A single breasted dinner jacket needs to be worn with either a waistcoat or cummerbund as they are a great way to hide where the dress studs finish and the ordinary buttons start. You don’t need a waistcoat or cummerbund with a double breasted dinner jacket as this style of jacket needs to be always buttoned up even when sitting. Whichever you choose – go for plain black. Keep colours and patterns for less formal events.

All prices are correct at time of publishing

Waistcoat

Originally a white pique waistcoat from the formal white tie attire was worn but later this changed to the black vest. They can come with lapels or not.  Traditionally if they do have their own lapels, they would be in the same fabric as the jacket’s lapels. Waistcoats are great to keep the slim line look if you happen to unbutton your jacket. This is due to the continuation of the same colour from trouser to waistcoat. Choose the deep U shaped waistcoat to show off the dress shirt bib. On the single breasted waistcoat it is etiquette to leave the bottom button undone. Oliver Brown’s Single Breasted Evening Waistcoat has a shawl collar. It is made from barathea wool with corded silk lapels (therefore would need to be teamed with a tuxedo jacket with a textured silk facing), and silk-covered buttons. Fabric is 100% wool front with satin back panel. £225.00. They also have a Double Breasted Evening Waistcoat £225.00. Gieves and Hawkes’ Shelford Horseshoe Waistcoat has no collar. Another name for the U shape is the horseshoe. Fabric is 70% wool 30% mohair Was £395.00 now £206.50

Cummerbunds

Cummerbunds (from the Hindu word kamarband) were originally sashes worn in India and brought back by the British. The sash should be worn with the folds pointing upwards –originally so that men had somewhere to keep their opera or theatre tickets handy. Cummerbunds can accentuate a portly stomach, but can give the skinny guy much needed inches. Whichever you choose – go for black. Keep the colours for less formal events. The cummerbund’s fabric texture should match either the bow tie or the dinner jacket’s facings. Favourbrook’s Satin Silk Pleated Cummerbund & Bow Tie Set will ensure they both match, In black Duchesse silk, this high thread count satin with an extra weight allows it to hold its shape. The matching bow tie is a self  tie (always go for a self tie rather than a pretied bow tie)£175.00  Oliver Brown’s Cummerbund – Corded Black has a subtle corded texture. Woven from 100% silk the corded cummerbund is less lustrous than the satin equivalent and features a discreet elastic fastener and gilt clasp. This is to be worn with a grosgrain bow tie and grosgrain tuxedo lapels.  £125.00

Braces

Most tuxedo trousers do not have belt loops as belts are a no no. Instead they have side adjusters or brace buttons. This way your black tie attire maintains an elegant formal look. If they have brace buttons wear with black silk braces such as Favourbrook’s Black Moire Silk Braces £110.00

Pocket square

Don’t forget your pocket square; this is your finishing touch. Traditionally white linen, but white silk is now more popular. Wear in the more formal flat fold (presidential fold), the two or three point fold for a classic look or go a little flamboyant with the conservative puff. Oliver Brown ‘s Hand Finished Silk Pocket Square is £30.00 100% silk and Gieves and Hawkes Barne Silk Pocket Square Was £85.00 now £59.50. Favourbrook’s Satin Silk Pocket Square is of silk satin £50.00. Brunello Cucinelli Tuxedo pocket square is of Sea Island cotton twill, perfect to create the formal flat fold. £140.00

Gieves and Hawkes images provided by pr agency Purple PR

Favourbrook and Brunello Cucinelli images provided by pr agency LM Communications

Oliver Brown images provided by Oliver Brown

Images from Canva.com

See the below articles for:

The Bow Tie : Black Tie Event – The Bow Tie – RACING FASHION

The Dress Shirt: Black Tie Event – The Dress Shirt – RACING FASHION

The Dinner Jacket/Tuxedo: Black Tie Event – The Dinner Jacket – RACING FASHION

Outerwear: Black Tie Event -The Outerwear – RACING FASHION