"Black tie affairs" were at one time the domain of the aristocracy and upper classes who "dressed" for dinner. Now they are an everday affair and are part of celebrations worldwide.
Following Laurelland's determination to attract attention at the 1886 Autumn Ball in the Tuxedo Club in New York, the fashion became an overnight sensation and has spread like a virus ever since.
Peacocks and Penguins
So now we find the normal peacock males dressing like a band of penguins while the ladies get the opportunity to desport themselves in the latest fashions. He has to rent, buy or squeeze into last year's suit while She gets a facial, manicure, new hairdo and all of the accessories to go with her new evening dress.
Of course, there is always one 'individual', who just has to be different. To do this, he has to wear a red cummerbund, a light up clip-on dickie bow or a white jacket. Of course, he can go whole hog and wear a gold lamé suit, à la Great Liberace. Some even discover long-lost Scottish roots and turn up in full dress kilt . After all, peacocks do enjoy the attention, but this is difficult when everyone else is milling around in identical suits.
The Trials and Tribulations of Youth
The generation most sinned against are the young men who are attending their School Formal. This is the local equivalent of the American Prom. The brave young Lothario has to don the "monkey suit" and stand awkwardly by, as the female of the species gets her 15 minutes of glory. To add to his discomfiture, he also has to provide a limo, bear a single red rose and a box of chocolates which is a peace offering for his meeting with the formidable mother. None of this is easy whilst fighting off an outbreak of exploding acne and coping with a stiff collar and new shoes.
In the future, the plan would be for all men to refuse to wear the tux. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. By all means wear a lounge suit and the clip on bow tie, if that will suffice. However, do not give up your personal identity. Mind you, "She who must be obeyed" may refuse to attend whatever event was being planned. Why wear cut-down versions of 19th century formal dress just to look like everyone else?
Let every man wear what makes him feel the equal of his consort. After all, who looks good in a tuxedo? James Bond?
Michael Durkin - I hold a BA Degree from Queen's University Belfast and an MBA from the University of Ulster. Whilst at Queen's , I was President of the ...
