I have this "event" to go to and I need advice

[Levallois]

This is a black tie OR dress in 1920s and 1930s garb $150-a-plate grown-up night time social affair. I don't own black tie garb but I do have a very nice 1930s-looking British charcoal DB suit, crisp white shirt, and black Allen Edmonds Park Avenue shoes- so far so good.

Now the part that I always have trouble with; the tie, pocket square and hat. Should these also be "normal" dark colors - (dark blue, dark gray, black) as this is at night or would a dark green, dark purple, or dark rust colored hat be ok with approproiate tie and pocket square? Also I have a choice between a dark blue DB cashmere overcoat and a jet black single cashmere overcoat to go over this outfit and plan on wearing a gardenia in my lapel. I want to look classy but not stodgy.

I'd appreciate some help. Thank you.

John

 

[MB5]

Here are a couple charts that may help you.

1921

1928
1928 Chart (large image)

 

[Speedbird]

Since the event is giving you a choice between Black Tie or 20's/30's wear I think the world is your oyster .. or something like that ...

I think with nice shoes, suit and crisp white shirt you can pretty much take your pick with your other choices ... it's up to you and what suits you ...

I like the idea of the dark purple hat, tie & square myself ... and the dark blue overcoat .... but green might work too .. whatever suits you better ... rust seems a little radical but only you will know when you look in the mirror.

The dress code opens up a world of options so experiment I say!

 

[Levallois]

I appreciate the responses! Dark purple hat with black ribbon, blue/purple pattern tie and blue pocket square may be just the ticket! It doesn't follow that great old chart but I'm willing to take a chance. Thanks!

John

 

[Levallois]

Photos of the possible color combos:

Purple hat/blue tie

Med gray hat/blue tie

And the left field choice - rust hat, tie, pocket square

 

[Widebrim]

Photos of the possible color combos:

Med gray hat/blue tie

And the left field choice - rust hat, tie, pocket square

I would choose one of the above. And, going against the grain, I lean towards the second.

 

[anon`]

Left field. Wear brown/mahogany/cordovan shoes.

 

[cptjeff]

The 20's were loud and colorful. Go with the second one.

 

[Levallois]

Or green -

 

[Talbot]

And the left field choice - rust hat, tie, pocket square

Sharp!:eusa_clap :eusa_clap

 

[Cody Pendant]

#3 if you pleaze!

As best as I can ascertain from you avatar I think the rust goes best with your skin tone and has the most "pop" and wow factor to me. Not being able to see it in person you'll have to judge. Given that, my next choice is for the purple accents of #1 as a second.
I am a bit biased toward the loud and colorful. Go big or go home!

 

[Mike in Seattle]

At first, I was liking the gray hat with blue...but the green hat & tie - that's a really unusual color combination that's not over-the-top flashy, but anything but boring. Understatedly elegant - IMHO.

It could also be that I've never liked earthtones with black, grey or blue. But that's just me...

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

I like the "rust hat, tie, pocket square" combo best and the green combo second. Green is more extraordinary maybe.

I am still a newbie, though. When I began lookin for vintage ties rust, red, brown and beige seemed to be the ideal colors for the 40s
Now I see there are al lots of more possibilities.

Still don't like the blue tie so much. Looks to bright to me.

 

[RM Bantista]

This is a black tie OR dress in 1920s and 1930s garb $150-a-plate grown-up night time social affair. I don't own black tie garb but I do have a very nice 1930s-looking British charcoal DB suit, crisp white shirt, and black Allen Edmonds Park Avenue shoes- so far so good.

Now the part that I always have trouble with; the tie, pocket square and hat. Should these also be "normal" dark colors - (dark blue, dark gray, black) as this is at night or would a dark green, dark purple, or dark rust colored hat be ok with approproiate tie and pocket square? Also I have a choice between a dark blue DB cashmere overcoat and a jet black single cashmere overcoat to go over this outfit and plan on wearing a gardenia in my lapel. I want to look classy but not stodgy.

I'd appreciate some help. Thank you.

John

Sir,

I would wear a SB topcoat with a DB suit, and I like the blue/grey hat. But the Brown hat tie and square would look good with a brown shoe. Nice ties. I have worn white squares with many color ties in the past, so, do as thou wilt. Now, I have a drawer full of different color squares for various combinations of ties and so forth. With black shoes, I would pass on the brown hat and tie. But no matter, you should look smashing in most of these outfit combinations. And it would have been done in the day without a thought. Everyone in dinner suit will be in black shoes.

Which is another consideration. I have been trying to convince my dear wife that a dinner suit is a necessary item for a gentleman, but so far, she is not in favor of it.

regards,

rudy

 

[Levallois]

I appreciate all the responses! I think I'll go with the left field choice of rust with gray suit and these shoes:

 

[Doggy Darb]

Any dress code that includes period attire is an invitation to appear interesting. Indulge yourself; it is as the host would have it. I would go with the rust ensemble.

 

[Levallois]

Well, we went last night - great swing/big band with Francine Reed singing - most people wore black tie - maybe 8 couples out of 150 wore period stuff.

My "tough" 30s look before going out the door - 5:30 pm so still sunny - got about an hour drive to make it to the viewing for the silent auction

Here's us posing before leaving; should have fixed my jacket pocket -

I want to thank all who replied - the left field, rust ensemble was a huge hit - got ton's of compliments and comments including several from guys saying "I wish I would have worn my hat" from those just in black tie.

John

 

[GBR]

Well, we went last night - great swing/big band with Francine Reed singing - most people wore black tie - maybe 8 couples out of 150 wore period stuff.

My "tough" 30s look before going out the door - 5:30 pm so still sunny - got about an hour drive to make it to the viewing for the silent auction

Here's us posing before leaving; should have fixed my jacket pocket -

I want to thank all who replied - the left field, rust ensemble was a huge hit - got ton's of compliments and comments including several from guys saying "I wish I would have worn my hat" from those just in black tie.

John

Surely the hat would have been seen by very few as you should surely have handed it to the cloak room attendant for safe keeping immediately upon arrival?

 

[RFLowings]

A crisp take on a rather gangsterish look. The tie really sets it apart... and the rust/grey works very well. The pocket square is a better option than a buttonhole with this look... thought about a cigar for the next time?