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Dinner Jacket / Tuxedo requirement

Right, I've received my fresher's pack and I am told that it is sensible to buy a dinner jacket for black tie events. I'm quite prepared to invest in one, but how much use will it realistically get? Just wondering...

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Reply 1

coldfish

I bought one for my leaver's do at school and it cost me about £100.

Reply 2

BabyMan

I only got a suit for that, I'm thinking about something more formal.

Reply 3

Willa

BabyMan

I only got a suit for that, I'm thinking about something more formal.

these will be pretty much compulsory if you want to attend any may balls. You wont use it more than a handful of times, but it's something you can't find an alternative for really!

Reply 4

BabyMan

Fair enough, suspected as much. Just wanted to check before a not insubstantial spend.

Reply 5

5150

I've worn my tuxedo more than I've worn my suits. It's a very, very useful garment to have.

Reply 6

WhatFreshHell?

coldfish

I bought one for my leaver's do at school and it cost me about £100.

I hired a kilt for mine and it cost 150 quid ... and it was like 5th hand!

Reply 7

A0307

I wore mine with a shirt & tie at formal just about every week, and as black tie once or twice a term. Got much more use than my "normal" suit, which I only wore for matriculation right at the start, and exams right at the end of the year.

Reply 8

hornblower

It depends on how many social events you go. I've worn my dinner suit about ten times this year.

Reply 9

~Raphael~

WhatFreshHell?

I hired a kilt for mine and it cost 150 quid ... and it was like 5th hand!

I hope your legs are up to scratch :biggrin:

And eww eww eww PLEASE don't call it a tuxedo :frown:

Reply 10

BabyMan

~Raphael~

And eww eww eww PLEASE don't call it a tuxedo :frown:

I agree entirely, no Americanisms needed here. I just put it in there to make it absolutely clear, should absolute clarity have been required.

Reply 11

jcd

Where can you buy one really cheap? And is it easy to hire one?

Reply 12

zoraster

BabyMan

I agree entirely, no Americanisms needed here. I just put it in there to make it absolutely clear, should absolute clarity have been required.

What's the English name for a tuxedo?

Reply 13

CW Esq

Dinner jacket or BT! Oxford isn't what it used to be...

Reply 14

Catt

I never wore anything even resembling a suit except when I absolutely had to, i.e. for exams! (I'm not really into social events like balls and such)

Reply 15

Narcissus

zoraster

What's the English name for a tuxedo?

It came to be known as a tuxedo in America because of a famous ball/venue or somesuch...A little google research will tell you all you need to know.

Reply 16

sokas

what do women tend to wear to these formal events?

Reply 17

Elles

<expects to be followed by H&E.. >

depends on the event, to be honest, sokas. but in my experience -

- white tie preferred = uber fancy big college ball = full length ballgown/evening gown (don't worry too much, i picked up a fabulous one on ebay for a rather bargainous price)

- black tie = standard ball or fancy college/club dinner = i'd probably wear a slightly less full on evening/cocktail style dress i.e. below knee-mid calf length, a bit more slinky. separates would probably be acceptable i.e. nice skirt & top. & if it's a sport/club thing then the relevant blazer perhaps.

- formal dinner = college formal or more informal club type dinner = anything smartish goes. i like dressing up - so i'd normally be in a cocktail dress or something like a skirt & corset top. but smart trousers & top would also be doable.

- smart casual = lunch in the president's lodgings, breakfast with important people = in oxford this is basically suits, shirt & tie for men, but more lounge suit style. i'd generally dress smartly - separates rather than a dress, or a more casual dress.

hope this helps. can elaborate if you'd like.. as mentioned - i quite like dressing up, so this is perhaps over & above the bare minimum.
showing up at a white-tie preferred event with a dress above mid-calf/see through is tacky though & any current students are thinking of coming to our ball next year (yay-do!) - we bandied about the idea of 'fashion police' scanning the queue while observing some of the Trinity go-ers..be warned! :cool: