone once sewed something here-- either a tag, or perhaps the tails were even sewn together at some point. They should be able to be removed but they're sewn so tightly into the fabric that I'd not venture to do it myself.

I've posted a pic below for reference. The vest is brand new and I only wore it once. Any info you guys could give would be fantastic!

 

[Tomasso]

Perhaps Prince Philip made the decision on his own.

It would be funny to learn that the only bone of contention in their 60+ years of marriage was his wearing a notched lapel DJ. That the mere sight of it drove her absolutely batty.

 

[David Conwill]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_u...ve_court_dress
That article is REEEALLLY fascinating, tho I admit I didn't get all the way throught it. I wish there was an illustration of every type of dress it mentions.

That link didn't work, but I assume you're trying to link to this article on Court Uniform and Court Dress in the United Kingdom. It is interesting reading.

-Dave

 

[Charlie Huang]

Would this not stand as a tacit approval? [huh]

Alas, I believe so. Seriously, she's been round longer than any of us to see the whole spectrum of black tie variations. But of course, she may also just be tolerating her husband's idiosyncracises.

 

[Charlie Huang]

I tried to get an answer for this over in General Attire, but, alas, no response. I figured here might be a better place as it probably gets more views from those with a vested interest in the topic.

I'm thinking about selling my tailcoat and pique vest in the classifieds, but I'd like to get a ballpark figure on what the Loungers think is an acceptable price. I don't want to set it too high and either not sell it or bilk someone unsuspecting, but by the same token I'd also like to get my money's worth out of it.

It's a shawl lapel, 100% wool former rental. There are some tags and markings on the inside, but none of these are visible unless you're opening the jacket up or have it turned inside out. The jacket itself is flawless but for:

1) On the right lapel there is a small run in the satin. It's thinner than your average needle, but is visible to the wearer looking down on it.

2) On the backs of the actual tails there are some small white "knots" of fabric. It appears someone once sewed something here-- either a tag, or perhaps the tails were even sewn together at some point. They should be able to be removed but they're sewn so tightly into the fabric that I'd not venture to do it myself.

I've posted a pic below for reference. The vest is brand new and I only wore it once. Any info you guys could give would be fantastic!

TBH, if it is a modern rental then it is not worth much. People go for vintage which would fetch a higher price because of superior tailoring (they are most often bespoke items and hand sewn). This one you have looks like the tails are not lined. Plus, satin lapels which is not as good as silk grosgrain (actually, is it silk at all? I doubt as it is ex-hire). It does look nsound though.

Waistcoat seems bog standard SB shawl with square corners backless which is not worth much either.

I would say, from the info you have given me, the coat is worth around £25 and the waistcoat a fiver so £30 in total. I certainly would not pay any more for it given that I could get a pretty good vintage one for a few pounds more. This is from a person who has knowledge of formal dress, someone who does not know might pay far more for it.

 

[Hap Hapablap]

Me in the breeches:

Charlie,
You HAVE to teach me how to starch my boiled front shirt that well!

 

[Cobden]

Alas, I believe so. Seriously, she's been round longer than any of us to see the whole spectrum of black tie variations. But of course, she may also just be tolerating her husband's idiosyncracises.

Alternatively, someone spilled taramasalata all over his dinner jacket and he had to make an emergency trip to Mark's and Spencer's...

 

[MisterGrey]

TBH, if it is a modern rental then it is not worth much. People go for vintage which would fetch a higher price because of superior tailoring (they are most often bespoke items and hand sewn). This one you have looks like the tails are not lined. Plus, satin lapels which is not as good as silk grosgrain (actually, is it silk at all? I doubt as it is ex-hire). It does look nsound though.

Waistcoat seems bog standard SB shawl with square corners backless which is not worth much either.

I would say, from the info you have given me, the coat is worth around £25 and the waistcoat a fiver so £30 in total. I certainly would not pay any more for it given that I could get a pretty good vintage one for a few pounds more. This is from a person who has knowledge of formal dress, someone who does not know might pay far more for it.

Actually, this is kind of a relief; if I can sell it for that I'll pretty much break even on what I spent on it. Thanks!

 

[Qirrel]

Alas, I believe so. Seriously, she's been round longer than any of us to see the whole spectrum of black tie variations. But of course, she may also just be tolerating her husband's idiosyncracises.

Or maybe he is just adventurous? In the 1962 awards for Britain's best dressed he was bashed for the sin of wearing his handkerchief in an "inelegant, american manner" (Folding it perfectly square)

 

[Tomasso]

he was bashed for the sin of wearing his handkerchief in an "inelegant, american manner"

 

[bumphrey hogart]

Come on,the blokes Greek anyway,why on earth are we looking at him as a sartorial icon? Over here he's honestly considered a bit of a buffoon, he's always sticking his foot in his mouth.
I think what is expected at court and the acme of style have always been two very different things.

 

[MisterGrey]

Come on,the blokes Greek anyway,why on earth are we looking at him as a sartorial icon?

Dude, that's like, not really cool at all.

 

[Charlie Huang]

Charlie,
You HAVE to teach me how to starch my boiled front shirt that well!

Simple. Just send it to Barkers.

 

[KILO NOVEMBER]

Not Greek, German

Come on,the blokes Greek anyway,

Actually he isn't Greek, nor were his ancestors. They were Germans. When the Greeks needed a king, they imported a German to be "King of the Greeks".

 

[Tomasso]

why on earth are we looking at him as a sartorial icon?

I think he's very well dressed. Do a Google image search and you'll be hard pressed to find an instance where he's not well turned out.


I love this pic of a young Philip.

 

[Cobden]

Actually he isn't Greek, nor were his ancestors. They were Germans. When the Greeks needed a king, they imported a German to be "King of the Greeks".

Actually, his ancestors were Danish, not German. He also considers himself Scandinavian

 

[dhermann1]

Which is neither here nor there.

 

[Lokar]

Dude, that's like, not really cool at all.

I don't think he was being racist but rather that most traditional sartorial icons are Italian, British or American. Still far-off though, there are stylish people from everywhere, but I read that as the meaning.


I quite like Prince Philip's style, though. Nothing on Prince Charles', but whose is?

 

[Boxytheboxed]

This might be a very anal concern, but is there a proper type of way to fold a pocket square for black tie? I would imagine something simple, but I'm really not sure.